After finishing the three-year development plan he made for Iceburg, Iceburg was already itching to get started.
Right before leaving, he suddenly paused, hesitating a little.
"Soul King-sama… there's something I want to report to you."
"What is it?"
"Well… it's Franky. He thinks Water Seven is stable again and… he wants to come back."
As he spoke, Iceburg glanced nervously at Sith Oguro.
The only reason the World Government had their eyes on Water Seven was because Franky carried the blueprints for Pluton.
If he returned now… wouldn't that bring trouble straight back to Water Seven?
But knowing that guy's personality, if Iceburg didn't at least help him ask, Franky would probably sneak back on his own anyway.
And… Iceburg had a bit of selfishness in this too.
If Franky kept hiding outside, there was always a chance the World Government could find him.
And when that happened, Iceburg wouldn't be able to help him even if he wanted to.
But if Sith Oguro was willing to offer protection… the World Government would have to think twice.
"Franky, huh…"
Sith Oguro fell into thought.
Honestly, he did want to bring Franky under his wing.
He was one of the rare mechanical geniuses in this world.
And this world's technology was bizarrely lopsided.
Pacifistas could spit laser beams…
Yet most mainstream ships still relied primarily on wind.
It was ridiculous.
Steam engines, internal combustion engines, electric motors—any of those could kick off an industrial revolution in this world.
And Franky was the perfect guy to handle all of that.
Comparing the risks and benefits… Sith Oguro felt that it was worth doing.
On the other side, Iceburg saw him remain silent and assumed he was refusing.
"I know it's inappropriate! I'll tell him not to return!"
Sith Oguro immediately waved his hand.
"No. Tell him he can come back… but he must work for me."
"After all, I have no obligation to protect someone unrelated to me."
Iceburg lit up instantly.
"No problem! I'll convince Franky! Being able to trade work for safety… that guy should be over the moon!"
He rushed off, probably to contact Franky.
Sith Oguro still had some spare time, so he took everyone out for a meal.
As they were enjoying their feast, Yoruichi and Soi Fon pushed the door open.
"You guys are so heartless! Sneaking off to eat without us!" Yoruichi complained loudly.
Sith Oguro laughed and asked the staff to prepare two more portions.
"Did you get the intel?"
Yoruichi grinned proudly.
"Of course! When I join forces with Soi Fon, there's no mouth we can't pry open."
She cleared her throat and began.
"Those two were ordered to monitor Iceburg and look for Franky's hiding place."
"But when they saw Soul King-sama take most of the people away, they got greedy. They thought they had a chance to kidnap Iceburg."
"And then Momo-chan caught them red-handed."
Honestly… those two CP0 agents really underestimated Oguro.
And Oguro's timing in summoning Hinamori Momo couldn't have been better.
They ran straight into death's door.
Oguro sneered.
"Now that we know, let's prepare to go cause the World Government some trouble."
Even if the order didn't come from the Five Elders… who cared?
CP0 was still their subordinate force. Putting this debt on their heads was absolutely fair.
After eating to their hearts' content, they set sail the next morning—heading straight for Impel Down.
Oguro wanted to tell the entire world that the Holy Spirit Empire never delayed revenge.
And of course, those two unlucky CP0 agents were brought along.
They were evidence, after all.
No one could accuse them of picking a fight without reason.
...
In Pangaea Castle, the Five Elders received CP0's report.
A unit had been captured alive in Water Seven.
And now, Oguro was sailing with a team, possibly to cause trouble.
"What important facilities lie along their route?" asked the Finance Warrior God, Ethanbaron V. Nasjurō Saint.
A staffer bowed respectfully.
"Besides two member nations… the only one is Impel Down."
The Five Elders' pupils shrank at the same time.
"Impel Down?"
"Is that guy insane?" Topman Warcury Saint slammed the table. "Does he not understand how important Impel Down is to the world?"
Impel Down didn't just hold enemies of the World Government.
It held extremely dangerous Devil Fruit users whose abilities were too deadly.
Killing them wasn't an option, so they were permanently imprisoned instead.
If Oguro caused chaos and released those monsters… the whole world would be in danger.
Topman Warcury Saint roared, "Contact him immediately! If Impel Down is damaged, does he think his own territory won't be affected?"
"Those vicious criminals won't thank him!"
"Wait."
The staffer, about to leave, was stopped by Shepherd Ju Peter Saint, who had been silent until now.
"Peter, what are you doing?" Warcury Saint scowled. "If Impel Down falls, we might as well go die in front of Imu-sama!"
But Shepherd Ju Peter Saint calmly stroked his chin.
"You're too nervous. Did you forget what kind of place Impel Down is?"
"The value of the seastone embedded in its walls alone equals three years of heavenly tribute."
"And Magellan's Devil Fruit ability is at its strongest inside Impel Down. Even a Marine Admiral wouldn't take him lightly."
A sinister light flashed in Peter Saint's eyes.
"I think this is an opportunity. If Oguro dares enter Impel Down, we can wipe them out completely."
Hearing this, Warcury Saint calmed down.
He had to admit—the plan was feasible.
"But relying on Magellan alone might not be enough. Should we send someone?" Warcury Saint asked.
CP0 had more than one Admiral-level fighter.
Peter Saint waved his hand.
"The Marines recently caught a number of pirates, right? Have them send an Admiral to escort the prisoners."
They desperately wanted Oguro to die in Impel Down…
But they also needed to prepare for the worst.
If the Marine escort was attacked en route and forced to defend itself—it would be perfectly reasonable.
But if Oguro survived that and they personally sent CP0… that would be outright war.
Peter Saint wasn't going to hand Oguro such an obvious excuse.
"Seconded."
The Five Elders reached a decision quickly.
And the task naturally fell to the most loyal dog of the World Government—Akainu.
Meanwhile, Impel Down received the news as well.
Director Magellan slammed his desk in fury.
"What kind of brazen idiot! Attacking Impel Down?"
Vice-Director Hannyabal smirked.
"What a major event… If I make great contributions this time, does that mean I'll finally be promoted to Director? Ah! I accidentally said my true thoughts out loud!"
***
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