Chapter 61: CP0 Sednas!

Ergo, the City of Wine.

The Navy quickly landed on the island and located Asa within two minutes—inside a luxurious restaurant not far from the pier.

The sailors from the warship descended in large numbers, swiftly evacuating the residents around the restaurant to prevent any innocent casualties.

Kizaru, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and the somber-faced CP0 agent, Said Nass, walked slowly toward the restaurant. Aurora, seemingly uninterested in seeing Asa, followed closely behind to assist in evacuating the crowd.

"Hey, it looks like I just missed an interesting show?" Kizaru Polusalino casually strolled forward, a cigarette hanging from his lips, glancing at Asa with a look of mock regret.

Kizaru's adjutant quickly stepped forward, scanned the bounty hunters in the restaurant, and barked, "The Navy is here for a serious criminal! If you don't want to die, get out now!"

Fearful of the Navy, the pirates and bounty hunters wasted no time bolting for the exit. In an instant, the once-crowded restaurant was empty. As for the owner, he had long since abandoned the place and fled at the first sign of trouble.

The words of the Navy carried weight across the seas. Civilians and bounty hunters alike knew better than to disobey, and pirates who had managed to escape capture were unwilling to risk getting caught.

Asa slowly turned his head, his expression calm and indifferent, as if completely unbothered by the three figures who had just entered. With a casual motion, he lowered the Thunder God's Spear from his shoulder.

"Kizaru, did you already forget the lesson from last time? Do you want to experience being struck by lightning again?" Asa asked with a playful smirk.

He was no longer the same as before. There was an old saying—"If you don't see someone for three days, you should regard them with new eyes." Having now mastered Armament Haki, combined with his natural ability to counter Kizaru's electromagnetic waves, he was confident that this battle would be far easier than their last.

Previously, he had only managed to hold the upper hand by interfering with electromagnetic waves, yet he hadn't suffered any injuries. But this time...

"Hibole D. Asa! I am Syd Nass, leader of the CP0 intelligence unit directly under the World Government. I am also Dr. Vegapunk's personal bodyguard. On behalf of Dr. Vegapunk, I am here to extend an invitation to you.

Consider joining the Naval Science Research Department."

Syd Nass spoke in a sincere tone, his invitation deliberate. After a brief pause, he added, "Dr. Vegapunk personally requested that I invite you. Please don't make this difficult for me."

"Vegapunk?"

Asa narrowed his eyes, as if genuinely contemplating the proposal. After a moment, he slowly raised his head, blue lightning flickering within his gaze, as though it was about to burst forth.

"If the World Government demands that I join them, does that mean I have to? Hahahahahahahaha! What a shame... I love doing the exact opposite of what people expect!"

"So that's your decision?" Syd Nass remained expressionless beneath his mask, as if he had already anticipated Asa's response.

"In that case, I'm afraid we'll have to take you by force. Do it!"

The moment the words left his lips, Syd Nass's entire arm was instantly coated in Armament Haki, jet-black and menacing, as he lunged straight for Asa's head. If that strike connected, it could potentially prevent Asa from even maintaining his elemental state.

Simultaneously, Kizaru transformed into photons, flanking Asa in an attempt to prevent him from escaping as lightning.

Though Asa could interfere with Kizaru's electromagnetic properties, he wasn't yet capable of affecting him through the air. That limitation made Kizaru's tactic highly effective.

Vice Admiral Tsuru, however, remained motionless, arms crossed over her chest, her expression as composed as ever. She showed no signs of preparing to attack, yet it was as if she alone dictated the course of the battle.

The three of them formed a triangle, closing in on Asa!

Meanwhile, Buster Choate sat silently drinking, inwardly cursing his rotten luck for being caught in the middle of such a monstrous battle.

If he had known things would turn out like this, he would never have come to find Asa. Maybe then, he could have escaped unscathed...

"Ever since I learned Armament Haki, I haven't had a chance to test it in battle. I suppose you'll be the perfect first opponent!" Asa slowly lifted his head, his battle spirit igniting.

His body was already strong, growing stronger with each passing day. The last time he fought CP0, he had been able to withstand Armament Haki attacks with just his raw physique, suffering only minor injuries. This time, he refused to believe he would fare worse.

"Armament Haki – Hardening!"

With a deep exhale, Asa's right arm turned pitch black, hardened with Haki. He stepped back with his right foot, positioning himself for balance, then retracted his fist before exploding forward with a powerful punch.

Their fists collided directly!

"Boom!!"

The impact was deafening. The restaurant's windows shattered into dust under the force of the shockwave. A hurricane-like wind tore through the room, toppling tables and chairs, while bottles of wine shattered, spilling liquor across the floor.

Syd Nass staggered back a step, his expression hidden beneath his mask, but his darkened mood was unmistakable.

This is a joke, right?

Wasn't Asa supposed to be incapable of using Armament Haki? If this was what being incapable looked like, then what kind of monster was he actually facing?!

Even Kizaru, still attempting to keep Asa restrained, looked visibly surprised. The cigarette in his mouth fell to the ground.

"How long has it been? How long has it been since you learned Armament Haki? Scary... so scary..."

Vice Admiral Tsuru finally lowered her arms, watching the battle with a serene expression, as though considering whether to intervene.

"Hahahahaha!" Asa burst into laughter.

That brief exchange had confirmed it—his Armament Haki was no longer at a novice level.

Syd Nass was strong enough to be considered a potential admiral, yet Asa had gone head-to-head with him and not lost ground.

But there was no time to waste on celebration. The most urgent priority was to break out of the encirclement. If he allowed himself to get caught in a prolonged battle, his stamina would be drained faster than his recovery could keep up. That would be fatal.

"Zzzzzzzzzt!"

Electricity crackled across Asa's body, stimulating his muscles, causing them to swell with energy. Lightning danced over his steel-like frame.

"Whoosh!!"

In an instant, Asa teleported to Syd Nass's side—so fast that only Kizaru managed to react.

"Sneak attacks aren't nice... little brother!" Kizaru warned, his fingertips glowing as he prepared a laser beam.

But this was exactly what Asa had anticipated.

He didn't dodge. Instead, he unleashed Heaven's Judgement, colliding with Kizaru's light mid-air. His right arm exploded with power as he aimed a devastating blow at Syd Nass's head.

With Kizaru's warning, Syd Nass barely reacted in time.

His back muscles flexed, his entire arm bending at an unnatural angle as he caught Asa's wrist at the last moment.

"Kizaru, now!" Syd Nass shouted.

"Whoosh!"

Another laser beam fired—this one aimed straight at Asa's heart. The intensity of the attack sent a shiver down Asa's spine.

He had no time to dodge.

But rather than fear, a crazed excitement flickered in his eyes.

Just as the laser was about to pierce him, Asa's electromagnetic field expanded instantly.

The laser beam suddenly veered off course!

"Boom!!"

The restaurant wall exploded. Smoke and dust filled the air as the building collapsed, burying all five combatants beneath the rubble.

(End of Chapter)

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