One Piece: Lightning's Heir

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Ergo, the City of Wine.

The Marines quickly landed on the island. Within two minutes, they had ascertained Arthur's location: a luxurious restaurant near the docks.

Marine warships offloaded troops in large numbers, rapidly clearing the area around the restaurant of civilians, to prevent innocent casualties in the upcoming battle.

Kizaru, Vice-Admiral Tsuru, and the sad-faced CP0 agent, Sado Nath, approached the restaurant slowly.

Aurora, seemingly reluctant to face Arthur, followed, focusing on evacuating the civilians.

———

"Well, well, looks like we missed a good show?" Kizaru drawled, puffing on a cigarette, glancing at Arthur with a hint of regret.

Kizaru's adjutant rushed over, scanning the bounty hunters inside the restaurant. "Marines, apprehend wanted criminals! Civilians, out now if you value your lives!"

The pirates and bounty hunters in the restaurant feared the Marines. Hearing this, they fled through the doors. In an instant, the crowded restaurant emptied.

As for the owner? Seeing things were amiss, he had already abandoned the place and escaped.

The Marines' words carried a lot of weight on the Grand Line.

Civilians and bounty hunters would usually comply, while the fleeing pirates were also unwilling to be arrested.

Arthur slowly turned his head, his gaze indifferent and calm, as if he didn't care about the three approaching figures.

He lowered the Lightning Spear he was carrying on his shoulder.

"Kizaru, Have you forgotten the last lesson so quickly? Eager for another taste of lightning?" Arthur said, a playful tone in his voice.

He had already surpassed his previous self.

Having learned Armament Haki and, with his electromagnetism that inherently countered Kizaru, a fight would be much easier this time.

Last time, he'd had a slight edge by influencing the electromagnetism, but he hadn't been able to hurt him. But this time...

"Seabury D. Arthur! I am Sado Nath, squad leader of the World Government's direct intelligence agency, CP0, and Vegapunk's personal bodyguard. I am here on behalf of Dr. Vegapunk to extend an invitation. We would be honored if you would consider joining the Marine Science Division!"

Sado Nath's tone was sincere, making a genuine invitation. Then, he paused slightly. "This is an invitation from Dr. Vegapunk himself. Please don't make things difficult for me."

"Vegapunk?"

Arthur narrowed his eyes, seeming to genuinely consider the issue.

After a moment, he slowly raised his head, blue currents seeming to burst forth from his eyes.

"The World Government expects me to just jump when they say so? Hahahaha! Unfortunately for you, I'm not one to play along…"

"Is that your final decision? I respect your choice..." The masked face of Sado Nath showed no change, as if he had already anticipated Arthur's answer.

"However, regrettably, we must take you by force… Attack!"

The instant the words left his mouth, Sado Nath's entire arm was rapidly covered in black Armament Haki.

He grabbed at Arthur with his hand. If this grab connected, Arthur would probably be unable to maintain his elemental form.

Kizaru, hearing the order to attack, instantly transformed into photons, moving to the flank to prevent Arthur from escaping as lightning.

Although he was countered by Arthur's electromagnetism, Arthur couldn't yet affect Kizaru from a distance. So, this containment was very effective.

Vice-Admiral Tsuru remained in place, her arms crossed, her gaze calm, showing no intention of attacking. It was as if her presence alone was enough to deter.

The three formed a triangle, surrounding Arthur!

Vasco Shot quietly drank his wine, lamenting his bad luck at being caught up in such a monstrous battle.

———

"I've been itching to use Armament Haki in a real fight since I learned it. Today, you'll be my test subject!" Arthur slowly raised his head, his blood starting to pump.

His physique was already monstrous, growing stronger daily. Last time he fought CP0, he'd clashed with Armament Haki using only his raw strength and only sustained minor injuries. He was confident he wouldn't be at a disadvantage this time.

"Armament - Hardening!"

Arthur growled, his arm also covered in black. He took a step back with his right foot, anchoring himself, pulled his arm back, and then punched out explosively.

Their fists collided!

BOOM!

A loud bang. The glass windows of the restaurant were shattered by the shockwave. The restaurant was like a hurricane had passed through, tables and chairs scattered, and wine spilled across the counter.

Sado Nath took a step back, a gloomy expression hidden behind his sad mask.

He felt like he'd been played.

Wasn't Arthur supposed to be unable to use Armament Haki? What was this? Though not as proficient as his own, it was definitely not that of a novice.

Containing Arthur, preventing him from escaping, Kizaru also looked incredulous. "How long has it been? He's already learned Armament Haki? Scary..."

Tsuru, calmly observing the battle, lowered her arms, seemingly wanting to intervene.

"Hahahaha!" Arthur laughed loudly. In their head-on clash, the power was evenly matched, meaning his Armament Haki had taken its first steps.

Sado Nath definitely had the strength of an Admiral candidate. Arthur was able to match him in a physical clash without falling behind.

Having confirmed his strength, Arthur abandoned further testing.

His priority was to break out of the encirclement. Being surrounded by three top-tier opponents would be deadly if his stamina couldn't keep up with the rate of attrition.

"Zzzzzzt!"

Lightning surged from within his body, stimulating his muscles to swell. Electric serpents emerged from his rock-hard muscles.

"WHOOSH!"

Arthur teleported, disappearing before anyone except Kizaru could react, flashing to Sado Nath's side.

"Sneak attacks aren't very sporting… young man!" Kizaru, anticipating Arthur's move, fired a laser beam from his fingertip.

Arthur had anticipated his every move. He didn't even bother to dodge.

He raised a hand, sending out a Divine Judgment, which collided with the light beam mid-air. With his right hand bulging with muscle, he slammed it towards Sado Nath's head.

With Kizaru's laser beam providing a warning, Sado Nath, no matter how slow his reaction, was able to respond.

His back muscles shifted, his entire arm twisting at an impossible angle. At the critical moment, he grabbed Arthur's wrist.

"Kizaru, now!" Sado Nath roared.

"SWOOSH!"

Another laser beam shot out, seemingly intending to kill Arthur while he was unable to escape. The explosive power of the laser made Arthur's hair stand on end.

He had no time to dodge this fatal blow, but Arthur showed no fear, even a hint of excitement. He relished this feeling of walking a tightrope between life and death.

With a thought, an electromagnetic field instantly spread out. At the last possible moment, it deflected the laser beam, causing it to miss and strike the restaurant wall.

BOOM!

The wall exploded, dust and debris filled the air, and the restaurant collapsed with a rumble, burying the five people inside.

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