Lucci emerged from the rubble. His jet-black hair had turned white, and his pupils had reddened—the effects of the berserker drug.
But it truly was a banned substance for a reason. He could feel an endless surge of power welling up within him.
"You're still this arrogant? How infuriating!"
Lucci's body rapidly expanded, instantly transforming into a massive form towering over Luffy, muscles bulging. His skin was covered in leopard patterns, his fingers elongating into claws.
Zoan, Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Leopard!
Among the countless Devil Fruits, the Leopard form was one of the top-tier Zoans—second only to Mythical and Ancient Zoans.
And now, with the berserker drug, Lucci's strength had multiplied several times over.
Lucci entered his Zoan form, but his state seemed different. His normally black hair had turned an ominous pale white. Deep within his pupils glowed a crimson light. The aura emanating from him was far more dangerous and violent than it had been on the train.
It reminded Luffy of himself.
"You changed your look to copy me?"
"For the mission, I will stop at nothing." Lucci's demeanor radiated ferocity.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
"Storm Rankyaku: Gale Bird!"
A blue vacuum slash, far larger and more condensed than before, shot toward Luffy like a true giant bird, carrying the breath of annihilation!
"You got stronger. Was it those drugs?"
Luffy grinned. Facing this slash—capable of splitting mountains—he advanced instead of retreating. His rubber arm, coated in Busoshoku Haki, stretched and grew in a bizarre way. Then he caught the massive slash with his bare hands!
"Here it back!"
Luffy's arm violently flexed, hurling the condensed slash back like a javelin!
KABOOOM!!!
The pale leopard reacted instantly, using Soru to dodge. The spot where he had been standing was blasted into a deep crater by his own attack.
Lucci began moving at high speed through the surrounding rubble, using the debris to cover his movements, seeking an opening in Luffy's defenses.
Luffy closed his eyes instead. His powerful Kenbunshoku Haki spread out. Lucci's violent aura—enhanced by the drug—was as clear to his perception as a beacon in the night.
The moment Lucci launched another attack from a tricky angle, Luffy's eyes snapped open. "Gomu Gomu no: Mole Gun!"
His fist shot out like a cannonball, from below at an unthinkable angle and speed, precisely slamming into Lucci's chest!
Lucci's pupils contracted. He hastily crossed his arms to block, simultaneously activating Rokushiki.
"Tekkai!"
CRASH!!!
The impact was deafening. Lucci felt an indescribable force—his arms screamed in agony. As if struck by a high-speed Sea Train, he spat blood and flew backward uncontrollably.
"Not done yet!"
Luffy pressed his advantage. His legs kicked off the ground—rubber elasticity giving him terrifying explosiveness—and he launched like a rocket. His head coated in jet-black Busoshoku Haki.
"Gomu Gomu no: Rocket Headbutt!"
THUD!!
Another deafening crash. Luffy's forehead was slammed into Lucci's abdomen before he could hit the ground.
"GAHH!"
Lucci was hit hard again, blood spraying from his mouth. His body crashed into a distant clock tower like a kite with cut strings, collapsing half of it.
The shockwaves from the collision of these two terrifying forces spread outward like tangible waves, shaking the entire Front Island Plaza. The nearby Marines and World Government personnel battling the Franky Family were all frightened pale by the terrifying commotion, scrambling away from this battlefield.
"An—an earthquake?!"
"That's Lucci and that Straw Hat monster fighting!"
"Terrifying! Just the aftershock alone is this terrifying."
In the dust-choked ruins of the clock tower, Lucci struggled and climbed out.
The berserker drug hadn't only enhanced his strength and speed—it had also greatly increased his endurance and his tolerance for pain.
He wiped blood from his mouth and looked at Luffy, hovering mid-air like a white demon. His eyes burned with even greater fighting spirit.
"What a monster."
He chuckled low, focusing his will. His previously bulging muscles were slightly contracted, their lines becoming more streamlined.
He activated Seimei Kikan, sacrificing some strength for extreme speed. Without hesitation, Lucci became a blur again, charging at Luffy.
Meanwhile, the other battlefields had also erupted.
When Luffy and Lucci faced off, Kaku and Jabra exchanged a few more words before charging toward their respective opponents.
Across from them, Sanji and Zoro also argued briefly. The two most competitive members of each crew found their counterparts.
Kaku drew the twin swords he hadn't yet used. Facing Zoro, he couldn't afford to be careless. Plus, having just acquired his Devil Fruit ability, he wanted to test it out.
"Pirate Hunter. This old man will be your opponent."
Kaku's long nose turned into a giraffe's neck—the sight was somewhat comical, but the speed and power behind his twin blades were nothing to dismiss.
"A swordsman? Perfect!"
Zoro drew all three swords, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
He loved fighting swordsmen.
Sanji's opponent was the werewolf Jabra.
"Gahahaha! Aside from Straw Hat, you lot are nothing to fear!" Jabra cackled.
"Then let's see how it goes. I'll kick that wolf's teeth in!"
Sanji moved in a flash, his black leather shoes cutting through the air with sharp force.
Robin faced Kalifa, who could transform into bubble form. Nami, Usopp, and Chopper teamed up against Blueno, Fukuro, and Kumadori.
The entire Front Island of Enies Lobby had become a fierce battlefield.
On the other side of the battlefield—
"Straw Hat!"
Lucci coughed up blood, forcing steadying himself. "Don't underestimate me!"
"Oh? Your body's about at its limit, isn't it? Still got energy for trash talk?"
Luffy chuckled low. "I don't want to waste my stamina on you."
Their gazes locked.
Lucci could see it—in Luffy's eyes, he wasn't there.
For the strongest CP9 had produced in 800 years. For the so-called genius. How insulting was this?
If Lucci had to put it in words: there was a level between them now. Want to catch up? Train for another two years.
That was the truth.
Lucci could feel the power from the berserker drug burning madness within him, but he also clearly sensed his body approaching its limit.
The two heavy blows had brought not only pain but also a crushing of his spirit.
The pressure emanating from that white figure ahead pressed down on his heart like a tangible mountain.
***
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