Spandam arrived at Water 7 ahead of the CP Four Strike Unit, who, naturally, shared the same objective — the blueprints of the Ancient Weapon.
However, the four members were elite graduates of the CP training camp and had no direct subordination to Spandam, the current head of CP5.
Even so, they were aware of his plan.
"There's no way his plan will succeed now,"
said Rob Lucci in a low voice.
Clearly, the four of them knew exactly what Spandam was up to.
"Should we go and investigate?"
Kaku asked, his wide eyes blinking curiously.
"Of course we should, but not now,"
Kalifa immediately shook her head.
"If something's already gone wrong, that area's probably under heavy watch. Going there now would only draw attention."
"I can open a door with my ability,"
Bruno suggested.
"Wait—don't speak."
Lucci stiffened suddenly, raising a hand to stop the others.
"Someone's coming. Two people—a man and a woman—armed. Wait... that's Spandam's sword!"
Using his Observation Haki, Lucci sensed the pair approaching. When he noticed the blade in Robin's hand, his eyes widened sharply.
"On guard!"
he commanded without hesitation.
The four of them immediately focused on the bar's entrance.
They had chosen this small, out-of-the-way bar precisely because it was inconspicuous—usually only dockworkers came here for a drink after dark.
Unexpected visitors weren't unusual… but someone carrying Spandam's sword was another matter entirely.
The door creaked open.
Don and Robin stepped inside.
Seeing the four agents on alert, Don smiled lightly.
"Sorry if we've disturbed you."
He walked toward them with an easy smile. Behind him, Robin calmly observed their guarded expressions—she'd already guessed these four were CP agents.
The moment the agents recognized Robin's face, their expressions darkened.
Nico Robin, the "Demon Child" with a World Government bounty.
"Apologies, the bar isn't open yet,"
Bruno said cautiously as Don approached.
"If I've come all the way here," Don replied evenly, "do you really think I'm here for a drink?"
In the next instant, an overwhelming wave of Conqueror's Haki burst out from Don.
Bruno, who had just opened a door in midair with his ability, froze—the sheer pressure paralyzed his limbs.
The powerful Haki crushed down on all four of them.
Forget fighting—just standing upright was already an achievement.
"I'm building a ship here in Water 7," Don said evenly, his eyes sweeping over them.
"Until it's finished, I don't want anything interfering with my work."
"Understood…"
Lucci managed to squeeze the word out through gritted teeth.
Don gave a slight nod and retracted his Haki.
The four felt as if they had been granted a pardon from death—their bodies were drenched in cold sweat.
"Not going to offer me a drink? Juice will do,"
Don said casually as he took a seat with Robin at a nearby table.
The four exchanged glances; Bruno wordlessly began preparing the drinks.
The other three—two men and a woman—stood stiffly at attention.
The man before them was far beyond their level.
Don accepted the two glasses of juice from Bruno, silently observing the four.
He had briefly considered wiping them all out when he arrived.
But this encounter was an indirect way of testing the World Government's stance toward him.
Would they issue a bounty? Ignore him? Or try to recruit him?
Under his steady gaze, none of the four dared to move—only exchanging fleeting glances from time to time.
Robin quietly sipped her juice. The Devil Fruit–infused sword rested by her side, lifeless in appearance—yet perhaps not entirely so, now that it possessed a Zoan spirit of its own.
When they finished their drinks, Don tossed a few Berries onto the table, waved lightly at the agents, and left with Robin.
As the door shut behind them, the four stared at one another in silence.
"Should we—"
"No. Until he leaves Water 7, we do nothing,"
Lucci interrupted coldly.
His face was still pale. The deathly pressure Don had exuded lingered in his mind.
They couldn't afford to act recklessly. For all they knew, Don might still be watching them.
If they made a wrong move, it could trigger a true catastrophe.
Kalifa closed her mouth at once.
The four stood unmoving until night completely fell, only then relaxing their stiff bodies.
After a brief exchange of glances, they agreed—no action for now.
It simply wasn't worth the risk.
Don, meanwhile, had no time to concern himself with them.
He and Robin checked into an inn in Water 7.
Tom seemed genuinely invested in his shipbuilding request.
As for Spandam and the CP agents, Tom's workers had already hidden them away.
Watching the shipwrights laboring tirelessly through the night, Don nodded in satisfaction.
It wouldn't take long.
Tom was a man who worked for his pay—he'd even brought out Adam Wood, the legendary Treasure Tree, as material for the ship.
"Come in."
Don turned his head as the door opened—Robin stepped inside.
"You're not resting. What brings you here?"
Don asked, noticing her serious expression.
"About what happened today,"
Robin said quietly, taking a seat opposite him.
"Don't worry about it,"
Don replied calmly, smiling faintly.
"I used to avoid provoking the World Government… but I've grown stronger since then."
"Still, this could affect your plans,"
Robin cautioned.
"You mean the Hunter Guild?"
Don chuckled.
"If something this minor can stop its founding, then it isn't worth building in the first place."
"If they put a bounty on you…"
"That'd be perfect. I was wondering how to make a name for myself at sea. Time doesn't wait, after all. A Hunter Guild without fame wouldn't be much of a guild, would it?"
Robin sighed softly.
"Morgans really isn't doing his job,"
Don muttered with mild exasperation.
END OF CHAPTER
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