Chapter 1252: The Era Must Accelerate! (10k) (End)_2

“Pathetic, the so-called hope leaves you doing nothing but laughing in this form.”

Sage glanced at Chopper’s angry eyes and the smile on his face due to Nika’s transformation, shaking his head, “Rather filled with Ah Q spirit.”

“Sun Horn Crash – Banquet Headbutt!”

Chopper’s massive body quickly moved downward, lowering his head for a massive strike.

“Chopper!”

Understanding the meaning behind Sage’s words, Luffy fought back immense sadness, suddenly leaping above Chopper, his fists swelling and rapidly swinging to create afterimages.

“Rubber Rubber: Liberated Nika Fist!”

Nami pointed her Weather Staff at Sage, Thundercloud Zeus emerged from it, seeming rubberized, extending and spinning like a trampoline, enveloping Sage within.

“Nika Weather: Joyful Thundercloud Bounce Ring!”

A multitude of lightning balls erupted from the extended thunderclouds, colliding and bouncing off each other like bumper cars, seemingly disorderly converging towards Sage.

Usopp angrily pulled his slingshot, with the laughter brought by Nika’s transformation, the seeds launched by the slingshot burst into a big laughing face in the air, forming a sky full of barrages upon descent, each randomly turning into firebirds, poison flowers, flash bombs, shuriken forms.

“Star of Eight Million Lies!!”

“Hmm, not bad, starting to coordinate well, none in terms of martial skill can handle me. Nika is an exception, after all, you are very ‘free,’ and the others’ techniques are from a distance.”

Sage did not move within the ring, only extended his arms, which disappeared in an instant like a flash, creating a shockwave in the air that easily deflected Straw Hat’s fists.

The wandering lightning balls approaching by collision were ignored by Sage, who merely looked up at Usopp’s rapidly descending attack, praising:

“In the tailwind, Straw Hat; in the headwind, Zoro; in dire situations, it’s up to Usopp… I must say, in causing disturbances, I can call you the strongest. This move alone, I need to put some effort to resolve.”

Boom!

As soon as the words fell, the spirally sunken gloomy sky unleashed a massive lightning within the thundercloud ring, sweeping away Usopp’s chaotic attacks.

“Gotcha!”

At this moment, Nami excitedly spoke, as the elastic lightning balls seemed to come alive, bouncing up during collision, and when the lightning swept away Usopp’s attack, the lightning balls jumped above Sage, absorbing the descending lightning.

They were gambling.

They knew Luffy was demonized, and also understood what kind of power he wielded.

Just as Sage said, Luffy was the ‘hope’ demon, manifested as the Sun God.

From what they learned along their journey, Luffy embodied the wishes for freedom of everyone from the first world on the seas, thus successfully demonizing.

It’s different from Sage’s path.

But one thing is absolute, the power mastered before demonization becomes more potent after.

This was already evident when dealing with Imu.

They couldn’t possibly be unaware of Sage; after all, they once had a banquet together, and there was Robin, the elder sister, in their reconquest of the Grand Line, realizing Sage was an opponent they must face.

To seize the One Piece, they had to overcome Sage.

They planned to sneak through like Roger did, but also prepared for a frontal battle.

Initially, they didn’t think much of it, after all, since Luffy was already demonized, there was no chance Sage would be a match for him, but Robin’s advice to be cautious led to making a few preparations.

Unexpectedly, they really needed to use them.

If they could solidify all the powers from before demonization and even add several more levels, then for Sage’s storm, flame techniques formed by Homiez, they also made ample preparation.

According to Sage’s past tricks, he favored descending thunderbolts, and the development of this thunderball was indeed tailored for this move.

Other elements couldn’t affect the elastic lightning balls, and they could absorb more lightning, even forcing Sage to act, aided by Usopp’s pressure.

Although there was an element of gambling, winning was all that mattered!

Sage could control lightning, but wasn’t transformed into lightning himself; a lightning ball filled with electric power would definitely land a hit on him!

“Go!” Usopp shouted.

“Awoo!!”

Chopper, untouched by the lightning strike, also thrust his horn forward.

“Hee-hah: Soul Resonance!!”

Brook took this opportunity to play his violin, the notes materializing from the strings into white skeleton sound waves with smiley faces, flying towards Sage.

Robin sighed, crossing her arms, and more elastic and ever-changing arms grew from the ground, frantically slapping.

“Sorry, the crew is more important! From the start, we’ve already set our path, Sage! Rubber Thousand Hands: Joyful Slap!”

Lost two partners, choices had to be made!

Just as Sage initially said, bloodline is just bloodline, the choice of will is what truly matters!

However…

Should Sage lose, she would plead with Luffy to spare Sage’s life in exchange for the incident back in Alabasta, considering the bloodline connection!

“One round after another, oh, there’s a backup plan prepared, too.”

Sage glanced around with a sidelong look, focusing on Zoro who had been enduring without making a move, chuckling, “Preparing to gamble your life against me if any issue arises? The decisive aura around you is a bit overwhelming.”