Bab 132: Khalifa's report #132
Cedric knelt beside the injured Flying Fish Riders, his hands skillfully tending to their wounds. With gentle precision, he cleaned their cuts and applied bandages, his focus unwavering despite the gravity of the situation. Duval stood nearby, a silent pillar of support, while Baby Five approached with a determined expression on her face.
"Captain..." Baby Five began, her voice carrying a sense of urgency. "I have some crucial information to report. Kieran and I managed to pinpoint some suspects...."
Cedric's hands paused, his attention fully captured by Baby Five's words. He looked up, his eyes meeting hers as he absorbed the weight of the revelation. "About the CP9? Already?" he repeated, his voice laced with intrigue.
He knew Kieran and Baby Five would figure out the identities of the CP9 agents sooner or later, but he didn't think it would be this soon.
Baby Five nodded, her voice steady as she explained their reasoning. "Kieran noticed peculiarities with Khalifa, Icberg's assistant. He already suspected her because of her position, but how she carried herself made him doubt her even more..."
She took a deep breath and continued. "Kieran waited until the company closed its doors before breaking into Iceberg's office and rummaging through the employee records..."
"He found that Khalifa arrived at Water Seven several years ago and joined Galley-la in the same year..." Baby Five calmly explained. "What's more, two shipwrights, Kaku and Rob Lucci, also joined the company in the same year... they were also outsiders and not locals..."
"Kieran thinks the three are working together, and they're the CP9 agents, but we don't have conclusive evidence yet..." Baby Five concluded, expectantly looking at Cedric, seemingly expecting something.
Cedric's smiled as he noticed Baby Five's expression. He knew what she wanted and was happy to oblige. "Good work, Baby Five. Your keen observations and deductions are commendable," Cedric acknowledged as he patted Baby Five's head, causing her to grin happily.
He turned his attention back to the injured crew members, his mind racing with thoughts as he resumed patching up their injuries. "However, we mustn't jump to conclusions just yet. While Khalifa, Rob Lucci, and Kaku might be suspects, we can't discount the possibility of other agents hiding within the company," Cedric cautioned, his tone serious.
"For now, go back and tell Kieran to keep an eye on Khalifa... she's the most likely suspect..." Cedric concluded.
Baby Five nodded in understanding, her eyes focused and determined. "I understand, Captain Cedric. We'll continue our investigations to gather more evidence and expose how far the CP9 agents have infiltrated the island..." She replied as she turned to leave.
Suddenly remembering something, Cedric called, causing Baby Five to stop. "Also, tell Kieran that I'll show my face Galley-la tomorrow to help him confirm his suspicions and flush any other Cp9 agents," he said, his voice laced with mystery and mischief.
Confusion flickered across Baby Five's expression as she turned back to face Cedric. "What do you mean, captain?" she asked, her curiosity evident.
Cedric grinned. "Just wait until tomorrow evening, and you'll see..." He carelessly explained as he finished treating the wounds of the first flying fish rider, sending him off with a slap to his back that caused him to grunt in pain.
Baby Five's confusion deepened, but she trusted Cedric's judgment. "So we just continue tailing Khalifa until then?" she asked, seeking clarification.
Cedric nodded, still smiling. "Yup. You only need to do that. Trust me. It will all become clear tomorrow evening," he reassured her, his tone confident.
Baby Five paused for a moment, processing the information. Ultimately she shrugged and decided to leave the thinking to her captain, despite not understanding his intentions. "Understood, Captain. We'll follow your lead," she said with a smile.
With a pat on her shoulder, Cedric smiled warmly at Baby Five. "Good. Now, go and deliver the message to Kieran. We have important work ahead of us," he encouraged her, his voice brimming with confidence.
Cedric's smile deepened as he watched Baby Five eave before turning the other injured rider, gesturing for him to close. Humming a pleasant sea shanty, Cedric resumed his work.
"There's not a thing wrong with the sip... in fact, she is just fine..."
...
The air brimmed with laughter, music, and tinkering machinery inside the vibrant and boisterous Franky House. Mozu and Kiwi, the feisty sisters of the Franky Family, were in the midst of joining Franky in one of his signature eccentric dances. The trio moved in perfect synchronization, their bodies swaying to an invisible rhythm as they chanted "left, right, left, right" in a continuous loop.
