At that moment, Luffy's heart began to beat like a drum, producing a loud thump, thump, thump that echoed across the battlefield.
With the rhythm of the drums of liberation, his aged body began to change again. The appearance of a frail old man faded as his form turned white once more, and the ground beneath him gradually transformed into rubber.
Luffy had reentered his Nika state.
He sprang up from the ground, his previous injuries healing at a visible rate. Laughing loudly, he said, "Hahahahaha, that last attack really hurt, but I am not going down before I send you flying."
Saint Shamrock frowned deeply at the sight. Just moments ago, Luffy had been on the verge of death, yet now he had fully recovered.
Do you think you are Marco the Phoenix?
With a cold sneer, Saint Shamrock said, "Then let this Saint see how many times you can come back."
He launched another attack, but this time he quickly realized something was different. Luffy's speed had increased significantly. Every strike was dodged with precision, as if Luffy could see through his movements.
The realization shook him.
Nika Luffy laughed as he moved. "Hahahahaha, thanks to fighting you, my Observation Haki has improved. I can see your attacks much more clearly now."
Saint Shamrock's expression turned grim. In the distance, Saint Garling also noticed the change. After being pushed to the brink and recovering, Luffy had clearly grown stronger.
"Straw Hat Luffy," Saint Garling shouted, his voice sharp, "this old man will give you one last chance. Surrender now, or Rayleigh will lose his head."
Luffy glanced at the blade pressed against Rayleigh's neck and continued laughing. "Hahahahaha, I will not let you kill Rayleigh. I am going to send you flying."
Seeing no hesitation or intent to surrender, Saint Garling's expression hardened. Without another word, he swung his blade.
In an instant, Silvers Rayleigh, the former right hand of the Pirate King, was beheaded.
Blood sprayed as his body collapsed.
Luffy kept laughing.
"Hahahahaha, Rayleigh is dead, Rayleigh is dead. Since you killed him, hahahaha, I am going to send you flying."
(Wth is bro doing....)
He charged forward again without hesitation.
"Your opponent is me," Saint Shamrock roared, intercepting him.
The two clashed once more. This time, Luffy's Observation Haki had clearly improved. He moved unpredictably, dodging attacks while searching for openings to strike back.
However, his Armament Haki remained lacking.
Even when his attacks landed, they only managed to push Saint Shamrock back or leave him slightly disheveled. They failed to deal any serious damage.
"Luffy..." Boa Hancock watched with despair in her eyes. Something about him felt wrong. Even after Rayleigh's death, he showed no grief, only endless laughter, which she could not understand.
The Marines were equally unsettled.
"What is wrong with Straw Hat Luffy? Ever since that transformation, he has been acting completely differently."
Saint Garling remained on the sidelines, observing instead of intervening. In truth, he was transmitting everything directly to Imu, reporting the situation in detail.
The awakened Nika fruit possessed bizarre abilities, but from his perspective, Saint Shamrock still held the advantage.
Still, Luffy's state was abnormal. It was as if he was being influenced by the will of the Sun God itself.
The legendary Sun God was said to bring joy and laughter, and now Luffy embodied that legend completely. Even witnessing Rayleigh's death, he continued laughing without restraint, as if incapable of feeling sorrow.
"What a strange fighting style," Saint Garling muttered, his expression serious.
Meanwhile, Saint Shamrock grew increasingly irritated. "You are just a commoner. Do not act so arrogantly."
This time, he did not evade. As Luffy attacked, Saint Shamrock struck back at the same moment.
Their attacks connected simultaneously.
Blood burst from Luffy's body as he was sent flying once more. At the same time, Saint Shamrock was also knocked backward by Luffy's punch.
"Damn commoner..." Saint Shamrock quickly regained his footing, glaring at the fallen Luffy.
Once again, Luffy's body reverted to that of an old man after the heavy damage.
But then, the drums began again.
Thump, thump, thump.
The sound echoed across Amazon Lily as the rhythm of liberation returned.
With it, Luffy's body transformed once more. His white form reappeared as he slowly stood up, laughing loudly.
"Hahahahaha, what is going on? It feels like I have endless power. This is so strange."
At this point, Saint Garling's expression finally turned fully serious. Luffy's aura had grown stronger yet again.
Is this truly the power of the Nika fruit?
Through telepathy, Imu issued a direct order to the Gorosei, eliminate Straw Hat Luffy by any means necessary.
Receiving the command, Saint Garling focused his power. A massive black five pointed magic circle formed before him.
"Shamrock, step back," he ordered. "Leave the rest to us."
"Father..." Saint Shamrock hesitated, clearly displeased, but when he saw the magic circle, he understood.
The others were being summoned.
A brilliant white light burst from the circle. Moments later, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, Saint Peter, Saint Topman Warcury, and Saint Jaygarcia Saturn appeared together on the battlefield.