Just keep going.

-Just as you said, all that's left for us is to eradicate the witnesses, - said the man with the hat, a taller figure only perceived through the shadows.

Cipher Pol CP-8, in charge of trafficking and commercialization on behalf of the World Government. This unit specializes in infiltration, sabotage, and information gathering, alongside CP 5.

"Wow," Gad exclaimed. -- Eradicate us? Today, we're going to give you a beating you'll forget even your names. Wawawawawa, -- Gad continued.

The CP-8 members assumed a battle stance and attacked in a heartbeat. Murmurs of the Rokushiki abilities—Soru—could be heard. The first attack was aimed at Fellas, who was seated beside the World Government agents.

-The moment this mission went undercover, your participation became unnecessary, - said CP-8 to Fellas, attacking with a Shigan that was blocked by a bullet from Axel.

-Scoundrels! You have no right to kill indiscriminately! - shouted Tashigi angrily.

-Shut up, pirate scum. We are the body that supports the World Government. It's our duty to fulfill our assigned tasks; it's our justice. Soon you will see the grace of justice. Arrogant servants living on the brink of ignorance do not deserve to live, - declared CP-8.

-Pay no attention to them, Tashigi. These people kill without mercy. Harden your sword and finish these guys. It's clear they are here for the slave trade, but they can't do it openly when a country is a member of the government. So, they send their dogs to do the dirty work, - Axel said.

-It's terrible! - exclaimed Tashigi.

-You know a lot,-- said the CP-8 member. -- Indeed, we won't hesitate. -- The battle resumed, and it seemed the leader was the one with the hooked nose and slender body. A pale complexion gave him a bitter and sinister personality.

-Soru, - said Axel, surprising the CP-8 agent.

-How do you know the World Government's secret techniques? - the agent asked.

-A friend passed them on to me, - Axel replied with a cunning smile and continued attacking the CP-8 agent.

-My next attack is meant to be unstoppable. I hope you understand that I also have to eliminate you. In advance, I apologize. But I can't draw the government's attention so soon, - Axel said.

-First breathing technique, concentrated breathing—Soru, - he shouted.

He disappeared in a second. The World Government agent managed to dodge half of the fine cut but got his entire right shoulder slashed. Axel aimed for the neck, intending to exterminate the agent with a single cut.

-You dodged that, - Axel said, amazed. - Well, let's go with the second breathing technique—Water Wheel. Soru, - he said. Axel, like a lightning bolt, made Din clench his fists, surprised by Axel's hidden card that he hadn't shown in his previous battle.

Once again, he aimed for the neck, but the agent's skill was on a different level. He completely evaded the attack. The first two breathing techniques are direct attacks.

-The next attack—third breathing technique, Dance of the Streams. Soru, - he shouted.

The agent repeated the process of stepping back, but the third posture is a water dance that follows an orderly sequence. It attacks like a tide flowing in rivers, leaving no space for those who fall under the water's current. This time, the attack pierced the stomach entirely, sending the agent flying and knocking out the CP8 agent.

-The king was in a corner, defended by Ussop, who covered Lia's back. Lia appeared to be losing against the man in the black suit. Axel ran towards Tashigi, who had once again been hit by the agent.

-Let's go, Lia, - Axel said upon seeing his opponent on the ground.

Lia woke up and, with supreme effort, stood up again, wielding her sword. With renewed courage, she attacked in a cross strike. The man evaded with a jump and rushed to attack. Only the fighter Axel faced could use Rokushiki techniques.

-Tekai, - shouted the agent, freezing in place as he resisted Tashigi's direct attack. Tashigi lost momentum as her sword bounced back.

-Well, my mistake - Axel thought.

Seeing Lia's dire situation, Axel had to help her. But how?

-Keep calm, Lia. The first rule of a swordsman is not to lose sight of your path. If an attack doesn't work, frustration is eliminated by giving your all. To reach the next level, you must evolve, Lia. For example, to overcome a powerful defense, it's simple. If you see that they only defend when completely still, you can destroy them with speed or by striking before they can position themselves, - Axel told her.

-Before they position themselves. I think I've got it, - said Lia.

