A flicker of genuine shock passed through Lucci's cold eyes.
He hadn't expected Shiki's power to be so terrifyingly.
With a simple, dismissive wave, he could control an entire island as a weapon.
If this continued, not only would they fail their mission to capture Robin, but their identities and entire operation in Water 7 could be exposed.
"Everyone, move aside!" Lucci ordered decisively, his voice a low growl.
The CP9 agents regrouped, their white suits now dirtied and disheveled.
They stared coldly at the golden-haired legend hovering in the sky.
Their gazes were filled with an unconcealed, official accusation.
"Shiki!" Lucci called out, his voice dangerously even. "Are you sure you want to interfere in the affairs of the World Government?"
Shiki frowned slightly, a flash of impatient anger in his eyes.
'These government dogs are so annoying.'
But he quickly regained his composure.
He was no longer the lone wolf he'd been twenty years ago.
He was working for Ron now.
If he caused a massive, international incident over some trivial matter and Ron held him accountable, it would be a real problem.
He responded with an indifferent, arrogant drawl.
"I just felt like stretching my limbs for a moment. I have no interest in meddling in your petty affairs."
The CP9 members exchanged glances.
They knew provoking a monster of Shiki's caliber any further was unwise, especially when he seemed to be offering them a way out.
Since he was no longer actively obstructing them, they decided to let it go.
The most important thing now was to capture Nico Robin.
So, they turned their full, cold attention back to her.
Lucci's voice was icy and direct.
"Nico Robin, come with us. Otherwise, your friend's life will not be spared."
Robin's face instantly turned pale, a flicker of haunted despair in her eyes.
She knew this was a checkmate.
She had no choice left.
To protect Nami, she could only nod silently, agreeing to their demand.
"Robin, no!" Nami rushed forward angrily, pointing a trembling finger at the CP9 members.
"You can't! You despicable bastards! What right do you have to take Robin away?"
However, no matter how furious Nami was, Robin had already made up her mind.
She gave Nami a deep, painful look, her eyes filled with apology and a profound, reluctant sadness.
She knew that only by going with CP9 could she ensure Nami's safety.
Nami's heart completely shattered.
One by one, her crewmates were being torn away. Luffy captured.
And now Robin, about to depart, sacrificing herself just like she always did.
She couldn't accept it. Rage and despair intertwined in her heart, igniting a defiant fire.
"I will never let you take Robin!" Nami abruptly roared, her eyes blazing. "Even if it costs me my life, I will stop you!"
Just as she was about to charge at the agents, Kalifa sneered.
"How sexually harassing."
Her figure flashed, and she instantly appeared in front of Nami.
She raised a long, stocking-clad leg and viciously kicked Nami in the abdomen.
Nami had no time to react.
The air was driven from her lungs as she was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground.
Yet, even as her body screamed in pain, Nami gritted her teeth, her vision blurring with tears of rage, and struggled back to her feet.
She picked up her staff, her eyes brimming with an overwhelming hatred and charged at Kalifa again without hesitation.
Facing the superhuman masters of Rokushiki, her resistance was utterly, heartbreakingly futile.
Kalifa watched her coldly, as if observing a struggling insect on the verge of death.
Just as she was about to deliver a final, fatal blow, a low, resolute voice came from the shadows.
"Stop!"
Immediately after, a small, lead-gray bullet cut through the air, striking Kalifa's wrist with perfect, stinging precision and forcing her to halt her attack.
Everyone turned to look.
Usopp slowly emerged from the shadows, his signature slingshot, the Kabuto, held firmly in his hand.
His eyes, though wide with terror, were firm and sharp.
He planted himself between Nami and the government agents.
"Attacking a woman like that… what kind of woman does that make you?" he said, his voice trembling but full of cold anger.
"If you want to capture them, you'll have to get through me first!"
"Usopp?!" A flicker of shocked, joyous surprise crossed Nami's eyes.
"No, no," Usopp said, quickly striking a pose.
He raised his chin at a 45-degree angle, looked obliquely at the sky, and said in a deep, quavering voice.
"I am the great King of Snipers, Sogeking!"
Nami burst into tears of pained joy.
'What King of Snipers? It's clearly just you, you idiot!'
"Sogeking," she sobbed, "please be careful... they're very, very strong!"
Usopp's appearance seemed to bring a tiny, flickering glimmer of hope back into her despair.
She looked at his back, a back that was shaking uncontrollably, and felt a trace of gratitude and determination.
Even in the face of impossible odds, her friends would never give up.
The members of CP9 clearly hadn't expected another one to appear, let alone that his sniping skills would be so precise.
Kalifa clutched her stinging wrist, a mix of surprise and anger in her eyes.
"It seems your Straw Hat crew really does have some reckless, suicidal small fries."
Usopp didn't respond, merely standing firmly in front of Nami, his slingshot gripped tightly.
He knew the upcoming battle would be hopeless, but he would never back down.
"Pathetic insect."
"King of Snipers?"
"Jahahaha! Let me test the strength of this so-called 'King'!" Kaku sneered.
His figure moved like lightning, closing the distance to Usopp in less than an instant.
"Rankyaku!"
A pale blue, crescent-shaped blade of compressed air erupted from his kick.
Usopp didn't even have time to react before he was struck squarely in the chest.
He was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily into the hull of a beached ship.
He spat out a mouthful of blood, the world spinning.
But he still struggled to his feet, his legs buckling. He pulled back the band of his slingshot, his eyes filled with a stubborn, tear-filled defiance.
Laughing scornfully through bloodied lips, he said, "I... I am... the King... of Snipers!"
Bang!
Another bullet shot toward Kaku, but the CP9 agent casually tilted his head to dodge it, then vanished.
"Soru!"
Kaku appeared directly in front of Usopp, his face a mask of cold disappointment.
"Trash like this dares to call himself a king?" He disdainfully, almost casually, kicked Usopp in the ribs, sending him flying once more.
Usopp struggled for a moment, but could no longer get up.
He fell unconscious.
"USOPP!" Nami cried out in alarm, her eyes filling with a new, deeper despair and pain.
Watching Usopp, their brave, cowardly sniper, lying broken on the ground, the last shred of hope in her heart shattered.
Memories flashed through her mind: the Straw Hat crew members falling one by one… Luffy captured… Robin forced to leave… and now Usopp, defeated and powerless.
She felt an unprecedented sense of loneliness and absolute helplessness.
Just then, Nami's gaze swept past the government agents and landed on the one figure of immense, world-bending power who was still watching the entire scene with cold, detached amusement.
Shiki.
A final, desperate, all-or-nothing idea sparked in her mind.
A flash of determination crossed her eyes.
She struggled to her feet, ignoring her own pain, and staggered over to the shore, directly beneath the hovering legend.
Her voice trembled, but it was loud and firm:
"Shiki! I beg you, save us! If you're willing to help, I'll do anything! I can do anything for you!"
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