Running through the city, Usopp couldn't hide his surprise, as he no longer saw the slightest trace of the Nomus.

"Are those monsters gone?"

"It's really very strange." Affirmed Foire, who continued to follow him.

Now that the Nomus were no longer a threat, the homunculus could again flee at any time and leave Usopp to join Sebas. Yet she didn't. Telling herself that she was accompanying him so she could spy on him more, Foire preferred to dismiss any thought of feeling indebted to the man.

Seeing him just running in a very specific direction, she questioned him.

"Do you know where you are going?"

"Absolutely." The sniper assured her. "Luffy is in this direction."

" How do you know ? "

"I am able to locate him."

"Without device?"

"No need! I have a power to help me." Usopp assured her.

" A power ? "

Suddenly, she almost bumped into Usopp, who had suddenly stopped. Looking in another direction, Usopp seemed to be frightened, as he could see something Foire was unable to make out.

Having Shoto's body under his arm, Sanji ran through the sky, while being chased by Albedo.

"Where do you think you can go?" The succubus asked him, laughing sadistically.

Whirling her ax between her hands, she made a swift movement, which created a sharp draft. Feeling the attack coming towards him, Sanji managed to throw himself to the side to dodge it. Still forced to slow down, he allowed Albedo to catch up with him. Without wasting a moment, Albedo aimed her halberd at him. However, an impact was heard, as Sanji's leg hit the handle of the weapon, managing to stop it.

"What?" Albedo wondered.

Taking advantage of her surprise, Sanji tried to flee. Nevertheless, Albedo suddenly appeared before him. Spreading her wings, she created gusts of wind that hit Sanji. thrown backwards, he felt his back hit a building.

Giving him no respite, Albedo flew to the place of impact and struck the area with her axe. Again, the weapon was stopped by Sanji's foot which gave a kick so powerful that Albedo felt her weapon slipping from her hands.

However, less surprised than earlier, she immediately closed her fist, she violently punched Sanji in the face. Breaking through the walls of the building, the cook ended up hitting the ground, and spat blood. Yet, having been reactive, he hugged Shoto's body tightly, making sure his own back was hit on impact, in order to protect the boy.

Realizing that the flight was useless, Sanji then got up and saw Albedo land in front of him. Despite losing her weapon, the succubus was arrogant.

"What was a guy like you planning to do? You don't stand a chance against me! Instead of demonstrating human stupidity again, you better give up now! I would make sure to decapitate you immediately."

For all answer, Sanji retorted.

"Sorry, but I have plans! My captain needs me! Otherwise, who will prepare his breakfast for tomorrow?"

Albedo's fist appeared in front of his face, and Sanji was forced to duck to avoid it. But right away, the succubus' knee hit his face and knocked him back. Then, Albedo chained punches and kicks, forcing Sanji to avoid them.

"You really are pitiful." The succubus asserted, noticing that Sanji made no attempt to attack her. "You're even worse than I thought! You really have nothing to do with the rest of your group."

"Sorry to disappoint you." The blond said, continuing to dodge her attacks. "I just promised myself never to attack any lady."

" Huh ? "

Hearing this, Albedo suddenly stopped. Then, suddenly, a laugh sounded through her helm.

"HAHAHAHA! What's that stupid excuse? Do you really want me to believe that your pathetic strength is caused by not wanting to hit me? HAHAHAHA!"

Finally, regaining her seriousness, she retorted.

"That's completely ridiculous! No, actually, that's completely stupid! Because if what you're saying is true, that means you'd rather have me kill you than hit me in your defense."

"It is." Sanji affirmed. "I'd rather die than hit a lady."

Immediately, Albedo's fist hit him in the face.

"Hahahaha! I've known some very stupid humans, but you...you must be the dumbest being I've ever met! But in truth, I'm sure you're using that stupid excuse to justify your weakness! No one would let themselves be killed without defending themselves. "

Suddenly, seeing her lower her guard, Sanji put his foot between Albedo's legs, and gave her a brush. Losing her balance, Albedo tumbled backwards and felt her back hit the ground. Then, trying to get up, she was surprised to see Sanji's foot in front of her face.

"You lost." Sanji asserted, standing in front of her.

However, simply opening the palm of her hand, Albedo Created a magic circle. Immediately, her halberd flew up to her and allowed the succubus to use it.

Then, she quickly moved towards Sanji, cutting him in half. Jumping back, Sanji winced, as Albedo's gesture slashed his shirt, as well as part of the skin of his abdomen.

