The courtyard of the villa instantly erupted into a battlefield. Two figures blurred under the night sky, clashing and separating at impossible speeds. Each impact sent violent shockwaves through the air, tearing the manicured gardens to shreds.
*"Tempest Kick!"*
Who's-Who spun in mid-air, his right leg swinging like a battle-axe. He unleashed several pale blue blades of compressed air that flew towards Tesoro, cutting off all paths of escape. Faced with the deadly assault, Tesoro didn't retreat. He bent his knees, lowered his center of gravity, and shouted.
*"Afterimage Punch!"*
Just as the vacuum slashes were about to hit, his body flickered and split into three identical images. The three Tesoros dodged in different directions.
"What?!" Who's-Who's eyes widened. The Tempest Kicks, powerful enough to slice through steel, passed harmlessly through two of the phantoms. Only one struck Tesoro's real body. But the spray of blood he expected never came. Tesoro's body swayed with the impact, deflecting most of the force and leaving only a thin white mark on his arm.
"It's not over!" A sharp light gleamed in Tesoro's eyes. He pushed off the ground and shot forward like a cannonball, closing the distance to Who's-Who in an instant. He struck out with both palms, his movements flowing like a raging tide.
Who's-Who was caught off guard. On pure instinct, he crossed his arms in front of his chest and activated his strongest defensive technique.
*"Iron Body!"*
*Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!*
A series of heavy, dull impacts exploded between them. Tesoro's hands moved like phantoms, landing dozens of palm strikes on Who's-Who's arms in less than a second. The force of each blow layered on top of the last, penetrating the Iron Body defense and sending shockwaves through Who's-Who's entire body. The ground beneath his feet began to crack under the strain.
*'Damn it!'* Who's-Who was forced back by the relentless assault, his mind reeling. *'What is this technique?!'* The more he fought, the more unsettled he became. He had never seen anything like this kid's fighting style. It was unpredictable—sometimes as fast as lightning, other times as elusive as a shadow. Within the seemingly simple punches and kicks was a unique way of using power and aura that was so refined, it seemed to surpass the Rokushiki itself.
The World Government's dominance over the seas was largely thanks to the Marine Rokushiki, a martial art that pushed the human body beyond its limits and allowed normal soldiers to fight Devil Fruit users. But now, a completely new, and possibly stronger, martial art had appeared out of nowhere. This discovery made Who's-Who's heart pound. This was no longer a simple capture mission. This could be a secret that could change the balance of power in the entire world. If he could get his hands on this fighting style and bring it back... the rewards would be immense. He could surpass Rob Lucci, maybe even replace that idiot Spandine as the commander of CP9.
Greed and ambition quickly replaced his focus on the battle. He used "Moonwalk" to leap into the air, creating distance between them. "Kid, hold on a second!" he called out, a slick smile on his face. "That martial art of yours... it's very impressive. What's it called?"
Tesoro gasped for breath, watching him with wary eyes. "Kame Senryu," he said coldly.
"Kame Senryu?" Who's-Who committed the name to memory. "Tesoro, I'll admit, you're a talented man. It's a waste for someone like you to be following a mere child. Why don't you work with me? Hand over Nico Robin and the secrets to your 'Kame Senryu,' and I'll make sure you get all the credit. You'll have everything you've ever wanted—money, status, power! The World Government always rewards its loyal subjects."
Tesoro answered with a sneer full of contempt. "World Government? Money? Power?" He wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth and stood up straight. A new light, the light of true faith, burned in his green eyes. "You high-and-mighty lackeys will never understand. What I want is something you could never give me! The man I follow... he gave me something you trash can't even comprehend. He gave me hope and a future!"
The smile froze on Who's-Who's face. "So you've chosen death!" His voice turned cruel. "Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish! After I beat you half to death, I'll slowly torture the secrets of the 'Kame Senryu' out of you!" Before he finished speaking, his body began to twist and change.
*"Animal-Animal Fruit, Cat-Cat Fruit, Ancient Zoan Model: Saber-toothed Tiger!"*
With the sound of cracking bones, Who's-Who's body expanded. His muscles bulged, sharp claws extended from his fingers, and two massive, chilling saber teeth grew from his mouth. A savage, ancient aura exploded from him as his speed and strength increased dramatically. "Die!" The transformed Who's-Who became a blur of motion as he lunged at Tesoro.
---
Inside the villa, the battle was just as desperate.
*"Snow Bind!"* Monet spread her hands, and chains of solid snow erupted from the air, wrapping around several CP9 agents trying to storm the study. But others simply dodged past her and kicked down the study door.
"Get her!"
Robin stood behind her desk, forcing herself to remain calm as the agents swarmed in. She crossed her arms. *"Mille Fleur!"* A sea of arms bloomed from the floor, trying to block their path. But the CP9 agents were prepared.
*"Paper Art!"* Their bodies went flat like paper, allowing them to weave through the forest of arms and close in on Robin.
---
Outside, Tesoro was being completely overwhelmed. After his transformation, Who's-Who was simply too strong. Every blow from the wild beast shook Tesoro's entire body, and the lightning-fast speed made his Afterimage Punch useless.
*"Pfft—!"*
After one final, brutal clash, Tesoro could hold on no longer. He was sent flying like a broken doll, crashing hard against the villa wall before sliding to the ground, leaving a trail of blood. He struggled to get up, but it felt like every bone in his body was shattered.
Who's-Who slowly walked over, grabbed him by the hair, and lifted his head, a victor's sneer on his face. "Now, I'll ask you one last time," he whispered. "The secrets of the 'Kame Senryu' and the woman. Are you going to hand them over or not?"
Tesoro spat a mouthful of bloody saliva onto the ground. He lifted his head, his eyes still burning with an unyielding fire, and grinned. "The only one... I, Tesoro, will ever follow... is that man."
"You're asking for it!" Who's-Who's patience finally snapped. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes as he raised his other hand, his claws ready to tear out Tesoro's heart.
But just as his claws were about to strike—an indescribable, terrifying pressure descended from the heavens. It was as if an invisible giant hand had seized the entire island. The air grew thick. The wind stopped. Every CP9 agent froze mid-battle, as if they had been turned to stone. Who's-Who's claw stopped inches from Tesoro's chest, held in place by a force he couldn't comprehend.
He looked up in horror at the pitch-black sky. A crimson streak of light, like a comet made of blood, was tearing through the clouds, plummeting towards them at an impossible speed.
"You whelps," a voice boomed in all of their minds, so cold it could freeze their souls. "Did I give you trash permission to cause trouble here?!"
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