The caller was the president of the World Economic News Agency, "Big News" Morgans.
The News King, who thrived on chaos, had undisguised excitement in his voice. "The two captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates, Dorry and Brogy, are your friends, right?"
Kai's eyes narrowed slightly, though his face remained calm. "I suppose so. We held a banquet together. What's up? You have news about them?"
That Morgans knew about his relationship with the giants didn't surprise Kai. He'd never tried to hide their meeting in Little Garden. Besides, giants were impossible to miss. Any News Coo flying overhead could see everything at a glance.
Hearing Kai's acknowledgment, Morgans's laughter grew louder. "Then do you know they were captured by the Marines yesterday?"
How could that be?
Though Dorry and Brogy's strength had regressed over the past century, they weren't pushovers. And their objective was Enies Lobby, to retrieve the other two giants, Oimo and Kashii, who'd been serving as gatekeepers there.
The Marines would need to deploy at least two or three Headquarters Vice Admirals to capture them reliably, and those would have to be combat-type Vice Admirals.
"What happened?" Kai's voice remained steady. "Did someone powerful show up near Enies Lobby?"
That confirmed it for Morgans. As expected, Kai's relationship with Dorry and Brogy isn't as simple as he claimed. He even knows the giants were targeting Enies Lobby.
"Dorry and Brogy's initial actions went very smoothly." Morgans recalled the intelligence he'd obtained, his tone gleeful. "Not only did they retrieve the two giants who'd been guarding Enies Lobby, they also caused major chaos there before walking away. Enies Lobby's forces couldn't stop them!"
His tone shifted, full of schadenfreude. "But their luck was terrible! On their return voyage, they ran straight into Aokiji coming to intercept them."
I see. Encountering Aokiji at sea meant no escape. Marine Admirals patrol constantly, whether on vacation or on missions. Running into one is just bad luck. But I have to intervene. After all, I'm the "giants' good friend."
"Have they already been transported to Impel Down?"
This was what Kai cared about most. Right now, his greatest worry was the World Government ordering Dorry and the others executed in retaliation for Enies Lobby being ransacked.
Though the giants had Elbaf backing them, making this unlikely, what if?
Fortunately, Morgans's answer was reassuring.
"According to the route intelligence I obtained, the warship holding the giants is heading toward Impel Down."
Morgans's voice dropped, taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Kai-san, you wouldn't be planning to attack Impel Down, would you?!"
This was why he'd called. He understood perfectly how important giant friendship was to an ambitious pirate. It was key to ruling the seas!
If Kai was bold enough, attacking Impel Down was absolutely not empty talk.
To push him over the edge, Morgans started stirring the pot. "Enies Lobby being breached by giants humiliated the World Government. They even called me directly to suppress public opinion."
"After angering them this much, they won't have easy days in Impel Down. They could die at any time. I heard there's a Deputy Chief Warden in Impel Down who takes pleasure in slaughtering prisoners, called Shiryu of the Rain. Extremely vicious!"
Kai's expression darkened. "Enough."
His tone was decisive. "Help me find out the exact route of the warship transporting Dorry and them, and their estimated arrival time at Impel Down."
Morgans's words were exaggerated, but the risks were real. He had to rescue them! Whether for profit or personal feelings.
"Roger that!"
Morgans was so excited his voice cracked. He didn't even want payment; he was willing to help with his own resources. Big news, here I come!
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Kai exhaled heavily. The best-laid plans never survive contact with reality. He had to move faster.
Without delay, Kai brought Rayquaza to the White White Sea's edge, descending until finally landing on the ocean surface, stirring up massive waves.
"Kai-sama, are we heading straight to Impel Down to rescue them?"
Robin spoke first. Even facing the World Government that had loomed over her since childhood, her face showed no fear, only calm and determination. She'd found companions she could trust with her life.
Wapol was terrified, his tongue barely working.
"You, you, you, are going to at-attack Im-Impel Down?!!"
His voice trembled as he tried to talk sense into these "lunatics." "That's the world's greatest prison! Impregnable walls, claimed to be impossible to breach! Just thinking about attacking it is enough to bring the World Government's merciless retaliation!"
He grew more agitated, waving his arms. "Moreover, it's so close to Marine Headquarters. Soon, Marine Admiral reinforcements will arrive! We'll be trapped! This is pure suicide!"
Despite his pleading, the crew showed no fear.
Enel doesn't know how strong the World Government is. He has no frame of reference. He was casually picking his ear. Though even if he knew, with his arrogant personality, he probably wouldn't care.
"So what? They're just Marine Admirals. Who do you think we are?" Yamato tilted her head, unfazed and eager.
"I support this." Kuma's response was concise.
"Heh, perfect. I'd like to meet some Marine swordsmen, see what they're made of." Zoro adjusted his sword hilts, his eyes burning with battle lust.
"Wonder if we'll encounter the old man?" Ace raised his index finger, an orange flame dancing on it as he grinned.
"With me as the doctor here, as long as you have one breath left, I can snatch you back from Death's hands." Kureha downed her plum wine.
"Just the World Government..."
