A moment later, the guards reappeared at the gate.
One of them addressed Lucci and his companions: "Go in. Iceburg-san is expecting you."
Lucci and his group nodded and entered confidently.
On the rooftop of the Galley-La Company building, inside Rolan's Electromagnetic Barrier, Rolan's voice sounded somewhat resigned: "See? I told you. They'll frame us exactly as I said."
Enel lounged nearby, bored, casually biting into an apple. He hated these mind games—he preferred blunt force to deception. When the plan was being discussed moments ago, he paid little attention.
Crocodile folded his arms. "Do you really think they'll play right into our hands?"
Rolan nodded slowly. "About ninety percent. CP9's infiltration of Water 7 wasn't random—they want to investigate and seize the Pluton blueprints."
Enel raised an eyebrow. "And the other ten percent?"
Rolan half-smiled, distant. "That's us baiting them, forcing their hand. But if we push too hard, we risk losing Water 7 itself. I just… hope everything goes the way I planned."
---
Inside Iceburg's Office
Iceburg stared at the four masked figures who'd entered. His confusion was plain. "Weren't you just here this morning? Now you come back tonight? We have nothing more to discuss."
Before he could finish, the four removed their masks. At once, recognition hit him.
His pulse raced. These were the same people Rolan had mentioned earlier. They couldn't possibly be who they claimed to be.
Lucci stepped forward. Calm, direct. "Mr. Iceburg, allow us to introduce ourselves. We are the World Government's Special Agent force: Cipher Pol No. 9."
Iceburg's heart pounded. Rolan's warning was real. These weren't idle threats.
Lucci fixed his eyes on Iceburg. "We're here about the Pluton blueprints. Hand them over. We've known each other for years — I don't want to use force."
Iceburg shook his head, his voice trembling. "Pluton? I know nothing of such blueprints. I don't have them."
Kaku spoke next, his tone firm. "We came because we have credible intelligence. The blueprints must be here with you."
Iceburg's mind whirled. Is this all because of what Rolan told them? But no — these guys have been in Water 7 for years. He swallowed. "I—I don't know anything about it."
Kalifa, Iceburg's secretary, adjusted her glasses. Her voice rang sharp. "Mr. Iceburg, if you refuse, we will make things very difficult for you."
Iceburg flinched at her words. How dare she — but something about her tone felt different tonight.
He asked, voice low, "Kalifa… are you really… part of CP9?"
She pushed her glasses up, gaze steady. "Yes. And so are Lucci, Kaku, Blueno. You have something we need. You're not going to walk away."
Iceburg felt the ground drop. He'd known her for years — and now she admitted this? "Why? Why betray me?"
Kalifa didn't answer. Instead, she glared. "If you just give us the blueprints, this ends peacefully."
Blueno stepped beside Iceburg, his expression hard. With a flick of his finger, he made a "Finger Pistol" motion.
Suddenly, pain exploded in Iceburg's shoulder.
"Ah!!" Iceburg cried out, recoiling instinctively.
Kaku watched, frowning. "Blueno… what are you doing?"
Lucci's voice grew calm and cold. "Since you refuse to speak… then we let your blood answer for you."
He motioned toward Iceburg. Kaku knelt. "Your old shipwright Tom — and his Workers — they left secrets behind. We know of Tom's apprentices. One died years ago."
Iceburg's breath came in short gasps. His pulse hammered beneath Kaku's fingers.
Lucci nodded slowly, satisfied. "We'll go find the living one: Franky."
He put his mask back on and turned to leave. Kalifa followed, Kaku behind her, footfalls quiet on the floor.
Blueno stayed behind, leaning over Iceburg. He spoke softly. "This stays between us. And you stay quiet."
He made the "Finger Pistol" gesture again — ready to act.
---
On the rooftop, Rolan withdrew his electromagnetic barrier. "It's time," he said, voice low. "Time to reel them in."
Crocodile nodded once, then dissolved into a swirl of sand, vanishing.
Rolan, Nami, and Enel reappeared inside Iceburg's office.
They paused — and froze — when they saw Iceburg sprawled on the floor, bleeding.
Nami rushed forward, panic in her eyes. "Iceburg-san! What happened? Are you okay?" She popped a black pill into his mouth, hoping to help.
Rolan added calmly, "I made a barrier strong enough to protect his heart. He's not going to bleed out."
Slowly, Iceburg coughed. "Cough… cough… who are you?" His voice trembled. "Rolan…why are you here again?"
Rolan tilted his head. "So, was I wrong?"
Iceburg's eyes widened. "So it was… about CP9? About Pluton?"
Rolan's expression softened just a fraction, though his tone remained cool. "Yes. But like I told you, I don't need your blueprints. I already know where Pluton is."
Iceburg's heart twisted. "Then… why are you here?"
Rolan took a step closer. "Because I don't want those blueprints in the hands of the World Government."
Everything Iceburg believed about justice, about loyalty — shaken. His worldview shattered.
He swallowed, voice hoarse. "You… just leave Water 7. Right now."
Rolan's lips curved into a grim smile. "Do you think you can stop me? With our strength… we could get far more than blueprints. Also… your junior Franky might be in grave danger."
Iceburg winced at Franky's name. "Franky… please, don't… don't threaten him."
Rolan shrugged. "Don't worry. Someone's already on it."
_____
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