After hours of evacuating to higher ground, the storm known as Aqua Laguna commenced with terrifying intensity. The seawater rose, coalescing into a towering figure that loomed over five-story buildings, masking them in its immense shadow.
The water slammed into the heart of Water 7, bulldozing everything in its wake. Structures crumbled under the relentless assault. Above, the clouds screeched deafeningly, and lightning roared aggressively as the water continued to erupt, sinking the city deeper into the abyss.
The citizens of Water 7 watched the scene unfold in misery. They realised this year's Aqua Laguna was way more terrifying than the precedent years. All they could do was shed tears as they witnessed their homes and shops swallowed into the depths of the vast sea.
Gojo and his crew stared at the terrifying scene, swallowing hard in despair. "Hey, is this the Grand Line's version of a regular storm? A lot of structures have already been swallowed whole."
They exchanged agitated glances. "I really hope they have a way out of this."
"If this storm has been occurring for several years," another mused, "maybe the people of this city actually have a plan."
"Still," Gojo admitted, "this is one hell of a storm."
The water engulfed everything in its path, tearing apart buildings and roads with savage ease. Meanwhile, despite the chaos of Aqua Laguna, Lucci remained completely unfazed. His thoughts were elsewhere—calculating how he would execute Gojo should he refuse the World Government's request to become a Warlord.
Several days elapsed quickly. The Aqua Laguna finally subsided, and the people of Water 7 began reconstructing the buildings they had lost to the raging storm. The Galley-La Company's shipwrights played an indispensable role, helping citizens rebuild their shattered homes, stores, and markets. Soon after, Gojo's pirate crew embarked on their journey—not for glory, but to earn enough money to obtain a proper vessel.
Lucci, however, was growing tired of waiting. Impatience gnawed at him. He was eager to meet the man he had been ordered to confront. "Kaku, I'm heading out." Without another word, he used Soru, his silhouette vanishing in an instant.
Kaku sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Oh, there he goes. Well, I guess I can't just sit around doing nothing. I'll join in too."
Moments later, Lucci dropped from the sky, landing gracefully with a flip. "I'll go and welcome him myself."
He walked into a small bar and found Gojo working diligently, unfazed by the destruction that had just occurred.
Gojo waved with a cheerful smile. "Welcome, sir! What can I get for you?"
Lucci studied him carefully. Is this really the brat who defeated Magellan? "Satoru Gojo. Meet me outside."
Without waiting for a response, Lucci turned and strode out. The door slid open moments later, and Gojo emerged. "Can you make this quick? I've got a lot of work to do."
Lucci's expression hardened. "Satoru Gojo. The man who caused chaos in Impel Down and made a name for himself. If you value your life—and your companions—you'll follow me without question."
Gojo shot him a sharp look. "Who the hell are you?"
Veins flared on Lucci's neck. "I'll introduce myself when we get there. All you have to do is keep quiet and follow me."
Tension loomed across the atmosphere before realization dawned on Gojo. "Isn't that a rude way to introduce yourself? Perhaps… are you after my head?" Gojo smirked, not fazed by Lucci's rage-baiting.
Lucci sigh, "seems that head of yours is utterly broken. I'll let you choose how you'd like to be exterminated."
"Let me guess," Gojo smirked. "You're either a marine or a government official sent to claim my head, right?"
Lucci lunged forward at incredible speed, testing Gojo's limits, he swung his hand aiming to cleave him apart—but Gojo blocked the strike with ease, pivoting backward to maintain distance.
Lucci's eyes narrowed. "I didn't think you'd be able to block that. You've got some nerve, scum."
Gojo steadied his breath, calm as ever. "Tell me what request you have. If it's worth my time, maybe I'll play along."
"Given your status as a rookie who rose through East Blue with the highest bounty in the region," Lucci began, "the higher-ups have ordered me to bring you in."
"Bring me in?" Gojo tilted his head. "You'll have to try harder than that." He flipped backward, narrowly avoiding a kick.
"We want you to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
The words struck Gojo like a meteor. "Me? A Warlord?" A wide grin spread across his face. "That's crazy awesome."
Lucci studied him, already assuming the deal was accepted. "First, we'll need to know what kind of Devil Fruit you've ingested."
Gojo massaged his temples, still smirking. "You know what?"
"What?"
