"…."
Tony Tony Chopper stood still, his expression steady, his mismatched eyes locked onto the man and monkey before him.
His body expanded as he shifted into his Human Point, his frame growing tall and heavily built. A dark red mist wrapped around his hooves, which twisted and sharpened into long, claw-like weapons.
"I'm getting serious now. I don't like using this power, but I will defeat you."
His form became monstrous, like a predator. The blood-red aura around him intensified, giving him a terrifying presence.
"Oh? So this is your real strength."
Benn Beckman clenched his fists, a spark of excitement flashing in his eyes. The scar near his left eye twitched slightly as he grinned.
"If the little reindeer is serious, then we should respond properly. Monda."
"Squeak! Squeak!"
The monkey on his shoulder nodded, baring its teeth with a savage grin.
"This time…"
Chopper's red eye flickered, then his figure blurred into a streak of crimson as he vanished.
"I won't hold back!"
He appeared behind Benn in an instant, his claws slashing forward with deadly precision.
Benn did not turn.
"It's your turn, Monda."
"Squeak!!!"
Monda spun around instantly, his fist coated in Armament Haki as it collided with Chopper's claws.
Boom!!!
The impact sent a shockwave through the forest. Monda was pushed back a step, but remained unharmed.
"Impressive."
Benn used the opening to leap back, creating distance. He removed his shirt and tossed it aside, revealing a muscular body marked with scars.
"I underestimated you earlier. That was my mistake."
He raised his fists like a boxer.
Zzz… zzz…
A dense, violent energy began to gather around his body, concentrating heavily around his fists.
Zzz!!!!
Still, he did not attack.
"Not enough. This level of power is still insufficient."
He continued punching the air, steadily compressing more destructive force into his fists.
Chopper, still clashing with Monda, sensed the danger immediately.
"What is that… I can't let him keep building that up!"
With a sharp swipe, he forced Monda back and rushed toward Benn.
"He noticed."
Benn smirked.
"But you won't reach me."
In the next moment, Monda dropped from above, blocking Chopper's path again.
"Move! I don't have time for you!"
Chopper surged forward like a streak of red lightning, attempting to break through.
"Squeak!"
Monda followed him relentlessly, intercepting every path, his Haki-coated fists deflecting each attack.
No matter how fast Chopper moved, Monda stayed in front of him.
"That energy keeps rising… I can't let this continue!"
Chopper's speed increased further, but it made no difference.
Monda remained an unbreakable wall.
"He's one of our strongest," Benn said with a laugh, his fists glowing with compressed power. "If you don't reach me soon, this attack will be complete."
"I can't drag this out!"
Chopper's eyes sharpened. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wax-sealed red pill.
"Hmph… relying on me again," the voice in his mind sneered.
"No. This power is mine."
He crushed the wax, revealing a spiraled red pill that resembled layered scales.
"I won't lose control. That power is part of me. I'll use it properly."
Without hesitation, he swallowed it.
"Devil: Red Wave Ball!"
The moment it took effect, pain surged through his body.
"Ahhh…!"
His antlers sharpened and extended. His fur stretched and flowed like living strands behind him. His body slimmed down, but his presence became far colder, far more dangerous.
Within seconds, he transformed into something entirely different.
A creature wrapped in dense, blood-red mist.
…
It lowered its arms slowly, then lifted its head, revealing a mouth filled with sharp teeth.
Its gaze locked onto Benn.
Cold. Emotionless.
"…So this is still the same reindeer?"
Even Benn felt a chill run through him.
Before he could react, Chopper vanished.
"So fast!"
Monda shrieked and rushed behind Benn.
But it was too late.
Chopper had already appeared there.
Swish!
His claws pierced forward without hesitation.
"Squeak!!!"
Monda's eyes widened as he screamed.
…
Boom!!!
Elsewhere, thunderclouds gathered as lightning rained down violently.
Crack! Crack!
The strikes engulfed Hongo completely.
"Hmph. Even without the powers Shirogai could take, I can still command lightning."
Nami stood confidently, controlling her Clima-Tact as golden currents of electricity faded around her.
She glanced at the lightning-struck area and shook her head slightly.
"As Big Mom said, underestimating women is a fatal mistake."
"Yeah… that really is terrifying."
A voice came from behind her.
Hongo stepped forward, sighing as if relieved.
"Good thing I never underestimated you. If that lightning had hit me properly, my clothes would have been ruined."