However, as he tried to maintain his composure, his eyes widened, feeling Albedo place the end of an object on his chest. Having made Ginnungagap appear, Albedo liked Sanji's face. Then, an explosion took place.

Spitting out more blood, Sanji felt his body fly backwards, while severe burns were visible on him. Unfortunately, a hand went through the smoke generated by the explosion and grabbed his throat.

Strangled, Sanji saw the rest of Albedo's body appear, as she raised her halberd above him.

"Don't worry! After killing, I'll make sure your comrades meet the same fate as you! As a demon, I wouldn't have any mercy in exterminating you all."

Unable to defend himself, Sanji saw the weapon pointing at his head, ready to kill him.

" Sayonara !"

" SKULL EXPLODING GRASS ! "

Knocked into the back of her helm, Albedo felt an explosion occur, forcing her to take a step forward. Slightly losing her balance, she misdirected Sanji and felt the blade of her weapon hit the ground.

Remaining motionless for a few moments, she finally turned around and stared at a man who was at the other end of the street.

"Who are you?" She asked, hiding her anger very badly.

"Me?" Asked the newcomer, while holding several projectiles in his hand. "Doesn't that seem obvious to you?"

Having positioned his scopes in front of his eyes, Usopp gave himself a thumbs up, affirming.

"I am the demon slayer."

Flying high above the city, Demiurge was trying to find Luffy. If what Sebas had told him was true, then he had to kill him at all costs.

"How?" Asked the demon. "How can a mere human become a threat to Nazarick? It's beyond belief."

Finally, hearing the sound of impacts, the demon stopped and saw Luffy being violently hit by Sebas.

Stepping back after being punched in the face, Luffy still managed to stay on his feet, before running towards the butler, with his arms back.

" GUM GUM JET BAZOOKA ! "

Concentrating all of his strength in this attack, he let both fists be thrown at full speed towards Sebas. And as before, the butler remained motionless, letting himself be deliberately hit.

This time, the double impact caused by Luffy's attack forced Sebas to step back, while his feet slipped on the ground. Acting exactly as Blueno had done, at Enies Lobby, Sebas stepped back, still maintaining his balance.

Then, gazing down, he waited for the impact to stop pushing his feet back. Finally, finding himself motionless again, he looked up, and showed Luffy that he was still able to fight.

" Tsss! You're really tough. " Luffy affirmed.

"Truly, I must tell you that I really felt pain." The butler affirmed. "Tell me, are the humans in your world like you?"

" There are some who are stronger than me. " Luffy affirmed, without shame.

"And despite that, you want to become the king of the pirates?"

"Of course! Even if they are stronger than me, I am not afraid of them."

"Your willpower is admirable." Sebas assured. "But face it..."

Showing his perfectly intact appearance, while Luffy was injured, he declared.

"Can't you see this fight is already lost for you? Mugiwara, why are you stubbornly fighting against me, when you know it will only lengthen your agony?"

Staring at him for a few moments, Luffy finally abandoned his fighting stance. Then, the smoke around him disappeared, while he deactivated his " GEAR SECOND ". Seeing him do it, Sebas understood that he was giving up.

"I see that reason has finally overtaken your unconsciousness." He remarked. "Well then, come with me! Hopefully Darkness-sama will still want you in our ranks."

However, he was surprised, while seeing Luffy display a big smile.

"Hihihihi!"

"Huh? What are you laughing at?" Sebas wondered.

"Do you want to know?" Luffy questioned him. "What makes me laugh...is knowing you're strong."

" Huh ? "

"When I was in Wano Kuni, I was facing a being stronger than me! Someone who had managed to beat me in one hit! And before coming here, I was fighting against him again, even in knowing that he was always stronger than me! When I came here, I was scared! Afraid to realize that no one here could help me."

Staring at Sebas, while extending his smile, he declared.

"You are a very powerful person! Stronger than Dumb-Might! And thanks to this, I will finally be able to continue my training and become even more powerful."

"Your training?" Sebas wondered, frowning. "Wait a minute, kid! Do you mean what you're saying? To hear you sound like you can defeat me anytime you want! Yet your best technique didn't work."

"Huh?" Luffy wondered. "My best technique? Are you talking about GEAR SECOND ? Anything! It's not my best technique."

Suddenly, he showed two of his fingers, before affirming.

"I have two other techniques that allow me to be even more powerful."

Hearing this, whether Demiurge or Sebas, the members of Nazarick couldn't help but widen their gazes. Luffy had two techniques that could make him even more powerful? It was impossible.