"Go tell the higher ups I said fuck 'em all!"
Lucci's expression darkened. "I see... Shave!" His silhouette blurred, reappearing behind Gojo in an instant—fist drawn back, victory seemingly assured.
Thud.
His fist halted a mere inch from Gojo's face.
Lucci's eyes widened in disbelief. A smirk tugged at Gojo's lips. "You felt that, didn't you? I made sure not to give off any killing intent. If you hadn't pulled back, I would've taken your head right then."
Lucci stared, then erupted into laughter. He tore off his suit, revealing his transformed body. "I'll—"
Before he could wrap-up, Gojo's fist connected and Lucci was sent crashing through buildings on prompt.
"I hope he's not dead," Gojo muttered, glancing at his fist.
Jake and Ryuken rushed outside, smoke curling in the air behind them. "We heard a loud noise! What was that?"
"Oh, that?" Gojo shrugged. "The government sent someone after me. So I sent him flying."
Jake grinned despite the tension. "Problem after problem. We can't even leave this island without a ship."
"What are we gonna do?"
Thud.
Debris shifted. Lucci emerged from the rubble, blood trickling from his mouth. "I'm going to kill you, Satoru!"
Ryuken whistled. "Isn't that the guy from Galley-La?"
"Looks like it's about to get interesting," Gojo said calmly. "You two go ahead. I'll catch up."
"Be careful. He might have allies nearby."
"Yeah."
Lucci buried his face in his hands and laughed like a madman. "You're too late, pirates. My allies are already on their way to kill Iceburg and claim the blueprints of Pluton."
Jake froze. "Pluton? What's that?"
Gojo's grin faded. "Pluton is an ancient weapon. It can destroy this entire island. The government wants it." 'Thank goodness I'd read about it way back in the East Blue.' He pondered quietly.
Jake reloaded his pistol. "I always knew the government was full of cowards."
"Jake, Ryu." Gojo's voice was calm but firm. "Go to Galley-La, Warn them. There's a traitor among their midst!"
"I won't let you!" Lucci roared. "Rankyaku!" He swung his leg, sending a compressed blade of wind slicing through the air—cutting through buildings with ease.
Jake and Ryuken ducked just in time. "What the hell was that?!"
"Go! Now!"
Gojo clasped his hands together, still grinning. "Didn't fret a government agent like you would've such amazing techniques. Isn't it such a waste of talent for you to work under the government when you're that strong?" He said, "why don't you join my crew? I pledge I'll forget about everything and I promise in my clans name I'll spare your life."
"Your arrogance will lead you to your despair," Lucci frowned. His barrier withstood Rankyaku? "That barrier of yours... impressive!"
"I guess I'll have to scold you a little since you decided to become a stray cat," he chuckled at his own joke. "Impressive? Don't know about that." Gojo lunged forward, fist crackling with cursed energy, and struck Lucci square in the abdomen.
"Tekkai!"
Lucci flew backwards, tearing through buildings until he crashed into the wall of Galley-La Company.
Boom!
The impact rattled the entire structure. Shipwrights stumbled, shaken. "An earthquake?!"
Lucci coughed a mouthful of blood as he emerged from the rubble. If he hadn't used Tekkai in that split second, he would've been killed instantly and turned into a donut just like Rengoku. His eyes went cold.
His body began to shift. Bones cracked. Muscles expanded. Golden fur spread across his skin. Claws tore through his fingertips. His jaw elongated into sharp fangs, and a tail lashed behind him.
In seconds, Rob Lucci stood transformed—awakened by the Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Leopard. Half-man. Half-beast. Fully lethal.
"You should've run," Lucci growled.
Gojo chuckled. "A Zoan, huh? Still... you just look like a lost kitty in the zoo."
Lucci vanished.
Shave!
The ground beneath him shattered as he reappeared, claws swinging—only for them to collide with Gojo's Infinity once more. He retreated instantly, reassessing.
…
Inside Galley-La Company, Kaku stood unfazed after he'd undergone his transformation, whirling into a humanoid giraffe, antecedently wreaking havoc.
Thick smoke lingered across the air as Paulie strode forward, yanking a cigarette from his mouth, stepping into a battle stance. "Iceburg-san! I'll protect you!"
The shipwrights braced themselves—war had buzz into the metropolis of Water 7!!
.....
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