Ben and Lucci looked at each other. Lucci was in his human form. Ben was in his hybrid form.
"You were not around when we pulled this plot off, using Nico Robin to do our dirty work," Lucci commented with his hand in his pockets.
"It was a good plan, I must say. Using a wanted criminal in the eyes of the world to assassinate a sitting Mayor," Ben responded. "But you hurt Robin, hurt my crew as well, I said I will fight anyone for them," Ben stated.
"You are foolish," Lucci replied. "Shave," Lucci said as he moved quickly towards Ben. He was a blur coming towards Ben. "Finger Pistol," Lucci said as he pulled his index finger and penetrated Ben`s shoulder. Ben felt his finger penetrate his shoulder. Blood came leaking from his wound.
"Demon Fist," Ben said as he channelled his energy into his other fist. He swung it towards Lucci.
"Iron Body," Lucci said as put his arms and legs out. Ben punched Lucci and Lucci slid backwards.
Ben saw his shoulder was alright. He moved it and it did not hurt. He looked at Lucci and thought his reputation does justice. "You are strong unlike that boy in the Strawhat," Lucci commented.
Ben smiled. "Luffy could beat you anyday," Ben said. "He was just hungry when you fought him," Ben joked.
He looked at Lucci who was not amused. "Demon Beam," Ben said as he focused his energy in his hand. He raised his hand and shot a beam towards Lucci. The beam travelled through the air and was about to hit Lucci.
"Paper Art," Lucci said as he relaxed his body. He moved to the right like a piece of paper and dodged the beam. The beam hit the ground and there was a small explosion.
Lucci darted toward Ben. His fist shot forward like a bullet, aiming straight for Ben's chest. Ben retaliated with his own punch. Their fists collided with a thunderous impact, creating a shockwave that rippled through the air around them. The force of the clash sent both of them skidding back.
"What is your end goal?" Lucci asked.
"To save Robin and make you pay for hurting her," Ben replied. "Demon Slash," Ben said he focused his energy in his hands. He launched a projectile claws attack towards Lucci.
Lucci saw the attack coming. "Storm Leg," Lucci said as he kicked at high speed and strength which launched a sharp compressed blade of wind. The two attacks hit and they cancelled each other. There was a small dark cloud of smoke from the attack.
Lucci ran towards Ben and into the smoke cloud. He emerged on the other side of the smoke screen in front of Ben. "Finger Pistol," Lucci said as he pulled his index finger towards Ben.
"Demon Fist," Ben said as he channelled his energy into his fist and collided with Lucci`s finger.
Lucci, kicked Ben. The blow connected with Ben's side, sending him sliding across the ground. Ben winced at the impact but recovered quickly. Lucci followed up with a rapid punch aimed at Ben's face. Ben leaped back just in time, narrowly avoiding the attack. As he landed, he retaliated with a roundhouse kick aimed at Lucci's body. Lucci brought up his knee and blocked the attack.
"Demon Kick," Ben said as he channelled his energy into his leg. He aimed at Lucci.
"Iron Body," Lucci said as put his arms and legs out. Ben kicked Lucci on his arm with his attack and Lucci went sliding back. Lucci stopped. He could see a scratch mark on his arm.
"Demon Barrage," Ben said as he created small dark energy projectiles around his body and wings. He then launched at Lucci.
"Paper Art," Lucci said as he relaxed his body. He moved to the right and right like a piece of paper and dodged all the projectiles coming towards him. Lucci thought this was futile.
Ben moved closed. "Demon Abyssal Chains," Ben said as he created black chains coming from the palm of his hands. They rushed towards Lucci and wrapped around his arms.
"What are you doing?" Lucci asked.
Ben yanked the chains towards. Lucci went flying towards Ben. His arms are still trapped in the chain. "Moonwalk," Lucci added as he kicked the air and changed direction.
"Damn," Ben said as Lucci used his Moonwalk to gain control and launched Ben by his own chains to the right. Ben went flying to the right, he quickly got control and landed on his feet. He slid back. He looked up to see Lucci in front of him.
"Finger Gun," Lucci said as he got two of his index fingers out. He launched a barrage of attacks which pierced Ben`s upper body. Ben took the hits. He could feel Lucci`s finger penetrating his body as he launched multiple attacks. His left and right index finger alternated and threw Ben back. Ben slid back on his back panting. He got up, panting. Blood was leaking from his shoulders.
"Give up," Lucci said. "You are weak," Lucci added.
"I will never give up," Ben declared. He could feel his wounds closing.
"Demon Slash," Ben said he focused his energy in his hands. He launched a projectile claws attack toward Lucci.
"You don't learn," Lucci replied. "Storm Leg," Lucci said as he kicked at high speed and strength which launched a sharp compressed blade of wind at the attack. Both attacks clashed and there was another cloud of smoke.
Ben rushed forward through the smoke cloud. "Predictable," Lucci said. "Iron Body," Lucci said as put his arms and legs out. He solidified his body.
Ben came through the smoke. "Demon's Inferno Fist," Ben said, channelling his energy into hand . He ignited the energy and released black fire as a result. His fist had black flames and he punched Lucci. Lucci got hit with the fist with black flames. His eyes widened from the impact. He coughed blood as Ben hit his stomach and he slid backwards.
Ben was panting. "You are not that tough," Ben remarked.
Lucci looked down at the hole in his shirt, a cold smirk forming on his lips. "This is going to be fun," he muttered. His body began to shift, his muscles bulging and bones cracked. Black fur sprouted across his skin, rippling over his expanding frame as his shoulders broadened and his limbs lengthened. His face elongated into a fierce, predatory snout with sharp fangs. Claws extended from his fingers.
Within moments, Lucci had completed his transformation into his hybrid form, a towering, half-man, half-leopard creature.
"Let's see if you can keep up," Lucci growled.