The CP0 captain negotiating with Kurozumi Orochi nearly lost his temper on the spot—but in the end, he forcibly held it in.
It was clear as day now: this mission was a setup from the start. Orochi's outrageous demands could only mean one thing—Kaido was backing him, emboldening him to act without restraint.
The Country of Wano, with its unique geography and terrain, had kept both the World Government and the Marines at bay for centuries. It was completely self-sufficient and militarily powerful. The "samurai" of Wano were world-renowned...
All of this gave Orochi boundless confidence.
More crucially, the World Government was the desperate party now. Kaido and Orochi had a constant stream of underworld profits flowing in—they had no reason to hurry.
Negotiations quickly stalled. Around that time, word arrived of a new "strongest shield" for CP0—the unparalleled prodigy of the past 800 years: Rob Lucci.
The newly appointed CP0 Chief Officer, Rob Lucci, was fanatically devoted to protecting the Celestial Dragons' interests. And the arms trade coming out of Wano? That was a core component of those very interests.
After all, the Five Elders—the highest authority within the World Government—were themselves among the Celestial Dragons. The World Government's interests were the Celestial Dragons' interests. They were the "gods."
And yet… that audacious fool, Kurozumi Orochi, actually dared to back himself with a mere pirate and use that as leverage to threaten the World Government?
What were warships if not strategic-level military assets? What was Dr. Vegapunk if not a strategic-level genius weapon? And now this backwater non-member state's petty king wanted to extort the World Government like a common thug?
As the "Celestial Dragons' Ultimate Shield," Rob Lucci could never let that stand.
And so, Lucci personally recalled the CP0 team sent to negotiate. He brought Kaku and Jabra with him and headed straight to Wano.
But this time, negotiations were off the table.
"Such blasphemous arrogance has no place in this world!"
"The fact that the gods want something from him is a mercy—and he dares to haggle with the divine? That's a death wish!"
Though the upper echelons of the World Government harbored reservations about Lucci's aggressive style, the Celestial Dragons were clearly pleased with his hardline rhetoric.
Several powerful Celestial Dragon families even threw their full support behind Lucci's plan—to eliminate the insolent Shogun of Wano!
Lucci's mission was clear: rendezvous with Blueno and Kalifa, who had gone ahead, then conduct a covert assessment of Wano's military capabilities and formulate a plan to assassinate Kurozumi Orochi.
Lucci might have been radical, but he wasn't a fool. Far from it—he was sharper than most. He knew that Orochi's audacity wasn't just because Kaido stood behind him.
Wano itself was a fortress.
And then...
They met Rosinante in Wano.
"Vice Admiral, sir!"
Lucci, Kaku, Jabra, Blueno, and Kalifa all saluted Rosinante in unison.
Rosinante, who now stood as the Navy's top authority in Wano, understood full well why Rob Lucci—now CP0 Chief and technically equal to or even superior to the Fleet Admiral—was showing him such respect.
"Not here. Outside, we're all undercover. Keep your identities hidden."
From the moment Lucci's group arrived in Wano, they were spotted by the Resistance. The surveillance net laid across the country was far more extensive than anything CP0 or Orochi had anticipated.
It was impossible not to be noticed—especially when a group of clearly non-Wano foreigners landed on the coast.
As Wano's highest-ranking Navy officer, Rosinante received the report immediately and summoned them. After a full exchange of intel, even the elite CP0 operatives were stunned by the sheer scale of the Navy's operations.
"As expected of the Fleet Admiral… Vice Admiral, for you to have infiltrated enemy territory personally and orchestrated such an elaborate setup—our efforts pale in comparison."
So this is what the "gods" should be like. Those degenerates in Mary Geoise are nothing but a disgrace to their ancestors...
They squander the legacy of their forebears, tainting their noble bloodline generation after generation... What's left of their so-called "divine majesty"?
Especially the younger generation… aside from Saint Donquixote Mjosgard, the rest are little more than pampered swine.
Even someone like Donquixote Doflamingo—mad as he was—surpasses them all. No wonder their attitude toward him was so conflicted. They rejected him, yet couldn't help but depend on him.
But Vice Admiral Rosinante… he surpasses them all.
And he has the Fleet Admiral's backing.
A spark ignited in the minds of the CP0 members—wild, dangerous, and bold.
We must purify the blood of the gods.
That is the true purpose of CP0.
"Vice Admiral, our target this time is Kurozumi Orochi. Since the Fleet Admiral and yourself have laid such extensive groundwork, we would be honored to join your operation."
Rob Lucci spoke solemnly. With the Navy's preparations already in place, taking down Orochi—even if Kaido was involved—wouldn't surprise him in the slightest.
"Wano is unlike any other country. Any military intervention must be justified by a moral pretext. The Navy's objective isn't just to eliminate Orochi and Kaido—it's to open the borders of this isolationist nation."
Rosinante explained:
"Only by opening its borders can Wano become truly powerful—and its value to us will grow immensely. As it is now, Wano's impact on the world stage is far too limited."
"I see…"
Lucci nodded in realization. This was exactly the kind of long-term vision the Fleet Admiral was known for.
"What would you have us do? The Celestial Dragons are paying close attention to this mission. If Wano's gates are forced open, they'll want their share."
"This is land the World Government has coveted for centuries."
"No need to worry…"
Rosinante lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly.
"Under the Navy's guidance, that process will be delayed indefinitely. Besides, by then… the World Government will have other things to worry about."
"You mean—"
"Yes. The New World is in flux. The Four Emperors haven't reestablished a stable power balance. The current three-way standoff among the 'Three Emperors' is a breeding ground for the Worst Generation."
Rosinante thought of the pirates who had risen during the same era as Law, and couldn't help but smile wryly.
"Recruiting even one of them as a Warlord of the Sea would be considered a win. The rest? Each more troublesome than the last."
"The 'Phoenix' Marco still hasn't claimed the title of Emperor. Those upstarts are all eyeing that throne—and they've grown stronger, more dangerous, over these past two years. They're beginning to stir."
"The eyes of the world will be on them…"
"And that's good. They'll clash with the old guard eventually. And within those clashes… lie countless opportunities."
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