"He actually dodged it!"
Nami turned back, staring at the unharmed Hongo in surprise. A mix of disbelief and expectation crossed her face as she spoke, "As expected of a member of the Red Hair Pirates, he's truly formidable."
His speed was incredible.
The instant lightning flashed and thunder roared, he had already moved out of the thundercloud's attack range.
Hongo casually swayed the long staff in his hand, his gap-toothed grin widening as he laughed. "Pirate Miss, your lightning is powerful, but the release speed is too slow. Even if I am just a ship doctor, I am not that easy to defeat."
"Release speed, huh..."
Nami sighed softly. "Yeah, every time it's too slow, you all manage to escape."
"Hmm?"
Hongo suddenly sensed something. He glanced down at the ground, then shook his head with a chuckle. "Hey, cunning Pirate Miss, are you still planning a sneak attack?"
In an instant, he leaped into the air. His staff, coated in Armament Haki, slammed heavily into the ground.
Boom!
The ground cracked violently under the surge of Haki. Streams of golden liquid beneath the surface shattered before they could form into rising spikes.
"I've been found out..."
A sharp glint flashed across Nami's eyes. Her usual playful charm faded, replaced by a rare seriousness. "Then I'll just attack head-on!"
The shattered gold surged upward, transforming into a sky full of shimmering droplets that descended toward Hongo.
"Localized heavy rain, Golden Arrow Rain!"
Swish, swish, swish!
The falling droplets twisted midair, sharpening into countless golden arrows that blanketed the area around him.
Hongo looked up and laughed as he spun his staff, creating a flawless defensive pattern that deflected every arrow.
"A beautiful woman who controls gold, that is a dangerous combination. Beckman would definitely envy me for facing someone like you."
Nami smiled faintly, her eyes focused. "Flattery will not save you."
With a flick of her hand, the deflected arrows merged together, forming a massive, razor-sharp spear.
"Golden Spear!"
Hongo raised his staff calmly as the enormous spear surged toward him.
"Controlling gold like this is impressive. If I had that ability, I might have quit piracy and become the richest man in the world."
Bang!
The moment his staff touched the spear, cracks spread instantly across its surface. It shattered into flowing liquid gold.
Nami's eyes widened. "What just happened?"
Hongo rested the staff on his shoulder and grinned. "I specialize in breaking down weapons. People call me the Decomposition Demon. Big constructs like that are easy for me to handle."
"Restrain me? I don't believe that!"
Nami's gaze sharpened as she turned her focus behind him.
"Elbaf really lives up to its name. There is gold buried deep beneath this island, and I can feel all of it."
The ground trembled as buried golden artifacts surfaced. Dirt fell away as they melted and fused together, forming towering golden puppet warriors armed with axes and spears.
Boom, boom, boom!
They surrounded Hongo and charged forward.
Despite being outnumbered, Hongo remained relaxed.
"I already told you, attacks like these..."
He lightly brushed his staff against the first puppet.
A flash of light followed.
Every golden warrior collapsed mid-charge, dissolving into liquid gold before they could even reach him.
Nami froze, completely stunned. "They were all destroyed instantly... what kind of power is that? Are you a Devil Fruit user too?"
"If I had the choice, I would have preferred the Ope Ope no Mi," Hongo replied casually, tapping his staff against the ground. "But that is no longer an option."
He looked at her with mild interest. "Beautiful Pirate Miss, why not surrender? I am not interested in dragging this fight out. I get along well with Luffy, and I would rather hear about his adventures."
Nami smiled, her finger slowly pointing upward. "We can talk after you survive this."
"That last attack was just to stall you. The real one has been charging this whole time. Your speed is impressive, but I widened the range. Can you still escape?"
Hongo's expression changed as he looked up.
Three golden staffs floated high above, generating massive thunderclouds. The dust from the battlefield had concealed them completely.
"So you set this up from the beginning..."
Nami's eyes shone with confidence. "Since you're Luffy's friend, I'll take this seriously. Golden Magic Circle Thunderclap!"
"Damn, I got careless!"
Before he could move, thunder crashed down.
Boom!
Lightning rained relentlessly, trapping Hongo within a storm of destruction.
Rumble!
Bolt after bolt struck the same spot, engulfing him completely.
Nami exhaled, placing her hands on her hips. "Finally got him."
Boom!!!
A sudden, violent explosion echoed from the forest nearby.
"Ah, my ears!"
The shockwave slammed into Nami, knocking her to the ground as she clutched her ears in pain.
A powerful gust of wind followed, nearly sweeping her away.
Through the chaos, a figure was hurled out of the forest, crashing heavily near her.
"Chopper?!"
Nami's eyes widened as she recognized him, barely conscious.
Another massive blast surged forward, aimed directly at the thundercloud above.
Boom!
The thundercloud shattered under the impact, dispersing rapidly.
As the storm faded, Hongo emerged from within, his body covered in soot. He leaned on his staff, brushing dust off his clothes with a sigh.
"This is why I hate fighting. My clothes always get ruined."
"Hahaha, you look terrible, Hongo!"
A voice rang out from the destroyed forest.
A man stepped forward, laughing, with a noisy monkey perched on his back.
It was Binji and Monda.
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