Boom!!!!
The White Wolf Kill, which had been dispersed by Red Hair's aura alone, showed completely different effects when facing different opponents.
A powerful shockwave spread from the point of impact, stirring up a sandstorm across the training ground.
Roar!!!
The giant wolf devoured the shockwave, rampaging without restraint!
Lucci's proud Six King Gun disintegrated amidst the white wolf's roar. The entire man was pounced upon and sent flying like a kite with its string cut.
Crack—
A clear sound of bone fracture echoed as Lucci's chest collapsed, though it was unclear how many ribs were broken.
...
Tap…
Tap…
This time, Griffin didn't wait for him to emerge from the rubble. Instead, he walked over.
The figure looming in the dust spoke in a calm tone.
"You look about the same age as me. I heard you're called the strongest legend in Enies Lobby in 800 years."
"I thought it might be some kind of annoying symmetrical destiny…"
"But in the end…"
"Lucci, your beastly nature is nothing more than this."
As the dust gradually settled, Lucci looked into those deep blue eyes with faint red glimmers—cold and condescending—and tasted defeat for the first time.
Whoosh—
His eyes couldn't keep up with Griffin's speed at all. It was the sensation of being stepped on from behind that let him know where his opponent was.
His weakened arms were grabbed, Griffin's hands clamping down on his wrists like iron vices.
"For the sake of the World Government, I'll forgive your insolence."
Despite his words, as his voice faded…
Two crisp crack sounds were heard. Lucci's arms twisted and deformed under tremendous force, the sound of bone fractures particularly piercing!
Excruciating pain shot through him.
Unlike before, Lucci—who had anticipated this—didn't scream. He had endured far worse pain than this.
Gritting his teeth hard, he turned to look at the devilish young marine behind him.
"By attacking me, have you truly considered what price you'll pay?!"
Griffin released his hands, a smile spreading across his blood-stained face.
...
"Of course I wouldn't have dared to lay hands on a CP agent before."
"But now it's different. I'm the poster boy the Marines are promoting, the hero of the new generation."
"I gained fame and status precisely so I could act without restraint when facing scum like you!"
"Guess what? If I kill you, do you think the higher-ups will order the Marines to hand me over?"
"Will the Marines willingly throw away all their previous efforts and abandon me?"
"They won't."
"It's simple logic—my value surpasses yours."
Griffin leaned down, speaking calmly: "Especially... when you've been defeated by me."
"If you understand the reality, then speak properly."
"You should call me... Lord Griffin."
...
...
How satisfying. All the frustration I suffered from Red Hair was vented in one go.
Of course, things aren't that simple. If I killed Lucci, even if I weren't arrested, I'd pay a considerable political price.
But if it's just a beating, I'm sure nothing will happen.
...
If Lucci were a pirate with backbone, or a resolute marine.
Then he would spit at Griffin now and calmly face death.
But he was a member of the intelligence organization.
What was dignity?
After a brief silence.
"...Griffin... Lord Griffin, I hope you will cooperate with my investigation into Who's Who's escape incident."
"Please..."
Griffin grinned as he pulled Lucci's broken arm, causing him to grimace in pain: "That's more like it. We're both working for the World Government. If you'd spoken properly from the start, wouldn't I have cooperated?"
"Everyone in this base knows that the ones I respect most are the Five Elders!"
...
Griffin didn't let Lucci go for treatment, instead pulling him to sit on the training ground for their conversation.
"That's how it happened. That bastard Who's Who threatened me, so I had no choice but to intercept Red Hair."
"I had nothing to do with his prison break! That traitor to the World Government - I'll kill him the next time we meet!"
"Despite the Five Elders placing such trust in him! Getting robbed by a Pirate Crew was bad enough, but instead of accepting judgment and dying properly, he actually escaped from prison!"
Griffin appeared genuinely furious, his disgust toward Who's Who quite authentic.
Lucci paid no mind to his own injuries, carefully analyzing Griffin's words.
In the official Marine reports, Griffin was said to have acted to protect civilians.
But Lucci preferred to believe what he was hearing now.
From their brief contact, Lucci determined that Griffin wasn't the type to possess pointless mercy. It seemed he followed the same principle as himself...
The World Government's 'Absolute Justice'!
Lucci understood now.
A comrade...
This guy... just has a bad temper, a bit hot-headed.
As long as you show proper respect in your words, he's quite easy to communicate with.
Hmm... This was my mistake for not investigating his personality beforehand, nearly causing the mission to fail.
"Hmm... Thank you for your cooperation, Lord Griffin. I apologize again for my earlier disrespect."
Lucci stood up and bowed, offering a sincere apology.
...
Getting beaten this badly and still thanking me... Is this the resolve of an intelligence agent?
Griffin waved his hand: "It's fine, I forgive you. Everyone has moments of impulse."
Buru buru buru...
Just then, Lucci's Den Den Mushi rang.
"Apologies, excuse me for a moment!"
Lucci walked quite far away before answering the Den Den Mushi with his foot.
...
Griffin rested his chin on his hand as a wisp of breeze drifted from his ear.
Ice Release: Wind Listening Technique.
Using the breeze to carry extremely fine ice crystals, it could achieve eavesdropping effects within a certain range.
On the frozen continent, besides endless glaciers, the most common occurrence was wind and snow.
Ice Release was originally a combination of water and wind attribute Chakra. Griffin didn't have Chakra test paper, but he knew he possessed at least four Chakra attributes.
The water and wind that composed Ice Release, plus the fire and yin essential for Uchiha.
Unfortunately, he still couldn't even perform the Great Fireball Technique with Three Tomoe, an anomaly among the Uchiha.
Starting from nothing was too difficult. His training on the frozen continent had only allowed him to develop a few ninjutsu with maritime world characteristics, based on Ice Release and combined with the snowy environment.
His Sharingan genjutsu remained at the level of overwhelming opponents with sheer spiritual power. It worked fine against gang leaders like Capone, but against strong-willed experts like Red Hair, it was pure comedy.
...
He still needed to kill Celestial Dragons to obtain teaching materials...
The difficulty between learning and creating was completely different. Griffin didn't have the time or experience to develop his own system from scratch.
...
Hearing the anxiety in Lucci's voice and from the other end of the phone call, an inexplicable change appeared deep in Griffin's pupils.
As the conversation continued, Griffin's brows furrowed deeply, his expression turning grim.
Masking his emotions, Griffin pretended to know nothing and said with a light smile, "I've told you everything I know. I have patrol duty later, so if you'll excuse me..."
"Lord Griffin, wait!"
Lucci wore a solemn expression and said in a deep voice, "A special situation has arisen. The matter concerning Who's Who will be set aside for now."
"In my current state, I'm unable to fulfill that lord's command. I recommended you to him."
"You'll surely be pleased..."
"This is a mission to guard the descendants of the great creators - the Celestial Dragons!"