In the shadowed depths of a hidden cave on the snow-covered island, Rob Lucci pressed his back against the cold stone wall, cradling a specialized Den Den Mushi in his weathered hands.
The communication device bore distinctive markings that identified it as World Government property, a secure channel that connected directly to his handlers without risk of interception by conventional means. His appearance had undergone subtle but significant changes since receiving Oboro's "divine blessing." Most notably, his pupils now carried a faint crimson tint that spoke to the supernatural transformation coursing through his enhanced physiology.
Over a month had passed since his carefully orchestrated recruitment into the Hell Pirates' ranks, and the intelligence he'd gathered painted a disturbing picture of capabilities that transcended normal understanding.
"In other words," Lucci spoke with clinical precision, his voice carrying easily through the encrypted connection, "the so-called 'divine power' represents his personal ability, a force that can trigger fundamental 'transformation' within human subjects."
"A Devil Fruit ability?" came the immediate inquiry from his government contact.
"Uncertain," Lucci replied with characteristic directness. "Beyond this enhancement capability, he demonstrates control over atmospheric currents and air pressure. In my assessment, such gas manipulation techniques align more closely with Devil Fruit manifestations than other known power sources. However, even his closest subordinates remain ignorant of his specific abilities or their underlying mechanisms. He never discusses such matters openly."
The CP9 agent paused to organize his thoughts before continuing the comprehensive briefing.
"Additionally, the 'divine power' enhancement encompasses multiple components beyond simple physical augmentation. Recipients experience 'memory inheritance', battle sequences and combat fragments that flash through consciousness during the transformation process. Upon awakening, these experiential memories integrate seamlessly with existing knowledge, becoming instinctual rather than learned responses. I can confirm with absolute certainty that these inherited memories originate from external sources rather than any aspect of the recipient's personal history."
"Continue," the voice commanded with bureaucratic efficiency.
"Beyond flesh and blood enhancement and experiential inheritance, divine power includes skill-based blessings that function similarly to Devil Fruit abilities. Those who undergo baptism become ability users without acquiring the traditional weakness of seawater vulnerability. Seastone has no measurable effect on their supernatural capabilities."
Silence stretched across the communication channel as the implications crystallized in his handler's analytical mind.
"Furthermore," Lucci continued methodically, "I remain uncertain whether this power conflicts with existing Devil Fruit consumption. Currently, several officers aboard the vessel are not documented Devil Fruit users, suggesting the possibility of dual ability possession. If true, this represents an unprecedented evolution in supernatural power acquisition. However, evidence suggests each individual can only possess one skill-based divine power. Since I haven't received such enhancement myself, I cannot penetrate this particular mystery."
"Proceed with additional observations."
"Multiple officers have awakened Haki capabilities, though their development remains relatively crude compared to Grand Line standards. I lack comprehensive knowledge of Haki principles, but I can confirm that their captain demonstrates extraordinary mastery of both spiritual energy and physical techniques. His capabilities operate on entirely different scales than anything documented in our intelligence files."
Lucci's tone grew more urgent as he delivered his most critical assessment. "Current intelligence indicates Hell Pirates personnel scattered throughout the North Blue are converging on their captain's position. I anticipate their departure for the Red Line within days."
"Understood. Exercise extreme caution, the God Slayer possesses analytical capabilities that exceed normal criminal psychology. Our assessment indicates extraordinary cunning combined with meticulous strategic thinking. You must maintain your cover at all costs. However, his decision to grant you divine power suggests your infiltration remains uncompromised."
"Acknowledged."
After exchanging additional tactical details, Lucci terminated the connection and secured the communication device. He remained motionless for several minutes, ensuring no surveillance had detected his clandestine activities, before emerging from the cave's concealment into the island's perpetual winter.
His enhanced senses, products of both his original training and recent supernatural augmentation, detected no observers as he made his way back toward the Hell Pirates' encampment.
Several days later, news erupted throughout the North Blue that sent shockwaves through every major power structure.
The Hell Pirates had set course for the Red Line, preparing to enter the Grand Line.
The announcement triggered wildly divergent reactions across the region's complex political landscape. Organizations whose territories and resources had been systematically claimed by the Hell Pirates' expansion celebrated the prospect of their departure, while allied nations and subordinate crews faced the terrifying possibility of abandonment.
Even if the Hell Pirates successfully crossed into the Grand Line's treacherous waters, everyone understood they could return to the North Blue at will. Their established infrastructure and territorial control would remain intact regardless of their physical location. Moreover, recent intelligence suggested deepening cooperation between the Hell Pirates and the Donquixote Family, while unconfirmed publicly, numerous observers had noted increased Donquixote activity throughout Hell Pirates-controlled territories.
Meanwhile, the trainee crew members who had been granted operational freedom during Oboro's intensive training period began returning to their designated coordinates. As he'd anticipated, their period of unrestrained violence had transformed them into something even more dangerous than before.
