Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

Aqua Laguna

"Lucci! What are you!?" Paulie questioned, looking up at the towering figure.

Lucci didn't respond, listening carefully to the crackling sounds around him. "Seems the fire has started to spread."

"What are you supposed to be? A cat?" Ryomen smirked, his taunt drawing Lucci's gaze.

"The Neko-Neko no Mi, Model: Leopard." Lucci responded coldly.

Chopper's eyes widened in shock. "Not good! Carnivorous Zoans get even more ferocious!"

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from outside.

"Lucci, the workers are on their way up." Kalifa warned, helping Kaku stand.

"They'll never make it this far." Lucci raised his leg. "Rankyaku!"

With a powerful kick, a horizontal wind blade sliced through the ceiling, causing the upper floors to collapse.

"Chopper, dodge!" Sogeking and Nami shouted in unison, trying to warn him, but it was too late. Debris fell on top of Chopper trapping him underneath.

"Chopper!!" They shouted in worry, trying to get him out.

Meanwhile, Paulie sprinted to Iceberg's side. "Paulie, what are you doing!?" Iceberg gasped.

"I'm not leaving you here, boss! You're badly hurt—how do you expect to manage on your own!?" Paulie protested, struggling to lift Iceberg.

"Stop this, Paulie." Lucci stepped forward, blocking their path.

"Even…Even after everything you've done… deep down, I still think of you as a friend!" Paulie's voice cracked.

Lucci's expression hardened. "The feeling's not mutual."

"Pigeon guy!"

"Pussy!"

Luffy and Ryomen charged, both landing punches on Lucci's face. Lucci didn't even flinch.

"Good." Lucci smirked, lifting a finger and pointing it at Ryomen. "Shigan."

Ryomen moved, but Lucci's attack pierced through his defenses, his finger shooting clean through Ryomen's torso.

"Ryomen!" The others cried out in horror.

"Ugh…Uhh…" Ryomen clutched the wound, blood dripping from his mouth. He managed a strained grin. "What a coward...don't suppose you'll help me…with these?" He raised his cuffs.

"Oh, I'll help." Lucci sneered, grabbing Ryomen's collar. "I'll send you on a one-way flight…off this island!" He threw Ryomen through the wall, his body flying through the night sky.

"You bastard!" Luffy launched forward, but Lucci seized his head.

"Let go! I'll beat you to a pulp!" Luffy's fists pounded against Lucci, but to no avail.

"You can join him, Straw Hat." Lucci's grip tightened, and with a swift motion, he threw Luffy out of the building.

"Why you—!" Zoro's blades flashed as he charged.

"Tekkai." Lucci's body hardened, blocking the swords effortlessly. "You really thought you could take me on with such basic Haki?"

Before Zoro could react, Lucci had hurled him after the others.

Now only Nami and Sogeking remained, trembling under Lucci's gaze.

"Y-you…you won't get away with it!" Nami stammered, her voice quivering, eyes brimming with tears.

"We'll bring you down!" Sogeking aimed his slingshot, ready to fire.

"Explosion cannon!" Sogeking's attack flew toward Lucci.