Capítulo 142: Digging Up Secrets #142
As Cedric's gaze settled on Kaku, the former CP9 agent raised his arms in surrender, a bitter smile tugging on his lips. The sudden act of surrender surprised Cedric, and he couldn't help but question Kaku's lack of resistance.
"You're not going to put up a fight?" Cedric asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and mild disbelief.
Kaku's smile remained, though it held a hint of resignation. "What's the point?" he replied, his voice laced with acceptance and defeat. "If you could so easily kill Rob Lucci, the strongest CP9 agent, then I don't stand a chance."
Cedric's shoulders shrugged nonchalantly, his expression indifferent. "Well, if it's going to be that easy," he said, reaching for his revolver and aiming it at Kaku's head. The cold metal of the weapon glinted in the sunlight, its presence a stark reminder of the deadly consequences that awaited Kaku.
However, before Cedric could pull the trigger, Khalifa swiftly stepped in between them, blocking the line of fire. Her eyes bore into Cedric's, filled with determination and a hint of desperation.
"No..." Khalifa pleaded, her voice unwavering, much to Cedric's surprise. "Please stop...."
Cedric's eyebrows furrowed, caught off guard by Khalifa's intervention. "Had a change of heart, he?" He asked, giving Khalifa a side glance. "You realize this guy will expose you if he leaves here alive...?"
Khalifa's gaze remained steady, her resolve unyielding. "I understand, but if I let you kill him on my behalf, I'll be no better than Lucci..." she replied, shaking her head. "Blueno and Lucci were bastards... they deserved it, but Kaku is different..."
"If you insist on killing him for your convenience, then I can't stop you, but don't do it on my behalf..." She concluded.
Cedric laughed as he stowed away his revolver. "I honestly couldn't care less what long-nose here does... I'm already a wanted pirate, and unless he can call an admiral here, then I don't mind letting him go either..."
"It's your lucky day, pal... I won't kill you, but you still need to get past the Galley-la foremen if you want to leave," Cedric concluded, gesturing toward the former, who had recovered their bearings and looked at Kaku with frowns.
As if on cue, Paulie promptly reached into his jacket, retrieving his ropes while Tilestone's muscles' contracted while he approached Kaku menacingly, a scowl covering his face.
Before Paulie and Tilestone could make their move to restrain Kaku, Iceburg's voice rang out, commanding their attention. "Stop," he said firmly, his tone cutting through the tension. "There has been enough violence for one day."
Paulie and Tilestone paused, their expressions reflecting a mix of confusion and deference toward their esteemed leader. Iceburg's gaze shifted to Kaku, his eyes filled with a complex blend of bitterness and resignation.
"Even if it was all a charade, you've worked for me for a considerably long time," Iceburg spoke, his voice tinged with disappointment and resignation. "Go... get out of here."
Kaku nodded, a sigh escaping his lips as he acknowledged Iceburg's words. Without uttering a single word, he turned and disappeared from sight, fading into the backdrop of the courtyard.
With Kaku's departure, Iceburg's attention shifted toward Cedric, his expression pensive and cautious. He hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice measured. "What is your purpose here?" Iceburg inquired, his gaze locked onto the pirate captains.
Cedric met Iceburg's gaze with a steady look, his expression calm and collected. "I'm here on Den's request," Cedric replied his tone even. "And to get a good ship..."
"Den...?" Iceburg said with a frown. "Now, where have I heard that name...?" He muttered with a thoughtful expression.
Still, he didn't have to overthink it as Den made his presence known, emerging from his hiding spot and slowly floating toward Iceburg, aided by the bubble ring on the base of his tail.
"Now, now... don't tell me you forgot about your teacher's little brother.." Den interjected, smiling as he approached Iceburg. "This young man is here on my request..."
"Of course... how could I forget..." Iceburg said with a bitter smile. "Would you mind explaining what's happening here...?"
"That can wait for now..." Cedric interjected before Den could reply. "You still have some unfinished business..." He added, gesturing toward Khalifa, who stood in the courtyard, unabashed and unashamed.
