Rokugan #140

The courtyard of Galley-la Company's headquarters was filled with anticipation as Iceburg, Khalifa, Rob Lucci, Kaku, Paulie, Tilestone, and a group of the company's most important employees gathered. Khalifa had requested this meeting, her intent to expose the truth hidden beneath her calm facade.

Iceburg, the esteemed leader of Galley-la, stood at the center of the courtyard, his eyes scanning the faces before him. He wore a curious expression, not fully comprehending the gravity of the situation. Khalifa, standing a few steps away from him, took a deep breath, her resolve unwavering.

"Thank you all for coming," Khalifa's voice echoed through the courtyard, her words carrying a hint of tension. "I have asked for this meeting because there are truths that need to be revealed, no matter how difficult they may be to accept."

Iceburg's brows furrowed, his curiosity piqued. He had known Khalifa as his loyal assistant, never suspecting that she held secrets that could shake the foundation of their company.

Khalifa continued, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "Rob Lucci, Kaku, and I... We are members of CP9. We infiltrated Galley-la Company with the intent to steal the blueprint entrusted to you by Tom."

An air of disbelief settled over the courtyard. The Galley-la employees exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to reconcile the image of their trusted colleagues with the notion of treachery. Iceburg himself appeared skeptical, believing it to be some elaborate joke.

"Oh my... I'm sorry, Khalifa," Iceburg said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "But this seems like a rather ill-timed prank. I find it hard to believe that you, Rob Lucci, and Kaku could be involved in such activities."

Khalifa's eyes gleamed with determination as she produced a stack of evidence from her pocket, including recordings and messages. She stepped forward and presented them to Iceburg, her voice resolute. "I understand your skepticism, Iceburg. But these are undeniable proof of our true identities and intentions. Please, take a look."

Iceburg's smile faded as he scanned through the evidence, his eyes widening with each passing moment. The weight of the truth settled upon him, the realization hitting him like a tidal wave. The once unshakeable trust he had placed in his employees now crumbled before his eyes.

His face darkenning contorted with rage and disbelief, Rob Lucci stepped forward, his voice filled with venom. "Do you even realize what you just did, Khalifa?! You'll die for this!"

On the other hand, Kaku smiled bitterly, undeterred by the revelation as he shook his head. "It's a shame I can't keep working here, but oh well..." He continued. "Looks like the jig is up...."

"No matter..." Rob Lucci said, quickly composing himself. "Even if you know who we are and what we're here for... I just need to kill you all and torture the whereabouts of the blueprint from Icburg..."

"Starting with you, traitor..." He concluded, his gaze turning to Khalifa.

Rob Lucci's body began to change, and his transformation into his hybrid leopard form sent shockwaves through the courtyard, his predatory aura permeating the air. The Galley-la employees took a collective step back, their eyes wide with fear and disbelief. Khalifa stood her ground, her resolve unyielding, as Rob Lucci lunged toward her with lethal intent.

However, before Rob Lucci's extended claw could reach its target, Cedric appeared in a blur of motion, his agility and speed unmatched. With two fingers, he deftly caught hold of Rob Lucci's claw, halting his attack in its tracks. A confident grin spread across Cedric's face as he effortlessly flung Rob Lucci aside.

"If you want to fight someone, I'll be your opponent, cat boy," Cedric taunted, his voice laced with amusement and a thirst for vengeance. "I've yet to kick your ass for trying to frame me..."

Dazed from the unexpected turn of events, Rob Lucci quickly regained his footing. "Filthy pirate... I should have known you had something to do with this..." His eyes narrowed, his feral instincts taking over as he faced off against Cedric.

Cedric shrugged. "Well, what are you waiting for, fleabag? Come and get it?" He said, taunting Rob Lucci to come closer, and the CP9 agent promptly obliged, lunging at him.

Cedric's reflexes were honed to perfection as he effortlessly dodged Rob Lucci's lightning-fast attacks. He weaved and danced through the onslaught, his movements resembling that of a shadow, elusive and unpredictable. With each dodge, Cedric retaliated with precision strikes, his fists launching toward Rob Lucci with calculated force.

Though formidable in his hybrid form, Rob Lucci struggled to land a blow on Cedric. His strikes were met with a wall of agility and skill as Cedric's body twisted and contorted, narrowly evading each attack. Cedric's counters were swift and powerful, each punch aimed with pinpoint accuracy.

