Within Galley-La Company's Dock One, Kaku and Rob Lucci were, as usual, repairing various damaged ships. For five years, this had been their daily routine: eat, sleep, and work on ships.
"Headquarters has given us an ultimatum. We must retrieve the blueprints within one month," Kaku said, hammering away, while glancing at Lucci beside him.
Hearing this, Lucci's expression shifted slightly. His eyes darted around, ensuring no one was listening, before he replied in a low voice, "Kaku, remember your position." As elite World Government agents, they couldn't risk leaking their secret mission in public.
Kaku waved him off dismissively. "No one will hear us." The dock was crowded and noisy, and no one was near them. His real concern was the severe consequences of failing their mission. Being hunted by the World Government was no joke.
"Don't worry, we will definitely—"
"Lurking for five years without success, and you think you can complete the mission in one month? Ridiculous!"
"Who's there?!" Lucci and Kaku's auras shifted instantly, becoming like wild beasts. They turned simultaneously, their gazes fierce, to see Leo strolling towards them casually with two women.
Kaku narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing within. Anyone who discovered their identity had to die!
Lucci, however, frowned, his expression thoughtful. The newcomer looked familiar. "Le... Leo?!" he exclaimed a moment later, his eyes widening.
"Who's Leo?!" Kaku asked, confused. Even if Leo was some bounty-headed pirate, Lucci's reaction—as CP9's strongest fighter—was overly intense.
"Idiot! He's the one who killed Crocodile!" Lucci hissed through gritted teeth, glaring at Kaku. He'd told him to keep up with news on the seas.
"What?!" Kaku's face changed, his guard rising immediately. He might not know Leo, but he knew Crocodile. Anyone who could kill a Warlord was not to be underestimated.
"Leo, we have no quarrel with you. Since you know who we are, don't cause trouble here," Lucci coldly snorted, pulling rank. Sometimes, background was more intimidating than strength.
Looking at the two men on high alert, Leo smiled slightly. "I haven't found Kalifa nearby. Tell me, where is she?"
Lucci and Kaku were taken aback. He was here for Kalifa? But why?
"Why are you looking for Kalifa?!" Lucci asked warily. All CP9 agents rose and fell together. Leo clearly had ill intentions, so even if he knew Kalifa's location, he wouldn't reveal it.
"My patience is limited. Tell me where Kalifa is?!" Leo's eyes narrowed slightly.
Tashigi and Doll simultaneously stepped forward! The Wado Ichimonji was drawn, and Armament Haki covered their bodies! If Lucci spouted one more word of nonsense, the two women would attack immediately!
Arrogant! Domineering!
Kaku and Lucci frowned in unison. They had seen cocky people, but never this cocky. Demanding someone outright? Even a clay figure had a temper.
"Attack!!" Kaku and Lucci exchanged a glance, instantly understanding each other's intent. As World Government agents, members of CP9, no one could threaten them. During a critical mission, any unpredictable factor that could expose their identity had to be eliminated. They knew Leo was powerful, but if the mission failed, they would face the World Government's pursuit—a true life-or-death situation.
"Rokushiki Ogi: Rokuogan!"
"Rankyaku!"
Lucci and Kaku attacked from left and right, surrounding Leo. Years of cooperation had made their teamwork seamless, producing a synergistic effect.
Lucci activated his most powerful human-beast hybrid form, combining it with the ultimate Rokushiki technique to launch his strongest strike. Kaku, not to be outdone, unleashed several sharp aerial slashes carrying immense destructive power toward Leo.
"Wait here!" Just as Tashigi and Doll prepared to strike, Leo vanished from his spot.
"So fast!!!" Kaku and Lucci's pupils contracted; they couldn't even track Leo's movement.
"I gave you a chance."
Swish—
Swish—
With a soft utterance, Leo reappeared beside the two women. A second later, excruciating pain wracked their bodies. Lucci and Kaku looked down in disbelief as their chests erupted with geysers of blood, instantly staining the ground crimson. The life rapidly faded from their bodies. After exchanging one last glance, they fell with a thud into the expanding pool of blood.
