Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

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While Sanji and Franky prepared for the fight ahead, Nero groaned, dragging himself back to consciousness.

"Ugh…" He clutched his chest, forcing himself onto his knees.

"Who's this?" Lucci asked, glancing down at the struggling man with detached indifference.

"Probably the new member. A 'Four Powers' fighter named Nero or something." Kaku replied with a shrug.

"Damn it…" Nero growled, his face contorted with rage. "Up until now, I was a martial arts genius! I don't care about the orders anymore! I'm going to kill you!" He glared at Franky, his anger boiling over.

"Hey, newbie." Lucci interjected, his calm voice carrying an air of menace.

"Eh? You're Rob Lucci, right? I should've introduced myself sooner…just hang on a second, I'm gonna kill that guy first—" Nero began, but Lucci cut him off.

"We're taking Franky alive. You can't let your emotions take priority over your duties." Lucci paused for a moment, as if reconsidering his words. "Actually, never mind...I'll give you three seconds...so hurry up and run."

"Huh?!" Nero looked up at him in shock, confusion spreading across his face.

"Three." Lucci began, his voice cold and detached.

"Run…from who…?" Nero mumbled, his body trembling under Lucci's icy gaze.

"Two." Lucci continued, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"H-hey! You're kidding, right!?" Nero yelled, panic seizing him as he staggered to his feet.

"One."

Lucci raised a finger, pointing directly at Nero.

"Stop! Don't be an idiot!!" Nero screamed, his voice shaking with desperation. "Soru!" He vanished, attempting to flee, but it was already too late.

In an instant, Lucci reappeared behind him, his finger piercing Nero's chest with terrifying precision.

"Gwaaah!!" Blood sprayed from Nero's mouth as his body convulsed. His eyes widened in horror before his body crumpled lifelessly to the ground.

"Everything about you is a work in progress." Lucci declared, his voice devoid of emotion. "CP9 doesn't need you."

Lucci turned away from the fallen body, addressing the rest of the group without a flicker of remorse. "You're only superhuman if you've mastered all six powers."

He glanced at at the woman. "Kalifa."

"Yes, sir." She replied, adjusting her glasses.

"Send a report later. 'The new guy was too weak. We couldn't use him'."

"Understood." Kalifa said with a curt nod.

"They're supposed to be the protectors of justice…?" Sanji muttered, his tone dripping with disdain.

"Hard to tell who the bad guys are, huh?" Franky chuckled, though there was no humor in his voice.

Their conversation was cut short as Lucci's icy glare bore into them.

"I suppose I don't need to ask why you're here." He said, his voice low and menacing. "From the way you kicked that door open, it's clear patience isn't one of your virtues."

"You're right." Sanji shot back, exhaling smoke through his nose. "My parents raised me wrong."

"If you're here for Nico Robin, forget it." Lucci stated coldly. "She's far too much trouble for you to handle."