Water 7, the city of water, stood proudly in the first half of the Grand Line. A shipbuilding island renowned across the seas, it had birthed countless legendary vessels. According to ancient legend, eight hundred years ago, one of the three Ancient Weapons, Pluton, now believed to be hidden in Wano, was originally constructed by the master shipwrights of this very island.
Twenty years ago, a fish-man named Tom lived here, revered by all as a legendary shipwright. It was said he built the Pirate King's ship, the Oro Jackson, and that he once held the blueprints to the Ancient Weapon Pluton. But those tales remained unconfirmed rumors. Despite the World Government's exhaustive efforts and endless interrogation, Tom never revealed a word, not even in his final moments.
Yet his death did not end their pursuit.
The World Government launched a covert infiltration operation. Their most formidable assassin in centuries, Rob Lucci of CP9, known for his cold efficiency and brutal precision, was sent to Water 7 to embed himself near Iceburg, Tom's most trusted disciple. Their objective was clear: acquire the blueprints.
Lucci was not alone. Three more CP9 agents were dispatched alongside him. Kaku, Kalifa, and Blueno were assigned roles that kept them near Iceburg, who had risen to become the president of the Galley-La Company. Under the guise of civilian lives, the agents carefully closed in on their target. Iceburg remained unaware, completely surrounded.
Seven years passed.
The mission had made no progress.
Though the agents rarely met in public and each worked their separate cover roles, they still gathered from time to time in private. Blueno, the one running a quiet bar, provided the perfect location for discreet meetings. Tonight was one of those nights.
But unlike the usual silent gatherings, tonight felt different. The air carried tension and anticipation.
Behind the counter, Blueno calmly polished glasses, the model of a quiet bartender. The other three sat at the bar with two empty seats between them. Kaku, twirling his wine glass, was the first to speak. There was a gleam in his eye.
"I heard the higher-ups are thinking about calling us back."
As the agent who managed most of the communication with headquarters, Blueno was usually better informed than the others. He blew lightly on the rim of the glass he was cleaning and answered with practiced ease.
"That is correct. The seas are growing more unstable. The situation everywhere is escalating. They are running short on personnel."
The news brought a spark of interest to Kaku and Kalifa. The weight of seven fruitless years had worn on them. Even the hint of a shift brought relief. Only Lucci remained silent, sipping his drink without expression.
Blueno glanced at him briefly. After all this time, Lucci had not shown a single crack. That kind of focus was not just discipline. It was instinct. He was a spy in every sense.
Still, Blueno did not soften his words.
"There is one major problem. After seven years, we still have nothing. And in Cipher Pol, results are everything."
The mood shifted immediately. Kaku's cheerful expression hardened. Kalifa tensed up. Even Lucci narrowed his eyes slightly. Blueno continued, placing the glass down.
"Fortunately, we may have just received an opportunity."
The others looked up.
From beneath the counter, Blueno retrieved a single wanted poster and placed it flat on the bar. The paper was slightly creased. Printed on it was the image of a wide-eyed boy wearing a carefree grin.
[Monkey D. Luffy
Dead or Alive
Bounty: 100 million Berries]
The poster said little. But it meant everything.
For some reason, just looking at that smiling face made Lucci feel a visceral sense of disgust.
There was something about that wide grin, that unbothered expression, that unsettled him in a way he couldn't explain.
"One hundred million... this year's super rookie?"
Kalifa whispered, her eyes fixed on the poster. A bounty of that size was not common for a newcomer. It almost guaranteed a place among the Supernovas for the year.
But even so, she frowned.
"What does this have to do with our mission? Don't tell me you want us to go after this pirate. That sounds more like Marine business."
"No."
Blueno shook his head slowly.
"If you knew why this pirate has such a high bounty, you wouldn't be saying that."
Under the curious gazes of the other three, Blueno began to explain. His voice was steady, but what he said shifted the atmosphere instantly.
"Just three days ago, this pirate—Monkey D. Luffy—defeated the Warlord Crocodile in Alabasta."
The room froze.
"!!!"
"What?!"
Even Lucci, who had remained unreadable for most of the evening, leaned forward and took a long, serious look at the wanted poster.
Blueno wasn't finished.
"According to intel from our agents in Alabasta, the so-called Devil Child, Nico Robin, is currently aboard that pirate's ship. And based on their projected route, Water 7 is one of their next destinations."
At that point, Blueno didn't need to explain further. The other three understood immediately.
"Nico Robin..."
The name carried weight.
Capturing her would be more than a mission accomplishment; it would be a legacy. Excitement and tension quietly surged in the room. But then, without warning, an explosion thundered through the air. A deep boom rattled the walls of the bar, shaking the shelves and the glasses.
"What was that? An undersea quake?"
Kaku asked, frowning as the tremors faded.
Blueno closed his eyes for a moment, sensing the source. He then turned his head northeast.
"No... it came from the direction of Franky House. Should we go check it out?"
Franky, the leader of Franky House, was once a disciple of Tom and had long been under CP9's surveillance. Any disturbance involving him demanded attention.
Normally, Lucci would have responded immediately.
But now, his eyes remained locked on Luffy's wanted poster. His fingers slowly traced the edges of the page as he gave the order.
"Blueno, Kalifa. You two go. You've both been sitting around too long anyway, time to stretch your legs."
Blueno gave a nod with no objection. Kalifa looked visibly annoyed but said nothing. She knew better than to question Lucci's instructions.
"No problem..."
Without another word, the two stood, adjusted their coats, and left the bar, making their way through the maze-like streets of Water 7 toward the northeastern coast.
Beneath the cover of night, Kalifa in a black mini-dress and fishnet stockings, Blueno in a sharp black suit, moved silently along the rooftops, fading in and out of shadow like ghosts. Their destination: Franky House.
But the moment they arrived, they stopped cold.
Their eyes widened.
In front of them was a small island, now partially sunken and shattered. A massive crater had been gouged out of the land, its edges blackened and scorched. The front gate of Franky House had been ripped away and lay twisted in the dirt. No noise, no lights, no movement. The usual rowdy chaos of Franky's crew was gone. Only silence remained.
"This..."
They exchanged a glance, and both their expressions darkened. Caution now guided their steps.
As they moved closer, each step careful, the silence grew heavier.
But when they reached the threshold and looked inside... Their blood turned cold. Every part of them froze, eyes wide with disbelief, muscles locked in fear.
Standing in the ruins, the hulking silhouette of a man towered under the moonlight.
The club. The tattoos. The impossible aura.
"That's... that's... Beasts... Kaido..."