With the power of Roger's Three Colors of Haki, Arthur's Observation Haki had long since reached a terrifying level.
Every thought, every fluctuation in emotion within range was as clear to him as words on a page.
So when Rob Lucci quietly planned to "finish him quickly" and then "take down the others one by one," Arthur couldn't help but laugh outright.
"Heh… You're really overestimating yourself, aren't you?"
Lucci's eyes narrowed.
"What did you say? A mere fugitive dares act arrogant before CP9? Kneel down and surrender, or face justice!"
"Surrender?" Arthur snorted. "You think you people can make me surrender? Enough talk—come on!"
The air turned sharp, heavy with tension.
At any moment, the dock could erupt into chaos.
The wind howled.
Waves crashed against the pier, rising into ten-meter swells—
as if the sea itself was waiting for someone to throw the first punch.
And then—
"Move in!" Lucci barked.
He led the charge himself, blurring into motion. The other three CP9 agents followed immediately, each splitting off toward their chosen targets according to their battle plan.
Redfield, Crocodile, and Bundy World barely even glanced at Arthur for orders.
They'd seen real wars. They didn't need strategy.
Their philosophy was simple—if it moves, hit it until it stops moving.
As for Arthur, his blood was already humming. He had no patience for warmups.
"Perfect," he muttered, stepping forward. "You all can take a break. I'll handle this myself."
But—to his irritation—the CP9 agents completely ignored him.
They sprinted past without so much as a glance, going straight for his crew.
Only Lucci stayed behind, facing him head-on.
"Oi," Arthur's brow twitched. "You looking down on me?"
Even worse, the one guy who did stay didn't treat him seriously either.
Lucci's expression was cool, his body vanishing and reappearing in a blur of speed.
He launched a Rankyaku straight at Arthur's face, confident that one blow would be enough.
The kick landed squarely—
BANG!
—but Arthur didn't even flinch.
He hadn't used Haki, nor his Lightning Armor. He'd simply taken it head-on, relying purely on the Third Raikage's legendary physique.
Lucci froze mid-motion.
"What—!?"
Every Marine and Cipher Pol agent nearby gaped, jaws dropping.
They knew how strong Lucci was. To see his attack stopped like that—by some "no-name fugitive"—was staggering.
Arthur rubbed his neck lazily, cracking it with a faint pop.
"That's it? You call that an attack?"
The onlookers nearly fainted from disbelief.
"Did he just… say that to Lucci?"
"Impossible! Lucci's mastered all six forms of Rokushiki!"
"But look at him—he's not even pretending! He's fine!"
As they realized the implications, a collective chill crept down their spines.
Lucci's face contorted with fury. He'd never been humiliated like this.
"You damn criminal—don't get cocky!"
"Rokugan!"
His foot blurred again, this time surrounded by compressed air sharper than steel.
The power behind it was enough to shatter stone.
Arthur grinned, eyes flashing.
"Now that's more like it."
Lightning exploded around him, forming a crackling barrier as he activated his Lightning Shield.
Lucci's kick struck home—
—and immediately backfired.
Electricity surged up his leg, through his body, frying his nerves before he even realized what had happened.
Crackle!
BOOM!
Lucci was thrown backward like a puppet with its strings cut, smoke rising from his body as he hit the ground in a heap.
"Wh—What… what was that?"
Confusion rippled through the ranks.
"An ability user?!"
"But the report said nothing about—"
Even CP9 hadn't received full intelligence on Arthur. To them, he was just a rogue convict with unknown powers.
That ignorance was now costing them dearly.
Lucci struggled to his feet, shaking his head, vision spinning.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
He looked around—only to see his subordinates being absolutely toyed with.
Redfield's blade left graceful arcs of crimson in the air, forcing Kaku on the defensive.
Crocodile's sand engulfed Jabra, drowning his attacks before they could even connect.
And Bundy World had Kumadori dangling upside down like a cat playing with yarn.
The gap was brutal.
Lucci clenched his teeth. He had one option left—retreat.
"Bruno!"
He used Soru, darting back to open distance, shouting to his teammate.
Bruno, locked in a desperate defense against Bundy World's assault, understood instantly.
He hardened his body with Tekkai, took one massive punch head-on—and slammed his hand into the air.
A glowing Door-Door Fruit portal appeared.
"Move!"
The CP9 members leapt through in quick succession.
A final flash of blue light—and they were gone.
Vanished.
Arthur blinked, momentarily surprised.
"Ah, right. The Door-Door Fruit… totally forgot that guy existed."
He sighed, shaking his head.
"Man's ugly, barely shows up, and still somehow escapes. Figures."
Then he chuckled.
"No matter. Next stop's Enies Lobby anyway. We'll just clean them up there."
Behind him, his crew exchanged exasperated glances.
"You three waterweights," Arthur said, turning to them. "How'd you let those clowns slip away?"
Redfield merely sniffed in disdain. Crocodile didn't even bother replying.
Only Bundy World shrugged helplessly.
"Boss, come on. They're weak! Barely any Haki, no bite, no power. I'd have to try to take them seriously."
Arthur thought about it and nodded.
"Fair point. No fun crushing ants anyway."
Then his smile returned, calm and confident.
"We'll finish it on Enies Lobby. They'll be stronger by then—maybe even worth a warm-up."
The others looked at him in quiet disbelief.
But Arthur wasn't joking.
Anyone who dared attack him—he'd hunt them down to the last man.
Leave no roots. Burn the weeds before they regrow.
Besides, he had a check-in to complete there.
He folded his arms.
"Before that, we'll stop by Water Seven. I've got a ship to build."
The crew exchanged glances.
"Build a ship?" Bundy asked.
"Yeah," Crocodile muttered. "We're broke, aren't we?"
They all turned toward Arthur, waiting for an explanation.
He smiled, lightning flickering faintly around his shoulders.
"Relax. I've got materials. Just need to... 'convince' Iceburg to lend a hand."
Redfield chuckled. Crocodile rolled his eyes.
Bundy grinned, cracking his knuckles.
"Convince, huh? I like the sound of that."
Arthur laughed.
"Well, we're pirates now, aren't we? Might as well act the part."
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