Even Chopper, the newest and most timid member, though scared enough that his teeth were chattering and his hooves trembling, didn't voice any opposition. He was pumping himself up, trying to overcome his fear.
"Crazy, crazy! You're all crazy!!"
Wapol collapsed, squatting in the deck corner with his head in his hands. You all going crazy is fine. Don't drag me into it. I thought if captured, I could survive by using my abilities and working hard. Now that looks impossible.
Kai's gaze swept over the crew, taking in everyone's determination. Good. Morale was solid. At least his recruitment efforts paid off.
Still, before going to Impel Down, he needed to visit one place.
One day later
An island with peculiar architecture appeared on the horizon. It was a city resembling a giant fountain. Seven broad waterways radiated outward from the island's center like blooming petals, flowing into the surrounding seas.
This was the origin of the island's name, Water Seven.
This was the world-famous shipbuilding mecca, with top-tier shipwrights and centuries-old techniques. They'd even built ships for Pirate King Roger.
Enel stood at the bow, gazing at the distant island, transfixed. So this is what the Blue Sea islands are like? Truly different from Sky Island.
"Quite magnificent, isn't it?" Kai's voice came from beside him.
Enel nodded instinctively, then caught himself. That didn't fit his divine image. He looked away awkwardly and snorted. "Hmph, barely acceptable. Compared to this god's divine island, it's still far inferior."
Kai didn't call him out, just smiled knowingly.
He called both Enel and Violet to his side and pointed toward the canal-crossed city. "I need you two to help me retrieve something."
The World Government was obsessed with finding the Ancient Weapon Pluton's design blueprints. They were willing to plant Rob Lucci, supposedly CP9's strongest in 800 years, in Water Seven for undercover work, where he'd stayed five years straight.
Without intervention, those agents would've probably continued lurking.
That's why Kai couldn't personally search for the blueprints. He was too recognizable. Showing up before Iceburg would alert CP9 and the World Government, tipping them off.
But skipping Water Seven entirely contradicted his pattern of touring islands, which would seem suspicious.
So dispatching Enel, an unknown face, was the optimal choice. Bringing Violet was for efficiency.
Using violence to make Iceburg submit was nearly impossible, and Kai didn't have the time. Once CP9 agents noticed anything suspicious, the entire operation would fail.
By now, Violet's ability was crucial. Her mind-reading technique was nearly unbeatable upon first encounter. After all, no one would think to guard against it.
"What thing?" Violet asked curiously.
"Pluton's design blueprints." Kai smiled slightly, dropping the bombshell.
"What?! Pluton?!" Violet's eyes widened in disbelief.
Through their sailing, she now understood the terrifying power and strategic significance of the Ancient Weapon Pluton. But the blueprints for such an important weapon are on this small island?
"If the intelligence is accurate, the blueprints should be with Water Seven's mayor, Iceburg."
Kai confirmed, then warned, "Note that multiple CP9 agents are likely lurking around him. Like a shipwright who keeps a white pigeon, a female secretary who loves fishnet stockings..."
He laid out the main characteristics of Rob Lucci's group.
Violet memorized this information, not doubting Kai's intelligence at all. Her captain always knew incredible secrets. If he knew the location of the Pluton blueprints, recognizing a few CP9 agents was nothing.
Kai handed over two plain gray cloaks and masks. "Put these on. Don't expose your identities, and don't get spotted by those agents."
Enel resisted. "Hmph! Why must this god conceal his appearance!"
Kai glanced at him coldly. "You'll have plenty of chances to make waves later. Now, execute the order. Don't make me invoke the captain's authority."
"Just this once!"
Enel's eye twitched. After an internal struggle, he grabbed the cloak and mask.
The two quietly left Rayquaza.
That afternoon, Rayquaza entered Water Seven's port. Kai's arrival caused an immediate stir.
"The Beast Pirates are here!"
The port erupted. Shocked and curious gazes turned toward the massive ship.
A square-nosed shipwright at the port looked up. When he spotted the man standing at the bow, his pupils contracted sharply.
Then that gaze locked onto him.
The square-nosed shipwright trembled, hastily lowering his head. The nail in his hand clanged onto the wooden planks as he fumbled to pick it up. He tried hammering it into the wood, but his hands shook so badly he repeatedly struck empty air, looking exactly like an ordinary shipwright intimidated by the Beast Pirates' fierce reputation.
Inside, he was reeling. Natural Disaster Kai, it's really him! This intelligence must be reported immediately!
Mind racing, he suddenly clutched his stomach, his face contorting in pain with cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"Ow! This is killing me! Tony, tell the foreman, my stomach hurts like hell, gotta go lie down!"
"Hey, you couldn't have been scared shitless by the Beasts' flag, could you? Hahaha..."
His coworker mercilessly mocked him, drawing laughter from others nearby.
"Cut the crap! My stomach really hurts!" The square-nosed shipwright was embarrassed and angry.
"Fine, go ahead. I'll handle things with the foreman for you." The colleague waved dismissively.
"Thanks, I'll buy you drinks later."
The square-nosed shipwright thanked him awkwardly before turning to leave. He stayed hunched over, using cargo boxes and crowds to block the view from Rayquaza, then slipped along the port's edge and disappeared into a narrow alley.