The most unique aspect of Pokemon is that while ordinary beasts sharpen their claws or roar merely to intimidate their opponents, such actions by Pokemon can bring about a solid boost in combat power.
Zeraora's claw-swipe is just like the Dark Type's sharpen claw, making his claws even sharper, allowing him to hit enemies more easily and inflict greater damage.
Tekkai proved quite effective against ordinary members of the Fur Race, but it was insufficient against Zeraora. The muscle on his chest was slashed open by Zeraora, and the lightning on Zeraora's claws immediately scorched the wound, emitting a burnt odor that spread outward.
His Store-Store Fruit can absorb electricity, but he is powerless against the lightning attached to physical attacks unless he can completely drain the electricity within Zeraora all at once.
"Uncle, you guys should go elsewhere; leave this to me."
Shaking his right hand, this enemy didn't seem particularly special to Zeraora, aside from being able to recharge him. Energy is undoubtedly good, but it wasn't sufficient for Zeraora.
No matter how strongly Tekkai is trained, it pales in comparison to Armament Haki. Both Kami-e and Tekkai are merely low-tier skills against Observation and Armament Haki.
Though the attack wasn't lethal, Zeraora's assault did not cease because of it. Sharp claws continuously targeted the opponent's body, each swipe tearing off flesh and blood, making Tekkai nothing more than a living target in front of him.
"Hatch, it seems Setsuna found you quite a remarkable son-in-law..."
A tiger from the Fur Race stood up, his body covered with bruises, although they did not hinder his combat ability.
Recently, Hatch had been bragging a lot on Zou, even though he was somewhat displeased with Setsuna bringing back a boyfriend after disappearing for nine years. Nevertheless, he had been showing off those high-end goods externally.
As a result, the Firearms Team had basically learned what kind of figure Zeraora truly was—the opponent they couldn't manage to defeat was virtually effortless for Zeraora, highlighting the felt disparity.
"Of course! Just think about whose daughter Setsuna is; her taste wouldn't be poor."
"Yeah, indeed, since she's Ling's daughter. It's a pity Ling's choice was poor once in her life."
"Wait... huh? What do you mean? Explain that to me!"
"Ah, don't misunderstand. Hurry and assist; those opponents are tricky."
The tiger from the Fur Race dashed to another battlefield side, followed by Hatch, although he had many questions regarding Ling's discernment he wished to ask.
Meanwhile, the battle between Zeraora and his opponent had entered a bizarre cycle; he had to use the ability of the Store-Store Fruit to absorb the lightning Zeraora released; otherwise, he couldn't withstand Zeraora's Bolt Strike.
But his Store-Store Fruit had a storage limit. Once filled, he had to release the stored energy, and upon release, Zeraora would absorb it, becoming even stronger.
"Damn monster, die here!"
The World Government's 800-year existence naturally comes with deep foundations, especially in selecting agents who are predominantly steadfast loyalists.
After the Judicial Island incident, Rob Lucci and others were nearly obliterated by the World Government, but later, Rob Lucci had passed the selection to become CP0.
The agents handling such dirty tasks were naturally confidants of the World Government, as they couldn't risk an unreliable agent exposing these affairs, which would cause criticism even against the World Government.
Although they don't care about such opinions, it doesn't mean they welcome such occurrences.
Realizing he wasn't Zeraora's match, he made his decision, desperately embracing Zeraora during the attack. This time, he did not release electricity, while the energy bar on his chest began to glow.
"Die! Stored Energy Explosion!"
Since electric power proved ineffective, he opted to detonate his stored energy within. To him, Zeraora was a threat to the World Government that needed elimination.
He planned never to let go, but from beneath him came no struggling sensation from Zeraora.
"Big guy, farewell."
Upon looking up, he saw Zeraora sitting on a distant rooftop watching him. What he embraced was merely a Stand, crafted by Zeraora's physical exertion; anyone would question the sudden rush of a normally evasive foe.
Though the Stand expended lots of stamina, these efforts seemed worthwhile for now.
A mushroom cloud exploded here, destroying many structures, but due to everyone celebrating outside, it didn't impact anything.
The blast also attracted others' attention. Though the anesthetic had put most of the Fur Race to sleep, it left the strongest Firearms Team and Knight group unaffected.
They were unaware of Alcremie's influence, attributing it to Caesar's unreliability. Apart from these two ability users, other agents didn't have many advantages.
Initially, the Store-Store Fruit user held off Hatch and the Firearms Team's elites, and Hichugiskhan was tied down by the chieftain. But with Zeraora's intervention, the temporary balance was disrupted.
With Hatch and others freed, they concentrated efforts, liberating more combat forces from the Fur Race, launching a counterattack with numerical superiority.
"Thunder Light Zeraora... that one is indeed on Zou..."
The World Government member engaged with Hichugiskhan glimpsed Zeraora, having done homework before visiting Zou; Zeraora was the most renowned "Fur Race" in the outer seas.
A bounty of 550 million, the cadre status in the Hundred Beasts Pirates—all warranted research into him as a highly onerous adversary.
Logia-types are not invincible; strong like the later Headquarter Three Great Admirals and weak like Caribou, Logia-types in the Haki-prevalent New World are mere abilities among many others.
He felt, however, given Zeraora's Hundred Beasts affiliation, he should not have appeared on Zou, and yet, he had judged wrongly.
No matter, he had his contingency plan.
"Activate Plan #2!"
Plan #2 sounds good, but calling it an escape plan from failure sounds worse; nevertheless, he hadn't forgotten the initial mission objective. Rope Clouds emerged from his body, capturing several unconscious Fur Race members within him.
He then unleashed a vast cloud to use as a platform, with agents below serving as subordinates.
But this is the Fur Race's homeland, making it impossible to abduct anyone before their eyes, leaving whether he escapes himself an open question.