"Black Snake Lina, looks like you're not going to let us in without a fight."
"Heh heh heh. That's fine by me."
A sinister laugh came from the collapsed ruins. Through the dust, two faint points of crimson light appeared, and a ring of dark purple flames ignited.
A yellow, black-spotted hand swept the smoke aside. In his hybrid leopard form, Lucci grinned, baring deadly fangs, and strode out with a wild look in his eyes.
"The strongest man in the world? Sounds like you're worth challenging. Let's see if you really live up to the name."
Lucci sneered and tore off his shirt. His taut, well-defined muscles showed off his explosive strength and speed.
A dark purple flame cloud curled around his shoulders. Lucci lowered into a crouch and took his opening stance, facing Lina from dozens of meters away.
"Flame clouds like Lina's. Is this guy an Awakened One too?"
Usopp recognized his stance at once. His expression grew grave as he tightened his grip on his weapon.
"So it's come down to a straight-up fight after all."
Seeing that battle was inevitable, all the CP0 agents' expressions turned serious.
Kaku's body gradually swelled, and his neck stretched several times its length. His skin turned yellow and brown as he took on his hybrid giraffe form.
Like Lucci, a burning flame cloud coiled around his shoulders.
"Another Awakened One?!"
Usopp couldn't help but stare in surprise.
The two sides eyed each other warily, until—
"S-Bear, assist us in battle."
Lucci spoke coldly as he lowered himself toward the ground, the muscles in his thighs tensing.
Beep beep beep~
"Command received."
The Seraphim spoke in a cold, mechanical voice. At the same time—
Bang!!
Lucci kicked off hard, launching himself at Lina so fast that the eye could barely