For three days, the entire world's attention was focused here.
The Marine and the CP organizations all converged on Enies Lobby.
During this time, Water 7 slipped out of the spotlight.
"So... this is Tom's Shipbuilding Company?"
"Correct. Ever since the Sea Train began operating, they've fully expanded and are preparing to recruit more workers."
"This expansion isn't just minor—it's massive."
"After all, it's the largest shipbuilding company in all of Water 7. Even within the World Government, many secretly invest here."
"Those... parasites sure love hedging their bets."
"Enough. All of you, shut up." Rob Lucci raised his head, eyeing his CP9 subordinates.
"Everyone, remember your mission—we must infiltrate Tom's Shipbuilding Company! The Pluton Design Schematics are definitely here!"
At Rob Lucci's words, the CP9 agents wiped the smirks off their faces.
Though each was a prodigy among the CP organization's strongest, the gap between them and Rob Lucci was vast.
This was what puzzled them most...
A covert mission, forcing the CP's elite spies to waste precious time that could be spent growing stronger, all to search for some elusive Pluton blueprints?
"I know you have many doubts, but keep them buried. CP spies don't need to be smart—just... loyal."
"Spandam may be an incompetent fool, but he's our direct superior. And this time, he's acting as bait, drawing the world's attention to Enies Lobby... What he's facing now isn't just shipwrights and workers."
Rob Lucci frowned.
Though he'd never liked Spandam, this time the man had come up with a brilliant plan...
Muddying the waters of the world made their job easier.
Of course... they had no idea Franky had already burned the so-called "Pluton Design Schematics" to ashes.
...
Enies Lobby, Open-Air Judgement Grounds.
Spandam sat among the high-ranking Marine officials, a sinister smile creeping onto his face.
Michael turned his head, eyeing this despicable man.
"You... what are you laughing at?"
"I... cough cough, just thought of something amusing."
Spandam flashed an ingratiating grin at the renowned Grand Inspector before him, though inwardly, he was seething with contempt.
'Though you're a treacherous, cunning little man, I must admit you're a loyal dog through and through—so eager to throw yourself into the spotlight without hesitation...' Michael raised an eyebrow.
'You didn't think I'd be oblivious to your schemes, did you?'
"Speaking of which, didn't you inherit your father's position as CP9's commander? Where are your so-called elite CP9 agents? Take Rob Lucci, hailed as a once-in-five-centuries genius... isn't it odd he's not by your side? Could it be they've conveniently slipped into Water 7 to stir up trouble?"
"Like, say, going after the legendary Pluton Design Schematics rumored to be hidden there?"
"Tsk tsk, now that I think about it, your little diversion tactic is quite clever. The brilliance lies in how no one would ever suspect a cowardly, spineless worm like you of escalating things by pitting the Admirals against each other."
As Michael spoke, Spandam's jaw slowly dropped.
His beady eyes bulged in horror, twin trails of snot dribbling down his face, betraying his terror.
Michael sighed.
How dull.
These so-called "schemes" were utterly uninspired.
Even Sakazuki and Kuzan, hotheaded as they were, had sensed something amiss afterward.
Let alone someone like Michael, whose mind twisted like a labyrinth.
Breathe wrong, and you'd find yourself tangled in nine turns and eighteen bends.
The World Government's decline in recent years had been too obvious.
Suddenly making a fuss over a minor incident? Something didn't add up.
It was like a bullied top-laner, cowering under their tier-two turret, suddenly charging straight at you—even the dumbest player would realize the enemy jungler and mid were probably setting up a gank!
"Michael, what... what exactly are you implying?"
"Exactly what I said." Michael shrugged at the assembled Marine brass.
"After all, we Marines haven't been the most obedient lately... So naturally, they'd want to reclaim their military dominance. Setting their sights on Pluton? Understandable, really."
Michael didn't bother mincing his words.
What truly crushed Spandam's spirit, however, was the fact that not a single high-ranking Marine—whether Fleet Admiral, Chief of Staff, the Three Admirals, or their two replacements—betrayed even a flicker of dissent at such treasonous remarks.
And this was after the World Government had done everything to divide the Marines through their worldwide conscription efforts.
"Report, Vice Admiral Michael! The Five Elders and their fleet have arrived outside the Gates of Justice, requesting passage."
"Why hesitate? Let them in." Michael glanced at the messenger, Shu.
"Without them, this grand performance would have no audience."
...
Meanwhile, outside the open-air Judgement arena, CP agents trembled as they faced the Marines, whose expressions ranged from grim to gleeful.
Without exception, all of these individuals were members of the SWORD Classified Special Forces.
It was a rare gathering since their medal ceremony six years ago.
"Well, well, if it isn't our dear Empress of Amazon Lily, Boa Hancock? What brings you here, Your Majesty?"
Rosinante looked at Hancock with a faint smile, though his tone carried a hint of sarcasm.
But Hancock, as both the Empress of Amazon Lily and the commander of the Empress Branch Base, showed not the slightest trace of displeasure.
After all, aside from being Michael's younger brother, Rosinante was also the designated "God of Wealth" by Michael himself—every extra expenditure had to go through his hands.
For example...
The twelve major renovations of the Empress Branch's training grounds.
"Ahem, Rosinante, no need to be so distant," Hancock said with an overly sweet smile.
"We're practically family."
"Family doesn't mean you can milk me dry like a cash cow!" Rosinante grumbled in frustration.
"That's all hard-earned money!"
"Money is meant to be spent, isn't it?"
Hancock's words drew nods of agreement from their teammates.
"You people... have no idea how expensive it is to run a household!"
Before he could finish, Jack suddenly stood up and declared solemnly.
"Captain Hancock, I think Vice Admiral Rosinante is right!"
"Get lost!"
Rosinante shot Jack a glare.
"Out of everyone here, you spend the most!"
-----------------------------
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