It was noon again. The sky was clear, and the Wind Rider was sailing steadily toward the Sabaody Archipelago.
On the deck, the girls had just finished their Rokushiki training and were now sipping chilled drinks to cool off.
"I'm exhausted!"
Perona stuck out her tongue and exhaled heavily.
Raised by Gecko Moria, she had never trained this hard in her life.
"Don't complain. Plenty of people would love to suffer like this but never get the chance."
Caelan placed his large hand on Perona's head and gave it a light pat.
"Will I be able to defeat you if I master this?"
Perona slapped his hand away in annoyance.
How could he just pat a girl's head like that without asking?
"If you train hard enough, maybe a miracle will happen."
Caelan chuckled, giving her a shred of hope.
"That's right. As long as you stick with it, anything's possible!"
The other girls tried to hold back their laughter and spoke seriously.
Rokushiki was indeed a practical system, but at its peak, it was still only a foundational combat style. Someone like Caelan didn't need to practice it. His raw strength alone already replicated its effects.
"Hmph! You're bullying me again!"
Perona huffed and turned away proudly.
Just as everyone was laughing, Kalifa suddenly froze mid-motion and walked back into the cabin.
Buru buru buru!
A moment later, she returned holding a ringing Den Den Mushi, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
"Caelan, it's Spandam. What should I do?"
Kalifa looked at him seriously.
This was the first time Spandam had contacted her since she joined the Wind Rider. She had completely committed herself to Caelan's crew, so she naturally deferred to his decision.
"Answer it right here. Let's see what he wants."
Caelan was curious.
Logically, after defeating an admiral, CP9 shouldn't have the courage to make a move. What was Spandam thinking?
Robin, Nami, and the others stopped talking. The entire deck fell silent.
At Caelan's instruction, Kalifa no longer hesitated and connected the Den Den Mushi in front of everyone.
"Kalifa, is there anyone around you?"
Spandam's voice came through nervously, barely above a whisper.
This was his first time making contact with an undercover agent planted within a Four Emperors' crew. He was thrilled.
"Don't worry. There's no one nearby."
Kalifa answered seriously while glancing at the six curious faces staring at her.
"Excellent. Kalifa, I want you to send Nico Robin to Enies Lobby immediately!"
Spandam's tone turned stern.
Caelan's expression darkened.
He had thought that after the confrontation with Aokiji, the World Government would back off for a while. He didn't expect them to cling like leeches.
These bastards really didn't fear death.
"Why the sudden rush?"
Kalifa remained calm, trying to get more information.
CP9's objective was the Pluton blueprint. Their interest in Robin stemmed from her ability to read Poneglyphs. She was a backup plan, only needed if the design couldn't be found.
"Lucci and the others failed. The Pluton blueprint finally surfaced, and it was destroyed by the Straw Hat Pirates!"
Spandam's voice trembled with rage.
Caelan raised an eyebrow. CP9 was truly useless. After farming half of Luffy's experience bar, they still lost?
Still, he couldn't let Robin be taken.
Caelan motioned for Kalifa to come closer.
She held the Den Den Mushi away, whispered with Caelan, then returned to the call.
"Sir, Caelan was seriously injured during the battle with Admiral Aokiji, and then he clashed with Moria. His injuries worsened afterward."
"He's currently on high alert. I really can't make a move right now!"
Kalifa spread her hands, sounding helpless.
"What?! He was seriously injured? He struggled that much against Moria?!"
Spandam sounded both shocked and elated.
"Yes."
Kalifa didn't blink as she lied. Her face remained calm.
The women around her exchanged looks. They all knew this was a setup.
After defeating Moria, Caelan was in perfect health. He had been too healthy the past few days. It was them who had suffered.
"Great! Send me your coordinates. This time I'll make a huge contribution!"
Spandam was ecstatic.
"We're headed toward the Sabaody Archipelago. Just follow the route and you'll find us."
Following Caelan's signal, Kalifa gave the location and ended the call.
"Caelan, are you planning to take on CP9?"
Kalifa asked quietly.
Taking on CP9 meant opposing the World Government.
Though she had prepared for that possibility, facing it directly still made her uneasy.
It was a behemoth that had ruled the world for 800 years. Its true power was unfathomable.
"Yes. He's already threatening my crew. That means he's looking for a way to kill me."
Caelan's voice was firm and absolute.
He had wanted to deal with Spandam for a long time.
As someone who had watched One Piece, he found Spandam to be utterly disgusting.
He hadn't bothered before because it wasn't worth the effort.
But now that Spandam was walking into his trap, he'd die like a dog.
"You're willing to defy the World Government… for the sake of your crew?"
Perona was stunned by Caelan's boldness. Her eyes filled with complex emotions as she looked at him.
The other women were also moved. Their eyes shimmered as they felt a deep sense of safety.
As for the World Government's threat—it didn't matter. They were all on the same ship now. Sharing life and death was only natural.
…
Enies Lobby, Top Floor of the Judiciary Tower
Spandam paced back and forth in his office, holding the Den Den Mushi tightly, almost giddy with excitement.
Not only could he capture Nico Robin, he might also eliminate Caelan, the man who defeated a Marine admiral.
Caelan had already been labeled a Yonko-level threat and marked by the Five Elders.
Capturing him would be a massive achievement. Maybe he could get promoted from CP9 Chief to CP0 Chief.
Just the thought made him grin.
Unfortunately, his limited brain power couldn't comprehend that this was a trap laid by Caelan.
Soon, summoned by Spandam, Rob Lucci, Kaku, and the rest of CP9 entered the office.
"Tomorrow, go to this location and capture Caelan—the man who defeated Aokiji!"
Spandam pointed at a sea chart and declared with conviction.
"Us?"
Kaku pointed to himself, dumbfounded.
This was someone who had defeated both an admiral and a Warlord of the Sea.
Though usually arrogant, Kaku had some self-awareness. Against a Yonko-level powerhouse, even a hundred of him would be useless.
(To be continued.)
***
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