As the intelligence agency directly under the World Government, Cipher Pol—commonly known as "CP"—serves as the government's most loyal shadow, and one of its most critical sources of information.
Among them, CP1 through CP8 are publicly acknowledged divisions, primarily tasked with intelligence gathering, undercover operations, and reconnaissance behind enemy lines.
CP9, however, is a covert assassination unit. Ranked above CP1-CP8, its members are not only elite spies but also deadly combatants with overwhelming strength.
Yet even CP9's members know little of the entity that stands above them—the organization revered as the strongest intelligence force in the world: the elusive top echelon above CP1 through CP9—CP0.
Unlike the rest of the Cipher Pol units, which report to Commander-in-Chief Kong, CP0 answers directly to the Celestial Dragons, bypassing even the Fleet Admiral of the Marines.
Their authority is absolute. Even Kong holds no direct command over them.
The identities of CP0 agents are a closely guarded secret. During operations, they conceal themselves behind unique masks to obscure their faces—though there are exceptions.
As the "strongest shield of the Celestial Dragons," the CP0 leader is said to possess power on par with a Marine Admiral. Individuals of such caliber have no need to hide their identities.
Take the present moment, for example—Rob Lucci steps out from the majestic halls of Mary Geoise, accompanied by Kaku and Jabra. None of them are masked.
"Lucci, you're really letting that bastard Spandam into CP0? That's absurd!"
Jabra snarled through bared teeth:
"Not tearing him to shreds is already giving the World Government face… and that damn clown still dares to act smug about it!"
"This time, I have to agree with Jabra," Kaku said disdainfully. "CP0 isn't a place just anyone can stroll into. Who knows how many favors Spandam's old man—Spandine—had to call in just to shove him in. Tch… classic nepotism."
"But once you're in CP0, connections mean nothing."
Lucci spoke flatly, though the chill in his voice made both Kaku and Jabra smirk.
"At this level, Spandam is nothing more than a noisy sideshow to me… not even worthy of my killing intent."
"Now that I've passed the test of the 'Strongest Shield' and assumed leadership of CP0, Spandam will forever grovel in the shadows—trash that will never rise."
With a cold smile, Lucci adjusted his formal hat and turned to gaze at the towering, ornate palace of Mary Geoise.
"He thought climbing into CP0 by throwing us under the bus would grant him power? How naïve. In this world, strength is the only law."
"From now on, our former 'superior' will live in constant dread. That's a fate far more satisfying than death."
"Mmm… when you put it that way, I'm feeling pretty good about it," Kaku nodded, stroking his chin. "With that idiot around, some things are actually easier to manage."
Jabra licked his lips with a wicked grin:
"It's a shame Blueno and Kalifa still have to wear their masks and operate in secrecy..."
"Would've crushed Spandam's spirit even more if he saw their faces, hahahaha!"
"It doesn't matter… CP0's emergence already went beyond our expectations. And our rise to power is thanks to that person's support."
Lucci's eyes narrowed slightly:
"Fascinating… the World Government is hiding far more than we ever imagined. This feeling… it's exhilarating."
"Still, calling this so-called 'Strongest Shield' the equal of a Marine Admiral might be pushing it. A bit too much self-flattery, don't you think?"
"Let's go."
With a wave of his hand, Lucci led Kaku and Jabra toward the Bubble Cable Car.
"There are still some 'senpai' in CP0 who can interfere with our operations. We'll need to work harder to suppress them…"
"After all, we're struggling just to track the vague movements of the Warlords—let alone coordinate with Vice Admiral-san and the Fleet Admiral."
Kaku and Jabra quickly followed, unusually in agreement for once:
"Obviously… sneaking around under 'God's' nose is just too thrilling!"
Rob Lucci and his team's next destination—the Country of Wano.
After Doflamingo's downfall more than half a year ago, the weapon trade between Wano and the World Government came to a halt.
Though Drake took over the underground network, swallowing all the remaining inventory proved difficult. Yet without Doflamingo acting as a middleman, profits actually increased—even with a reduced trade volume.
Kaido and Orochi, delighted by the improved returns, threw their full support behind Drake's black market dealings.
Wano was one of the World Government's most vital sources of weaponry. Buying weapons from pirates to fight pirates? They had no moral qualms about it.
However, weapons weren't unique to Wano. The Golden City and the underworld also offered supply, albeit at higher prices. For a time, it wasn't an immediate problem.
Naturally, the World Government was aware of these alternative sources. In essence, it was just a change in intermediaries—barely acceptable.
The real issue… was Seastone.
Seastone was far rarer, and even Kaido and Orochi wouldn't allow large quantities to leak into the underworld. If they did, major underworld players would hoard it, and prices would spike to the point that even the World Government couldn't keep up.
To the Marines and the World Government—who regarded Seastone as a strategic resource—such a move would be tantamount to a declaration of war.
So the World Government sent CP0 to negotiate directly with Orochi.
Unfortunately for them, Orochi was well aware of Wano's monopoly on Seastone—and the World Government's disdain for middlemen. They wanted to deal straight with the source.
"The weapon and Seastone exports from Wano can resume," Orochi had said, his ambition swelling with Kaido at his back.
"But on one condition—warships."
That demand stunned even the seasoned CP0 negotiators.
Warships, the backbone of the Marines' conventional power, had proven strength.
Wano, isolated for centuries, had long fallen behind in navigation, shipbuilding, and naval combat. With no use for such vessels, their expertise had withered.
While large sailing ships for trade were common, proper warships—especially those rivaling the Marines'—were nearly nonexistent.
If Orochi's demand for warships was already outrageous to CP0, what he said next made them question his sanity:
"This time it's warships. Next time, it'll be Dr. Vegapunk!"
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