"Tekkai & Steel!"
At that distance and speed, even if you react in time, there's no way you can dodge it!
Lucci's eyes widened, and for the second time in his life, he focused all his strength on defense, unleashing the strongest "Tekkai" he had ever used!
Immediately, he felt a violent impact, as if he had stopped Sea Train, and then turned into a black shadow embedded in the ground.
"Lucci!"
Kaku leaped forward, moving aside various broken stones, and pulled out Lucci, whose eyes had rolled back.
To everyone's surprise, the latter pushed him away and stood up again, panting heavily as he looked at the person in the air.
"Oh, not bad! You were able to stand up after taking that blow. The God must have used a bit of force."
Enel slowly descended, his gaze now showing a hint of appreciation, the original contempt gone.
Lucci shook his head, a hint of existential doubt in his eyes.
That single blow caused him, whose entire body was in a state of being Tekkai, to lose consciousness for a moment—something that even the impact of a cannon could not achieve!
"Lucci, how about..."
Kaku had already noticed the difference in strength. Even if the opponent didn't use elemental transformation to dodge attacks, their physical skills were still superior to those of them, the CP9 members who were known for their physical skills!
If the fight continues, Lucci's situation might not be as simple as just nearly losing consciousness.
The mission assigned to them by the World Government is not yet complete. If something happens to their strongest combatant when the deadline is approaching, they will be doomed.
Unfortunately, before he could finish speaking, the leopard charged out with incredible speed.
Lucci's idea was simple and obvious: of the Six Powers, only Shave could be somewhat effective against the opponent, so it was better to engage in quick close-quarters combat.
As long as he can't react in time to use that weird body hardening technique, that's enough!
"Why..."
Ideals are high, but reality is cruel.
Lucci launched a barrage of attacks, but he easily blocked or dodged them all, so his opponent didn't need to use that ability anymore.
As Enel dodged the attack, he placed his finger against the opponent's forehead.
The latter suddenly twisted his body, and a bolt of lightning flew past his eyes and struck the sea. In an instant, it was as if dawn had broken, and countless fish and Sea King surfaced.
"That was close!"
Lucci had pulled away from the other side, was panting heavily. His heart was pounding so hard that he could almost hear the thumping sound.
I almost instinctively used "Tekkai" just now. Knowing how powerful the opponent's attack was, it would be idiotic to try to withstand it with Tekkai!
Fortunately, I reacted in time and narrowly avoided the danger; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to stand up now.
"You reacted quickly, but unfortunately, that's enough for now. The God are done playing!"
"Heavenly Punishment!"
With a wave of his hands, dozens of bolts of lightning shot towards Lucci in a net-like pattern.
"You're not kidding, are you?!"
With its swift momentum and vast coverage, there's no way you can escape!
"Maximum Wheel - Rokuogan!"
Lightning is just a type of energy, and with the "Rokuogan," there's a chance to blast a hole in it!
Lucci struck a pose once more, his clenched teeth and bloodshot eyes revealing the power he had gathered at that moment.
"Lucci!"
Amid Kaku's tense shouts, Leopard Fist unleashed its strongest strike, which then clashed with lightning.
After a violent flash, Lucci, his body charred black and emitting black smoke, finally collapsed.
"Go take a look at him, Chopper!"
Enel, yawning, slowly turned around, followed by Chopper forward with his short legs.
"I don't need treatment!"
When Chopper came to his side and opened the medkit, Lucci decisively chose to refuse. As a proud "genius," he was unwilling to accept the enemy's goodwill.
"What, you've been beaten up like this and you still won't admit your weakness?"
"How's it going? There are far more people who want to be my companions than you think."
Cifer extended another invitation.
"Betraying the World Government will not end well, and I don't think you can be its enemy right now."
"When you lose your usefulness, that's when they'll use Nicole Robin as an excuse to settle scores with you."
Having received training from the World Government since childhood, Lucci is well aware of their methods and the immense power behind them.
"Yay~ Hahahaha~ I got rejected again, you damn captain!"
Enel laughed loudly, picked up the stunned Chopper, and flew away. It was so late, it was time to go back and have a midnight snack.
"What a pity, let's just forget about it then."
"What was that force that made your body incredibly hard just now?"
Just as Cifer was about to leave, Lucci asked a question.
"That's Haki, want to learn it?"
Lucci did not answer again. He had heard of that power, which was said to be more common in the New World, and rarely possessed by anyone in Paradise, except for the officers of the Marineford.
"How boring!"
With a flick of his finger, Cifer sent the Crimson Fire Cannon flying into the sea, where it immediately began to steam like a hot pot.
The creatures that were originally stunned by Enel's electric shock have now become a simple dish.
"By the way, I can give you one last chance. The person in charge of the auction in Zone 1 of the Sabaody Archipelago can contact me."
After saying this, Cifer took a step and disappeared over the cape.
Lucci's refusal was not too surprising; he was not a man who would be easily subdued.
However, Cifer didn't care too much; it was his loss that Xifa hadn't accepted his invitation.
It's just unknown whether the Straw Hat Pirates will still reach Water Seven without Robin, and whether CP9's fate will change.
But that has nothing to do with Cifer. If I remember correctly, that annoying guy on Enies Lobby seems to have two Devil Fruits.
This is another reason why Cifer came here.
Rather than letting them waste it, I'd rather use it myself to continue my experiments.
Although I don't remember some of the details clearly, I don't know when he took out the fruit.
However, it won't have a big impact. Judging by the time, their mission deadline is almost here, and the results are definitely already in his hands. He can just go there in a couple of days.
"To have such strength just as a deputy, that Shichibukai is truly unfathomable! I've already said it's best to avoid conflict."
With Kaku's help, Lucci, who had regained his original form, struggled to his feet.
"I just haven't had a proper fight in a long time, and I thought I could finally have some fun. I just didn't expect the gap to be this big."
Lucci was no longer as arrogant as before; what was called a battle was actually just him being beaten up on one side.
"Go back and recuperate quickly. The mission deadline is approaching, so don't let anything go wrong at this crucial moment."
"But what did he mean by saying that he could be contacted from the Sabaody Archipelago? Does he think you'll take the initiative to contact him?"
Who knows?
Accompanying the limping Lucci, the two slowly made their way forward in the darkness.