Bitter Battle Against CP0
Swift as thunder, devastating as a cannonball.
The white-clad CP0 immediately demonstrated the vast gap in strength between CP0 and CP8. His index finger, charged with spiraling energy, crossed the several-meter deck in an instant and stabbed toward Yang Ning's face.
The sheer force of the attack triggered Yang Ning's Observation Haki.
Good news: he saw it coming.
Bad news: it was already too close to dodge.
With no time to block or evade, Yang Ning twisted his body slightly—but that was all he could manage.
The Soul Furnace Shield, which normally provided over 300 points of external defense, shattered like soap bubbles against the CP0's finger. The attack punched deep into Yang Ning's shoulder, blood spraying from the wound.
"How could the gap be so huge?"
Yang Ning stared in disbelief. Was this normal CP0 strength? He remembered Lucci—supposedly one of their elite—and thought he was only fit to clean toilets for the Four Emperors.
The CP0 agent said nothing. Cold and efficient, his eyes dripped with contempt—nothing like the patience Hawkeye once showed Zoro.
"Finger Pistol – Falling Stars."
His blood-slick index finger, pulled from Yang Ning's shoulder, transformed into a storm of crimson meteors. Each finger shadow blazed like a falling star, aimed to shred Yang Ning where he stood.
In that moment, Yang Ning's half-awakened Observation Haki finally clicked into place. The sword techniques he'd drilled for six months in Shimotsuki Village flashed through his mind like a reflex.
"Clang!"
Amid the red meteor shower, the white-hot blade of Kotetsu rose to meet the assault.
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Steel met finger in a blur of motion—sparks flying, metal ringing—so fast that only the sound and flashes betrayed their clash.
The barrage lasted only seconds. Then, silence.
The red rain stopped.
And the white-clad CP0 vanished again.
"That trick again!"
Yang Ning gripped Kotetsu with both hands, scanning every angle. This was the strongest enemy he'd ever faced—sweat already soaked his back.
"Ugh—!"
A cry cut through the tension.
Yang Ning turned—just in time to see the CP0's hand punching straight through Sylvester's chest from behind.
"Sylvester!"
"Brother!"
Yang Ning and Willie shouted in unison.
Rage exploded in Yang Ning's chest. Kotetsu slashed horizontally, wind screaming like a tiger. Beside him, Esdeath's greatsword also roared forward—her usual calm replaced by cold fury.
"Whoosh!"
The two blades crossed in a deadly X—yet the CP0 disappeared before either could land.
He reappeared moments later, standing effortlessly on one leg atop the deck railing. His white suit remained spotless, his mask unreadable but dripping with scorn.
Despite Yang Ning's raw power, the speed difference left him nearly helpless.
Meanwhile, the black-suited CP8 agents finally rushed in.
Yang Ning didn't even have time to check on Sylvester. He turned to face the new wave.
These CP8 agents were manageable for him and Esdeath—but the CP0 on the railing loomed like a coiled viper, freezing every move they made.
Willie, eyes burning red, dragged Sylvester and the injured Nami into the cabin. Then he stood alone at the door, fists blackened, facing two CP8 agents with nothing but grief and fury.
"Whoosh!"
Another sonic crack—and the CP0 vanished from the railing.
Yang Ning and Esdeath tensed, senses on high alert.
This time, the target was clear: Yang Ning.
"Finger Gun – Fang Thrust!"
Unlike his earlier flashy techniques, this strike was silent, subtle—a true assassin's move.
But Yang Ning's Observation Haki now gave him just enough warning. He *could* have blocked or dodged.
He chose neither.
What do you do when hunting a hare too fast to catch?
You cripple its legs.
Since he couldn't reach the CP0's legs, Yang Ning gambled.
"Pfft—!"
He let the thrust slam straight into his chest.
The CP0's hand plunged deep into his torso. Blood welled instantly.
Feeling flesh give way, the CP0 smiled—then bulged his arm, ready to finish Yang Ning like he'd done to Sylvester.
But he miscalculated.
Yang Ning's natural durability—boosted by high armor values—was far beyond Sylvester's. Even without active defense, his body resisted penetration like hardened steel.
No matter how hard the CP0 pushed, his hand wouldn't go deeper. It was stuck.
Realizing the danger, the agent tried to pull back—standard protocol for a seasoned killer: never get trapped.
But Yang Ning's muscles clenched like a vice. The hand wouldn't budge.
Face to face, Yang Ning gave a cold, bloody grin.
"You can't escape this time… you dead rabbit."
For a split second, panic flickered in the CP0's eyes—then vanished, replaced by arrogance.
"Little pirate," he sneered, "you really think you can win in close combat with me?"
"Iron Fist Technique: Mountain Crash!"
His free left hand turned black with Armament Haki and Iron Body, then slammed down like a falling boulder.
At this range, Kotetsu was useless. Yang Ning jammed it into the deck and raised his fists.
He had no fancy boxing style. No refined technique. Just raw, brutal swings—no defense, only offense. Punch for punch, blow for blow.
The CP0 expected to dominate. After all, he was the World Government's strongest shield. How could some East Blue pirate match him?
But within seconds, confusion turned to terror.
Yang Ning took every hit without flinching—no cries, no retreat. Meanwhile, his own punches carried crushing force.
What the CP0 didn't know: Yang Ning's damage wasn't just physical. His Starfire Blade passive dealt **magical damage**—a concept foreign to the One Piece world. Armament Haki couldn't block it. Iron Body couldn't resist it.
Each strike carried over a thousand points of total damage—nearly a hundred of it pure, unblockable magic.
The CP0 grunted in pain, trying to create space—but Yang Ning's grip held firm.
Desperation crept into the agent's voice.
"That man isn't dead yet! Even if he were, I'd give you one… no, ten replacements!"
"You're notorious bounty hunters on the Grand Line. Let me go, and I'll let you leave safely—think of your crew! What happens to them if we die together?"
Yang Ning laughed—a wild, broken sound through bloodied teeth.
"Pay?!"
He ignored the gore dripping from his body, fists clenched, eyes blazing.
"You piece of trash… what do you think your life is worth?"