With each step, their energy grew, their spirits intertwining in a whirlwind of dance and camaraderie. Franky's robotic enhancements added an extra flair to his movements, making him the undeniable center of attention. The room pulsated with the infectious rhythm of their dance, drawing cheers and applause from the other members of the Franky Family.
Franky executed his grand finale move—the SUPER pose. He brought his forearms together above his head, face contorted into a determined expression. The pose exuded power and confidence, leaving the onlookers in awe of his sheer presence.
Just as the room erupted into applause and laughter, one of Franky's loyal underlings rushed onto the stage, panting heavily. He had a look of urgency etched across his face as he tried to catch his breath.
"Boss! We've got trouble!" the underling exclaimed, his voice strained. "We tried to ambush some pirates as you ordered, but they turned the tables on us. They managed to kidnap Mazai and another member of our family!"
Franky's expression shifted from his usual lighthearted demeanor to a fiery glare. The room fell silent as the underling's words hung in the air. The Franky Family was a tight-knit group, and any harm to its members was an offense to Franky himself.
A surge of anger coursed through Franky's veins, fueling his resolve. He clenched his fists, the mechanical whirring of his armaments intensifying. "What?! Someone dared lay their hands on my family?!" Franky exclaimed, his voice booming with determination.
"We'll make them pay, and the price will be..." Franky declared, trailing at the end of his sentence, much to the excitement of his underlings. "SUPERRRRRRRRRRRRR!" He concluded, performing his iconic pose and causing the Franky family members to cheer in jubilation.
The room erupted with cheers and supportive shouts from the other members of the Franky Family. They knew that when their boss made a promise, he delivered. Franky's loyalty and protectiveness toward his gang were unparalleled, and he would stop at nothing to ensure their safety.
With a decisive gesture, Franky stepped forward, his gaze steely and unwavering. "We're going after them! We'll rescue our comrades and make sure those pirates regret ever coming to Water Seven!" he declared, his words ringing with authority.
...
Khalifa strode into Iceberg's office, her posture exuding confidence and authority. As soon as she entered, she turned to Iceberg, her gaze intense and grave.
"Mayor Iceberg, I must ask you not to look at me with those dirty eyes. It's sexual harassment," Khalifa stated matter-of-factly, her voice laced with a hint of annoyance.
Iceberg, accustomed to Khalifa's idiosyncrasies, sighed and shook his head in exasperation. He had long since grown used to her tendency to label everything as sexual harassment, even the most mundane of interactions.
"Khalifa, please. I'm not harassing you. Can we focus on the matter at hand?" Iceberg requested, his tone tinged with frustration and amusement as he rolled his eyes.
Relenting, Khalifa nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Very well, Mayor Iceberg. I have important information to report."
Iceberg leaned forward, his attention captivated by Khalifa's words. He trusted her judgment and knew that when she deemed something significant, it usually warranted his attention.
"Yesterday, a dangerous pirate crew led by a man with a bounty of 575 million arrived on the island. They clashed with the Franky Family in a minor skirmish," Khalifa reported, her voice steady and composed.
Iceberg's eyes widened slightly, his mind already calculating the potential implications of such an encounter. He knew Franky's short temper and how his fellow student was not one to let any offense go without retaliation.
"Are there any casualties?" Iceberg inquired, concern creeping into his voice.
Khalifa shook her head, her features composed. "Unfortunately, no. It seems to have been a brief confrontation, and both sides withdrew without major harm. However, it is crucial for you, as the mayor of Water Seven, to be aware of such developments."
Iceberg nodded a mixture of relief and concern washing over him. He appreciated Khalifa's dedication to her role as his assistant and valued her insights into the island's affairs.
"Thank you, Khalifa. Your vigilance and dedication are truly appreciated," Iceberg said sincerely, acknowledging the importance of her role in keeping him informed.
As Khalifa turned to leave the office, Iceberg couldn't help but mutter under his breath, a touch of worry in his voice. "I just hope Franky and his family haven't bitten off more than they can chew."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone