One Piece: The Multiverse Simulator

"Alright, considering Vice Admiral Garp's reputation, I've already given you more than enough information. Whether you survive from here on depends on your own abilities," Gion said calmly.

Ivankov, momentarily stunned, quickly put on a sycophantic smile and asked, "Vice Admiral Momousagi, in light of Garp's esteemed position, might you also consider letting us through?"

Luffy's strength aside, his family background alone was formidable. His mentor was one of the Four Emperors, Shanks. His sworn brother was the son of the Pirate King, and his father was none other than Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army. Even his grandfather was Garp, the Marine Hero.

Although Garp appeared carefree and eccentric, he was a respected senior figure in the Navy. Many Marines, including Gion, had been mentored or influenced by him during their careers.

Gion, having received guidance from Garp in the past, had no obligation to reveal Ain's abilities. Yet, she had deliberately shared this information, offering Luffy and his group a sliver of hope.

Still, Gion was torn. As a Marine, she upheld justice. However, as Garp's protégé, killing Luffy, Garp's only grandson, would leave her conflicted about how to face him in the future.

"Don't push your luck," Gion said, her voice firm. "I'm a Marine, and you are Revolutionary Army members and pirates. Asking me to step aside is impossible.

"However, if you can break through Ain and Smoker's defenses, I might turn a blind eye and let you go."

This was the furthest compromise Gion could make, given her strict sense of duty.

After some hesitation, Ivankov returned to the unconscious Luffy and injected him with several syringes filled with a glowing substance.

"Emporio Excitement Hormone!" Ivankov announced, activating one of his Hormone-Hormone Fruit abilities. The hormone acted like a powerful stimulant, temporarily granting immense strength by overclocking the body.

Of course, such power came at a price. Once the effect wore off, the body would feel utterly drained, and in severe cases, the user could even die.

Ivankov had already used this ability on Luffy once during the Impel Down breakout. This time, however, the stakes left them no other choice.

While Ivankov and Jinbei could handle Gion, Ain and Smoker presented a significant challenge to Inazuma and the Okama. The two weren't ordinary Marine Captains.

Under the effects of the excitement hormone, Luffy quickly regained consciousness, his bloodshot eyes locking onto Gion.

Feeling an overwhelming surge of energy, Luffy wanted to charge at Gion once again, but Ivankov stopped him by firmly placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Listen, Straw Hat Boy," Ivankov said sternly. "Your job is to break through Ain and Smoker's line with Inazuma. Forget about that Vice Admiral. Even if I pumped you full of these hormones, you wouldn't stand a chance against her.

"She's not an ordinary Vice Admiral. She's a Marine Admiral Candidate, one of the few Marines with power nearing that of an Admiral. The only reason she hasn't been promoted is due to the limited number of seats."

Before Ivankov could finish, Jinbei added, "Even among the Admiral Candidates, Gion is exceptionally strong. In the past, during the incident at Enies Lobby, I witnessed her power firsthand. Neither I nor those I admired could defeat her.

"Even Mr. Wood, at the peak of his strength, could only fight her to a draw."

Ivankov's explanation about Admiral Candidates went over Luffy's head, but Jinbei's words resonated. His eyes widened as he stared at Gion in surprise.

"This woman is that strong? Even Wood couldn't beat her?" Luffy murmured, astonished.

Among the people Luffy knew, only a few stood out as unbeatable—his grandfather Garp, Shanks, Rayleigh, and Wood. Hearing that Gion had fought Wood to a standstill completely changed Luffy's perspective.

"I understand. Thank you, Ivankov, Jinbei. Please hold her off for me," Luffy said with a determined nod.

While impulsive and headstrong, Luffy wasn't a fool. He understood the importance of prioritizing Ace's rescue over an unwinnable fight.

"That Marine Captain, Smoker, is someone you've met before, so I won't say much about him. But you need to watch out for the blue-haired Marine woman," Ivankov warned. "Her ability lets her rewind her target's age by 12 years with a single touch.

"At your current age, one touch would render you unable to fight. A second touch, and you'd cease to exist entirely."

After reminding Luffy and Inazuma of Ain's abilities, Ivankov and Jinbei charged toward Gion.

Though a Warlord and a Revolutionary Army officer teaming up was a formidable sight, both of them understood the slim odds of victory.

Still, no matter the odds, they had no choice but to fight.

"Fish-Man Karate: Eight Thousand Tile Straight Fist!"

"Emporio Face Growth Hormone!" Ivankov enlarged his face to several times its normal size before unleashing a Death Wink at Gion.

The Vice Admiral, wielding Konpira, stood unfazed as she prepared to meet their combined assault head-on.

Faced with the incoming shockwaves and explosive force from Ivankov and Jinbei's attacks, Gion gripped her sword, Konpira, tightly and unleashed a powerful ranged slash, cutting through the turbulent air.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, Luffy and Inazuma clashed with Smoker and Ain.

