Chapter 550: Become My Partner
Chapter 550: Become My Partner
Inside the Base, other corridors.
"Tch, why can't I get through this passage right in front of me! Is this a maze?!"
Zoro stared at the corridor ahead, a throbbing vein on his forehead.
He'd already run a considerable distance, but no matter what, he always ended up back here.
He could clearly sense Luffy's aura nearby, yet couldn't close the gap.
What the hell was going on with this Base?!
As Zoro hesitated, suddenly a cluster of arms sprouted from the wall, all pointing in unison toward a specific direction.
"Robin?"
Seeing the hands, Zoro's lips curled into a smirk. "Thanks. Now I can finally escape this maze!"
With that, he sprinted forward, but just as he was about to enter the corridor ahead, he abruptly changed direction and dashed right.
Pah!
More hands burst from the wall, forming a wisp of a spiderweb that blocked Zoro's path. The hands pointed back the way he came.
"Eh? Not this way?" Zoro frowned.
……
Robin and Franky stood together.
Robin closed her eyes, crossing her hands with palms upward.
"Found them yet, Robin?" Franky asked.
After a moment, Robin opened her eyes and smiled. "Yes. Zoro's taking a bit longer, but I've located everyone else. Let's go to Luffy."
"Whoa! Let's reunite first, then find Sunny!" Franky exclaimed.
"Nail Fist Technique: Straight Nail!"
Franky instinctively turned, his massive arms shooting forward to block.
Boom!
A burst of air current exploded against his arms, forcing him back two steps.
"Nico Robin! Franky!"
From a distance, Sazil's navy-hooded cloak billowed as he advanced, fists clenched. "You're under arrest!"
"It's the Navy", Robin remarked.
"Hey, Navy! Are you alone? Maybe you should step aside!" Franky roared.
"One person won't stop us!"
"Shut up, pirate!"
Sazil gritted his teeth. "Because of you, I lost face in front of Mr. Klah! I won't let this end without arresting you!"
He reared back and charged, throwing a punch as he shouted, "Nail Fist Technique!"
Air currents surged out, forming a wisp of needle-like blasts.
Seeing this, Franky extended his massive palm. "Weapon Left Hand!"
His left hand fired a barrage of bullets, colliding with the air currents.
Boom!
The currents and bullets scattered simultaneously. But by then, Sazil had already closed in on Franky.
His fist, coated in Armament Haki, slammed downward.
"Franky Metal Punch!"
Franky countered without hesitation, his massive metal fist crashing down. The sheer size of his weapon rivaled Sazil's body.
Bang!!
Sazil's punch struck Franky's chest, while Franky's fist slammed into Sazil's body.
With one blow, Sazil flew backward.
"That hurt!"
Franky staggered back, clutching his chest angrily.
"Cyborgs can feel pain too?" Robin asked.
"I kept a bit of sensitivity", Franky replied.
Though he was immune to cannons and bullets, he'd retained his pain receptors during his modifications two years ago. Even after upgrades, he'd kept that sensation. Only this way could he still call himself human.
"Let's go. This Navy's already lost", Franky said, turning to leave.
"Stop right there, pirate!"
Sazil, slammed to the ground, shot back up. Wiping blood from his mouth, he snarled, "You think this weak attack can break me?! Don't dream! I'm a man forged through countless trials!"
"Oh! Really a man, huh!"
Franky's eyes lit up as he struck his signature pose. "When it comes to being a real man, I won't lose either!"
"Pirate!" Sazil roared, charging again.
"Navy!" Franky bellowed, his massive metal arm swinging to meet him.
"Sixty-Wheel Flowers!"
Suddenly, Robin crossed her arms, and a giant palm erupted before her, slamming into Sazil and sending him flying.
"Don't waste time. Let's regroup first", Robin said, turning forward.
"A man's duel..." Franky muttered, glancing at Sazil's crumpled form with a sigh before following.
……
Boom!
Before the Impound Ship Gate, fists and claws clashed.
Klah's body flashed as his Wolf Claw lifted upward after colliding with Luffy's fist. The razor-sharp claws scraped along Luffy's arm.
Clang!
A layer of Armament Haki appeared on Luffy's steam-bellowing arm. Then his body vanished, a wisp of wind roaring past Klah's head.
"Useless!"
Klah scoffed, dodging Luffy's piston-like punch by twisting his head aside. His claws shot upward, aiming for Luffy's neck.
"I've tasted your blood. Your movements are mine to predict!"
"Now, you'll dodge my attack, but—"
The extended claws suddenly lunged, piercing Luffy's chest as he tried to evade.
Hiss!
Luffy rapidly retreated, steadying himself. He glanced at the blood trickling from his chest. "Dangerous. You're good."
"Dodged, huh?"
Klah retracted his claws, grinning maliciously. "Too bad. This is the best you can do."
"I don't want to waste time with you. I've got a voyage to start!"
Luffy's expression turned serious. "I'm getting serious now!"
"Convenient. Me too."
Klah crouched low, his body surging with power. His voice deepened. "Witness the strength of a great Klah officer these past two years!"
"Arooooo!!"
A five-meter-tall werewolf loomed at the gate.
Klah fully transformed into a beast-human hybrid. His massive claws pressed into the ground, his grotesque wolf head exhaling a breath that stirred the dust.
"Luffy! Let's settle our East Blue score!"
"Woah! What's this?! A werewolf?! So cool! What the heck, you're so awesome!" Luffy's eyes sparkled as he gaped, thrilled.
"Ahh—"
Klah froze mid-lunge, his tail twitching. Regaining composure, he growled, "Don't think flattery will let you pass! You're still getting arrested!"
"Who cares about that!"
Luffy grinned, eyeing Klah. "Hey, werewolf! Since you're so cool, wanna become my partner?"
"Wolf Dash Cannon!"
Boom!
A massive air blast roared forth. Luffy dodged sideways as the explosion behind him shattered the wall, revealing the outside.
"Woah! Close call! That was super powerful! You're scary strong!" Luffy exclaimed, glancing back.
"Luffy! Show me your strength!" Klah thundered. "Otherwise, you'll never get past this Navy Commander!"
(End of Chapter)
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