Rob Lucci's gaze, sharp as a hawk's, locked intently onto Orion.
He gazed at the man who, despite being similar in age as him, already stood at the pinnacle of the world's power, his heart churning with indescribable complexity.
As the most prodigious genius in CP9's eight-hundred-year history, he believed himself second to none in either talent or strength.
Had he not been burdened with the top-secret mission of infiltrating Water 7, he would undoubtedly have stepped forward during the world-shaking military coup to test the mettle of this newly appointed fleet admiral.
But now, everything was settled.
Not only had Orion firmly secured his position as fleet admiral, but he had also reshaped the entire Marine forces with thunderous resolve, firmly seizing control of even Mary Geoise.
The newspapers, filled with reports of pirate crews being uprooted and political decrees that shook the world, all bore witness to his iron-fisted and domineering nature.
Against such overwhelming momentum, what could a long-term undercover agent like him possibly do?
Even with endless resentment in his heart, rules were rules.
He took a step forward, pushing the noisy cyborg Franky ahead of him, then raised his hand in a flawless military salute, his voice cold as ice.
"Rob Lucci, reporting mission completion. Target delivered."
Without waiting for Orion's response, he turned sharply on his heel.
The pigeon Hattori on his shoulder neatly adjusted its tie in sync, ready to depart with its master.
This cold, arrogant demeanor instantly ignited the powder keg beside them.
"Halt!"
A voice both enchanting and piercingly cold rang out as Hancock glided forward, blocking Lucci's path.
Her eyes brimmed with contempt and disdain.
"How dare you behave with such disrespect before Orion!"
"Who gave a mere agent like you the audacity?"
Lucci's footsteps halted.
He slowly turned his head with a flash of killing intent flickering in his eyes.
"Step aside," he coldly uttered two words. "Boa Hancock, know your place. This is Marine Headquarters, not your Amazon Lily."
As his words fell, a palpable murderous aura spread, intent on teaching this presumptuous woman a lesson.
But he was fast—someone was faster.
Or rather, it wasn't about speed at all.
Hum—
An intangible, formless, yet world-crushing will abruptly descended!
This will did not affect anyone else but converged with precision like an invisible mountain, crushing down solely upon Rob Lucci.
"Guh!"
Lucci's pupils contracted to pinpricks.
His prideful physique and mastery of the Six Powers, honed to perfection, felt as fragile as paper against this force.
He felt every inch of his bones groaning, every cell trembling.
Thud!
Under the astonished gazes of all present, the strongest CP9 agent in eight hundred years, unable to offer even a hint of resistance, crashed heavily to his knees on the hard plaza ground.
Beads of cold sweat instantly dotted his forehead.
Though not directly targeted, Kaku, Jabra, Kalifa, and the others behind him stiffened uncontrollably, trembling slightly from the mere residual pressure, like small prey cornered by a natural predator.
Fear seeped from the depths of their hearts.
Orion walked leisurely to stand before Lucci, his smile as gentle as ever, as if the Conqueror's Haki that had forced a powerhouse to his knees had nothing to do with him.
He looked down at Lucci kneeling on the ground and said softly.
"In the current World Government, you're the only one who dares to strike such a pose before me, Lucci."
He paused, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepening.
"However, I believe it won't be long before you understand. What stands between us has never been merely a difference in status and position."
Lucci gritted his teeth, veins bulging at his temples.
He wanted to say something but found his throat as if gripped by an invisible hand, unable to utter a single syllable.
He could only lift his head, staring fixedly at Orion with eyes filled with unwillingness and terror.
At this moment, he truly realized just how terrifying the man before him was.
It wasn't merely overwhelming strength, but an absolute dominance that transcended everything!
Kaku and Jabra were already drenched in cold sweat, unable to meet Orion's gaze.
They had finally soberly recognized the despairing magnitude of the gap between themselves and this young fleet admiral.
Among the crowd, only Kalifa, in the midst of her extreme fear, adjusted her glasses and secretly lifted her eyelids, stealing a quick glance at the man who could overturn the world with a single gesture.
…
The next day.
