Meanwhile, amid the chaos that had swallowed Egghead whole, the battlefield carved out by sheer force still held its shape, and at its center stood two figures refusing to yield. Smoke drifted through the air, the ground cracked and broken beneath their feet, the distant sounds of explosions and collapsing structures echoing like a constant reminder that time was running out, yet even with everything falling apart around them, Ryo and Luffy remained locked in place with their opponents.
Luffy still had Saturn gripped firmly by the face, his massive hand wrapped around the elder's monstrous form, fingers pressing in as if trying to crush something that simply refused to break. Despite everything, despite the damage, Saturn looked...fine, which only made Luffy's expression twist slightly in confusion as he leaned in, staring at him.
Luffy: all those hits and you're still fine huh?, you're one weird bug?
At that exact moment, a flash of light cut through the air.
Kizaru's eyes glowed, and twin beams of light shot forward without warning, aimed straight for Ryo's head, but the fox boy barely reacted, tilting his head just enough for the lasers to pass by harmlessly, the heat brushing against his skin as they carved into the ground behind him.
Ryo didn't even look back.
Ryo: Look, I know I'm not strong enough to put you down for good, but all I've gotta do is buy time, Right luffy?
Luffy's grin returned instantly, wide and unshaken, like this was exactly the kind of fight he lived for.
Luffy: Hell yeah! We've just gotta keep these two busy for a while!, so we're gonna have some fun!
That was all Ryo needed.
A grin spread across his face, sharp and full of intent, as he suddenly grabbed Kizaru and hurled him forward with everything he had, sending the admiral flying straight toward Luffy, who didn't hesitate for a second, catching him in his other massive hand and lifting both Kizaru and Saturn high into the air like they weighed nothing at all.
Luffy/Ryo: Because we're gonna make sure our friends get out of here safe!!
The air itself seemed to stretch with Luffy's movement as he pulled both arms back, his rubber body elongating impossibly far before snapping forward with explosive force.
Luffy: Gum Gum!
His arms shot forward.
Luffy: Dawn!!
And then—
They came together.
Luffy: Cymbal!
The impact echoed like thunder as his giant hands clapped together, squashing both Saturn and Kizaru between them in an almost absurd display, the force rippling outward while, for just a moment, it looked comical, like something out of a cartoon, their flattened forms pressed between his palms with stars spinning around their heads.
Then lightning cracked.
Ryo was already moving.
He appeared in front of them in an instant, electricity surging violently around his body, white and black arcs dancing across his skin as his golden markings burned brighter, his presence cutting through the aftermath of Luffy's attack.
Ryo: Hey guys! You're both extremely tough right! So let's see how you handle it! When I send you both flying!
He didn't wait.
He shot backward toward Luffy, planting both feet firmly against his brother's chest as the lightning around him intensified, building, condensing, his entire body becoming a conduit for something far more destructive.
