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"Damn it, who's afraid of you?!"
Facing the overwhelming and terrifying presence before him, Luffy was drenched in sweat but refused to back down. Clenching his fists tightly, he gritted his teeth and glared at the golden Buddha in front of him.
"You're just a fraud!"
"Everyone, he's not a real Buddha! This must be the power of the Zoan-type, Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Model: Great Buddha…" Robin shouted, suppressing her fear while keeping her eyes locked on the massive, golden figure before them.
She had seen the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia before.
The transformation of this golden Buddha perfectly matched the description of the Human-Human Fruit's Mythical Model: Great Buddha form.
It was identical.
If he were a true Buddha, why would he even bother talking so much?
And why would he demand they end their own lives?
"What?!"
"It's fake?!"
"A Zoan-type Devil Fruit ability?!"
"Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Model: Great Buddha?!"
"Huh? That's the same type of fruit as mine?"
"What's a Mythical Model? It has powers like this?!"
For a moment, not just Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, but even Nami and Usopp—who had been playing dead—jumped up in shock.
They stared in disbelief at the majestic golden Buddha in front of them, an entity so awe-inspiring that it instinctively made them want to bow down in reverence.
"Besides common animals, the Zoan-type also has rare Ancient and Mythical species…" Robin explained cautiously, keeping her eyes on the golden Buddha. "Those with Ancient Zoan abilities can transform into prehistoric creatures like Pterosaurs, Triceratops, or Saber-toothed Tigers."
"But the Mythical Zoan type is even rarer than Logia! They're based on legendary beings like the Phoenix, Vampire, Nine-Tailed Fox… and Buddha. Not only do they grant Zoan's basic enhancements, but they also come with additional supernatural abilities, similar to Paramecia powers."
"Hissss—"
After hearing Robin's explanation, the entire Straw Hat crew gasped in shock.
No one expected the Zoan-type, which was often considered the most straightforward, to have such terrifying variations like Ancient and Mythical species.
"Hmph. Since you refuse to see reason, I'll grant you your wish…"
In the next instant—
As Nami, Robin, Luffy, Zoro, and the others tensed up, their pupils constricting in fear—the golden Buddha, who had exuded a murderous aura just moments ago, suddenly retracted all hostility and smiled.
"Congratulations, you've passed."
"Eh?!"
The Straw Hat crew was dumbfounded.
The golden Buddha, who had been overwhelming and full of killing intent, now stood before them with a gentle smile, completely devoid of hostility.
They had been on high alert, ready to fight for their lives, and now they just stared at each other in shock.
"Relax, I was just messing with you. Got bored waiting here for so long."
The massive golden figure started shrinking at a visible speed.
As the transformation completed, the Buddha's human form was revealed—standing atop a cloud, his face resembling that of a panda.
Looking at the Straw Hats, who were still on edge, he chuckled. "I really am not a Buddha. I just ate the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Model: Great Buddha."
"Hah… Hah…"
"Eh? Seriously?!"
"What kind of joke is that?!"
"Damn it, that was way too much!"
"Don't joke around like that in a place like this!"
"I almost had a heart attack!"
They finally got a clear look at him—a tall, young, and strikingly handsome man.
His current relaxed demeanor was a stark contrast to the godlike, intimidating golden Buddha they had seen before.
"Phew…" Nami, Chopper, and Usopp collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.
Even Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Robin felt the cold sweat trickling down their backs.
Each of them glared at the mysterious man in front of them, their expressions a mix of frustration and lingering wariness.
But Zoro, Sanji, and Robin still didn't let their guard down.
They kept their eyes locked on him, ready for anything.
"Looks like someone recognizes me—Henzo."
The man's gaze shifted to the Going Merry, where Dr. Henzo stood frozen in shock, his face pale with disbelief.
Before entering the Rainbow Mist, he had met Henzo briefly when he was just a kid.
So, seeing Henzo recognize him so quickly wasn't surprising.
However, to Shaka, it had only been a year since he entered the mist.
Now, seeing Henzo looking fifty years older, with white hair and wrinkles—it was a strange feeling.
"W-What? It's really you… Shaka?!"
Onboard the Going Merry, Henzo's pupils contracted sharply as cold sweat ran down his face.
He removed his glasses, wiped his eyes, and stared at Shaka again, his expression filled with disbelief.
"How is this possible?!"
"Huh?"
"Doctor, you know this guy?"
Luffy, Nami, Robin, and Usopp were stunned by Henzo's reaction.
They immediately grew curious and bombarded him with questions.
"Fifty years ago, I saw him on Ruluka Island…"
Henzo stared blankly at the man before him, who looked exactly as he did back then—young and full of life.
With a heavy voice, he continued, "When the Rainbow Mist appeared, he suddenly rode in on a giant panda. He had tied a rope to the outside world, but some mysterious figures cut it before they chased him inside…
When the mist vanished, he and my old companions never returned."
As he spoke, he looked at Shaka with a mixture of shock and doubt.
"But why… why do you still look the same as you did fifty years ago?"
"What?!"
Hearing Henzo's words, the Straw Hat crew was stunned.
They inhaled sharply, staring at the youthful and mysterious Shaka with wide eyes.
Had he really not aged in fifty years?
Could he be… immortal?
"There's no need to be so shocked, Henzo."
Shaka raised an eyebrow.
Looking at the old and wrinkled Henzo, he didn't bother hiding the truth.
"The time flow here is different from the outside world. Fifty years may have passed out there, but in this strange world, only one year has gone by."
"Wait… you're saying only a year has passed here?"
Robin's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What?!"
Nami, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp were equally stunned.
"This is incredible…"
Henzo was speechless, lost in thought as he processed the revelation.
"....."