Orion personally devised a training plan for Luffy and the others that could only be described as devilish, assigning Captain Morgan, the fleet admiral's personal guard, and Rear Admiral Noah to serve as instructors.
In an instant, the new recruits' training ground was filled with wails and chaotic commotion.
Time flew by, and before they knew it, a month had passed.
The World Government's Reverie officially commenced.
Luxurious ships from all over the world, carrying kings and delegations from various member nations, successively passed through the port at the base of the Red Line and ascended to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise via bubble cable cars.
As these kings set foot on the Holy Land, everyone sensed something unusual.
"Strange…"
King Nefertari Cobra of Alabasta frowned slightly as he surveyed the scene before him.
"At this time in the past, those Celestial Dragons would have long since come out to flaunt their power, wouldn't they?"
Princess Vivi beside him also curiously looked around.
In the past, the Reverie had been more of an ordeal than a grand event for member nations like theirs.
Not only did they have to endure the condescending attitudes of the Celestial Dragons, but they also had to live in constant fear that their princesses or noble daughters might catch the eye of some arrogant Celestial Dragon and be forcibly taken away.
But this time, the Holy Land was unusually peaceful.
Not only were there no arrogant Celestial Dragons in sight, but some figures dressed in Celestial Dragon attire were even participating in the welcoming procession.
Though their expressions remained somewhat stiff, they were genuinely guiding the delegations toward Pangaea Castle.
This unbelievable scene left all the kings deeply puzzled.
As most of the delegations gathered and proceeded forward, the king of the Goa Kingdom from the East Blue, accompanied by the Stelly family, broke away from the main group under the guidance of a Holy Land bishop and headed down another path.
Stelly, dressed in lavish but somewhat ridiculous formal wear, could barely conceal his excitement and greed.
"Your Excellency Bishop, can I really become a Celestial Dragon?" he asked obsequiously, rubbing his hands together.
The bishop nodded expressionlessly.
"Becoming a Celestial Dragon is not impossible. However, the prerequisite is that you must become the king of the Goa Kingdom. Only with the status of a monarch can you potentially attain the opportunity to ascend to divinity."
"No problem!" Stelly's eyes lit up as he thumped his chest. "I'm already engaged to Princess Sarie of the Goa Kingdom. By the next Reverie, I will definitely return to the Holy Land as a king!"
He grew more and more excited as he spoke, as if he could already see himself wearing the attire symbolizing the status and power of a Celestial Dragon, looking down upon all mortals.
"Hmph!"
Suddenly, Stelly snorted coldly, his gaze turning sinister.
"Once I become a Celestial Dragon, my first act will be to impeach that Fleet Admiral named Orion! A mere marine, daring to discipline the noble World Nobles—utter lawlessness!"
He grew increasingly impassioned as he spoke, completely oblivious to the bishop's suddenly pale face.
"I'll have him crucified and executed, so the whole world knows the consequences of defying the Celestial Dragons!"
While he was ranting fervently, a little girl with delicate features, accompanied by a tall, flat-capped elder, watched them curiously from nearby.
It was Aqua and one of the Gorosei, Jaygarcia Saturn.
"Saturn," Aqua tilted her small head, pointing at Stelly, pouting angrily.
"What is that ugly man saying? He actually wants to crucify Uncle Orion! Aqua is very angry!"
"Do not worry, young mistress. This old servant will deal with him immediately!"
The kindly smile on Saturn's face vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling aura that could freeze souls.
He didn't even glance at Stelly, merely casting a faint look in his direction.
The next second, Stelly—who had been shouting—along with his equally greedy parents, fell abruptly silent.
Their heads exploded without any visible attack, transforming into clouds of blood mist that drifted through the air.
"Those who upset the young mistress deserve death."
Saint Saturn's voice remained calm and even, as if he had merely crushed an ant.
The King of Goa Kingdom, witnessing this miraculously terrifying scene, was so frightened his soul nearly fled his body.
His legs gave way, and he prostrated himself on the spot, trembling like a sieve.
He wanted to beg for mercy but found himself unable to speak due to extreme terror.
Saturn couldn't even be bothered to look at him again, reverting to a kindly smile as he bent down carefully and asked.
"Young mistress, it's all handled. Are you satisfied?"
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