" He's almost level 80. " Sebas thought. " So if he's telling the truth... "

" SEBAS KILL HIM ! "

Surprised, Luffy and Sebas turned to Demiurge, who screamed.

"We have to kill him now! I'm sure what he just said was a bluff! But knowing what he is now capable of, he may be able to progress to becoming a real threat to us! We must kill him now."

"I know what I have to do." The butler assured. "If I contacted you, it was for you to ensure the protection of our lady! Not to give me orders."

"Hey, who are you?" Luffy questioned the demon.

"Don't worry about him." Sebas retorted. " Mugiwara, even if I didn't like this guy, he's telling the truth! Since you refuse any arrangement proposal, all I have to do is kill you. "

In response, Luffy closed his eyes and remained motionless.

"Huh? Do you feel scared?"

Now ignoring his words, Luffy concentrated and began to feel the energy flowing through his veins. Recalling his intense training in Wano Kuni, he found that this was the perfect time to intensify his haki control.

"I hate torture." Sebas affirmed, closing his fist. "So I'm going to quickly finish you off."

Clenching his fist, he made it glow, before rushing towards Luffy.

" HUMAN KILLING ! "

Still having his eyes closed, Luffy remained still, even when Sebas hit him with all his might. The impact kicked up dust from the entire area, while Demiurge felt the shock wave all the way to him.

"I know that Galadriel-sama wanted to make him a new recruit for Nazarick! However, this man's stupidity had no limits! But if she wishes, I could make an exceptional soldier out of his corpse."

Suddenly, his eyes widened.

" Im ... Impossible. "

Displaying a face identical to the demon, Sebas was now motionless, while his fist had been stopped by Luffy's foot. Seeming now to be surrounded by a golden aura, Luffy managed to block Sebas' attack.

Yet, much to the butler's surprise, he noticed that Luffy's foot didn't touch his fist at all. It was as if an invisible armor protected the pirate, preventing Sebas from reaching him.

" He stopped me... without touching me? "

Then, Luffy let out a wave of haki around him, which seemed to shake the area, while red flashes were visible around him. Feeling this for the first time, Demiurge couldn't help but feel uncontrolled tremors in his arms, as he couldn't move any part of his body.

Still trying to hit him, Sebas heard windows shattering, as the ground began to crack under his feet. Unable to touch Luffy, the butler began to panic.

"Mugiwara... WHO ARE YOU ? TELL ME WHO ARE YOU ! "

"I already told you who I am." Luffy assured him, closing his fist.

Then, before Sebas could react, the pirate's fist found itself in front of the butler's abdomen. And by putting all his soul into his attack, he struck his opponent. Again, no contact was felt.

And yet, an incredible force hit Sebas, as he opened his mouth slightly to let droplets of blood escape. Then, letting his eyes turn entirely white, he ended up being thrown back. Hitting a building, his body went through it, before bumping into other walls.

Seeing this, Demiurge could only watch his comrade's body being ejected backwards, before finally stopping, in a nearby neighborhood.

" SEBAS ? "

He got no response.

"SEBAS! Don't fool around! There's no way someone like you can get beat up...get beat up by a...a..."

Turning to Luffy, he couldn't help asking the same question as Sebas.

" Who are you ? "

Still having his fist raised in front of him, Luffy finally turned to him, while declaring.

"Monkey D. Luffy! The Man Who Will Become King of the Pirates."

There was then a long silence, while the two men stared at each other. Demiurge always wondered who he was. How could a human possess such power? The humans were weak and repulsive. Normally, a pleiade was more than enough to destroy an entire city of humans.

And yet, Demiurge had to admit it. After Shalltear's accident in Russia, the confrontation in Africa and the defeat of Aura ... he knew perfectly well that Luffy's allies weren't just anyone. Besides, how could Mugiwara know that his Lady was here? Did he already foresee what was going to happen? Did he anticipate general confusion to attack and kill Galadriel?

Finally, gritting his teeth, Demiurge spread his demon wings, while his claws lengthened.

"Mugiwara...I see that we made a big mistake in underestimating you! But don't worry! From now on, knowing the danger you represent, I make sure to finish you off as soon as possible."

However, footsteps were heard.

"There is no question that I dishonor the supreme beings any further."

Having returned to the combat zone, Sebas was on his feet again, while his beard had scarlet spots here and there. Nevertheless, despite a pain present in his abdomen, he was far from having decided to give up.

