Nero
Nero · deceased (killed by Lucci Ch. 373) · CP9 rookie · “Sea Weasel”
Profile
A CP9 rookie — “the newest member of CP9,” nicknamed the “Sea Weasel” — the weakest member of the unit (he has not mastered the Six Powers). First mentioned Ch. 362 as part of the Sea Train escort to Enies Lobby; he is first clearly shown on-page Ch. 367 .
Arc-by-arc updates
Water Seven (Ch. 373 — “Necessary Evil”) — Executed by Lucci for failing CP9’s all-or-nothing Six-Powers bar
- After being decisively beaten by Franky, Nero breaks discipline and picks a fight with the boarders — “I don’t care about our directive anymore! I’m going to kill you!” (p. 9) — but loses his nerve. Rob Lucci executes him personally: a Shave-dash closes the distance, then a Finger Pistol through the chest (pp. 10-11, “THGOOM!!!”). Lucci’s verdict: “You’re only superhuman… if you have the entire Six Powers repertoire down, boy. Everything about you is a work in progress. CP9 doesn’t need you.”
- Kalifa coldly logs the death for the Director: “We couldn’t use him. The new guy was too weak.” (p. 12). His killing is the first on-page statement that CP9 membership requires mastery of the entire Six Powers — and establishes Lucci as the cell’s apex fighter and CP9’s internal lethality toward its own. Cross-link Rob Lucci, Kalifa, CP9, Six Powers (Rokushiki), Nero CP9 Four-Powers Trainee Executed By Lucci Competence-Bar Tell.
Water Seven (Ch. 372 — “Plastic Surgery”) — Overpowered by Franky on the Puffing Tom roof; finished with the “Centaur” slam
- The roof fight against Franky concludes. Nero keeps up the Rokushiki barrage — Tempest Kick (“Rankyaku”) (pp. 2, 6, 7), Shave (“Soru”), Moon Walk (“Geppo”) (p. 4) — and admits “I haven’t mastered the Finger Pistol (“Shigan”) method yet” (p. 4), the first on-page demonstration that the Six Powers is a graded mastery system and Nero is its bottom rung. Franky’s cyborg body no-sells every blow (Star Shield / Master Nail Gun / “Weapons Left”).
- Decisively beaten: Franky baits and crushes him with the “Centaur” giant overhead two-handed grapple-slam (pp. 8-10, “You’ve got it backwards!!”). Cross-link CP9, Sea Train, Six Powers (Rokushiki), Franky.
Water Seven (Ch. 370 — “You’re Not Alone”) — First clear fight: Nero vs Franky on the roof of Car Three; Tempest Kick / Moon Walk named on-page
- Fights Franky on the roof of Car Three of the kidnap Sea Train (Puffing Tom) (pp. 16-19). Opens with Rokushiki — Shave (Soru), Tempest Kick (Rankyaku) (named on-page here, p. 17), and Moon Walk (Geppō) (named on-page here, p. 18; carries a thin-blade weapon).
- His Tempest Kick passes harmlessly through Franky’s unusual cyborg body (“why doesn’t his Tempest Kick cut him… he seems to have a very unusual body!”), prompting Nero’s unsettled “What ARE you?!” (p. 19) — as the explicitly newest/weakest CP9 member (hasn’t mastered the Six Powers), he lands no decisive hit; Franky then Moon Walks off the train and springs back mid-air, baffling him (pp. 18-19). Cross-link CP9, Sea Train, Six Powers (Rokushiki), Franky.
Water Seven (Ch. 369 — “Ramen Kung Fu”) — “Sea Weasel” intro card; the “Four Powers Master” vow
- Named as the agent waiting in Car Three in Kalifa’s onboard situation diagram (p. 4) and in dialogue as one who “loves killing” but is a CP9 newcomer (p. 13). Lies in wait one car ahead of the boarders; gets a splash-style intro card “NERO / CP9 / ‘Sea Weasel’” (p. 18) and is identified as the “CP9 newbie, four powers master” — i.e., a partial Rokushiki practitioner (p. 18). Vows not to kill Robin because she is a “precious prisoner” (p. 18); self-describes as “the boss of the bad guys” back home and lands a “dirty” surprise blow on a fellow agent (pp. 19-20). Cross-link CP9, Sea Train, Rob Lucci, Franky.
Water Seven (Ch. 367 — “Sniper King”) — First clear on-page appearance; discovers the escape and attacks with “Metallic Star”
- First clearly shown on-page . Aboard car three of the Sea Train (Puffing Tom), Nero discovers the captured criminals (Robin and Franky) have escaped — “RATS.” / “I found them!” — and attacks with a named technique, “Metallic Star!!” (p. 18). His designation “Mr. Nero” is used on-page. Power tier / Rokushiki proficiency still unconfirmed on-page this chapter . Cross-link CP9, Sea Train, Franky.
Water Seven (Ch. 362 — “Ebb Tide”) — Named as the newest CP9 member in the escort roster (named-not-clearly-shown)
- Introduced p. 9 as “the newest member of CP9, Nero,” stationed in car three of the Sea Train escort to Enies Lobby. Part of the escort detail that grows stronger toward the front of the train. Cite ch. 362 p. 9. Cross-link CP9, Sea Train, Enies Lobby.