Zzzzt! Zzzzt! Zzzzt!
Violent blue lightning erupted in front of Cero's chest, surging wildly into his body as it tore through the organs in his abdomen.
At the same time, the spinning Kikoku thrown by Law struck Cero's head directly.
Whirrr!
The immense rotational force combined with the blade's terrifying sharpness shredded Cero's handsome face apart instantly.
Pfft!
His skull exploded under the force, fragments scattering through the air as his head was completely destroyed.
Swish!
The moment the attack landed, Law immediately swapped positions with a nearby stone, retreating away from Cero without hesitation.
"Did it work?"
Only after confirming a safe distance did Law use his ability to retrieve Kikoku from the ground where it had embedded itself.
He stared at the motionless body missing its head and bearing a massive hole through the abdomen, his expression grave.
"Even an Admiral should die after suffering damage like that... right?"
"Wait..."
A sharp sense of danger suddenly surged through him.
"Damn pirate! Restore our bodies right now, or Saint Siming won't spare you!"
"You idiot! You actually dared attack Admiral Cero!"
"My body got cut in half... wait, why doesn't it hurt?! Is this the power of the Ope Ope no Mi?!"
The guards lying scattered across the battlefield shouted in panic and anger, but none of them showed even the slightest shock over Cero supposedly being killed.
Law's pupils contracted.
"Don't tell me... he's still alive?"
Zzzzt!
Silver lightning suddenly flashed across the headless body.
Under Law's stunned gaze, the destroyed head and torn abdomen rapidly regenerated, restoring themselves completely in moments.
"Hahahaha!"
Cero stretched his neck casually, silver lightning crackling across his skin while his Marine coat fluttered behind him.
"You actually used lightning against me? Against me?"
He looked at Law like he had just heard the greatest joke in the world.
"Kid, have you lost your mind? Do you even know what ability I possess?"
"I know exactly what it is."
Law's expression darkened as he tightened his grip on Kikoku.
"You ate the Goro Goro no Mi, making you a Lightning Human with one of the strongest Logia abilities in existence."
"Which means ordinary lightning attacks are useless against you."
"But Counter Shock is different!"
Law's voice grew heavier.
"That attack bypasses the elemental body of a Logia user and directly damages their true body."
"Even Logia users shouldn't be able to ignore it completely!"
"Hahaha! Interesting."
Cero laughed openly, completely unconcerned.
"You've got a creative ability, Surgeon of Death."
His silver eyes narrowed slightly as he grinned.
"So tell me, pirate worth negative 4.5 billion Berries, have you figured out why your attack failed?"
Law remained silent for several seconds.
"I don't understand..."
His expression grew increasingly serious.
Something was wrong.
If Cero had blocked the attack using Armament Haki, that would make sense.
But Counter Shock specifically targeted a Logia user's true body, yet Cero regenerated effortlessly without taking real damage.
That meant his sneak attack had achieved nothing.
And now that Cero was prepared, Law would never get another opportunity to strike at close range again.
Meanwhile, he possessed almost no reliable methods to counter a top-tier Logia user in direct combat.
Combined with the terrifying rumors surrounding Cero's destructive power, enough to erase entire islands in thunder and lightning, Law could already feel the situation turning hopeless.
His own death did not matter much.
But the Heart Pirates were still on this island.
If they discovered he had been captured, they would undoubtedly rush over to save him.
And if that happened, every single member of his crew would die here.
Law's face sank completely.
He had risked everything by coming to this island hoping to meet that legendary figure, only to walk directly into a death trap.
"The answer is simple."
Cero spread his hands casually, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Did you really think this was my real body?"
His grin widened mockingly.
"With your level of strength, do you honestly believe you'd get the first strike against my true self?"
Law froze.
Then shock exploded across his face.
"You're... a lightning clone?!"
"This body isn't the real Cero?!"
Boom!!!
Before Cero could answer, deafening explosions of thunder erupted throughout several parts of Pilgrim Island.
Deep crimson lightning streaked across the sky like raging dragons.
"Heh."
Cero pointed toward the distant explosions with a wicked smile.
"Looks like some other pirates are having a rough time too."
"You fools caused chaos on an island forbidden to pirates."
His voice carried overwhelming confidence.
"So naturally, the Marines moved against all of you at the same time."
Zzzzt!
Before his sentence even finished, silver-white lightning began spreading wildly from Cero's body.
The surrounding air trembled violently.
Law suddenly felt every hair on his body stand upright.
A terrifying sense of destruction enveloped the battlefield.
Swish!
A silver flash crossed his vision.
"Silver Snake, Dragon Feather!"
Lightning exploded outward.
A monstrous creature formed entirely from silver electricity appeared instantly. It resembled a dragon with massive feathered wings, roaring as it charged directly toward Law.
Crackle!!!
The lightning beast slammed into him head-on.
"Aaaaaagh!"
Law's body convulsed violently as endless currents of destructive electricity surged through him, paralyzing his muscles and overwhelming his nervous system completely.