One Piece: Marine's Justice

"So strong… That's overwhelming power!"

At that moment, seeing two CP9 agents go down in a clean, decisive instant, Cross couldn't help the surprise that flickered across his face. He let out a low gasp of astonishment.

Feli's expression turned grim. He growled at Cross in a low voice, barely keeping his composure. "Cross-dono, you know how important Bel von Gero is. We cannot allow him to be rescued by the Impaler Pirates' officers!"

"Don't lecture me, I know that," Cross shot back, face darkening. He sounded irritated. "If you'd let me cut off an arm or a leg earlier, even if they did manage to free him, he wouldn't be running anywhere."

Hearing the accusation and frustration in Cross's tone, Feli felt a pang of embarrassment and barely concealed fury. But in the end, he had to grit his teeth and say stiffly, "It's all in the name of Justice. Please, Cross-dono, do not let Oli Baka escape!"

"They sent a kid to stop me? Is the World Government that short on manpower?" Oli Baka sneered, his gaze landing on Cross's youthful face with open contempt.

Just then, while fiddling with the Seastone shackles on his wrists, Gero suddenly looked up at Cross and said in a flat tone, "Careful. This kid's a Marine. His ability's unusual, he can bring statues and sculptures in the city to life. It's similar to the Homies under Big Mom."

Baka's bull-like eyes went wide. Red veins pulsed beneath them as fury surged into his voice. "Tch. What an obnoxious power. I'm going to crush this brat with my bare hands!"

"Big words for a pack of beaten dogs running scared," Cross said coldly, his voice dripping with mockery.

"You little... YOU'RE DEAD!"

Like a bull seeing red, Baka flew into a rage. He lunged forward, crossing several meters in a single step. His massive fists, each the size of a cooking pot, came crashing toward Cross's head.

A violent gust roared from the impact. The sheer force of Baka's punch blew the dust clean off the street on both sides.

Cross pivoted swiftly, narrowly dodging the blow. In the same motion, his blade, Kagehide, swept in a graceful arc toward Baka's wrist.

"Armament Haki: Hardening!"

Baka growled low, and from elbow to fingertip, his right arm was instantly coated in a gleaming black sheen, polished like steel. Without hesitation, he caught a portion of Kagehide's blade in his bare hand.

CLANG!

A piercing screech of metal rang out. Sparks exploded into the air.

Despite Kagehide's razor-sharp edge, it couldn't cut through even a single finger of Baka's hand.

"Damn it, Haki again!" Cross cursed under his breath. He tried to yank his blade free, but Baka's grip was like iron, unyielding. With no other choice, Cross surged forward and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick straight to Baka's arm.

THUD!

A muffled explosion of force echoed outward.

Baka's eyes narrowed. His arm trembled from the impact, a surprising burst of power forcing his hand open and dislodging the blade.

"This brat… packs a punch!"

Baka's brow twitched. He eyed Cross more seriously now, flexing his slightly numb arm to ease the tension.

Cross, still focused, didn't even glance back as he addressed his superior. "Chief Feli, both of the Impaler Pirates' main officers are here. Notify Vice Admiral Borsalino and Vice Admiral Kuzan immediately. We're clear to begin the operation!"

CLANK—!

The heavy Seastone shackles hit the ground with a crash, cracking the slate tiles beneath.

Expressionless, Gero rubbed his sore wrists and spoke in a low, grave voice. "Baka, finish off that kid now. If he brings all the sculptures in Skoggy to life, we'll have a hell of a time getting out."

"Relax. Won't take long," Baka snarled, eyes burning with menace. "You hear that, brat? I'm gonna crush every bone in your body."

With a thunderous step, Baka charged like a berserk elephant. His massive fists clenched, he launched them in a brutal overhead slam toward Cross.

"Looks like you're trying to flatten me, not crush my bones," Cross muttered, retreating at high speed to avoid a direct clash.

This guy was built like a monster, pure muscle and terrifying physical strength. His Armament Haki was probably even stronger than Doflamingo's.

As one of the three core types of Haki, Armament could drastically boost a fighter's defense, like an invisible suit of armor, and also be weaponized for stronger offense.

Back in the Kingdom of Lvneel, Cross had fought Doflamingo. He hadn't been able to pierce Doffy's Armament Haki, nor could he tank the slicing threads without injury. The result? Cross had been on the defensive the entire time.

It was like fighting a fully armored knight with a regular sword. Even if you had skill, if your blade couldn't break through, and your opponent moved well in that armor, you were in serious trouble.

Now, Baka wasn't surprised that Cross wasn't taking him head-on. Instead, he swung even harder. His fists stirred up the air into howling shockwaves as he tried to pummel Cross into a pulp.

"Hey, brat! Stop running! Take one punch like a man!"

"Moron. Land one first before you talk big!"

"You little bastard, I'm gonna shatter your whole body!"

"You can try, loudmouth!"

Amid the flurry of massive fists, Cross darted through like a tightrope walker on wind. His body flowed with each gust, dancing just outside of Baka's reach.

"…Is that Kami-e?! From the Rokushiki?!"

Feli and the other agents were stunned.

Cross's dodges weren't identical to Kami-e, but the resemblance was unmistakable. Fluid, reactive, minimal movement.

The question was… Where had this kid learned the Rokushiki?

Cross knew he couldn't evade forever. Eventually, he spotted a small opening in Baka's barrage, and his sword flashed out like lightning.

SHING!

A cold arc of steel sliced through the air. The whirlwind of punches vanished instantly. Kagehide slashed directly at Baka's chest, but his torso was already coated in a thick sheen of Armament Haki. The blade skidded across the dark, metallic surface, spitting sparks.

"…What the hell?!"

Cross nearly cursed out loud. He leapt back instantly, pure instinct taking over.

"Wugagagaga—!"

Baka pounded his chest with a laugh, then raised his muscle-bound arms again. With a roar, he hurled another monstrous punch at Cross.

The blow tore through the air. That iron-sized fist came down like a black hammer from hell. Cross's expression changed. He threw Kagehide up to block—

CLAAANG!

The impact rang like a cannon. A shockwave burst outward, scattering dust and sending shock through the air.

Kagehide shuddered violently in Cross's hands, nearly flying from his grip. The sheer power of the blow hurled him backward, sending him crashing through the air.

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