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Enies Lobby!
"Admiral Zephyr, please rest assured, I will definitely take good care of Trafalgar Law! What? No special treatment? Understood." Spandam, CP9's chief and Enies Lobby's highest authority, put down the Transponder Snail.
"It seems a new recruit is joining CP9." The CP9 members on the sofa looked displeased: "Does a new recruit have the qualifications to join us?"
"There's no other way. This is Admiral Zephyr's order. Do you want me to defy him?" Spandam said helplessly. Enies Lobby was nominally at the same level as Marine Headquarters, but in terms of power, it couldn't compare. An Admiral could issue a Buster Call, easily wiping out Enies Lobby. This showed Enies Lobby's truly low standing in the Marines' eyes; any Admiral could easily command Enies Lobby.
"A new recruit? No matter how strong, he's still a rookie. What experience does he have? Why should he go on missions with us? Does he have that kind of strength? Don't let him get us killed. The missions we carry out could lead to death with the slightest mistake. Isn't a new recruit joining just asking for death? He might even get us killed." Jabra said grimly. The other CP9 members, though not as blunt, were deeply resistant to this matter.
"Joining CP9 isn't that simple. Let's see if he can keep up with us. If not, he absolutely cannot join," CP9's strongest, Rob Lucci, said indifferently, his tone filled with disdain for new recruits. Marine Headquarters recruits were indeed highly talented, but he looked down on those hothouse flowers. They even had many officers protecting them during practical combat. Could such recruits execute dangerous missions? CP9 members' missions mostly involved intelligence gathering or assassinations, but they were all dangerous places. The slightest carelessness or exposure could lead to being ambushed. Could a new recruit do that?
"So what should we do?" Spandam said, troubled. "What should we do? I simply can't refuse Admiral Zephyr's order. First, gather all information on Trafalgar Law."
"Admiral Zephyr personally called. That shows how much he values this new recruit. Some missions, we can't even guarantee our own safety, let alone protecting a new recruit. If he dies on a mission, I fear Admiral Zephyr will be angry," Califa looked at Spandam with amusement. Spandam's face changed dramatically. The punishment from an Admiral made him tremble just thinking about it.
"He absolutely cannot join CP9." Thinking for his own sake, Spandam's mind raced: "What should I do?" He looked to the members for help. "It's simple. To join CP9, it depends on strength. If his strength isn't enough, he naturally isn't qualified," Lucci said indifferently.
"Yes, that's what we'll do. We'll say that CP9 members all have strength requirements. If he doesn't meet them, then we'll have a reason to assign him to another department in Enies Lobby. If he's not strong, Admiral Zephyr can't blame me, can he?" Spandam's eyes lit up. He looked at the CP9 members: "It's up to you all then."
"Don't worry, it's not like any Tom, Dick, or Harry can join CP9. This old man will make sure the new recruit understands the cruelty of battle," Jabra said cruelly.
Since CP9 was an intelligence agency, gathering information on a new recruit was naturally very simple. Soon, Law's information was laid before them.
"Headquarters recruit, high-level student. Two years ago, he achieved first place in the full Marine recruit camp assessment. Specific strength unknown. Op-Op Fruit user." It wasn't detailed, but it provided a lot of useful information. First place in the full recruit camp? No wonder Admiral Zephyr values him so highly. But what kind of intensity can a play-acting recruit assessment have? Lucci clearly looked down on the mild assessment methods of the recruit camp. Only through experience in blood and fire could one become strong.
"It seems this little brother is quite skilled. He can probably reach my level, right?" Califa was only one year older than Law, but she carried herself with the air of an older sister. "If he can rival me, he's qualified to join CP9. How will we refuse him then?"
"Even if he has some strength, he lacks experience, and doesn't possess experience in stealth or assassination. With him participating, it's still too dangerous. It's best to refuse," Lucci said indifferently.
"Ah?" Spandam's face was mournful. What should I do now?
"If this new recruit dies on a mission or in Enies Lobby, the responsibility would be immense. Admiral Zephyr would definitely vent his anger on me. What should I do?" An anxious Spandam's eyes suddenly glinted with ruthlessness. "How about severely injuring him? That would naturally give us a reason to send him back to Headquarters Recruit Camp. Injuries in battle are too normal. This way, even if Admiral Zephyr is angry, he can't deal with me, can he?"
"Good."
"That's what we should have done all along. Breaking his legs should be enough, right? Or break all four limbs?" Jabra said cruelly.
"Poor little brother."
...
Enies Lobby arrived. Law was respectfully escorted by Marines to the base of the Tower of Justice. Spandam and the CP9 members actually greeted him there? This was a treatment usually reserved for at least elite Vice Admirals.
"Truly young and promising. You must be Trafalgar Law, right? Welcome, welcome." Spandam smiled broadly, while secretly waving to the escorting Marines, who then withdrew. Law noticed there were no Marines around. He casually swept his gaze over the CP9 members. As for Spandam, Law completely ignored him; a powerless individual simply wasn't worth his attention: "The members are the same as in the original story, but this is six years earlier, so their strength is still far from what it was in the original, right? Combined, their strength should still be decent?" Law noticed some coldness in the CP9 members' eyes: "Interesting."
Spandam, who was ignored, looked a little grim when Law wasn't paying attention. Although he couldn't compare to an Admiral, he was still the highest-ranking officer of CP9. The true power of Enies Lobby was in his hands, yet he was so rudely ignored by a mere recruit. He was certainly furious.
"This new recruit knows nothing of the world. Later, I'll make you obediently lie down and go back. I'll make you understand that the Grand Line isn't a place where new recruits can run rampant as they please." After a cold sneer, Spandam looked up, a fake smile on his face again.
"Indeed, young and promising." He continuously praised Law, although he was being ignored: "Joining CP9 is certainly no problem, but the missions CP9 carries out are too dangerous. To be responsible for your safety, Trafalgar Law, we'll first let everyone get familiar with your abilities and strength. With a thorough understanding of each other, we can cooperate better on missions. This is absolutely not doubting your strength, Trafalgar Law, absolutely not. It's just for safety. If any accident were to befall you, it would be a great loss to the Marines, wouldn't you say?"