No hesitation, no drawn-out fight. An instant kill.
Buru Buru~
Buru Buru~
Almost the moment Lucci fell, the Den Den Mushi in his pocket began ringing. Leo picked it up and answered.
An excited female voice immediately came through. "Lucci! I've found the Devil Child, Nico Robin, at the ×× bookstore! Get over here now! Capturing Robin will be a huge achievement! Lucci, can you hear me?!"
Silence. No one responded. Only the Den Den Mushi lying on the ground.
***
Behind a large rock not far from the ×× bookstore, Kalifa, disguised as a blonde socialite, frantically slapped the Den Den Mushi. Its face quickly turned red and swollen. Had it broken? Someone as highly sought by the World Government as Robin—there was no way Lucci would ignore this. Forget it, I'll handle it myself. Opportunity knocked but once. It seemed she would have to claim this功劳 (merit) alone.
Just as Kalifa was secretly pleased with herself and stepped out from her hiding spot, a man and two women appeared in front of her. The trio looked at her with amused smiles.
Kalifa was startled, instinctively stepping back.
Leo crossed his arms, scrutinizing the woman before him. She wore a tight black bodysuit with a fishnet undershirt, fishnet stockings, and black pointed-toe high heels. So... seductive. Truly the perfect candidate for a secretary.
You're the one, Kalifa!!
"You're... Leo?!" Kalifa gasped, her chest heaving dramatically with panic.
Leo nodded appreciatively. It was the size he liked.
***
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Water Seven.
Boom!
Boom!
Frightening silver lightning bolts descended from the sky, striking one Marine soldier after another, leaving them spitting black smoke and collapsing to the ground.
"You annoying bastards!" Nami stood with her hands on her hips, her face like a thundercloud. "I finally get to go shopping, and you have to ruin my mood!" She had been having a great time, buying loads of pretty clothes. But before she could visit many shops, the local Marines had recognized them, leading to the current situation.
"Nami, maybe we should just go back," Nojiko said, massaging her temples. Sometimes, being too famous wasn't a good thing.
"Let's go." Nami pouted. Her shopping spirit had been utterly crushed by the Marines.
Shortly after the two left, concerned citizens contacted the local Marines. The report traveled up the chain of command.
***
Marine Headquarters, Conference Room.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! We've spotted the Leo Pirates in Water Seven! Requesting instructions!!" a frantic voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Understood." Sengoku's face was grim as he hung up. No sign of Leo for so long, and now he shows up in Water Seven. A man who could fly was troublesome.
"Fleet Admiral! I request permission to depart for Water Seven immediately to capture Leo!" Vice Admiral Doberman, a member of the Marine hardliners and a staunch supporter of Admiral Sakazuki, volunteered.
Sengoku glanced at him and slowly shook his head. "You are no match for him." The words were harsh but true. Dealing with Leo required at least an Admiral-level fighter.
Kizaru, catching Sengoku's implication, averted his gaze first, looking nonchalantly out the window. Don't pick me, don't pick me... He was just a nine-to-five Admiral, living on a fixed salary. Let Sakazuki handle this; he was more enthusiastic about these things. Of course, as a Marine Admiral, he had professional standards. Taking on a tough opponent like Leo wasn't impossible. But... the pay would have to be right. With enough money, anything could be negotiated.
"Sengoku! I'll go bring that brat Leo back!" Garp, his face dark, put down his favorite rice crackers and took on the mission.
The other officers in the room looked at him, surprised. Leo was troublesome, but surely not enough to warrant this man's personal involvement? Was this the same Vice Admiral Garp they knew? The Garp they remembered had no interest in rookies like this.
Sengoku, of course, knew Garp's real motive—using official duty for personal revenge. As Fleet Admiral, he couldn't allow such favoritism.
Sengoku shook his head. "No need. Aokiji is on a mission near Water Seven. I'll send him." He turned to his aide. "Contact Aokiji, now!"
***
The aide connected to Aokiji's Den Den Mushi.
