CP9 truly lived up to its reputation as the most elite standing unit in the entire CP organization. No wonder most members of CP0 were promoted from their ranks.
Just from their obedience to orders alone, it was hard not to like having them under one's command.
Michael had every reason to believe that if he hadn't made such a bold, decisive move back then—and caught them in the act—the World Government probably would never have completely abandoned Rob Lucci and the others.
It could only be said that Michael's ability to seize opportunities was terrifyingly sharp. Give him the slightest push, and he'd strike back with a heavy blow.
Michael looked at the completely revitalized CP9—from their spirit to their physical condition—and nodded calmly.
"Looks like… you've all made up your minds."
"Honestly, there wasn't much to think about from the start," Kalifa shrugged. "I'm not like the others. I've got a father and a sister with whom I share no real affection, and I've always known what the CP organization and the World Government are really made of… So when I went undercover in the Revolutionary Army, I had already decided I'd betray them sooner or later."
Everyone in CP9, including Michael, turned to look at the calm and composed Kalifa.
Then Michael gave her a thumbs-up.
Now that was a ruthless one.
No hesitation, no sentimentality—ready to bolt the moment she saw a better deal. Give her good enough treatment, and she'd walk out from under the World Government's control without a second thought.
In a sense, wasn't that a form of loyalty too?
Because as long as you provided the right conditions, people like her would devote everything to maintaining a stable, comfortable life and work environment.
And Michael was sure of one thing—aside from him, there wasn't a single person in the world who'd dare take in CP9, nor anyone who could offer them better terms.
"Since that's the case, from today onward, you're no longer CP9," Michael raised his head. "You're now special operatives of the Revolutionary Army stationed in Alabasta… From today on, you are the Authority Angels."
Authority Angels—according to the Scriptures, their domains were divided according to secular powers, nations, cities, and religious groups.
In other words, angels that existed in service of worldly authority.
Whether as CP9 in the past, or as Authority Angels now, the title suited them perfectly.
"Authority… Angels?"
Rob Lucci only hesitated for a moment before fully accepting the new name.
After all, a new codename symbolized a new beginning.
"That's right. It'll be your new organization name from now on… As for your first mission, I want you to learn every inch of Alabasta's land." Michael nodded. "The Revolutionary Army and the Alabasta Kingdom will both do everything they can to assist you… Just avoid the innermost desert to the east—there are snakes there."
"...Understood."
After Michael gave his first order, the Authority Angels turned and left.
They were headed for the Revolutionary Army's branch office, where Michael had prepared new uniforms for them.
"Still got it, old buddy," Rosinante ducked into the room, his head low. "But are you sure this place is really safe? I'd rather not return to Marine Headquarters just to get dragged into an interrogation."
"Relax. Alabasta's a sensitive zone right now. The World Government and the Marines know they're cooperating with the Revolutionary Army, but because of Alabasta's overwhelming national power, they won't bring it up… In fact, they'll bend over backward trying to pull Alabasta back into their camp," Michael shrugged. "You being here won't raise suspicion. On the contrary, they'll probably encourage you to keep building friendly relations with Alabasta."
Six hundred thousand standing troops, and weaponry built with both Sky Island shell technology and Germa Kingdom science—Alabasta was now undeniably the strongest nation in Paradise.
Even most countries in the New World couldn't compare.
After all, Alabasta possessed a kind of strategic depth that no other nation had. The Buster Call, which would annihilate any other country on sight, was nothing but a fart to them.
On top of that, Alabasta's scholars were world-renowned. Currently, ninety-nine percent of the world's educational materials were authored by Alabasta scholars.
Thus, not only was Alabasta a military powerhouse—it was also on its way to becoming the cultural center of the world.
And in Alabasta's capital, Alubarna, stood an enormous library—its scale far surpassing that of the once-great Tree of Knowledge. It had been personally overseen by Cobra a few years prior.
In a sense, Ohara had been reborn.
And this time, it would never again be silenced by cannon fire.
"You make it sound so easy… but have you forgotten there's still a certain unreasonable old man back home?" Rosinante muttered, curling his lip. "Anyway, take a look at this first."
He handed several intelligence reports to Michael.
"New intel already?" Michael frowned. "And you decided to pass it directly to me? What's happened now?"
"You'll understand once you read it."
Rosinante said this, then quietly closed the door behind him.
"Let's see what kind of mess this is…" Michael crossed one leg over the other, casually opening the envelope of intelligence reports.
But the relaxed look on his face gradually turned cold.
"I knew Doflamingo and Kaido were working together—and I even encouraged their little alliance. That way, it'd be easier to keep both their forces in check."
"But I didn't expect those damn SMILE Fruits to be developed so fast. Honestly, that's beyond even my expectations… Still, it's not a major problem. Kaido's been hiding out on Raijin Island for years, so he's definitely testing them on his own crew first. In any case, keep monitoring them—and have the SWORD Secret Special Force ready to move. The moment they try to spread that poison-like product into the seas, we'll make sure they regret it."
Rosinante nodded. For someone like Michael, the SWORD Secret Special Force would follow his orders without hesitation.
Of course, to the outside world, all of this appeared to be the decision of Rosinante himself—the current Commander of the SWORD Secret Special Force.
After all, who would ever imagine that even after being dismissed from the Marines, Michael still held control over one of its most critical military branches?
Then Michael opened the second envelope.
Even he was a little surprised by what he saw inside.
"Flying Sky Pirates, reappearing in the New World."
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