Cold killing intent surged in from both directions like a tangible tide, locking firmly onto the core team. The platform before the entrance to Crystal Mountain instantly became a deadly arena.
The three CP0 agents had tightly controlled, unified auras and moved in perfect synchronization, clearly killing machines tempered by long training together. The swordsman leading them held a blade whose tip flickered with a cold gleam that stung the skin. To Observation Haki, his presence scarcely fell short of a Marine Admiral's. Of the other two, one had strange white threads wound around his hands, shimmering with waves of mental interference; the other had a blurred figure that seemed capable of blending into light-a top-tier assassin.
The four members of the Blackbeard Pirates were more ostentatious and dangerous. Catarina Devon's eyes glowed red. Her Mythical Zoan: Nine-Tailed Fox Form ability gave her an alluring, uncanny aura, with nine phantom tails swaying behind her. Corrupt King Pizarro cackled and pressed both hands against the ground. The platform's white jade surface began writhing and changing shape, forming twisted hands of mixed rock and metal. Of the other two senior officers, one was covered in thick black keratin like a human fortress; corrosive venom dripped from the other's fingertips.
"Hmph. Looks like we won't get to open the door in peace until we swat these annoying flies." Zoro slowly drew his three swords, fighting spirit rising in his eyes as he fixed directly on CP0's swordsman. "The one with the sword is mine."
"Sabo and I will handle the nine-tailed fox and the guy playing with rocks." Flames rose around Ace as he stood beside Sabo.
"Leave those other two ugly bastards to me!" Luffy grinned and immediately entered Gear Fourth's Boundman form. His rubber arms swelled as he aimed at the