Inside Iceburg's office, Doflamingo and Iceburg were chatting amiably. Both men had gotten what they wanted.
"Well then, I'll take my leave," Doflamingo said, deciding to depart now that their business was concluded.
"Mr. Doflamingo, leaving so soon?" Iceburg asked, his smile fading slightly. "Are you preparing to set sail?"
"Indeed, we are," Doflamingo answered with a grin. "There are still many places on this beautiful sea that I have yet to reach. They're calling to me."
"In that case, I wish you a safe journey," Iceburg said, offering his blessing.
"I'll take you up on that."
With a final nod, Doflamingo turned and left the office, leaving Iceburg behind, his face still flushed with excitement.
At Tom's Shipyard, the Ark Maxim stood completely restored, looking brand new. Enel, Law, and the others were waiting to inspect it; after all, they had to ensure it was in perfect condition before moving back in.
The Ark Maxim was another home for the Donquixote Pirates, and its importance was self-evident.
Unwilling to leave anything to chance, Enel bustled about, checking every inch of the ark for any overlooked flaws.
"Relax! My skills are super!" Franky declared, not the least bit annoyed by Enel's meticulous inspection. He was the customer, and how he chose to verify the work was his business. Franky's only job was to do his part perfectly.
"Hmm, not bad," Enel finally conceded, hopping down from the ark. He looked at Franky with a hint of praise. "I didn't expect a kid like you to have such skill. The Ark Maxim is exactly as it was before, without a single difference."
"Of course! My skills are extremely SUPER!" Franky struck a strange pose, completely oblivious to the stares of the onlookers.
"If that's the case, we'll be taking our leave," Enel said, preparing to take possession of the ark and depart from the shipyard.
"Then I wish you a smooth journey!"
"We appreciate it."
Just as Enel and his crew steered the Ark Maxim out of the shipyard, the agents of CP9 entered Water 7.
Spandam hadn't been idle these past few days. Inspired by Doflamingo, he had set his sights on Franky early on, planning to use him as the breakthrough he needed. Although Franky had been on his best behavior lately, making it difficult to find fault, Spandam could just as easily slander him. That was his specialty. Based on the intelligence he had gathered, Franky loved to invent warships. That could be used against him. Furthermore, the deaths of the government agents could also be pinned on him.
His plan decided, Spandam now only had to wait for his subordinates to arrive.
Tap, tap, tap.
The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder outside the temporary World Government office in Water 7. Inside, Spandam sat waiting for CP9's arrival.
"Chief, CP9 is here," Wayne reported hastily, rushing to Spandam's side.
"I know," Spandam replied with an air of detached indifference, putting on the perfect facade of a superior.
Creak.
The office door opened again, and a group of men in black suits and masks filed in. The already small office suddenly felt crowded. To maintain the secrecy of their mission, the CP9 agents were acting with discretion, their masks hiding their true identities.
Spandam looked down on them from his chair, showing no sign of weakness. The CP9 agents, in turn, sized up the man sitting before them. A strange silence fell over the room.
After a moment, the leader of the group finally spoke. "Reporting, sir. CP9 is here and awaiting orders."
"Take off your masks," Spandam commanded, his tone haughty, offering them no courtesy. "I am now your commanding officer. I need to know each and every one of you."
"Yes, sir!"
The agents respectfully complied, removing their masks one by one.
Spandam had already received files on the CP9 members from the World Government. Now, matching the faces to the files, he recognized them. He looked at the agents standing ramrod straight, feeling a surge of excitement, though he kept his expression neutral.
"You're Rob Lucci?" Spandam asked, looking at the man in the lead.
"That's correct, sir. I am Lucci," he replied respectfully.
Spandam gave Lucci a long, hard look. This was his trump card; he had to use him well.
"Jabra, Kumadori, Fukuro, Blueno," Spandam called them out by name.
"Sir."
"Very good. With you here, my plan is certain to succeed!" Spandam declared excitedly.
For now, the members of CP9 were just these few. Kalifa and Kaku, for instance, were still in the training camps and had yet to be officially inducted. As for why Lucci had joined so early... well, that's what happens when you're a prodigy. At the age of thirteen, he had single-handedly infiltrated a warehouse where pirates were holding 500 soldiers captive, killed every last soldier, and escaped unscathed. His name became famous throughout the World Government, and he was immediately recruited into CP9.
"Sir, what are your orders?" Lucci inquired. As their commanding officer, Spandam's orders had to be followed.
"Your orders? Just use your skills," Spandam said dismissively. "Infiltrate Tom's Shipyard and find out where he's hidden the Pluton blueprints. If you get the chance, take them." Although he now had the might of CP9 at his disposal, he certainly had no intention of getting his own hands dirty. Only an idiot wouldn't use his underlings.
"Is that so? We understand," Lucci stated, his face an emotionless mask.
"I look forward to your good news," Spandam said.
Honestly, this is the kind of work you leave to your subordinates. Why should I tire myself out? As for what Doflamingo told me... what could be easier than letting these government dogs do the work?
As for himself? He would simply sit back and wait for the fish to take the bait, reaping all the rewards.
Hearing Spandam's instructions, Lucci and the others quickly withdrew to begin their mission.
Once they were outside, Blueno and the others turned to Lucci. From the conversation, it was clear their new chief was a worthless fool. They couldn't rely on him at all; completing the mission was up to them.
"Lucci, what do we do?"
"Didn't the chief tell us? We infiltrate and gather intelligence," Lucci answered calmly, not a hint of panic in his voice. "Or did you want to grab Tom and torture it out of him?"
"Alright, if you say so, that's what we'll do," the others said with a resigned sigh. They would have preferred a more direct method, but using such tactics on an old man who wasn't afraid to die would be foolish.
Lucci led the team away. Back in the office, Spandam quickly dialed the number of a good friend in the Marines.
"Commodore Albert?" Spandam asked politely.
"Spandam, my old friend! Long time no see. What can I do for you this time?" Albert replied with equal courtesy.
"Hahaha, Commodore Albert, I have a little something I need your help with," Spandam laughed.
"Just say the word! You and I go way back," Albert said, clearly understanding Spandam's intentions.
"Then I won't be shy. I need you to arrest someone."
"Oh? Who's caught my old friend's attention? Don't worry, your little brother will handle it for you, no problem at all," Albert assured him, puffing out his chest.
"Cutty Flam. Tom's apprentice, a shipwright."
"I understand."
"Haha, excellent! Commodore Albert, I'll treat you properly once this is all over."
Spandam hung up, in high spirits now that he had Albert's guarantee. Everything was arranged. Now, all he had to do was wait for their news.
However, none of this had anything to do with the Donquixote Pirates. They just needed to be good spectators.
At Tom's Shipyard, Franky and Iceburg were busy helping Tom with the Puffing Tom, unaware that danger was closing in. The three of them, at the center of it all, would have no escape this time.
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