"Luffy-san...even though you are a human, you are now categorized as our number one enemy."

Remaining silent, Luffy faced him, while Demiurge landed behind him, ready to join the fight.

Seeing Shalltear disappear, Brook was horrified, as the vampire's fist slammed into his ribcage, cracking several of his ribs. Getting kicked back, the skeleton forced Robin to take over, while she crossed her arms.

" GIGANTESCO MANOS! "

Conjuring up two huge hands, Robin used them to grab Shalltear. Remaining motionless at first, the vampire smiled, before tensing her muscles. Immediately, Robin was surprised to feel a mind-blowing force managing to loosen the hold of her huge hands around her captive, while Shalltear had no trouble freeing herself.

Then, grabbing hold of one of the huge fingers, Shalltear grabbed it with both hands, before having fun twisting it. The next moment an awful cracking sound was heard, followed by a scream from Robin.

Dropping to her knees, as her huge hands disappeared, Robin had one of her hands, while one finger was now twisted and turning purple.

"Oh?" Shalltear said, seeing that. "So I only need to hurt the hands you spawn to deal damage to you? That's good to know."

Then, walking towards Robin, she showed her fangs more, while declaring.

"I advise you not to make me fight anymore! I'm already getting hungry! You know, I think you're very beautiful and I don't mind just drinking your blood to turn you into one of my servants! But if you make me fight any more, I'll end up eating you whole, to appease my hunger."

In response, Robin crossed her arms again.

" DOS FLORS! "

Appearing on the vampire's shoulders, two arms reached up to Shalltear's face and their hands clapped to her cheeks. Then, using all her strength, Robin exerted as much pressure as possible to break Shalltear's neck.

Yet, to her horror, the vampire continued to walk towards her, while her head remained perfectly erect.

"Your name is Robin, isn't it?"

Suddenly placing her hand delicately on one of the hands that touched her cheeks, Shalltear flashed a sadistic smile, before squeezing it hard enough to break it. Again, Robin cried out in pain, while the wrist of her right hand was completely broken. Then, Shalltear's arm rested on his shoulders. And at that moment, Robin felt shivers run through her entire body.

"I hear you're a very smart person! If you really were, I don't think you would have had the foolishness to come all the way here to fight me."

Then, fixing Robin's gaze, Shalltear began to let her eyes turn scarlet, while her aura grew even more threatening to her poor victim.

"I love seeing the fear in my victims' eyes! It makes me want to devour them even more."

"HITOYOGIRI!"

Suddenly appearing behind Shalltear, while sheathing his sword, Brook attacked her as she let her guard down. Startled, Shalltear felt a gash open up on her face, as blood spilled out.

Screaming in pain, she took a step back, before putting her hands to her face. Seeing this, Brook couldn't help but look frightened by what he saw. He had attacked Shalltear by surprise and as hard as he could. Normally, his attack should have defeated her.

And yet, aside from slashing her face, the attack hadn't done much. Even worse. Removing her hands from her bleeding face, Shalltear glared as she walked towards the skeleton.

"You didn't interest me! But since you insist, I will pulverize you so much, that you will become a real bag of flour, when I have finished breaking your bones."

" FISHMAN KARATE ! "

Surprised to hear Robin's voice, Shalltear turned to her and was completely stunned when she saw a gigantic palm pointing in her direction before hitting her. Feeling the effects of a devastating shockwave upon impact, Shalttear's body shot up into the sky, before crashing to the ground.

Seeing this, Robin struggled to catch her breath, as she crossed her arms again. Admittedly, one of her hands was destroyed, while her second hand had a broken finger. But that didn't mean her second hand was incapable of attacking. And the teaching of Koala and Sabo had managed to take the vampire by surprise.

Looking at the body of Shalltear who remained on the ground, completely motionless, Brook finally heaved a sigh of relief.

"Damn it! I don't know who that woman was, but she was very scary."

"I doubt this attack will knock him unconscious for a long time." Robin stated. "Let's pick up the bodies of these two heroes and rush off."

" Okay. "

But as Robin walked towards the two heroes, Brook turned to look once again at Shalltear's body. But, to his surprise, the vampire was nowhere to be found.

" That ? "

A hand suddenly grabbed his skull and a phenomenal force cracked it before crushing it violently against the ground. Before he could know it, Brook had been knocked out by Shalltear.

Then, showing a hateful look in Robin's direction, she declared.

"Don't count on me to show you any kindness anymore! I'm going to devour you and give your friends no chance to find any trace of your DNA."