Sanji laughed maniacally through the intense pain, feeling the "progress" constantly accumulating within him, his eyes burning with fervent flames and an extreme craving for power!
A thousand times? Even if it was ten thousand times, he was determined to take it!
Just as Sanji was immersed in his crazy plan of "getting stronger by taking hits" and enduring Kuma's relentless, storm-like attacks, the rest of the Straw Hat could no longer just stand by and watch!
"Sanji!" Robin cried out anxiously, once again using her ability to interfere with Kuma's attack, "Six Fleur: Clutch!" attempting to disrupt Kuma.
Zoro said nothing, but his eyes were icy cold, and with three swords, he unleashed, "Three-Sword Style: Ushigori: Brave Claw!" aiming directly for Kuma's back, trying to force him to release Sanji.
Usopp also fired his "Sure-Kill: Firebird Star Exploding Chain!" with all his might.
Even Chopper swallowed a Rumble Ball, transforming into his Heavy Point form and charging forward!
However, facing these rescue attacks from all directions, a calculating glint flashed in Kuma's calm eyes.
He didn't even turn around; he merely pushed his other huge, empty hand forward seemingly casually—
Buzz!
That familiar scene reappeared!
All the attacks—Zoro's slashes, Brook's slashes, Usopp's exploding fireworks, and even Chopper's charge—were all bounced back along their original paths!
But the targets were no longer random; they were all redirected towards Sanji, who was still clutched in his hand!
"What?!"
"Oh no!"
"Sanji, get out of the way!"
Amidst the terrified shouts of the crowd, Sanji took all of his companions' "rescue" attacks squarely!
Boom boom boom—!!!
Brook's chilly Underworld air froze and covered him, the air blades from the slashes tore his suit, the explosion's fire engulfed him, and Chopper's heavy impact was adding insult to injury!
"Ugh ah ah ah—!!!"
Sanji let out a pained groan, his entire body instantly suffering heavy damage as if he had been thrown into a meat grinder!
Coupled with the Dark-Dark Fruit's ability to double pain, it made him constantly vomit blood and convulse, unable to offset the immense impact and physical exhaustion...
Kuma coldly released his hand; anyone, facing such a terrifying attack, should have reached their limit.
Sanji fell to the ground like a rag doll. He struggled to get up, but his body, completely drained of stamina, wouldn't obey. His legs gave out, and he collapsed again, unable to move even a single finger.
Although he endured the damage through sheer will and his special physique, his stamina bar was completely empty.
"Cough cough..." He coughed violently, his vision somewhat blurry, but the cold system prompt in his mind was exceptionally clear:
"Effective hits +70! Current progress: 404/1000!"
Only... four hundred times... still a long way to go... Sanji looked at Kuma, who was approaching step by step, and then at his companions in the distance, who were anxious but dared not attack easily again. A bitter smile, mixed with pain, helplessness, and extreme unwillingness, appeared on his lips.
"Hey... Green Algae Head..." he called out in a hoarse voice towards Zoro, "It seems... just taking hits... isn't easy either..."
He was still six hundred brutal beatings away from the Armament Haki he dreamed of!
And he no longer even had the strength to stand up.
"Damn it!"
Luffy watched his companions being knocked down and severely injured again and again, especially Sanji's miserable state. An unprecedented rage erupted in his chest like a volcano!
"Don't... don't you dare hurt my companions anymore!!!!" Luffy let out a deafening roar, his intense anger and will to protect seemingly touching some hidden rule!
"Ding! Host has triggered a God-tier Choice!"
"Choice One: Endure and retreat, gain Gear Fourth Awakening!"
"Choice Two: Go all out, defeat the formidable enemy 'Tyrant' Kuma! Reward: Armament Haki Awakening! (Intermediate)"
"Choice Three: Temporarily endure until rescue arrives, awaken Observation Haki!"
"Please make your choice, Host!"
There was no hesitation whatsoever! Luffy's eyes burned with raging flames, and he almost roared out his decision: "I choose two! Defeat him! Gum-Gum—Giant Pistol!!"
His giant rubber fist, carrying his monstrous rage, blasted towards Kuma like a cannonball!
"Luffy! Be careful! His ability is very strange!" Zoro hastily warned, but it was already too late.
Facing Luffy's enraged attack, Kuma merely raised his palm again, the one that could deflect anything.
Bang!
When Luffy's giant fist touched the air in front of Kuma's palm, it was as if it had hit an invisible and absolutely solid wall. Not only could it not advance an inch, but a huge recoil force violently feedbacked along his arm!
"Ugh!" Luffy grunted, his entire body sent flying backward, his arm tingling!
"Gum-Gum—Gatling!" Luffy stabilized himself in mid-air and, disbelieving, unleashed a rapid-fire barrage. Countless fist shadows rained down like a storm!
However,
Kuma still responded with a single hand, his palm moving quickly in front of him, accurately blocking every punch!
The paw pads on his palm perfectly blocked and deflected all attacks!
Even occasional counterattacks, a seemingly casual "push palm," would send a compressed air cannon that made Luffy grimace, and his rubber body would even show dents!
"It's no use," Kuma's voice remained calm. "Your strength is not enough to break through my defense."
Luffy was utterly helpless, charging forward again and again, only to be knocked back by even heavier attacks, covered in wounds, yet unable to truly touch even the hem of Kuma's clothes!
The gap in strength was like an unbridgeable chasm!
"Damn it!" Seeing this, Zoro could no longer tolerate it. He endured his injuries, and his three swords once again covered in pitch-black Armament Haki, he charged forward fiercely!
"Three-Sword Style: Black Rope: Great Dragon Twister!"
A black tornado, imbued with the power to cut steel, roared towards Kuma!
This time, Kuma did not use the invisible barrier to block. He seemed to want to test the strength of the opponent's Haki, merely raising his arm, which was also covered in pitch-black Haki—
Clang—!!!!
Zoro's slash, powerful enough to cut through giant rocks, was actually deflected by Kuma's arm, which was covered in even stronger Armament Haki!
Dazzling sparks flew!
Zoro was even so shaken by the recoil that his tiger's mouth went numb, and his swords almost slipped from his grasp!
Zoro's pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief: "How is this possible... even an Armament Haki slash... also..."
Kuma slowly lowered his arm, his tone flat but carrying an absolute sense of crushing power: "Haki also has strengths and weaknesses. Your Haki is too immature."
....
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