Ambush

Lucci's fist struck Jote, but missed completely, and the figure gradually dissipated.

That was just an illusion!

"The Drunken Fire!"

A powerful burst of flames swept down from the sky, slamming into Lucci and sending up another violent explosion and a massive plume of smoke.

The spreading fire even struck the circular barrier not far away.

"Senior Lucci!"

Bartholomew's eyes were bloodshot, and he wished he could rush over right now to share some of the burden.

"Don't worry too much. The officers of Las Noches are not as fragile as you think."

Yisheng reached out and stopped the rooster-headed man who was eager to rush forward.

"No way..."

Violet and Rebecca were dumbfounded. They couldn't believe that such a powerful attack was nothing to the blind man.

"Wait... Uncle, can't you see?"

Rebecca discovered the blind spot, but the scene suddenly fell silent.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield...

"Da-pu-da-pu~ Kid, haven't you heard of a mirage? You're a bit too early to go against your big brother, Barrel."

Seeing Lucci motionless in the sea of fire through his Observation Haki Lucci, Jote couldn't help but lift his gourd and gulp down a few mouthfuls, then burst into unrestrained laughter.

The difference in strength was already apparent in the previous encounters.

In terms of speed, strength, or Haki, I am no match for that guy at all. Wouldn't it be idiotic to fight him head-on under these circumstances?

Having lived for so many years, Jote is no longer the hot-blooded man who only knows how to confront things head-on.

"Still drinking? I'm coming to get you!"

Amidst the thick smoke, a swift figure soared into the sky, reaching the airspace where Jote was in an instant.

"No... are you a monster?!"

Jote's Observation Haki was focused on Lucci the entire time.

But its speed was so fast that even if one noticed it, there was no time to react. One could only frantically hold the gourd in front of oneself and shout in disbelief.

"Bang!"

Lucci's fist, wreathed in Armament Haki, slammed powerfully into the gourd.

Then a deep voice rang out, and Jote, along with the gourd, was slammed to the ground again.

"Harder than steel..."

Lucci stood above, and the blow he had just struck the gourd still made his fist ache slightly.

"Your hands are ruined, kid! How could the gourd of the mighty 'Great Barrel' Basque Jote be anything ordinary?"

Jote looked even more disheveled, with blood dripping continuously from his head.

"You overestimate your gourd and underestimate me."

Lucci frowned, and his well-fitting suit was instantly stretched out as he transformed into his beastman form and landed on the ground.

"So it's just a little kitten. Let me, the great one, take care of you properly!"

"Drunken Feast!"

Jote poured all the wine out of the gourd at once, which floated in the air and formed countless alcohol spears. He then brandished the gourd, and the spears rushed towards Lucci one by one. He also launched a charge.

"What kind of playing style is this? Are they just giving up entirely?"

Lucci moved with his leopard-like feet, he dodged the spears one by one and engaged in a fierce battle with Jote.

"Bang! Bang! Bang..."

Those two large fists kept pounding on the wine gourd, causing a series of loud noises.

"What kind of super-strong kid is this..."

Under that immense force, Jote was forced to defend himself, retreating step by step, his face showing obvious signs of strain.

"Bang!"

With a loud crash, Jote's prized gourd was shattered by those iron fists.

Immediately, Jote, who lost his balance, was slammed heavily into the chest by Lucci's swift fist.

"Pfft~"

Jote coughed up a mouthful of blood and Luffy out, only stopping when he crashed into Bartholomew's barrier.

"As expected of Lucci- senpai! Even though the opponent is a criminal who escaped from Impel Down 6, he is completely powerless against Lucci- senpai!"

Although the violent impact that sent Jote flying made him shudder involuntarily, it did not diminish the surge of his fervent emotions.

"Don't tell me that the officers of the Sea Emperor all have this kind of power!"

Luo's face turned ugly.

Based on the battles he has witnessed so far, he may not be a match for Rob Lucci.

Moreover, that guy still has a completely relaxed expression on his face, and even though he was hit by the powerful flames, he was not injured.

Law felt that if every officer of the Sea Emperor had this kind of strength, then the timing for taking action against Kaido might have to be postponed.

"How could that be? Senior Lucci is a high-ranking official of Las Noches! He's the companion of the world's most powerful man. Don't compare him to other Sea Emperor!"

Bartholomew turned around, somewhat displeased with his words.

"Bang!"

Just as he was about to argue with Luo, a sound from the barrier made him turn his head back.

Jote struggled to his feet, using the barrier for support. He then leaned against it, panting heavily, and glanced furtively at something in the distance, seemingly annoyed.

"Is it already too late?"

Lucci walked over slowly, his tone still carrying a hint of lingering satisfaction.

He didn't intend to kill him here, but rather to take him back to Hachinosu, interrogate him thoroughly about Blackbeard's whereabouts, squeeze him dry, and then take his Devil Fruit.

Even so, Lucci would still break his arms and legs first to prevent him from causing trouble, but he didn't expect that this step would come so soon.

The so-called Level 6 fugitive is far inferior to Bullet two years ago.

"Kid, don't get too cocky. Remember what my move was just now?"

"Drunken Feast! How can I be the only one drinking? Clatter, clatter~"

Despite being at a complete disadvantage, Jote laughed, revealing his teeth, which were nearly half broken.

Lucci suddenly remembered that the numerous wine-spears he had dodged earlier did not seem to have caused fires and explosions like bubbles.

He turned around abruptly and found himself enveloped in a mist of alcohol.

"Do you know what the Sake-Sake Fruit is? This great man can turn any liquid he touches into sake, and he can manipulate sake!"

"Even though you're getting beaten up, the alcohol has already entered your body. Now, guess what would happen if such a large amount of high-purity alcohol completely mixed with your blood, or exploded inside it?!"

"Da-bu da-bu~"

Jote laughed maniacally, as if victory was already in his grasp.

Is this what you mean?

A cloud of smoke, reeking of strong alcohol, inexplicably emanated from Lucci.

"Wow, you can do that?!"

Jote's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Strength is absolute; only the weak play these pointless tricks."

Lucci looked at him disdainfully and slowly raised his right foot.

"You bastard! If you don't come out now, I'm going to be beaten to death!"

Jote's sudden shout startled Lucci.

"Wha... there's nothing there..."

Bartholomew nervously looked around the western area but did not find any other members of the Blackbeard Pirates.

"No! Someone is charging towards Lucci!"

Luo seemed to have sensed something.

There was a shadow on the ground, moving forward at high speed.