As the battle raged on, Cedric's mastery of Rokushiki became evident. He unleashed a flurry of Soru-enhanced strikes, his movements so rapid that he left afterimages in his wake. Rob Lucci strained to keep up, his frustration mounting with every dodge and counter.

Cedric seized an opening, his fist connecting with Rob Lucci's side, sending the CP9 agent staggering backward. But Rob Lucci's tenacity knew no bounds, and he quickly regained his composure, launching a powerful Rankyaku toward Cedric. The slicing air pressure cut through the space between them, but Cedric anticipated the attack, gracefully sidestepping it with a swift Shigan aimed at Rob Lucci's exposed flank.

As Cedric continued to dodge and counter Rob Lucci's attacks with fluid grace, he taunted his opponent, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "Is that the best you've got, you damned rug? I expected more from the great Rob Lucci."

Rob Lucci's eyes narrowed, his feline features masked by a cool, calculating demeanor. He recognized Cedric's superior mastery of the Rokushiki techniques and knew his chances of victory were slim. However, he remained composed, always thinking several moves ahead.

"You're no ordinary pirate... I see that now" Rob Lucci replied, his voice dripping with calm confidence. "Your mastery of the Rokushiki is commendable, and your strength is undeniable. But you remain ignorant...."

Cedric raised an eyebrow, seeing through Rob Lucci's attempt to buy time. "Trying to buy time, eh? Maybe help your pal over there get to Iceburg and take him hostage?" He said, pointing toward Kaku, who could only chuckle sheepishly.

"I'm sorry to break your bubble, but I'm not here alone... if your pal so much as twitches a muscle in Iceburg's direction, he'll get a bullet straight in the eye socket..." Cedric continued, shaking his head. "That said... go ahead, let me hear what you have to say..."

"You may have mastered the six Rokushiki techniques, but have you heard of Rokugan?" Rob Lucci continued, undeterred by Cedric's words. "it's a technique that goes beyond anything you have ever witnessed. It combines the full might of all the Rokushiki techniques into a single devastating attack..."

Cedric's eyes widened, his curiosity piqued. Having mastered the six powers, he had always been interested in learning the seventh's technique, but he didn't find it in Liu Fan's manual, nor did anyone know how to use it back in Marine HQ.

A confident smile played on Cedric's lips as he replied, his voice filled with anticipation. "And I suppose this is when you offer to show the technique to me on the condition I stand still and take it?"

Rob Lucci's expression instantly darkened at Cedric's words, but what the pirate captain said next caused him to halt in surprise, a reaction all those present shared.

"Sure... I'll take it on..." Cedric said with a shrug.

Cedric's nonchalant demeanor sent a ripple of surprise through the crowd. They had expected him to turn down the obvious trick. But Cedric's confidence remained unshaken, and he stood his ground

Rob Lucci's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer. The facade of flattery melted away, replaced by an icy resolve. "Very well, pirate," he retorted, his voice laced with disdain. "You might be strong, but you're a fool if you thin you can survive my Rokugan...."

Without further ado, Rob Lucci vanished from sight, his body disappearing into a blur of motion. His speed was unparalleled as he closed the distance between him and Cedric in an instant. The courtyard seemed to hold its breath as Rob Lucci unleashed the devastating power of the Rokugan.

The air crackled with energy as Rob Lucci's fists surged with power. He thrust both hands forward, aiming his knuckles directly at Cedric's unyielding form. In that split second, the force of the Rokugan gathered, springing forth like a ferocious wave, carrying with it the potential to cause severe internal injuries.

Cedric activated his X-ray vision, allowing him to see through Rob Lucci's muscles and observe the intricate mechanics of the technique. He marveled at how the power coiled within Rob Lucci's legs, the energy building up and transferring through his body, culminating in a cataclysmic release at his fists.

A thrill coursed through Cedric's veins as he stood still, his eyes fixated on Rob Lucci's advancing fists. His X-ray vision revealed the precise moment when the spring force reached its peak, and he marveled at the intricate details of the technique. It was a culmination of strength, speed, and precision.

As Rob Lucci's fists made contact with Cedric's unyielding form, a resounding shockwave erupted, shaking the very air around them.