Weevil's right arm had already been severely injured from the csh with Lucci's Six King Gun. Now, with Lucci's Finger Pistol piercing through his armpit, the limb was rendered completely useless.

  But Lucci didn't stop there. His other hand, transformed into a cw, curved toward Weevil's side. His sharp fingers shimmered with Haki as they targeted the pirate's waist.

  "Finger Pistol – Five-Finger Piercer!"

  Lucci's cws plunged into the soft flesh at Weevil's waist with terrifying ease. The fingers drove deep until his palm pressed against Weevil's body.

  This time, even Weevil couldn't suppress his reaction. He screamed in agony, his face contorted in pain.

  "Leopard Strike – Predator!"

  Lucci twisted his embedded hand into a fist and ripped it free, tearing out a bloody chunk of flesh.

  Weevil howled in anguish. His remaining arm shed out with a punch, coated in Haki and radiating a powerful shockwave that cracked the air as it hurtled toward Lucci.

  Lucci made no attempt to meet the blow head-on. He bent his knees and pushed off the ground with feline grace. His body twisted mid-air, spinning twice like a dancer, before nding smoothly several meters away.

  Weevil's fist smashed into the ground where Lucci had stood, pulverizing the stone and sending debris flying.

  Meanwhile, Lucci raised the blood-soaked chunk of flesh he'd torn from Weevil. He sniffed the crimson mass, the predatory glint in his eyes intensifying. With a slight smirk, he tossed the flesh aside and revealed his sharp canines in a savage grin.

  The entire exchange had taken no more than five seconds.

  From the sidelines, Cudius, Kuzan, and Borsalino watched with growing admiration.

  Lucci fought like a performer on stage, his strength, speed, and technique blending into a mesmerizing dispy. He weaved around Weevil's brute force as though teasing prey.

  "Spandine didn't let me down," Cudius mused.

  He'd recognized Lucci's potential early on, said to be the most gifted agent CP had produced in centuries. Cudius had instructed Spandine to focus on cultivating Lucci's talents through rigorous assignments. It seemed the investment had paid off.

  This guy might even be stronger than Dofmingo now.

  Weevil, meanwhile, was growing increasingly frantic. His attacks missed their mark again and again. The pain from his shredded waist and broken arm compounded his confusion.

  When the dust from his st failed strike cleared, Weevil twisted his head, searching for Lucci. His eyes darted around, filled with desperation.

  Lucci had already vanished from sight.

  Weevil froze. His instincts screamed that danger was behind him.

  He spun around as fast as his heavy body allowed, raising his weapon but he wasn't fast enough.

  Lucci had already appeared behind him.

  Weevil reacted by smming his fist into the ground, triggering a shockwave that exploded outward in all directions.

  The ground rippled like the surface of a pond, stones flying into the air.

  Lucci immediately stomped the air beneath his feet.

  "Moonwalk!"

  He shot straight up as the shockwave demolished the street below. From above, he watched the destruction spread like a bst wave, leveling nearby buildings and reducing the ground to uneven rubble.

  "Smart move," Lucci thought. But not smart enough.

  The moment the shockwave dissipated, he dived back toward Weevil.

  His leopard tail shed out and coiled around Weevil's left shoulder like a rope. The instant it tightened, Lucci yanked hard.

  Weevil growled and swung his remaining arm toward the tail.

  But Lucci anticipated the move. He shifted his weight, using Weevil's shoulder as a pivot point to swing himself over his opponent's head.

  Weevil's counterattack whiffed through empty air.

  Before the pirate could adjust, Lucci's tail suddenly wrapped around his neck and pulled taut.

  "Leopard Strike – Flying Viper!"

  Lucci used the leverage from his tail to deliver a devastating kick to Weevil's jaw. The impact cracked teeth and sent the pirate's head snapping to the side. His eyes rolled, and blood spurted from his mouth.

  Lucci nded gracefully a few steps away. His knees bent, arms stretched outward, like a gymnast sticking a nding.

  Weevil, dazed, staggered to his right. His jaw hung askew from the blow.

  Lucci's tail gave a sharp tug. Weevil's head jerked forward, dragging his massive frame along with it.

  The pirate tried to resist, but his bance was already compromised. His feet fumbled beneath him, and he stumbled forward like a drunkard.

  Lucci pivoted to face him, eyes cold and detached.

  He stepped back into a lunge and crossed his arms in front of him. His muscles tensed, veins bulging beneath his skin.

  "Rokushiki Ultimate Art!"

  Lucci's arms snapped forward, palms colliding with Weevil's jaw as he fell toward him.

  A deafening shockwave burst from Lucci's hands. The force traveled through Weevil's skull with brutal efficiency. His eyes rolled back, blood streaming from his nose and ears.

  The pirate's massive body flew backward, nding with a thunderous crash. His legs twitched involuntarily, but his consciousness was gone.

  Silence followed the fall.

  Lucci exhaled slowly and reverted to his human form. His white shirt hung loose, two buttons missing from the earlier transformation. He absently fixed his tie, smoothing it into pce.

  Then he turned, walked toward Cudius, and bowed.

  "Mission accomplished, Your Highness," Lucci said calmly.

  Cudius chuckled. "That was... one hell of a show," he said, cpping Lucci on the shoulder. "Very good, very strong. I like it."

  Lucci's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. He pced his right fist over his heart and decred, "From this day forward, I pledge to stand at your side. I will clear any obstacle in your path, no matter what it takes."

  ***

  This book is completed so you can read all chapters on: patreon.com/Blownleaves.