The Dressrosa coliseum roared with the voices of thousands as the battle in Block C reached its thrilling climax. Luffy, still under the alias Lucy, now squared off with Kael, disguised as Ironshade. Around them, unconscious bodies of defeated fighters littered the arena floor.
Kael's stance was tight, defensive. His breath steady.
Luffy grinned, shaking out his limbs. "You're strong! I like you!"
Kael narrowed his eyes behind the visor. Why does he keep smiling? Doesn't he realize this is a fight?
The two clashed again. Fists collided, air cracked. Kael's martial precision met Luffy's raw instinct and rubbery unpredictability.
As they fought, Kael saw flashes—Noel's face, the burning of the Buster Call, the screams. His fingers trembled for a second.
Focus. He's not to blame... but I need to know.
Their clash came to a stop when both fighters, panting and bruised, skidded apart. The coliseum announcer shouted, "WHAT A MATCH! IRONSHADE AND LUCY ARE GOING TOE TO TOE!"
Suddenly, a massive form slammed into the ground near them—Haijrudin, felled by a blow from Bartolomeo.
"L-LUCY-SENPAI!" Bartolomeo cried, holding his fists up. "I DID IT! FOR YOU, STRAW HAT SENPAI!!"
Kael blinked. Luffy looked puzzled. "Wait… why'd he call me that?"
Kael's eyes widened slightly. He doesn't even realize everyone knows who he is…
Bartolomeo turned toward Kael. "You better not hurt him! That's our future Pirate King!"
Kael hesitated. Luffy's expression was curious. "Pirate King? That sounds awesome!"
As Kael steadied himself for the next round, Luffy launched a sudden Gear Second punch. "Jet Pistol!"
The blow landed clean. Kael's defenses faltered, and he was launched across the arena. The crowd roared.
The announcer shouted, "IRONSHADE IS DOWN! THE WINNER OF BLOCK C IS LUCY!!"
Kael groaned on the ground, vision blurring. Luffy jogged over, hand outstretched.
"That was fun. Thanks!"
Kael took the hand, confused. Why does this hurt more than the punch?
Meanwhile: Robin's Group in Green Bit
Robin, Law, Usopp, and Caesar finally reached the misty, vine-covered Green Bit. Law motioned them to stay quiet as they approached the trading point.
"Remember, no sudden moves," he said.
Caesar trembled. "I-I think I'll just faint now… se-re-re-re…"
Suddenly, rustling came from the bushes. Armed dwarves sprang out with slingshots and nets.
"Invaders!"
"Attack!"
"Usopp, do something!" Robin shouted.
Usopp screamed and fell flat. "I surrender! I mean—I'm a god! Leave me alone!"
Robin summoned arms from the ground, grabbing one of the attackers. "Calm down, we're not your enemies."
Law frowned. "This might complicate the trade."
On the Sunny: Art Showdown
Back on the Thousand Sunny, Nami and the others were still partially turned into twisted pieces of Giolla's abstract artwork.
"We need to fight back!" Nami shouted, her hand melting into a cubist shape.
"My violin is now a banana!" Brook cried. "What cruelty!"
"I-I can't feel my legs! Are these even legs?!" Chopper panicked.
Giolla floated above them. "Now, now! Let the beauty flow!"
But Momonosuke gritted his teeth and transformed into his dragon form. With a feral cry, he launched upward and bit her brush hand.
"OW! YOU FILTHY BEAST!"
"Now! Nami, the Clima-Tact!" Chopper tossed it up with shaking hooves.
Nami regained enough control to launch a bolt of lightning that zapped Giolla midair. She spiraled down and collapsed.
"We... we did it!" Nami gasped.
Brook adjusted his newly restored skull. "Art never did suit me."
Zoro's Hunt
Meanwhile, Zoro stormed through alleyways.
"Give me back my sword, you freakin' fairy!"
People screamed as he chased the elusive thief across rooftops.
"He's like a demon!" one woman shrieked.
"You wouldn't understand! That sword is cursed!" a whisper echoed.
Zoro skidded to a halt in front of a flower field. The thief was gone, but a trail of petals remained.
"I'll find you," Zoro growled. "Count on it."
Sanji & Violet
Sanji, still by Violet's side, walked her through a quiet district.
"Thank you, Sanji. You're very kind."
Sanji blushed so hard he nearly caught fire. "Anything for a beautiful woman! Even if you stabbed me, I'd thank you!"
Violet smirked slightly. "That's... disturbing."
Sanji laughed, hearts swirling in his eyes. "Romance is pain!"
But Violet's eyes darkened. Poor fool… you're walking straight into a trap.
Kael's Conflict
Back in the coliseum infirmary, Kael lay on a cot, head spinning. Luffy's words echoed in his ears.
"You're awesome. I like you."
Why do I feel like I lost more than a match?
In another room, Bartolomeo threw his arms up. "BLOCK B VICTORY, BABY! STRAW HAT SENPAI, I'M COMIN' TO FIGHT BESIDE YOU ONE DAY!"