The dust slowly settled, revealing the aftermath of Luffy's devastating blow. The ground beneath Klahadore was cracked, small fissures running outward from the impact site. The butler lay sprawled on his back, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, his once-pristine suit now torn and dirtied. The air hung thick with the weight of battle, the only sound being the distant crackling of burning debris and the heavy breaths of the fighters.
Luffy exhaled, stepping back as his shadow tendrils receded, curling back into his form. His breath was steady, but the intensity in his eyes had not faded. He knew Klahadore was tough—too tough to go down that easily. The butler had been toying with them before, but now? Now he was desperate.
A low chuckle broke the silence. Klahadore twitched, his fingers curling into the dirt as he forced himself upright. His glasses were cracked, one lens shattered completely, but the twisted grin on his face remained. His frame shook as he pushed himself to his knees, spitting out blood before speaking.
"You… really are something," he muttered, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His tone was still laced with arrogance, but beneath it, there was something else—frustration. "But did you really think… I would go down like this?" His voice was hoarse, but the venom in it remained.
Luffy didn't respond. He just watched, waiting.
Klahadore's form trembled, and then, in an instant, he sprang forward again. His claws gleamed under the moonlight, extending even further than before. His movements were erratic, faster, filled with a desperation that turned his elegance into a whirlwind of deadly strikes.
Zoro was already moving, intercepting with his swords. The clash was violent, sparks flying as steel met reinforced claws. He gritted his teeth, feeling the sheer force behind Klahadore's attacks. "Persistent bastard," Zoro muttered, pushing forward with a forceful counterattack.
Luffy took the opening, his shadow tendrils snapping out like whips. One wrapped around Klahadore's leg, aiming to pull him off balance, but the butler twisted midair, his claws slicing through the dark tendril with unnatural precision. He landed gracefully a few feet away, panting but still grinning like a madman.
"You don't get it, do you?" Klahadore sneered, his voice sharp with disdain. "I am stronger. Smarter. Faster." His claws scraped together, creating an ear-piercing screech that sent chills down their spines. "And I will not lose to some filthy pirates."
Luffy's eyes darkened. He was done playing.
The shadows beneath him thickened, swirling violently. His connection to them deepened, and the air around him grew heavier, thick with power. The ground itself seemed to tremble under the force of his rising energy. For the first time, Klahadore hesitated.
Then Luffy moved.
In an instant, he was on Klahadore. His speed, amplified by the shadows propelling him forward, was nearly impossible to track. Klahadore barely had time to react before Luffy's fist, wreathed in black tendrils, smashed into his gut. The butler's eyes widened, a choked gasp escaping his lips as the impact reverberated through his entire body. His feet left the ground, the sheer force of the blow sending him hurtling backward.
Zoro wasn't far behind. He dashed in, his blades a blur of motion. Klahadore, still reeling from Luffy's attack, raised his claws in defense, but this time, he was too slow. Zoro's swords sliced clean through the air, tearing through the butler's sleeves and cutting deep into his arms.
Klahadore let out a sharp cry, stumbling backward. Blood dripped from his wounds, staining the ground beneath him. His breath came in ragged pants, his body trembling. He looked up at Luffy and Zoro—both standing firm, unwavering.
For the first time, real fear flickered in his eyes.
From the mansion, Nami and Kaya watched as the battle neared its end. Kaya clutched Nami's arm, her hands shaking. Her breath came in uneven gasps, her mind struggling to comprehend what she was seeing. "They… they're winning?" she whispered, as if saying it out loud would make it real.
Nami smirked, adjusting her grip on her staff. "Of course they are." Despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins, she felt relief wash over her. This nightmare was almost over.
Usopp, still perched on the rooftop, lined up another shot. His heart was hammering in his chest, but he forced himself to steady his hands. He adjusted his aim, his breathing controlled. "Just in case," he muttered, before firing one last explosive pellet.
The shot flew true, striking the ground just inches from Klahadore's feet. The explosion wasn't massive, but it was enough. The blast sent him tumbling backward, his already battered body slamming against the dirt. Smoke curled around him as he coughed violently, his once-confident smirk completely erased.
Silence followed.
Luffy stepped closer, his gaze locked onto the fallen butler. The shadows around him flickered, still restless, still hungry. But he called them back, exhaling slowly as he loosened his fists.
"This is over," Luffy said, his voice calm but absolute.
Klahadore coughed, struggling to lift his head. His vision blurred, his limbs refusing to obey him. He had fought desperately, thrown everything he had at them… and still, he lost. His fingers twitched in the dirt as he realized the truth.
Defeated.
For the first time, the infamous butler of Syrup Village had fallen.
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