Chapter 271: The Five Elders' Interrogation
North Blue.
A remote, unnamed island. On a protruding rock ledge—
Luo Han appeared with his Kizaru lightbulb and a golden-haired youth, having just teleported from Science Island.
The blond youth was none other than the future king of the Germa Kingdom—Vinsmoke Judge, Sanji's father.
He was still unconscious—apparently, that flashy light-speed kick from Kizaru had done its job.
If it weren't for me, Luo Han mused, Kizaru would probably be bragging right about now.
He glanced down at Judge at his feet.
"This one's got potential. Future cyborg troops… plus the steel-balloon physique talent. For base-level soldiers, that's more than enough."
"Better to make him one of mine."
With that, Luo Han invaded Judge's mind—simple as always. Bie Tianshen activated. Judge was now fully under control.
He then did the same to Kizaru.
No surprises here. The future admiral of the Marines had now confirmed every fan theory ever—he was a mole.
Only now, he belonged to Luo Han.
"Bie Tianshen really is too good," Luo Han marveled.
Nowadays, as long as the target feared him or was on the verge of death, they couldn't resist it.
However, if someone didn't fear him and wasn't near death—especially someone with extreme willpower, like Roger or Luffy—then Bie Tianshen didn't work as easily.
Someone like that Luffy idiot, who could get knocked out and still unleash Conqueror's Haki in his sleep? Even near death, he might resist.
"Well… I'll test that someday. There's one guy who'd make a perfect test subject."
He thought of Red Count. One day, he'd make that man bend the knee to Evernight City.
But for now…
Time to go home.
Whoosh!
Luo Han vanished with the Kizaru lightbulb, leaving Judge behind on the island.
He didn't need Judge to follow him just yet. He'd let him develop on his own. When needed, he'd call him.
Same with Kizaru—he didn't plan to force him into anything.
His only command: act like yourself. If the World Government orders you to attack me, do it—unless I tell you otherwise.
...
Evernight City.
Above Island 4, Luo Han appeared with Kizaru.
With a thought, he swapped the Kizaru lightbulb with a streetlamp on Island 6.
From now on, until the World Government delivered the three Devil Fruits Luo Han wanted—
the future admiral of the Navy would serve as a literal streetlamp, shining for love.
"Monster…"
"He's too terrifying…"
"Why didn't Mr. Sengoku stop me?"
"CP0 Chief is the worst. I thought we were attacking together!"
"What now? I want to go home…"
"If there's a next time, I swear I'll keep my head down, clock in and out, and never show off again…"
...
Hanging on the streetlamp pole, Kizaru didn't dare manifest a face—only light. Too scared someone would see him.
Though Luo Han had completely dominated him with Bie Tianshen, and he now felt genuine loyalty,
he was still terrified.
...
Luo Han then used his spiritual sense to locate Stussy, who was in her seaside villa on Island 4.
She looked like a chic professional woman returning home from work, still wearing her fitted suit—intelligent and subtly seductive.
She was bent over her desk, writing something.
Her elegant curves stirred Luo Han's thoughts.
With a thought, Luo Han teleported behind her—and gently pressed forward.
"Hehe…"
Stussy didn't even flinch. Clearly used to his sudden appearances, she kept writing and smiled lightly.
"Lord Luo Han, aren't you afraid Aishi will catch you again?"
Exhale…
Luo Han didn't reply. He simply savored the moment.
Eventually, Stussy finished her notes, turned around, wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a flirtatious smile.
"Did you think of a new move again, my lord?"
Her sultry tone made Luo Han freeze momentarily.
"I've got business tonight," he replied, though his eyes still burned.
With a thought—
Poof!
They teleported onto the villa's bed.
Along with them appeared Sora, who had been working on Island 7.
Thud thud thud!
Now lying side by side, Sora showed no surprise—clearly used to this too.
Already on the bed, the trio naturally didn't waste any time.
...
After the "intense exercise,"
Sora took the initiative and asked, "What are you doing with Vegapunk?"
She'd just been dragged into bed the moment he returned and hadn't been briefed.
"We don't really have an island suitable for his research," she added.
"I didn't bring him back…"
"What?! Someone stopped you?!"
She sat up, startled—clearly assuming he'd been blocked.
"Lie down. Your hands are already free," Luo Han replied, making her roll her eyes.
"Heh."
Luo Han laughed. "I gave him to the World Government."
"Gave?"
Sora paused—then grinned. "So you're having them fund his research… and you just enjoy the results?"
Stussy, who was listening in, caught on too. "You convinced him to work for us, didn't you?"
"That's right," Luo Han nodded. "He's on our side now."
"Oh—and I brought Kizaru back too."
"What for?" Sora blinked. "Don't tell me you recruited him?"
"That's way too suspicious. If we did that, it'd risk exposing me and Stussy."
Having a future admiral suddenly defect? Yeah, no one would buy it. The Five Elders would definitely suspect them.
"Relax."
Luo Han smirked. "I'm just using him to trade for three Devil Fruits."
"Once I get them, I'll let him go."
"Speaking of which—I need to ask you something, Sora."
His tone turned serious.
"How are you going to explain my appearance on Science Island to the Five Elders?"
"You're in charge of intel. If you hadn't told me, Vegapunk would've been taken quietly. I wouldn't have known."
"But now…"
"I brought back Kizaru, crippled the CP0 Chief, and nearly killed Sengoku."
"That's… a lot to explain."
Sora only chuckled. "They'll find out we're compromised eventually. But for now, they'll still trust us."
"I'll just tell them the truth."
"Technically, they never said not to tell you about Vegapunk. So… I didn't disobey."
"However—"
Sora's eyes darkened slightly.
"After this, they'll probably restrict our intel sharing with you."
"That's fine," Luo Han nodded. "Once we get past this, there's nothing left I need to act on personally."
"And if there is, I'll just use my spiritual clone."
"That works."
Sora thought of his clone's current power level and found that perfectly reasonable.
With the Five Elders' questioning resolved, and the night still young, the trio… went for round two.
...
Next morning.
Sora quietly left Evernight City by boat.
She knew someone would report to the Five Elders.
After all, in the past two years, all intelligence division captains had been marked by Bie Tianshen.
The genius of Bie Tianshen: it left no trace. Voice, thoughts, personality—unchanged. Only loyalty shifted.
And Luo Han had ordered them to operate as usual—even leaking intel about him was allowed.
So Sora left voluntarily. She knew the Five Elders would contact her soon.
Bloop bloop…
As expected, the Den Den Mushi rang.
Sora smiled, then picked it up, instantly changing her expression.
"Five Elders, this is Viper."
"Explain," a deep voice snapped. "Why was Blue Demon on Science Island with the Marines when Vegapunk was found?"
"Yes, sir."
Sora told them everything—saying she informed Luo Han as soon as she received intel on Vegapunk.
It was only then that Luo Han acted.
She even added the conversation where Luo Han, mid-exercise, had said he planned to trade Kizaru for three Devil Fruits and give one to Stussy.
No hesitation. No lies.
The Five Elders found no reason to doubt her.
But—
"From now on, don't pass sensitive World Government intel to Blue Demon."
"And if he ever leaves Evernight City, and you know where he's going—inform us immediately."
"This time, because we didn't know he'd act personally, Kizaru was captured, the CP0 Chief and Sengoku were severely injured, and three CP0 Captains were killed."
"We suffered heavy losses. That old rule is revoked. New intel must be reported immediately."
"Understood, Viper?"
The voice turned icy near the end.
(END CHAPTER)
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