"Squeak, squeak, squeak..."
A tiny squeak echoed by Iceberg's pillow, startling the silence of the room.
"A mouse?"
Blueno, peering through his mask, observed the milky-white little creature scratching at Iceberg's ear. He noticed a brief, imperceptible pause in the mayor's breathing.
He leaned in and spoke calmly, "Since you're awake, stop pretending to be asleep, Iceberg San."
"..."
Iceberg slowly opened his eyes and sat up, frowning at the masked figure before him.
"Who are you!"
His gaze shifted to Robin, standing silently by the wall.
"You are..."
Iceberg's eyes narrowed sharply.
"'Devil Child' Nico Robin! Are you also one of Straw Hat's crew...?"
"You really do know her..."
A scheming smile curved beneath Blueno's mask. Without hesitation, he struck Iceberg with a heavy, precise punch to the face.
"Then let's not waste words! Die!"
Blood spurted, painting the pristine white wall crimson.
Robin's expression darkened as she silently watched the brutal scene. CP-9 operatives were devoid of compassion, trained assassins selected from orphans worldwide, perfected by the World Government to be ruthless instruments.
---
"Hmph, How dare they call you the Fifth Emperor? You're nothing special!"
Far above the magma sea, Admiral Akainu hovered, his molten magma arm searing through the air as it gripped Shirogai by the neck.
Gurgle, gurgle…
The blistering magma, bubbling violently, formed an ever-expanding cocoon around Shirogai, whose Ice-Ice Fruit powers countered the heat, though even this partial defense caused some blood to trickle from his mouth.
A faint, confident smile appeared. "I apologize for not letting you enjoy a proper fight."
"It appears this is merely a clone?"
Akainu's gaze darkened as he scrutinized Shirogai suspended in midair. "Impressive, yet only three abilities, used repeatedly..."
Akainu's frown deepened. He didn't immediately destroy the clone—Shirogai's body was already in peril, unable to escape the magma purgatory.
"You've displayed powers like Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit, the Mera Mera no Mi , and Aokiji's Ice-Ice Fruit… Yet your Armament and Observation Haki fall short. They lack the precision and strength top-tier Haki commands. However, your Conqueror's Haki remains formidable, worthy of the highest rank."
A dark breath escaped Akainu. "Kid, you dare test me with a clone, believing those others would be a greater threat?"
As his fury surged, the magma around Shirogai blackened further, glowing brighter, hotter.
"Don't rush, Akainu."
Even facing imminent death, Shirogai's clone remained composed, smiling. "This is only the appetizer. My full strength is yet untouched."
He tilted his head, gazing at the mist-veiled full moon. "Tonight's moon shines brilliantly."
Thump, thump, thump…
A strange vibration echoed from Shirogai's chest, reverberating through his body like a solitary drumbeat.
His black pupils wriggled uncontrollably, elongating into vertical slits. A crimson hue, like a blood moon, rapidly flooded his eyes.
Crackle, crackle, crackle…
Shirogai's body, still wrapped in magma, shuddered and expanded, lightning flickering across his form. His hair, black and short moments ago, now cascaded to his waist in flowing white strands.
The white hair, seeming alive, pushed through the magma, allowing him to break free instantaneously.
Crackle!
Shirogai appeared atop the scorching magma, towering near Akainu's height, his sculpted, muscular frame emanating undeniable power. A mysterious smile adorned his face, magnetic and chilling.
"The Mink Tribe's Sulong Form... This power feels exhilarating."
His hair fluttered with electric energy as he extended his slender hands, feeling the static of his body. Blood-red eyes met Akainu's, and a low chuckle followed.
"Admiral Akainu, you've driven me to a second transformation. Let's dance, Shall we?."
Before he finished, Shirogai vanished.
A silver-white streak of lightning, rivaling the speed of light, descended upon Akainu's position.
"Mink Tribe? This… this is beyond our intelligence."
Akainu braced himself, extending a magma arm with Observation Haki, striking where Shirogai would appear.
"Too slow!"
Shirogai's mocking voice rang from the opposite side.
In the blink of an eye, he reappeared behind Akainu, his movement accompanied by electric crackles. Akainu's arm went numb, then vanished entirely.
"Hmph!"
Akainu looked down in shock. His hand had disappeared.
"Bastard!"
He looked up to find Shirogai holding a reconstructed magma arm, a teasing smile on his blood-red eyes.
"Akainu, did you misplace your hand?"
Akainu's magma wriggled violently, reforming into a brand-new arm. "You truly cannot be underestimated."
He stomped onto the magma, erupting the sea's surface.
Boom!
Flame and magma shot skyward, violent and scorching.
"Land of Annihilation: Eruption!"
Shirogai streaked across the magma as silver-white lightning, dodging each projectile effortlessly.
"Heh, Akainu, your attacks are far too slow. You can't even touch me like this!"
__
I'll be dropping a 50% discount code for my Patreon membership on the 15th, in celebration of the upcoming Christmas season.
The code will be active from that day until the end of the month.
Stay tuned