Before Iceburg could say anything, Khalifa stepped forward, her voice resolute yet tinged with a hint of remorse. "I didn't do this for your sake, Iceburg," she interjected, her words cutting through the air. "If Rob Lucci hadn't tried to manipulate me, if he hadn't crossed that line, I would still be working with CP9..."
The courtyard fell into a momentary silence as Khalifa's words hung in the air, each syllable filled with the weight of the experiences she acquired and the choices she made. Iceburg's expression softened, a mixture of understanding and compassion crossing his features.
He shook his head slowly, his eyes fixed on Khalifa. "It doesn't matter, Khalifa," he said, his voice gentle yet firm. "What matters is that you did the right thing in the end, regardless of your reasons. That's enough for me."
A brief smile graced Iceburg's lips, his words carrying a tinge of humor. "I'm even inclined to let you keep your job," he added with a playful glint in his eye. "It would still be waiting for you if it weren't for the fact that you'll have to flee Water Seven now. But hey, I'm sure you'll find new adventures wherever you go."
Khalifa's eyes softened, her shoulders relaxing as a sense of relief washed over her. Iceburg's understanding and acceptance gave her a newfound sense of peace, and she couldn't help but feel gratitude toward the man who had been boss.
Still, she quickly gathered her bearings and scowled. "And be sexually harassed by you for 8 eight hours of every weekday for the rest of my life?" she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity. "No thanks..." She added, shaking her head.
"I see some things never change..." Iceburg smiled and nodded at Khalife before sweeping across the courtyard, where the Galley-la employees had resumed their tasks of rebuilding and restoring. "In any case, let's focus on moving forward now."
He said, his voice carrying a note of determination. "We have much to do, and Water Seven needs us."
With those words, Iceburg's presence reinvigorated the atmosphere, instilling a renewed sense of purpose and unity among the Galley-la workers. The sound of hammers striking metal and the murmurs of conversation filled the air, a symphony of determination and resilience.
Cedric watched the scene unfold, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Even amidst chaos and upheaval, Iceburg knew how to lift up the spirits of his employees. No wonder he was the president of Galley-la company and the city's mayor.
"Now then..." Iceburg remarked as he turned to Cedric and Den. "Please explain what just happened in detail..."
...
In Iceburg's office, the atmosphere was heavy with tension as Iceburg sat behind his desk, rubbing his forehead with a troubled expression. Cedric leaned against a wall, his arms crossed, while Den floated gently above the ground, his eyes fixed on Iceburg. The fish-man had just finished revealing crucial information about Cedric's past and their deal, leaving Iceburg deep in thought.
Iceburg took a deep breath, his voice laced with a mix of bewilderment and contemplation. "Let me get this straight," he began, his tone measured. "You coincidentally saved Fishman Island and its princess from danger, and in return, Den offered to build you a ship if you came to Water Seven and helped me with my troubles?"
Cedric nodded, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Not in that particular order, but that about sums it up..." he confirmed. "Fishman Island was facing a crisis, and I happened to be in the right place at the right time. I met Den later and asked him to build me a ship, and here we are now..."
Den's voice resonated in the room, his tone calm and knowing. "Cedric's past as a Marine officer granted him access to certain classified information," he explained. "He discovered the CP9's hidden agenda before he became a pirate. It was that knowledge and his desire for justice that drove me to agree to building him a ship and what brought us here..."
His voice filled with skepticism, Iceburg asked, "How is it possible for a marine officer to know about the CP9 agents? They move independantly, and I don't imagine anyone having acess to their records besides the fleet admiral..."
Cedric chuckled, unbothered by Iceburg's skepticsim. "I happen to have a colorful past. Before joining the marines, I was a drifter, and before that I was a thug..." He explained with a shrug. "Let's just say I know where to dig for the juicu stuff and leave it at that..."
"What matters is that you don't have to worry about the CP9 agents, and the fact that I still don't have a ship..."
...
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