Gazing at the ruined town.
This was a declaration of war. Give the royal army reason to fight rebels, clear out pesky citizens, announce they'd crush the crew head-on—not assassination.
Kiri read the intent.
Proved it, eyes on the palace.
"Crocodile's probably there. No hiding."
"How do you know?"
"After this, he plans to be king. His spot's fixed."
"Yeah, king's house."
"He's waiting for you, Luffy. I can't see him, but I know."
Breath steady despite the run, Kiri spoke seriously.
Luffy glanced at Kiri's face, grinning.
"If he's waiting, perfect. Saves searching."
"Yeah."
"Don't worry about me. You said it—focus on your role."
Luffy looked up at the palace.
Massive. No clue where Crocodile was inside. But knowing he was there was enough.
Carefree grin—no excess worry.
Kiri nodded slightly.
The palace loomed closer. Full sprint—almost there.
Then—a pure white wall erupted before them.
As if waiting, Kiri kicked off, soaring.
"Candle Wall!"
"Whoa?! What the—?!"
"Doru Doru no Mi—Mr.3!"
A massive white wall filled their vision. Enemy likely on the other side. Iron-hard wax—not easily broken.
Kiri decided fast, unfazed.
Knowing the enemy hid beyond, he kicked floating paper, leaping high.
Luffy could vault it too, but that'd play into the ambush. Needed free aerial movement like Kiri's.
To clear the path, foil the plan—Kiri attacked alone.
Reaching overlook height—over six meters.
Beyond the wax: no Mr.3 in the street.
Probably a narrow alley or house. Blocked the road while hidden.
Paper swirled around him. Attack or retreat? A split-second thought.
Mr.3 wasn't brute force—"sneaky grand crime" his motto. Earned his title with cunning plans and brains, not combat.
Deep engagement played into his hands.
Knowing the foe bred hesitation—true.
Less than a second. That tiny doubt shifted everything.
A shadow loomed overhead. Kiri's eyes snapped up.
A massive bird dove, wings spread, aiming straight for him.
Irregularities always happen.
Prepared for it, Kiri stayed calm.
Gathering orbiting paper into a sword, he readied to counter.
Mr.3 likely planned this—predicted Kiri vaulting the wall, deployed unknown forces for an aerial strike. Clearly targeting Kiri to take him out.
Luffy stood below, mouth agape, watching.
Kiri kicked his paper platform, charging the enemy.
Locked eyes with the plummeting eagle, craving head-on clash.
But one misread.
The beastman form marked a Zoan user. No special gear, daggers in hand—close combat, he assumed.
As they closed, water suddenly blasted from the eagle's shoulders.
Caught off-guard, too close—Kiri took the full torrent to the head.
Strength drained instantly. No time to react—the eagle slashed down.
"Sorry. I know all about you."
Blade sank deep, tearing flesh, blood spraying.
Multiple slashes in a blink. Kiri bled from countless wounds, no chance to scream, crumpling mid-air.
Blood and powerless paper rained on Luffy below.
Kiri, seemingly unconscious, dangled from the eagle's grip.
"KIRI?!"
"Your crew changed while you were gone. Mr.12's science duo. System spits water bullets without hands—how's that? And flying to scout? Bad habit. Should fix it. Bit late, though."
Clothed eagle—man and bird fused.
Pale coat like sand, matching bandana.
Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Eagle.
New asset post-Kiri's Baroque days—crafted to hunt him. Smirking, he addressed his captive.
Gripping Kiri's left wrist, Kiri hung limp, eyes shut.
Despite "don't worry," Luffy's calm shattered.
Rage flared; he stretched his arm.
"You bastard! What'd you do to my nakama?!"
"Whoa, scary. Don't get mad—I'm just working."
Luffy's right arm shot out; the eagle dodged with a twitch. Wings flapping, no sign of landing.
High up, not slow enough to grab.
Luffy reeled his arm, grinding teeth. The eagle smirked down.
"Just want the kid. Don't worry—I won't kill him."
"Give Kiri back!"
"Can't. Fail, and I'm dead. So—"
Before finishing, Kiri's eyes snapped open.
Right arm turned white—layered paper, hardened—thrust at the eagle, fingers splayed like ripping out a heart.
But it missed.
The eagle had released just before.
Kiri's attack whiffed; the eagle switched to a pistol.
No hesitation—gunshots cracked, bullets tearing through Kiri repeatedly.
He judged evasion impossible, shifted torso to paper, hardened to block. But his slashed body couldn't withstand; holes punched through despite.
Bullets missed Luffy, but blood splattered his cheek.
Kiri plummeted again—re-caught, now by the left ankle.
Limp, truly out.
Blood rained as Luffy looked up, fury consuming him.
Kiri seemed dead, eyes closed.
"Final blow, right? Heard that one. Sneaky—strike when they think they've won. But the guy who taught you that? He's on our side."
"YOU BASTAAAARD!!"
"Yeah, can't help it."
Luffy stomped, stretching again.
The eagle dangled limp Kiri with his right, scratching his cheek with the left.
Even that fueled Luffy's rage, but the eagle stayed eerily calm.
"ENOUGH!!"
"Candle Lock!"
Luffy's arm, mid-stretch, snared in wax—pinned to a building wall.
No pain, but immobilized.
The blocking wall had vanished—only now noticed.
Mr.3 stood there. No time to mock the hair; Luffy roared.
"Who're you?! Get outta my way, 3!"
"Can't do that. He's a special guest. Stay quiet."
"You—!"
"Candle Lock!"
Left arm, raised instinctively, locked to the ground.
Right pinned to wall, left to street.
Luffy thrashed, but couldn't pursue the eagle carrying Kiri.
Confirmed, the eagle headed for the palace.
Casually, he called to Mr.3.
Mr.3 ignored pinned Luffy, walking off.
"Thanks. I'll deliver."
"Careful. Anger the boss, you don't live."
"Got it."
"Hey, wait! Damn it—get off!"
Luffy struggled uselessly as the eagle faded, blood-soaked Kiri in tow—beyond reach.
Teeth gritted in frustration, nothing changed.
"KIRIIII!!"
His voice faded; Luffy alone.
Hearing Luffy's cry, Miss Goldenweek glanced back in an alley.
Mr.3 walked ahead, job done.
Letting Luffy live wasn't like him, she thought.
"Sure about leaving him?"
"Fine. Boss wants him personally."
"Why?"
"Dunno… Killing him's a problem, apparently."
They strolled the ruined town, unfazed.
Waited long enough. Their work began now. Other agents were moving, awaiting them.
Letting Luffy live? No issue.
Even if he survived, Crocodile would end him.
Mr.3's mind had shifted. No worry for Luffy.
His brain and orders moved the battle. His role—and a pleasure.
Back in Kiri's days, they'd battled wits in chess and games. This was a win in that rivalry; his mood lifted.
Kiri usually won overall.
That fueled Mr.3's quiet fire—personal now.
"Thought he was untrustworthy, but useful. Let's move."
"Capturing Kiri was his job. Why help?"
"Efficiency. Without him, victory's closer."
"Hmm. Sore loser?"
"What're you on about?"
They vanished unseen.
Their own agendas. Cooperate with other agents? Debatable. Results-oriented types skimped on process.
Sneaky grand crime—his motto.
Win in the end. That was his mindset now.
And only he knew it.
-------------------------------
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