Smoker, harboring a long-standing grudge against Luffy, charged directly at him, shouting, "Straw Hat!" The two immediately locked into a heated confrontation.

Ain, on the other hand, was left to deal with Inazuma and the rest of the "New Humans" from Ivankov's crew. Aware that Ain's Return-Return Fruit required direct physical contact to activate, Inazuma cleverly used his Snip-Snip Fruit ability to cut pieces of air, crafting makeshift air vests for himself and his allies.

These vests provided no real defense but were a crucial barrier. Ain's ability could revert even clothing or armor into raw materials, but air, regardless of how far it was rewound, would always remain air.

Seeing this, Ain smirked. "Looks like Gion really sold me out, huh? And it seems my fruit's ability has you worried. But if you think I rely solely on my Devil Fruit to be a Marine Captain, you're gravely mistaken!"

As she spoke, Ain drew her blade, Kanshi, a fine sword from the Fifty Skillful Grade, gifted to her by Gion upon her promotion to Captain.

Ain, who had grown up idolizing Wood, had honed her skills in swordsmanship under his influence. With Gion as her current superior, Ain had not only mastered her Return-Return Fruit but had also achieved proficiency in both Armament and Observation Haki.

In a matter of moments, Ain closed the distance to Inazuma and his allies. Her blade danced in a flurry of dazzling strikes, felling several of the "New Humans" before they could even react, leaving them sprawled in pools of blood.

As a Marine Captain, Ain was well-versed in the Rokushiki techniques. Though she hadn't mastered all six, her command of Geppo (Moonwalk), Soru (Shave), and Tekkai (Iron Body) made her a formidable combatant.

Ivankov's New Human Army wasn't weak. Many of its members had once been confined to Level 5.5 of Impel Down, each bearing bounties of at least 50 million Berries. Yet, Ain dispatched them effortlessly, cutting through them like weeds.

Inazuma, as Ivankov's right-hand man, was the strongest among them. His arms transformed into giant scissors as he used his Snip-Snip Fruit to slice through the ground. The earth tore apart like fabric, and with a flick of his hand, massive stone pillars rained down on Ain.

Ain responded with precise agility, combining Soru and Geppo to evade the descending debris. When faced with unavoidable obstacles, she cleaved through them effortlessly with Kanshi.

One of the New Humans saw an opening as Ain landed and attempted a sneak attack from behind. However, before he could strike, two pink flames burst from Ain's hands, engulfing him.

Bathed in the peach-colored glow, the attacker first regressed to a young man in his early twenties, then rapidly to a child. His weapon, now too heavy for his small hands, fell to the ground.

"You thought I needed to touch someone directly to activate my ability? That hasn't been true for a long time," Ain said with a smirk. "I've developed my power to the point where I can use it from a distance.

"But honestly, it's been a while since I've had a proper fight. Practicing my swordsmanship on you seems like a good way to pass the time.

"I hate pirates. And I hate escapees from Impel Down even more. You're nothing but scum that doesn't deserve to live."

Ain's voice carried unfiltered contempt as she eyed Inazuma and his allies. Her hatred wasn't empty words—her childhood on Momiji Island, ravaged by pirates, had ingrained a deep loathing in her.

Wood's defection following the Impel Down incident had only deepened her animosity toward escapees. Now, her blade showed no mercy as she cut down Ivankov's followers with cold efficiency.

Inazuma grew increasingly anxious as more of the New Humans fell. He had hoped to resolve this quickly and assist Luffy, but Ain's unrelenting power made that impossible.

Her nearly invincible fruit ability was daunting enough, but her mastery of speed, strength, Haki, and swordsmanship elevated her to a level far beyond the typical Marine Captain.

Inazuma couldn't help but wonder if she wasn't even stronger than some of the more famous Rear Admirals in the Navy.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, Luffy's battle against Smoker fared no better. Although Luffy outmatched Smoker in raw speed and strength, his lack of Haki left him powerless against the Logia user. Smoker toyed with him, staying just out of reach and controlling the battle with ease.

As Smoker raised his Seastone-tipped jitte to strike the finishing blow, Luffy's protagonist luck kicked in once again.

The Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, made her dramatic entrance. With a single powerful kick, she sent Smoker flying several meters away, jitte and all.

Hancock then struck a disdainful pose, her body leaning back and her gaze imperious. "You dare harm a friend of mine? Have you thought about how you'll atone for this sin?" she declared, her voice dripping with contempt.

Though Hancock's title as the "World's Most Beautiful Woman" might not be useful in combat, her strength was undeniable. Among the Warlords of the Sea, Hancock's mastery of all three forms of Haki placed her among the strongest.

In contrast, Smoker, despite his once-promising talent, had stagnated. Years spent at the entrance to the Grand Line capturing minor pirates had dulled his edge, leaving him unprepared for an opponent of Hancock's caliber.

Smoker's complacency had allowed his skills to wither, making him no match for the Pirate Empress who now stood in his way.

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