ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

Before Caesar could fully assess his opponent's movements, his body instinctively retreated at high speed.

As the thick smoke and swirling dust dissipated, his vision quickly cleared.

"Oh?"

He gazed at the CP0 agent across from him, his ears still ringing from the piercing whistle that had just erupted.

"So, you're a Devil Fruit user after all."

Before his eyes, the CP0 agent had transformed from a regular human into a towering griffin, its form reaching an imposing seven to eight meters in height.

From a glance, Caesar could tell that his opponent had consumed a Zoan-type Devil Fruit, specifically from the Tori Tori no Mi (Bird-Bird Fruit) series. Given its mythical nature, it was likely a Mythical Zoan, reminiscent of the Griffon from Western legends.

[68] Suppression: Clashing of Advanced Haki Defense

"Creeeaaak!"

The griffin let out a shrill cry, unleashing a powerful ultrasonic shockwave. The air itself seemed to ripple as the sound spread in all directions, disrupting the battlefield.

But it wasn't just a regular soundwave. Integrated within it was a refined version of Rankyaku (Tempest Kick), a technique from the Rokushiki (Six Powers), which made the attack even deadlier.

The devastating effect was immediate. Marines and pirates alike grimaced, clutching their ears in pain, some collapsing outright. The weaker ones writhed on the ground, unable to withstand the sheer intensity of the attack.

Even seasoned fighters like Gliner and Brad—Caesar's allies—felt the effects. Though they remained standing, their faces twisted with discomfort, their bodies slightly unsteady.

"Boom!"

Yet, amid the chaos, Caesar remained unfazed. The sharp, mind-piercing noise had no visible effect on him.

As if completely unaffected, he swung his blade with precision. A devastating sword slash tore through the air, aiming directly at the monstrous griffin before him.

At the same time, his keen eyes flicked toward Whitebeard and the other top-tier warriors, noticing that they, too, stood firm, showing no signs of struggle.

"It seems this griffin form allows the CP0 agent to disrupt an opponent's concentration using sound-based attacks, throwing them off balance before striking."

"However, for top-tier fighters, this interference is minimal at best—completely negligible in some cases."

Just as Caesar reached this conclusion, the CP0 agent vanished from sight.

His instincts flared.

"Creeeaaak!"

The soundwave surged from the left.

The griffin-form CP0 agent was not just fast—he was utilizing Soru (Shave) in conjunction with flight, creating an unpredictable assault pattern.

At the same time, the surrounding area was encased in soundwave barriers, designed to distort Caesar's perception and limit his reactions.

Hidden within these sound waves were compressed Rankyaku projectiles, making every move a potential fatal strike.

"Shua!"

Caesar's expression tightened. He swung his blade in a fluid arc, his sword aura forming a crescent of compressed energy that surged forward like a hurricane.

Yet, despite his precision, the griffin deftly evaded each strike, weaving through the air with unnatural agility.

"Boom!"

Caesar hardened his Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) around his ears, nullifying the effects of the sound interference.

Taking the offensive, he unleashed another powerful slash, forcing the CP0 agent to retreat mid-air.

But the enemy was relentless.

"Creeeaaak!"

This time, the sound wave was unleashed at point-blank range, enveloping Caesar entirely.

Even with his Haki reinforcement, his mind wavered for a split second.

A split second was all his opponent needed.

The CP0 agent lunged, his razor-sharp talons aiming directly for Caesar's skull.

But Caesar wasn't fooled.

His Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) activated, predicting the attack in advance.

With a sudden twist, his right fist, fully clad in Busoshoku, clashed fiercely with the enemy's claws.

"Boom!"

The sheer impact sent tremors through the battlefield. The ground beneath Caesar cratered from the force, but the CP0 agent was sent hurtling back into the sky.

Not waiting for him to recover, Caesar immediately launched a barrage of slashes, filling the air with devastating sword energy to keep the pressure on.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Blades met claws in a furious exchange. Sparks and residual lightning crackled through the sky, a testament to their immense power.

Neither fighter could gain a decisive edge—the battle was at a standstill.

Transformation: Beast-Human Hybrid Mode

The CP0 agent snarled, eyes narrowing.

"Damn it! This pirate brat is more tenacious than expected!"

He knew his current form had limitations.

While his full Griffin form provided overwhelming strength and aerial mobility, it restricted his ability to use the Rokushiki techniques properly.

He gritted his teeth. His body suddenly shifted and condensed, undergoing a second transformation.

He entered his Hybrid Form.

Now standing around four meters tall, he retained the wings and talons of a griffin but regained a more humanoid shape. His arms and legs were covered in thick feathers, his fingers ending in razor-like claws.

Most importantly—his mobility and combat efficiency had skyrocketed.

"This form sacrifices durability for enhanced speed, agility, and combat versatility."

A sinister grin spread across the CP0 agent's beak-like mouth.

"Now, pirate—die!"

With an explosive burst, he vanished, leaving behind only a cloud of dust.

Caesar's eyes widened.

"So fast!"

Even with Observation Haki, tracking his opponent's movements became significantly harder.

Before he could react, the CP0 agent materialized right in front of him.

"Clang!"

Caesar barely raised his blade in time.

The sheer force of the impact sent him skidding backward, feet dragging through the cracked battlefield.

"Tch... Is this the power of a fully mastered Zoan-type fighter?"

Caesar exhaled sharply, feeling the residual tremors in his arm. But instead of fear, a burning battle spirit flared in his eyes.

This fight was a true challenge.

And challenges only made him stronger.

As the CP0 agent darted toward him once more, Caesar no longer saw this as a desperate struggle.

No—this was an opportunity.

A chance to push his Haki, swordsmanship, and combat instincts to even greater heights.

"Let's see who reaches their limit first!"

The two warriors clashed again, their battle shaking the very foundations of the battlefield.