Water 7, the City of Water, was a jewel of the first half of the Grand Line. Its canals and fountains were famous, but its true legacy was shipbuilding. It was rumored that the shipwrights from this very island had built one of the three Ancient Weapons, Pluton, eight hundred years ago—a weapon of unimaginable power now said to be hidden away in the Land of Wano.
This legacy of genius continued into the modern era. Twenty years ago, the legendary fish-man shipwright Tom had his workshop here. He was the man who built the Oro Jackson, the ship that carried Gol D. Roger to the title of Pirate King. It was also believed that Tom held the blueprints for Pluton. The World Government had tried everything to get their hands on those plans, but the legendary shipwright took the secret to his grave.
However, the World Government never gave up. Following Tom's death, they initiated a clandestine plan. They dispatched members of their most secret assassination unit, Cipher Pol Number 9, to infiltrate the city. Their leader was Rob Lucci, a man known as the most ruthless killing machine CP9 had produced in 800 years. His mission was to get close to Tom's star pupil, Iceberg, and seize the blueprints for the Ancient Weapon.
Joining Lucci were three other agents: Kaku, Kalifa, and Blueno. They all embedded themselves in the life of Water 7, taking on jobs that kept them close to their target, Iceberg, the mayor and president of the Galley-La Company. For seven long years, they had played their parts perfectly. Iceberg himself had no idea that his closest associates were spies for the very government he distrusted.
But seven years was a long time. The infiltration plan had yielded nothing, and the agents were growing impatient. Though they kept their distance in public, they would meet occasionally at the quiet bar Blueno ran as part of his cover.
Tonight was one of those nights.
Unlike their usual tense and quiet gatherings, the four agents in the dimly lit bar seemed to be in higher spirits. Blueno stood behind the counter, polishing a glass as a bartender would. Across from him, Kaku, a man who appreciated fine wine, swirled his drink and spoke with a hint of excitement.
"I heard a rumor that the higher-ups are thinking about recalling us," he said, breaking the silence.
Blueno, whose cover as a bartender gave him more freedom, was their primary contact with their superiors. He let out a breath, fogging the glass before wiping it clean. "That's right. The situation on the seas is getting more chaotic every day. It's threatening to spiral out of control, and the Government is short on manpower."
The news brought a pleased look to Kalifa's and Kaku's faces. Lucci, however, remained silent and still, his expression unreadable as he quietly sipped his drink. Blueno glanced at his leader with admiration. Even after seven years of failure, Lucci's composure was absolute. The man was born to be a spy.
"However, there's a big problem," Blueno continued, his tone turning serious. "Seven years have passed, and this mission has produced zero results. In Cipher Pol, no achievements means a demerit on our records."
At that, the pleasant expressions on Kaku's and Kalifa's faces vanished, replaced by sour looks. Even Lucci's brow furrowed slightly.
"Fortunately," Blueno said, letting the tension hang for a moment, "a golden opportunity has just presented itself."
The other three agents looked at him, their interest piqued. Blueno reached under the counter and pulled out a wanted poster, placing it on the bar. On it was the grinning face of a young man with a straw hat. The text below read: Monkey D. Luffy, Dead or Alive, Bounty: 100,000,000 Berries!
For some unknown reason, Lucci felt a wave of instinctive disgust as he stared at the smiling face.
"100,000,000 Berries... Is he one of this year's Supernovas?" Kalifa asked, surprised. A bounty that high was more than enough to earn the title. "But what does this have to do with getting results? Surely you're not suggesting we go after some pirate. That's a job for the Marines."
"No," Blueno said, shaking his head. "If you knew why this rookie has such a high bounty, you wouldn't say that." He leaned forward, lowering his voice as he shared the latest intelligence. "Just three days ago, in Alabasta, this rookie, 'Straw Hat' Luffy, defeated the Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile."
"What?!" The three of them were visibly shocked. Even Lucci now looked at the wanted poster with genuine seriousness.
But Blueno wasn't finished. He dropped an even bigger piece of information. "According to our assets in Alabasta, the 'Demon Child,' Nico Robin, is now a member of his crew. And based on their projected course, Water 7 is their next destination."
He didn't need to explain any further. The other three understood the implications immediately.
"Nico Robin!"
If they could capture Nico Robin, the only person in the world who could read the Poneglyphs, it would be an accomplishment of the highest order—more than enough to make up for seven years of failure. A wave of excitement filled the room.
But just as they began to process the news, a deep BOOM echoed through the city. The entire bar shook violently, rattling the bottles on the shelves.
"What was that? An seaquake?" Kaku asked, grabbing the edge of the bar to steady himself.
Blueno paused, seeming to sense the direction of the disturbance. He looked towards the northeast of the island and then at Lucci. "No... that came from the direction of Franky House. Should we go check it out?"
As CP9 agents, it was their duty to monitor every unusual event in Water 7. Furthermore, Franky, the leader of the Franky House disassemblers, was Tom's other former disciple. He was a key person of interest in their mission.
Normally, Lucci would have gone himself. But now, his gaze was locked on the Straw Hat's wanted poster, unable to look away. He gave his order without turning. "Blueno, Kalifa, you two go. You've been sitting around for too long. It's time to stretch your legs."
Blueno nodded without objection, but Kalifa looked annoyed. Still, she would never dare to defy a direct order from Lucci. "No problem."
The two agents tidied themselves up and slipped out of the bar, heading for the northeast coast. Kalifa, dressed in a black dress and fishnet stockings, and Blueno, in his simple black suit, moved like shadows through the city's canals. They soon arrived at the location of Franky House.
The sight that greeted them caused their professional composure to shatter. A massive, deep crater had been carved into the small, desolate island. The large gate of Franky House was lying nearby, looking as if it had been ripped from its hinges by some incredible force. The usual sounds of laughter and machinery were gone, replaced by a deathly silence.
"This is..."
The two agents exchanged a worried glance before cautiously approaching the wreckage, their faces grim. As they stepped through the ruined gateway and saw what was inside, a terrifying figure came into view. The sight made their blood run cold, and an all-encompassing fear froze them in place. Their bodies began to tremble uncontrollably as they stared into the darkness.
"B-Beasts... Kaido..."