"You are indeed strong, but thinking you can take all of us down by yourself is too arrogant!"
"We acknowledge your strength, but don't underestimate us!"
All the pirates shouted defiantly. They were hardened criminals who lived by the sword; they feared no one!
"Is that so?"
Hearing this, Moonlight sneered and was about to make his move.
"You're all here, I see."
Just then, a ghostly voice echoed, quiet and eerie. Klahaador appeared—or rather, Captain Kuro himself!
"It's the Captain!"
"Captain, you're here!"
"Thank goodness, the Captain has arrived!"
Seeing Captain Kuro, all the pirates were ecstatic, cheering loudly.
"This is bad; the time is already up!"
Jango's heart sank as he looked at the time. Captain Kuro must have run out of patience and came here himself, which meant Kuro was furious!
"There you are, villain!"
Seeing Kuro, Usopp shouted angrily, though his body trembled. He was clearly terrified; Kuro was the most powerful man on the ship, and after learning about Kuro's schemes, Usopp was even more shaken.
A man who could endure humiliation, plan meticulously for five years, and lie in wait beside Kaya for three years was terrifying!
"So it's really him. There's no need for more evidence; just his words alone exposed his identity!"
Nami's expression grew serious, her suspicions fully confirmed. But fear also gripped her heart—if the Cat Brothers were this formidable, how much stronger would the Captain be?
"Jango, what are you doing?"
Kuro ignored everyone else; to him, they were insignificant. His gaze fixed on Jango, and a sinister smile appeared on his face.
Seeing that smile, Jango knew that if he didn't act immediately, they were finished!
"Cat Brothers, look over here! Everyone, look over here!"
"When I say 1, 2, Jango, you will all go berserk!"
Jango shouted, shaking the silver rings in his hand.
"Hypnosis: Berserk Mode!"
Jango commanded.
Everyone who looked at the rings first became dazed, then their eyes turned bloodthirsty. They picked up their swords, snarling viciously, and charged at Moonlight!
"Meow!"
The Cat Brothers changed the most—their bodies doubled in size, and their speed and agility increased as they pounced at Moonlight.
"This is bad! They've become even more ferocious; this is going to be trouble!"
"More hypnosis? This hypnotist again?"
Usopp and Nami cried out, horrified by the transformation.
"Yes, my hypnosis doesn't just put people to sleep; it can also make them forget pain and fear, turning them into beasts without feeling or fear. Their combat power increases tenfold! You're all doomed now—go to hell!"
Jango sneered.
"Hmph!"
Moonlight snorted, preparing to draw his sword.
"Rubber… Gatling Gun!"
But before he could act, an energetic voice rang out suddenly.
Luffy leapt out of the forest, shouting as he faced the oncoming horde.
His fists blurred, launching a barrage of punches that slammed into everyone in his path!
Luffy had arrived just in time!
"Bang bang bang bang!"
The explosive sounds echoed as Luffy rampaged through, unstoppable. Whether it was the Cat Brothers or ordinary pirates, they were all sent flying! No one could stand in his way!
"Luffy, you finally made it! Where the hell were you?"
"I knew you wouldn't die so easily!"
Seeing Luffy, Usopp sighed in relief while Nami scolded him angrily.
"Damn it, this brat is still alive?"
Jango was stunned at Luffy's sudden appearance! Even Kuro's eyes gleamed.
They had seen Luffy fall under hypnosis and plummet from the cliff, landing headfirst in the ground; a normal person would have been dead!
"Boom!"
By now, Luffy had finished. Everyone, including the Cat Brothers, lay on the ground, beaten down by Luffy!
Luffy then turned his gaze toward Jango and yelled angrily.
"So you're the one who used that weird trick to put me to sleep. I'm going to send you flying!"
"Rubber… Pistol!"
Luffy's arm stretched out, launching a punch at Jango!
"His… his arm is stretching!"
"A monster!"
"He's not human!"
The hypnotized pirates, still groggy from their battle high, were shocked awake as they saw Luffy's arm extend.
"That explains it; he's a Devil Fruit user. No wonder he survived such a fall!"
Jango realized, recalling the many legends of the Devil Fruits. It was like hearing stories of dragons—everyone knew the tales, but few had ever seen one. Seeing it in person was a shock beyond belief.
But Jango quickly composed himself. As a seasoned fighter, he dodged Luffy's Rubber Pistol and swung his silver rings once more!
"Look at me!"
"Hypnosis: Forced Sleep!"
"1, 2, Jango!"
Jango shouted. As soon as the last word left his mouth, Luffy's eyes shut, and he fell asleep once more.
But before passing out, he managed to yell at Moonlight.
"Not this again? Moonlight, I nee—"
He didn't finish his sentence before collapsing.
"Luffy!"
"Luffy, close your eyes!"
Usopp and Nami shouted, but it was too late.
"He's asleep again? Geez!"
Jango sighed in relief, then sneered.
"Hey, hey, hey, you fell for the same trick twice?"
Moonlight shook his head in disbelief.
He had hoped Luffy would clean up the mess so he could save some effort, but clearly, he'd been too optimistic.
Looks like he would have to step in after all!
"Your strongest ally is down; now it's just you. What will you do?"
Jango taunted, looking at Moonlight.
"If you're not a Devil Fruit user, then you'll be much easier to deal with. I'll hypnotize everyone one more time, and we'll overwhelm you. Even if it hurts them, it's nothing compared to facing Captain Kuro's wrath!"
Jango reasoned as he shook his silver rings again, addressing the pirates.
"Everyone, look here!"
Instantly, all eyes were on him once more.
"1, 2, Jango!"
Jango commanded. As the final word was spoken, everyone's eyes turned blood-red, even more intense than before.
They charged at Moonlight, ten times more ferocious than earlier!