Hina's entire body tensed up; this time, she was determined to fight seriously.

With her arms spread wide, the iron-barred net expanded outward, completely trapping Luffy inside.

Of course, Luffy had no intention of running. He pushed off with his legs, his body launching forward like a coiled spring released.

At that instant, Hina's two arms snapped shut, forming black fan-shaped barriers of iron bars coated with Armament Haki, clamping down fiercely on Luffy.

Bang!

When Hina pulled back, Luffy's body had been flattened like a pancake. But this was hardly a problem for a rubber man. Taking a deep breath, his body inflated again in an instant.

Propping himself up on one hand, he covered his leg with Armament Haki and spun, delivering a whip-like kick directly at Hina.

Although Hina quickly crossed her arms to block, the impact sent her crashing backward into the rubble.

By the time she got back on her feet, panting heavily, Luffy had already closed the distance again, his fist aimed straight for her abdomen.

With a sharp cry, Hina met his strike head-on.

Their fists collided, but Luffy's rubber body absorbed the impact, bulging in ripples before transferring the force back into Hina's strike.

Feeling the increased pressure, she hastily transformed her arm into iron bars and coated them in Armament Haki, narrowly deflecting the blow.

The clash resumed, yet it was clear Hina was being overwhelmed.

Watching nervously, Nami clenched her fists, about to rush in to help—but Nojiko grabbed her arm, shaking her head.

"This opponent is too strong. Even Colonel Hina is struggling. If you interfere, you'll only make things worse."

Nami's voice trembled.

"Then what do we do? Hina-san is going to collapse!"

Nojiko's fingers brushed the Flying Thunder God kunai hidden beneath her clothes. Before she could act, however, an angry shout echoed from above.

"Stop, Luffy! Do you really want to make yourself the enemy of the Navy?!"

Luffy immediately halted. Hina used the chance to retreat, standing a short distance away as she caught her breath.

Looking up, Luffy saw two familiar figures descending rapidly from the sky—Ace and Sabo.

A nearby Marine had managed to send out a distress signal earlier, and the two, already in the East Blue searching for Luffy, had come in response. What they didn't expect was for the culprit to be their own brother.

From the air, Ace's face twisted with fury as he saw unconscious Navy soldiers littering the street. Without hesitation, he kicked off the air and dove straight at Luffy.

"You idiot! Look what you've done!"

Boom!

His headbutt smashed Luffy into the ground, a cloud of dust erupting around them.

Sabo landed calmly, adjusting the brim of his black top hat. His expression hardened as he watched the smoke.

From within the haze, the sound of blows rang out. Shockwaves scattered the dust, revealing Luffy and Ace grappling fiercely.

Luffy barely retaliated, locked in a defensive struggle, while Ace fought with both anger and desperation.

"I told you to stop being a pirate! Why won't you listen?!" Ace shouted, striking again.

Luffy caught his fist, his voice low but firm.

"Ace, I'll never give up on my dream!"

"Dream? Don't be ridiculous! I'll drag you back to Headquarters myself and hand you over to Uchiha Chiga for judgment!"

The name struck a nerve. Luffy's eyes widened, and smoke began to rise from his body.

"Uchiha Chiga again… Do you admire him that much?!"

Breaking free of Ace's grip, he drove a fist into Ace's stomach. The rubbery imprint stretched across Ace's back before snapping back into place.

Ace staggered, clutching his stomach in shock. His skin had momentarily taken on a rubber-like quality, rebounding unnaturally.

Sabo appeared at his side in a flash, concern in his eyes.

"Ace, are you alright?"

Ace gritted his teeth.

"I'm fine… but what was that? For a moment, it felt like my body turned to rubber too."

Sabo's frown deepened.

"Could Luffy's Gum-Gum Fruit have awakened?"

"But how could a Paramecia awakening affect someone else's body?"

"Maybe… the Gum-Gum Fruit isn't ordinary."

Luffy glanced at Ace, a flicker of regret crossing his eyes before his expression hardened again. His gaze shifted coldly to Sabo.

"Sabo, are you here to stop me too?"

That strange aura around Luffy unsettled Sabo. He wasn't the same reckless boy he remembered.

"Luffy," Sabo said steadily, "as your brother, I can't let you run wild. But even I have to admit, you're strong now. This isn't the place for us to fight."

He was right—the battle had already scarred the city. To continue here would only provoke the wrath of the King, and Luffy would bear the full blame.

Realizing this, Luffy gave a curt nod, then launched himself away like a cannonball.

Ace and Sabo exchanged a glance before using Moonwalk to pursue.

Meanwhile, Nami and Nojiko helped Hina to her feet. Watching the brothers disappear into the distance, Nami asked breathlessly,

"Hina-san, who were those two just now?"

Lighting a cigarette, Hina exhaled slowly before answering.

"Rear Admiral Sabo and Rear Admiral Ace from Headquarters. No wonder that boy was so strong—he's their younger brother."

"Then they can definitely subdue him, right?" Nami asked.

Hina hesitated. "Perhaps… but if even they can't, no stronger reinforcements will arrive in time."

Worry lingered in her eyes. Something about Luffy felt far from ordinary.

Noticing her unease, Nojiko leaned closer.

"Colonel Hina, don't worry. Even if they fail, I can call on someone else. If he comes, this matter will surely be resolved."

Hina froze, a single figure flashing across her mind. Her eyes widened in shock.

"You… you mean the King?!"

Nojiko nodded firmly.

"Yes."

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