Close-quarters gunfighting, point-blank shooting techniques, all-range arc-ballistics...
Add in predictive movement and superhuman reflexes—
This was the foundation of the gunfighting style originally pioneered by Luo Lan.
Of course, now it also incorporates Observation Haki.
Thus, it has evolved into a comprehensive combat system combining numerous techniques, all focused around the use of two guns, enabling seamless combat across long, mid, close, and even point-blank range.
That said, the gunfighting style hasn't yet reached its perfect form—at least not the complete version that exists in Luo Lan's mind.
Because it's still missing one critical element:
A means to amplify attack power.
Though the customized guns crafted by Seras are powerful, when facing an elite Vice Admiral—especially those with monstrous physiques—insufficient firepower becomes a glaring issue.
However, this isn't an unsolvable problem. In fact, Luo Lan has identified three potential solutions:
1. Imbue the bullets with Devil Fruit powers.
But Luo Lan can't use this method—he can't consume a Devil Fruit.
2. Advanced Armament Haki.
Mastering external projection and internal destruction techniques would allow him to fire bullets imbued with Armament Haki, significantly boosting lethality.
Luo Lan's close, but not there yet.
3. Conqueror's Haki infusion.
Similar to the advanced form of Armament Haki, Luo Lan currently can't achieve this either.
So for now, when facing an opponent at Ghost Spider's level, Luo Lan can fight, he can even wound them...
But he cannot defeat them.
Unless—he masters one of the three techniques above.
In fact, Luo Lan finds that physically dominant close-combat and sword experts are even harder to deal with than Logia-type users.
Because they have almost no weaknesses.
Bang...
Bang! Bang!
The two guns in Luo Lan's hands fired off in rapid succession, each producing a distinct sound.
Ghost Spider dodged one shot, then slashed down the remaining two with his blade.
He immediately tried to circle behind Luo Lan to attack, but just as he began to move—
Bang! Bang! Another pair of shots rang out.
Ghost Spider was forced to brake mid-step. Two bullets flew right past his face, just centimeters away, close enough that he could feel the heat on his skin.
Damn—if he hadn't stopped just in time, he would've run straight into them.
His expression darkened.
This fight was starting to remind him of something... a battle years ago in the New World, against Katakuri.
Yes. That same uncanny feeling.
As if every one of his actions had been predicted.
Could this guy, like Katakuri, also possess the ability to glimpse into the future with Observation Haki?
Ghost Spider wondered silently.
But the truth was—he was overthinking it.
Luo Lan didn't have that kind of ability.
If Katakuri sees the future and acts to intercept it, then Luo Lan...
Creates the future to manipulate it.
To put it plainly: Luo Lan deliberately creates openings in his stance to bait opponents into attacking those openings.
Katakuri sees where the enemy is going to strike.
Luo Lan lures the enemy to strike where he wants.
Same outcome. Completely different methods.
And Luo Lan's bait is so naturally integrated into his movements that it's almost undetectable.
Just like now—Ghost Spider never even considered that possibility.
All he could feel was that Luo Lan seemed to know his movements in advance and had already fired bullets into his predicted path.
It felt less like Luo Lan was shooting at him...
And more like he was running into the bullets himself.
That feeling threw off his rhythm.
He found himself hesitating, constrained.
---
Meanwhile, Hina was slowly falling into a disadvantage.
To keep her identity hidden, she couldn't use her Devil Fruit powers—only physical combat and Haki.
Her martial arts skills were decent, but compared to Doberman, she still had a gap.
Her Haki was also slightly weaker.
At first, thanks to the detailed intelligence Luo Lan provided and the fact her opponent knew nothing about her, she gained an early advantage.
But...
As time passed, and Doberman gradually learned her patterns, it was inevitable that the tides would turn against her.
As for Ace and Zoro, they were holding their own in a two-versus-one fight against Strawberry.
It was balanced, not because of their teamwork, but because...
Strawberry was the weakest among the three Vice Admirals present. Even among Marine Headquarters' elite Vice Admirals, his strength was below average.
On top of that, Ace and Zoro didn't need to hold back like Hina did.
So two-on-one was just right in this case.
---
Inside the ship's hold...
Smoker arrived outside a cell.
He glanced at the unconscious woman inside, then at the photo in his hand.
Target confirmed—Viola.
He extended a finger toward the cell's lock.
In the next moment, his finger turned to smoke and slipped through the keyhole.
Click—
The cell door unlocked.
He hoisted Viola over his shoulder and left immediately.
But Smoker didn't notice...
Just one level below where he found Viola, another prisoner was stirring—someone who had withstood the pressure of Conqueror's Haki.
Taking advantage of the unconscious guards...
That man also escaped.
If Luo Lan had been there, he would've recognized him instantly.
Because that man's name was—
Caesar Clown!
Smoker reached the deck, then leapt away using Moonwalk.
He blew a sharp whistle as he vanished.
"Not good—stop them!"
Ghost Spider immediately realized what was happening.
They've rescued their target... now they're escaping?
Damn it. No way am I letting you get away!
He charged at Luo Lan recklessly, ignoring all incoming attacks.
Even if he got injured, he had to delay them.
The battlefield dynamic completely flipped.
Just moments ago, Luo Lan's group had been stalling the three Vice Admirals to give Smoker a window.
Now, the roles reversed—the Vice Admirals were desperately trying to hold them back from escaping.
But they were a step too slow.
The moment Luo Lan's team heard the whistle, they broke formation and launched into Moonwalks, soaring into the sky.
"Chase them! Don't let them get away!" Ghost Spider roared.
The three Vice Admirals immediately launched into pursuit.
But just as both sides left the prison ship...
A figure emerged from the cabin and stepped onto the deck.
Only eight minutes had passed since the operation began.
Back at Marine Headquarters, the messenger hadn't even reached Kizaru yet.
---
Three minutes later—
Ghost Spider's team was still hot on their trail.
Suddenly, something in the distance caught his eye, and his pupils dilated.
"What... is that?"
A massive black structure floated on the sea ahead.
Standing atop it was a figure—with both arms spread wide.
In the next instant, their hands transformed into large cannon-like devices, about 6–7 meters high.
They began launching cylindrical projectiles into the air.
Flames ignited at the rear of each one, and they accelerated—
Straight toward the three Vice Admirals.
Their Observation Haki flared in alarm—danger, imminent.
They froze, instinctively shifting into defensive positions, covering themselves head-to-toe with Armament Haki.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM...
When the smoke cleared, three battered figures hovered in the sky.
This had all been part of Luo Lan's plan.
He had told Baby 5 in advance—
To deliver the payload.
---
Currently at chapter 405 on Ko-Fi
https:// ko-fi.com/sami27