The agent became irritated at the underestimation by these pirates. He started attacking the young brown-haired man with increased strength.

-Hey, stop attacking me! You're here so Lia can have good combat practice, - Axel said.

-Shut up! - roared the man in the suit.

-Lia, try to move at my pace. We'll finish this in no time, - Axel said, joining the fight.

The twin swords danced one after another. Axel attacked, and the man performed Tekai, counterattacking with consecutive blows. Tashigi jumped in to counterattack and defend Axel. The rhythm was a war of attrition, and Lia began to discover more and more ways to counter the agent's proven attack.

-Lai style, water cut, - Tashigi said. The strike was undoubtedly the fastest among all the previous ones.

-Uh-huh, I think it went well, - Lia said with a smile, seeing the agent defeated.

-You copied my style, - Axel mentioned, wide-eyed at what he had just seen—a fourteenth water posture, a cutting stance. No, it would be the first posture but to a lesser degree. Although brilliant.

-A bit, - Tashigi said, bowing her head in embarrassment. Axel's water breathing style was beautiful and fluid; he attacked with fluid and flexible cuts. Watching, she could only marvel at Axel's skill—an amazing swordsman with undeniable talent.

-I didn't think you'd like it. I'll teach you the postures and breathing. But you have to train with double the willpower than before; it's a somewhat special style, - Axel said.

-Really, yes! I'll train three times tomorrow and learn your sword style, - Lia said excitedly, inspired by Axel's teachings.

The battle continued, with only one CP8 agent remaining, fighting against Gad, Zabal, and Din. He used the finger pistol technique, Shigan, and Tekkai as constant attack weapons. The loss of Simurgh limited Din's attack options, now relying only on his shotgun and short sword.

The agent executed a Shigan that hit Gad in the chest, sending him flying. Gad emerged from the wall with chest wounds, remnants of the previous Shigan attacks. -To help them, - Axel instructed.

He ran to where the king and fellows were. The old man in the wheelchair was agonizing in his blood, a mix of anger and hatred now blending with fear and sadness.

-Accursed brat, everything was about to end. You couldn't die in three days as my plan dictated. I curse you, brat. I hope you know I killed your father. He begged me to spare your life. Hajahjahaja... coughed up blood. I curse you, Cadmios. I hope you know the kingdom will fall apart, and I'm content to see your dynasty crumble. I curse you, Fosstress, - Fellas repeated over and over.

-He's cursed, Cadmios, - his last breath. Losing vitality, it was never known which Devil Fruit Fellas consumed, but it seemed to be a formidable and terrible ability. My initial thought was a suggestion or perhaps a mind-control Devil Fruit. Why is the World Government here, and do they know about this Devil Fruit?

-He's dead, - said Cadmios.

-Are you okay, Your Majesty? - Axel asked.

-I am well, my friend, but disappointed. Many sorrows burden my heart with a sharp pain. I see that you have defeated them. You are people with very special powers. I heard from my father about the abilities Devil Fruit users gained after consuming them, but I only thought it was a child's world of imagination, dreaming of extraordinary powers. Everything is true, and I still have much to learn, - Cadmios said.

-You will learn. Come. Let's resolve this matter, - Axel said to Cadmios.

-Thank you for your help, Master Swordsman Axel. I am ashamed as a king to see my people starving for two years, - Cadmios said.

-Don't be troubled. Let's help the captives and resolve the issue. Now that Fellas is gone, we can assist you in controlling the kingdom. Here is a great treasure that will help you restore your realm, - Axel said.

-Thank you, - Cadmios said, alongside Gasparde, who also offered a military salute as a sign of respect, lowering his sword to the ground.

-But this treasure belonged to us, - Gad protested.

Axel turned around, seeing Tashigi nodding approvingly and Ussop and Deuce taking the defeated CP8 agents away. - It belongs to the Kingdom of Fosstress. I apologize, but your plan failed. I can offer my apologies, but this kingdom needs this money to restore its hope, - Axel explained.

Tashigi nodded in agreement with Axel's words, witnessing how he helped the innocent, and his indifference to wealth filled her heart with admiration.

-You're amazing, - Gad said, coming out of the hidden treasure chamber.