"Ah啦啦~ Fleet Admiral Sengoku. The mission is complete. I was just about to return to report," Aokiji's lazy voice came through as he wobbled along on his bicycle across a frozen sea path.
Sengoku's tone was serious. "Aokiji, Leo has been spotted in Water Seven. Head there immediately and bring him and his crew back."
Aokiji was taken aback. Leo?! The guy who killed Crocodile?!
"Aokiji, this mission is crucial. There must be no mistakes, understand?!" Sengoku added, emphasizing the point, knowing Aokiji's laid-back nature.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral." Aokiji felt a headache coming on. Why did he always get stuck with the troublesome assignments? Did they think he was a workhorse?! But there was no way around it; he had to go.
On the ice, Aokiji took a deep breath, his expression firming. The next moment, he pedaled his bicycle furiously towards Water Seven.
***
Robin and Kaya, holding hands, walked out of the bookstore.
"So, you're Kalifa?" Robin said,一眼 (immediately) identifying the struggling blonde woman bound by cloud restraints. Hmm... long beautiful legs, a curvaceous figure, and a heaving chest. No wonder Leo is interested.
"Let... Let me go! This is... this is sexual harassment!" Kalifa glared angrily at Leo. She was panicked and full of regret. Was it Leo who answered the call? Then what about Lucci...? And the Den Den Mushi she'd slapped...
Ignoring Kalifa's fury, Leo teleported with her directly into the flying ship high above. After securing her, he returned to Water Seven.
"Leo, our cover is probably blown," Kaya said softly, noting the increasing number of hostile stares and whispered discussions around them.
Leo coldly swept his gaze over the crowd, causing them to quickly look away. "It's about time. If you've finished your shopping, head to the meeting point. I have one more thing to take care of. I'll join you shortly." He turned to the two combatants. "Tashigi, Doll, you two head back as well."
The four women nodded obediently and left together.
After asking a few locals for directions, Leo headed straight for the Franky House. His primary goal in Water Seven was recruiting Kalifa, but the Pluton blueprints hidden within Franky's body were a secondary objective. He wasn't particularly interested in the Ancient Weapon itself, but some things simply had to be under his control, even if they just gathered dust in his system warehouse.
***
At the Franky House, Franky was, as usual, dancing his bizarre self-created dance before starting work. Mid-dance, he suddenly felt a buzzing in his head, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed.
Leo walked over from nearby, glanced at the unconscious cyborg, and after some tapping and probing, finally found the hidden switch.
Open the compartment — take the blueprints — close the compartment.
Three simple steps, as easy as stuffing an elephant into a refrigerator.
Tossing the Pluton blueprints into his system warehouse, Leo teleported away.
***
Back at the waterfront, every woman from the crew except Leo had returned. Aside from Tashigi and Doll, everyone was laden with bags—daily necessities, clothes, ingredients, ancient texts... all sorts of strange and wonderful things.
The women chatted happily, the air filled with laughter. Suddenly, Vivi sneezed, wrinkling her nose. "Does anyone else feel like the temperature just dropped?!"
"I'm a bit cold too," Kaya said, shivering. It had been fine just a moment ago; the drop was so sudden.
"Huh?!" Nami frowned, looking out to sea. In the distance, a vast white mist was spreading, and a path of ice rapidly crystallized, extending all the way to the shore.
"There's someone on the sea!!" Conis exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise. Not just someone—they could see the man was furiously pedaling a bicycle on the water?! This was too bizarre.
The other women stared in disbelief. Another novel experience to write about in their diaries tonight.
But when Robin and Doll saw the man, their pupils constricted violently, panic flashing across their faces.
"Everyone, be careful!" Doll warned, her expression grave. "That's Marine Admiral Aokiji. He's most likely here for us."
The women's faces fell. They were no longer naive girls; they understood what a Marine Admiral represented. The pinnacle of power in the world.
"Everyone, stay alert!" Nami and Tashigi stepped forward, positioning themselves in front of the group. Aside from Leo, they were the strongest fighters on the crew.
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T/N :
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