"Rumble…!"
The waves roared.
Kairos' small boat rode atop a surging tide, leaping clean over the jagged coastal reefs before coming to an impossible halt.
The water, still driven by inertia, rushed toward the land—
But just before it could crash down, the sea froze in midair as if it had struck an invisible wall.
Then the water slowly rolled back into the ocean.
Not a single drop touched the shore.
Kairos stepped calmly off the boat.
At that moment, however, he looked far from elegant.
In his right hand was Sandai Kitetsu.
And skewered on the tip of the blade—
was a lively, flapping fish.
"The Kingdom of Blue… looks even more fascinating up close."
Kairos spoke in quiet admiration.
His gaze had already shifted past the shoreline, drawn toward the deeper forest ahead.
The scenery was breathtaking.
Everything—trees, flowers, grass—was made of translucent blue vegetation.
When the sea breeze blew, petals and leaves scattered into the air like shimmering embers.
From afar, the island truly resembled a vast blue flame swaying in the wind.
"Who are you?!"
Lucci shouted immediately.
His voice hadn't fully matured yet—it still carried the tone of youth.
But the killing intent in it was chilling.
His fingers trembled slightly behind his back.
Not from fear.
He was preparing to kill.
Kairos gave him a strange feeling.
The man looked relaxed and careless—
yet stopping an entire tidal wave midair was not something anyone could underestimate.
Not just Lucci.
Every member of CP9 fixed Kairos with icy stares.
"…Kids?"
Kairos finally tore his attention away from the brilliant blue forest and looked at the group.
The moment he did—
he paused.
Even though Lucci was still young—only fifteen—
Kairos recognized him instantly.
These people were—
CP9.
"I'm Ka—"
Kairos pointed to himself, about to introduce his name—
But Kaku suddenly shouted.
"The mission cannot change. He saw us arrive. He cannot live."
With a sharp cry, Kaku charged forward.
The moment he moved—
all CP9 members attacked together.
Perfect coordination.
Seven angles of attack.
At the forefront—
Lucci.
Cat-Cat Fruit — Leopard Form!
"ROAR!"
Yellow fur burst through Lucci's skin as his body transformed.
His pupils narrowed into vertical amber slits.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The leopard-form Lucci sprinted forward on all fours, each step cracking the ground beneath him.
He moved like a bolt of yellow lightning.
In an instant—
he reached Kairos.
His claws flashed coldly as they slashed toward Kairos' chest with explosive speed.
"…Hm."
Kairos frowned slightly.
His left fist darkened instantly.
Armament Haki.
His punch swung down.
CLANG!
Lucci's claws collided with Kairos' fist.
Sparks exploded between them.
In that brief moment—
Lucci activated Iron Body.
When the strike failed, his body twisted fluidly like a boneless snake.
His rear leg swept upward.
A faint glow gathered.
Tempest Kick.
"…Pretty strong for a kid."
Kairos sighed in admiration.
But while he spoke—
his body moved like thunder.
His left hand shot forward, faster than Lucci could react, gripping the boy by the head.
Tempest Kick instantly collapsed before it could launch.
Lucci's pupils trembled violently.
In that split second—
he felt death itself.
If the man's fingers tightened—
his skull would explode like a watermelon.
The next instant—
BOOM!!
A thunderous crash shook the ground.
Kairos slammed Lucci headfirst into the earth.
Cracks spread like a spiderweb across the ground.
A crater nearly three meters wide appeared instantly.
Dust erupted everywhere.
A visible shockwave blasted outward.
Even the coastline trembled.
"Lucci!"
Fukurou saw the scene and realized Lucci was in grave danger.
Without hesitation, he rushed forward.
His metal staff swung down with a screaming gust of wind.
Kairos didn't even look at him.
With a thought—
Sandai Kitetsu shot through the air.
CLANG!!
The blade collided with the staff midair.
Fukurou was blasted backward instantly.
At the same moment—
the rest of CP9 arrived.
Kaku, the second strongest, attacked with twin swords.
Blinding sword-light split the air while his legs unleashed Tempest Kicks.
For a brief moment—
it looked like he was using a four-sword style.
Bruno opened a door in midair with the Door-Door Fruit, appearing directly above Kairos.
His fist crashed downward.
The wind pressure alone shook the air.
Fukurou used Shave to its limit.
His round body appeared before Kairos' face like teleportation itself.
A kick flew toward Kairos' head.
Jabra transformed into a wolf, his eyes filled with bloodlust.
His claws shot forward.
Finger Pistol.
Kalifa's eyes were icy.
Her high heels pivoted as her thorn whip cracked violently through the air.
At that exact moment—
from within the dust cloud—
Kairos' voice sounded.
"…Let's end this quickly."
And as the words fell—
Xiran Card (DNF Version — 1 Use)
Activated.
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