"Lord Ren, there are visitors. They're from CP."
Just as Ren was preparing for battle here, a group of people showed up at his doorstep.
"CP? Which number?" Ren asked.
"Seems to be members of CP9," the subordinate who came to report said with his head lowered. In the eyes of ordinary people, CP only referred to agencies 1 through 8, but for those who truly stood at the pinnacle of the seas, neither CP0 nor CP9 were secrets.
"At a time like this, what could those guys possibly want?" Kawamatsu said with a disgusted expression. In truth, he knew that his side had dealings with the World Government as well, but he still held no good feelings for those arrogant individuals.
"Don't be like that, Kawamatsu. Let them in and see what they're plotting," Ren said. "Have them brought in through the Thunder Path."
The so-called Thunder Path was actually the correct passage through the layer of thunderstorms surrounding the island. Ren wasn't completely without mercy; his own people needed to come and go, so leaving a secret passage was necessary.
At a time like this, many factions that had dealings with him chose to wait and see. Those people might not have wanted to miss out, but it wasn't easy. On one hand, they were already mired in their own chaos, and on the other hand, trying to snatch food from the lion's mouth was no simple task.
Soon, a group of people of varying heights in suits walked in, all faces Ren had never seen before.
Unlike CP0, CP9 had no uniform dress code, nor did all members need to wear masks. More importantly, CP9 belonged to the World Government, while CP0 were direct lackeys of the Celestial Dragons.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. This is our first time seeing you in person, the one known as 'Lightning.' I heard your name is Shiny?" The man leading them wasn't particularly tall, just of average build. He wore a white suit and looked energetic, but just as Kawamatsu had said, his face was full of arrogance. "Was the thunderstorm around the island your doing?"
"World Government men, if you have business, just say it directly," Ren interrupted his arrogant and perfunctory flattery, staring at him with cold eyes.
Not the least bit upset by being interrupted, the other party knew his arrogance came from his status, not his strength. And the person before him was a pirate; if he truly provoked him, the other might not consider his affiliation with the World Government.
No, or rather, he simply wouldn't care.
Being stared at by Ren, these CP9 members suddenly felt a pressure bearing down on their shoulders, making their bodies feel heavier. But remembering the flag behind them, they straightened their backs once more.
"We're here about weapons. Lately, it seems Inazuma hasn't been exporting any weapons anymore. Has Golden Lion been giving you trouble?"
"And?" Ren raised his eyelids, signaling him to continue with his bargaining chips.
"Mr. Ren, we can cooperate," the lead CP agent stepped forward and continued. "Our World Government can help you fight against Golden Lion together."
"You're not being that kind-hearted, are you? Just state your demands." Ren might not have needed their help, but he might as well hear what they wanted.
"Our demands are simple. We help you repel Golden Lion, and in exchange, from now on, all weapons exported from Inazuma must be supplied to our World Government, and we require preferential pricing."
He extended his hand, showing a five with his fingers.
"Fifty percent off?" Ren almost laughed. "You certainly have big appetites."
"We ask that you consider it carefully, Mr. 'Lightning.' Fifty percent is just profit, but if you lose to Golden Lion, you'll have nothing left."
"Do you really think I'll lose to Golden Lion?" Ren looked down on them, his aura becoming terrifying, like an abyss that would swallow people whole and a narrow, cold, dark ravine.
A terrifying aura emanated from Ren and shot toward these CP agents.
These men were struck as if by a heavy blow, their minds going blank in an instant, their limbs losing strength. Several people collapsed with rolled-back eyes. Even the leader was unsteady on his feet, as if he'd been hit by a truck.
"This is... Haoshoku Haki..."
Ren slowly stood up from his seat and walked toward him. The slow, rhythmic footsteps put immense pressure on him. As Ren drew closer, he felt as if he were being bound by a giant snake.
The giant snake continuously coiled around his body, its muscles crushing his bones, its scales tearing at his skin.
Until Ren reached his side, he felt he couldn't breathe at all, his limbs completely immobile, as if death was just one step away.
But in reality, Ren hadn't done anything.
"Agent, there's a limit to looking down on people. Don't treat everyone as useless World Government officials." After saying this, Ren looked up and walked past him.
The CP agent suddenly felt the pressure on him vanish without a trace.
He gasped for air, his body drenched in sweat. When he came to his senses, Ren's figure had already disappeared from the main hall.
At this moment, Kawamatsu approached him with a mocking expression. "Get lost! This place isn't welcoming to trash like you! Oh, and don't forget to tell your masters that after this war is over, if you want to buy our goods, you'll have to pay more."
Kawamatsu led several agents off the island, and then they left in disgrace.
The agents who had fainted earlier were now coming to.
"They rejected us? How dare they?" one of them roared. Now their mission had not only failed but had the opposite effect; they would probably be punished when they returned.
"That's Golden Lion, the legendary Great Pirate. Did he really think that layer of thunderstorms could stop them?"
"He must have been swept up in the glory hyped up by the News Division. Let's just wait and see his downfall!"
"Hey, Newman, why are you silent?" several people looked at the lead agent, who had been silent since earlier.
Newman pondered for a moment, recalling that suffocating feeling, which was very much like Haoshoku Haki coiling around him, before speaking. "I'm afraid we all underestimated that 'Lightning'..."
"Contact headquarters. I'm afraid this time we'll have to join forces with Golden Lion's side instead."
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