Without oversight or limitation, these enhanced pirates had indulged their darkest impulses across multiple islands, their supernatural capabilities enabling atrocities that ordinary criminals could never accomplish. The psychological effect was intoxicating, they had become drunk on their own power, convinced of their invincibility.
Before their vessel had even approached the Red Line, many were already boasting that their entry into the Grand Line's first half would herald an era of unprecedented conquest. They spoke of storming the New World with unstoppable momentum, dismantling the Four Emperors' carefully maintained territories, and forcing the Marine and World Government to tremble before their might.
Oboro never discouraged such grandiose proclamations. In fact, he occasionally instructed Dolan to actively encourage their growing arrogance.
Standing on the flagship's second deck, Lucci gazed down at the celebratory masses below with cold analytical detachment. Pirates drank themselves into stupors while others danced with manic energy, their voices raised in increasingly wild predictions of future glory.
Trash, he thought with professional disdain.
He acknowledged that these evolved demons possessed individual capabilities that could dominate any of the Four Blues. His own supernatural enhancement had provided intimate understanding of their enhanced physiology's potential. But their delusions of breaking through marine encirclement were nothing more than wishful thinking born of ignorance.
Even without considering Oboro's identity as the God Slayer, the Hell Pirates' meteoric rise had already attracted special attention from Marine Headquarters. Their current force composition, regardless of individual enhancement, remained inadequate for the challenges awaiting them beyond Reverse Mountain.
Yesterday, Lucci had reviewed the latest newspaper coverage during their supply stop. As rising pirates from the North Blue, they had already received coverage rivaling that of established Grand Line organizations. Such prominence guaranteed that the Marine would mobilize overwhelming response capabilities rather than treating them as routine criminal activity.
Yet this media attention only fueled the crew's delusions of grandeur.
These fools possessed no clear understanding of the Grand Line's true nature, the Marine's institutional power, or the World Government's comprehensive reach. They inhabited entirely different realities.
"Shouldn't we be concerned?" Lucci asked with carefully calculated innocence, directing his question toward Oboro, who reclined casually in his deck chair.
He wanted to probe his captain's strategic thinking regarding their approach to such obvious dangers.
Lucci remained convinced that Oboro understood exactly what awaited them. The challenges they would face would prove exponentially more severe than those confronting other "rising star" pirate crews.
"What do you mean?" Oboro replied with mild curiosity, adjusting his position to better catch the afternoon sunlight.
"We've clearly been marked as priority targets by marine forces. Now that news of our Grand Line entry has spread, I fear..." Lucci began with apparent concern.
Oboro's smile widened as he glanced toward Dolan, who occupied a nearby position on the deck. Understanding the unspoken signal, the Hell Pirates' intermediary approached the railing overlooking the main deck and prepared to address the assembled crew.
"Everyone!" Dolan shouted, his authoritative voice immediately capturing the attention of every pirate below.
The celebratory chaos, toasts, dancing, and spontaneous fights, came to an abrupt halt as hundreds of enhanced criminals focused their attention upward.
"Our newest member has expressed concern about our upcoming journey," Dolan announced with theatrical gravity, gesturing toward Lucci's position. "He suggests we should exercise caution because the Marine might be waiting for us on the other side of the Red Line!"
Dolan offered Lucci an exaggerated thumbs-up, his expression mixing mock appreciation with obvious mockery.
The declaration sent the entire ship into stunned silence.
Then explosive laughter erupted from every corner of the deck.
"Hahahaha!"
"Hey, newcomer, we're the Hell Pirates! What exactly are you afraid of?"
"Don't compare us to those pathetic small-time crews!"
"Our destination is the New World! If the first half's Marine thinks they can stop us, they're welcome to try!"
"Let them come! We'll show them what real power looks like!"
The renewed celebration reached fever pitch, pirates shouting increasingly bold proclamations while alcohol flowed like water. Their enhanced capabilities had bred absolute confidence that no conventional force could challenge their supremacy.
Lucci frowned as he observed the scene, his analytical mind processing the dissonance between expectation and reality.
Something fundamental was wrong with this picture.
He shifted his attention back to Oboro, noting the captain's complete lack of concern despite the obvious strategic implications of their situation. The God Slayer's expression revealed no anxiety, no tactical preparation, no acknowledgment of the overwhelming dangers ahead.
Something... is definitely wrong here.
The realization sent cold tendrils of unease through Lucci's enhanced consciousness as he contemplated possibilities that his mission briefing had never addressed. What if the God Slayer's confidence wasn't born of delusion, but of strategic preparation that operated beyond normal understanding?
What if these enhanced pirates weren't intended to survive their encounter with the Marine at all?
The thought struck him like physical blow as pieces of a larger puzzle began falling into place. If Oboro was deliberately cultivating their arrogance while preparing them for sacrifice, what did that reveal about his true objectives?
As the Hell Pirates sailed toward their destiny, Rob Lucci found himself questioning not just his mission parameters, but his fundamental understanding of the man he'd been sent to infiltrate.
The God Slayer's game was far more complex than anyone had anticipated.