---
The atmosphere in Loguetown grew even more tense as the new figure drew closer. The bounty hunter was tall, his silhouette sharp against the bright sky, his dark cloak billowing behind him as he strode forward with purpose. His sword gleamed in the light, and there was no mistaking the deadly confidence in his eyes.
Luffy raised an eyebrow, sizing him up. "You must be after my bounty, huh?"
The bounty hunter smirked, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his blade. "You could say that. I've been tracking you for weeks. I'm not going to let a pirate like you escape so easily."
Ace stepped forward, flames dancing on his fingertips. "Another challenge? We're not exactly looking for more fights, but if you want to test yourself, go ahead."
Zoro cracked his knuckles, his eyes sharp as he sized up the new arrival. "It's better to deal with this now than later. We've got bigger things to do."
Sabo stood by, his eyes scanning the surroundings. His mind was sharp, considering their options. This bounty hunter seemed more than just a run-of-the-mill opponent, and they couldn't afford to be careless.
---
The First Strike
The bounty hunter's eyes flickered with impatience, and without warning, he drew his sword in a lightning-fast motion. The blade cut through the air with a whistling sound, heading straight for Luffy. It was a clean, precise strike, the kind of blow that would have taken down most opponents in one clean cut.
Luffy, however, was ready. His body blurred as he dodged the attack with remarkable speed. The Nine-Tails of his Devil Fruit flared out behind him, giving him extra momentum as he twisted in mid-air, avoiding the blade with ease.
"Nice try!" Luffy shouted, landing lightly on his feet with a grin.
The bounty hunter's eyes narrowed, surprised by Luffy's agility. "Not bad. But you won't be so lucky next time."
Luffy grinned wider. "You'll have to do better than that to catch me!"
---
Ace's Flame Barrage
Ace stepped forward, his hands igniting in flames. He moved in sync with Luffy, unleashing a series of fireballs that shot toward the bounty hunter. Each flame seemed to move with deadly intent, the air around them heating up from the intensity.
The bounty hunter reacted swiftly, his blade cutting through the flames, each strike expertly deflecting the fire. The heat from Ace's flames was intense, but the bounty hunter seemed unaffected, his movements precise and calculated.
"You're fast," Ace said, his eyes locked onto the bounty hunter's every move. "But fire's not something you can easily dodge."
The bounty hunter grinned, flicking his sword with a swift motion to redirect the flames, forcing Ace to leap back. "You're right. But there's always a way around it."
---
Zoro's Challenge
Zoro, tired of standing by, stepped forward and unsheathed his swords. "Enough talk. If this guy's serious, I'll take care of him. You two get ready in case things get rough."
The bounty hunter's eyes gleamed with a dangerous edge as he saw Zoro draw his blades. "I was hoping you'd step in. Let's see if you can back up your reputation, swordsman."
Zoro gave a sharp, confident grin. "I'll make sure you remember my name. Santoryu style!" He moved in a blur, his three swords slashing in a frenzied assault, each strike aimed at the bounty hunter's vital points.
The bounty hunter parried and blocked with expert precision, his sword flashing as it met Zoro's. The two blades collided in a loud clang, sending shockwaves through the air. The bounty hunter was fast, but Zoro was relentless. His swords seemed to come from every direction, each strike faster and more precise than the last.
"You're not bad at all," the bounty hunter said, sweat starting to form on his brow. "But I've got more in store."
---
Sabo's Strategy
As Zoro and the bounty hunter clashed, Sabo stood back and carefully analyzed the situation. He could see that the bounty hunter was strong, but not unbeatable. His skills with the sword were impressive, and his agility was on par with their own—but there was a weakness. Sabo could sense the bounty hunter was relying too heavily on his swordplay and wasn't fully utilizing his surroundings.
Sabo raised his hands, the Goro Goro no Mi power bubbling inside him. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the energy build. Then, in one quick motion, he called down a lightning strike aimed directly at the bounty hunter.
The bolt of electricity surged toward the bounty hunter, crackling through the air. The bounty hunter, surprised by the sudden attack, barely had time to react. He barely managed to deflect the lightning with his sword, but the power still sent him skidding backward, throwing him off balance.
"You're not as invincible as you think," Sabo said, his voice calm but laced with authority.
The bounty hunter growled, his confidence wavering. "I'll admit, you've got power, but I'm not done yet!"
---
The Final Blow
The bounty hunter, now visibly frustrated, launched himself back into the fray, aiming for Luffy. He knew that Luffy was the most dangerous of the group, and taking him down would end this fight.
He lunged forward, his blade aiming for Luffy's heart. But before he could reach him, Luffy grinned, his eyes alight with the Nine-Tails' power. With a burst of speed, Luffy ducked under the blade and twisted his body in a perfect arc, using his enhanced agility to get behind the bounty hunter.
Luffy's fist shot forward, powered by the Nine-Tails, and landed a blow directly on the bounty hunter's back, sending him crashing to the ground. The force of the punch rattled the bounty hunter's body, and he was unable to recover, his sword falling from his hand.
---
Smoker's Warning
Smoker watched from a distance, his arms crossed over his chest. He wasn't happy with how things had turned out, but he wasn't willing to intervene directly. The Straw Hat Pirates had made their point—they were not easy prey.
"You've caused enough trouble here, but it seems you're more trouble than I thought," Smoker said, his voice cold. "Loguetown's not the place for pirates like you."
Luffy, wiping his hands off, grinned again. "I'm just getting started, Smoker. The One Piece is out there waiting for me."
Smoker didn't respond, but his eyes hardened. He knew that this wasn't the last time he'd cross paths with Luffy and his crew.
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A New Challenge Ahead
The bounty hunter slowly stood up, grimacing in pain, but still alive. "This isn't the end. I'll be back for you, Straw Hat." His words were laced with venom, but he knew when to retreat.
With that, the bounty hunter disappeared into the distance, leaving the Straw Hat Pirates standing victorious. They had faced another challenge, but they were closer to their goal than ever before.
Luffy, full of energy, slapped Ace and Zoro on the back. "That was a fun fight! But I'm ready to set sail again! The Grand Line awaits!"
Ace chuckled, flames flickering from his fingers. "You never stop, do you?"
Sabo smiled, looking toward the horizon. "We're one step closer, Luffy."
And with that, the Straw Hat Pirates set sail once again, ready for the adventures that awaited them in the Grand Line.
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End of Chapter 9
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