Bob's skinny frame looked somewhat comical as he wielded that massive kanabo.
Yet the overwhelming aura emanating from it sent tremors through everyone's hearts, the terrifying presence seeming to blot out the sky itself.
Crimson-black lightning continuously danced across the kanabo, creating spatial fissures as the weapon visibly struggled to contain Bob's tyrannical haki.
It trembled violently in the void.
The onlookers below paled at the sight of the black lightning erupting around Bob.
They knew this attack would be devastatingly powerful.
"That's Conqueror's Haki infusion!" Kaido stared dumbfounded at the kanabo in Bob's hands, muttering to himself.
As someone proficient in all three types of Haki, he too could use Conqueror's Haki infusion.
Bob was clearly holding back - otherwise the kanabo would have been unable to withstand such tremendous haki.
It would have turned to dust the moment it came into contact with Bob's Conqueror's Haki.
*****
Bob's figure shot forward, charging straight at the giant-sized Luffy.
Luffy showed no fear either.
The muscles on his enlarged arms bulged as wild energy surged.
With a sudden backward grab, he seized the white lightning behind him.
White electrical arcs crackled around his fingertips, the popping sounds unceasing as the ominous clouds above scattered under this overwhelming power.
"Gum-Gum... Thunder Spear!!"
With a thunderous shout, Luffy raised both arms and hurled the white lightning forward with all his might.
Propelled by tremendous force, the white streaks shot through the night like silver lances, piercing the sky as they raced towards the approaching Bob.
"BOOM!!"
A deafening explosion erupted as black and white lightning intertwined high above, releasing a shockwave that felt like a stampeding army.
For one brilliant moment, the pitch-black night turned bright as day from the colliding energies.
The tremendous noise and blinding light could be sensed not just across all of Oni Island, but even by those below it.
The celebrating citizens of the Flower Capital paused in confusion.
They stopped their activities to look at the sky.
A brilliant flash had appeared within the dark clouds before vanishing instantly.
"Thunder!"
"Is it going to rain?"
"That lightning was terrifying! It felt different from normal thunder!"
The people stared dumbly at the sky, unaware of what was happening above but feeling an ominous premonition.
In stark contrast to the Flower Capital's reaction, those on Onigashima were utterly shocked.
The explosive radiance before them was so intense they couldn't keep their eyes open.
All they could perceive was the deafening roar and the shockwaves of violent energy.
"Is it over?"
"Did Bob get obliterated in that lightning explosion?"
Law wiped a trickle of blood from his lips as he watched the still-clashing lightning.
Bob's figure had completely disappeared.
However, the next moment, his expression froze.
Amidst the dazzling lightning, a thin figure suddenly burst forth.
Like a spear piercing through the night, its speed was unparalleled.
The kanabo wrapped in black and red haki, remained firmly in his grip, completely unscathed.
Seeing this, Luffy's cartoonish face hardened with resolve.
Having just used his move, he had no time to dodge mid-air.
His massive arms surged with wild energy, channeling it into his limbs as Armament Haki instantly coated them.
Crossing his arms in front of him, Luffy refused to retreat, bracing himself for Bob's overwhelming strike.
'BOOM'
In an instant, Bob's kanabo slammed into Luffy.
Another thunderous impact echoed as the club collided violently with Luffy's enlarged arms.
Though the kanabo seemed insignificant compared to Luffy's massive limbs, the sheer force behind it was devastating.
In that split second, Bob's strike tore through Luffy's arms with unstoppable power.
The Armament Haki coating Luffy's arms was shredded like paper under the sheer intensity of Bob's Conqueror's Haki.
But it didn't end there—Bob's kanabo, still brimming with unspent energy, continued its assault.
The next moment,
Thud!
A dull impact resounded as the club, wreathed in crimson-black energy, tore through the gap in Luffy's arms and struck his head directly.
Instantly,
Luffy's vision blurred, his eyes turning into spirals as stars danced around his skull.
A massive lump swelled on his head and several of his teeth were knocked loose.
Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.
His mind went blank, his senses overwhelmed by the ringing in his ears and the illusion of chirping birds circling his head.
The sheer momentum of the blow sent his body hurtling from the sky, vanishing into the clouds.
"LUFFY!"
From atop Onigashima, his crew cried out in shock.
Their faces paled—Luffy had been completely overpowered in that clash.
Kid, Law and the others stared dumbfounded at Bob, who hovered mid-air, his expression eerily calm.
Their pupils contracted in disbelief.
"Is this the world's strongest man?"
"To think we believed we stood a chance… how naïve!"
Only now did Law realize the insurmountable gap between them and this man.
It was an abyss they could never cross.
"To fight the commander this far… truly unexpected," Kaido muttered, his gaze fixed on the sky.
Even if one survived a direct hit from Bob's Conqueror's Haki-infused strike, they'd surely lose their ability to fight.
Yet Luffy's performance had earned Kaido's respect as a warrior.
Now, as he watched Bob's towering figure, he finally understood why the commander had held back against Luffy and the rookie pirates.
"Is… is Luffy dead?" Yamato collapsed to her knees, tears welling in her eyes.
Suddenly, there seemed to be a sound coming from the sky and she glanced up at the clouds.
Instantly, Yamato was so frightened that her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
Kid, Law, Zoro, and the others also let out cries of shock.
Above Onigashima a fist as massive as a mountain broke through the clouds, descending towards the ground below.
-----------
I release a new whitebeard scientist fic : One Piece : Scientist of Whitebeard Pirates
Go read it!