บท 252: Chapter 252: Enies Lobby: The Traitor
Enel's first lightning strike took out about a third of the enemies that had come to kill them.
By the time he released a second lightning dragon, Kaku had already engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the other marines who had surrounded them.
Though Kaku's punches and kicks landed with force, he held back from dealing fatal blows.
When he faced off against the captain of the Guard Dog Squad, Kaku gave him a subtle signal. The captain understood immediately, mounted his dog, and grinned as if he were seriously fighting Kaku.
Kaku feigned two more exchanges with the captain before the Guard Dog Squad leader suddenly drew a long rifle and fired at Kaku. A metallic net laced with small Sea-Prism Stone fragments shot from the barrel, trapping Kaku inside.
Though Sea-Prism Stone only affects Devil Fruit users, Kaku pretended to be powerless, immediately ceasing all resistance.
Enel noticed the situation. After taking out the second wave of attackers, he transformed into lightning, reappearing next to Kaku in an instant. He raised his hand, ready to tear apart the Sea-Prism Stone net.
"Don't!" Kaku quickly warned. "This net is covered in Sea-Prism Stone. You're a Devil Fruit user—you can't touch it."
Enel halted abruptly, his expression unreadable. "And what about you? You're not a Devil Fruit user, so why are you trapped by this thing?"
Kaku, his face full of frustration, replied, "It's not a normal net… I don't know why, but once I'm caught, I can't move."
"Hahaha!" The Guard Dog Squad captain laughed. "If you don't want your friend to get hurt, I suggest you don't do anything rash."
Enel's expression darkened. "Try killing him, and see what happens."
Unfazed, the Guard Dog Squad captain pressed a dagger against Kaku's neck. "You move, and he dies."
Immediately, the remaining marines and soldiers, those who had survived so far, surrounded Enel again, boxing him in.
"Leave me behind," Kaku said calmly to Enel. "I'm just a shipwright. If I die, you can find another one. You can easily escape with your powers."
"Shut up," Enel growled. "It's your fault for being so weak that even an idiot like this could trap you. Damn it, if Takumi finds out I left you behind, I'll be in big trouble."
Kaku chuckled weakly. "Takumi never goes all out when he beats you up. He needs your powers to keep the ship flying, so he won't seriously hurt you. But I'm just a shipwright—easily replaceable."
"Shut your mouth! No one's replaceable!" Enel snapped. "If you die, where am I going to find another shipwright who knows everything?"
"Hahaha," the Guard Dog Squad captain laughed, clearly amused. "If you don't want him to die, you'd better surrender. Try anything funny, and I'll kill him on the spot."
With those words, the captain pressed the dagger closer to Kaku's neck, drawing a thin line of blood.
A member of the Guard Dog Squad, carrying a pair of Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs, cautiously approached the furious-looking Enel. "You, hand over your weapon and put your hands out."
Enel glared at the man holding the cuffs, causing him to instinctively step back a few paces.
Reluctantly, Enel tossed his golden staff to the man and held out his hands.
The Guard Dog Squad member quickly stepped forward and cuffed Enel with the Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs.
As soon as they clicked shut, Enel felt his strength drain away. His body weakened, though thanks to his recent physical training, he didn't collapse under the strain.
"Why did you do it?" Kaku asked, his tone filled with disappointment.
Enel smirked. "It's just temporary. Takumi won't abandon us."
With that, the Guard Dog Squad captain led Kaku and Enel toward the Tower of Justice.
The interior of the Tower of Justice was labyrinthine and complex, resembling a massive maze. It was easy to get lost without an insider's guidance.
Upon reaching the tower, the captain handed Kaku and Enel over to one of Spandam's guards.
The guard escorted the pair to Spandam's office.
Inside, aside from Spandam sitting behind his desk, there were two odd-looking individuals seated on a sofa, seemingly waiting for Kaku and Enel.
"Chapaa! Finally, they're here," said one of the figures, a round man with a spherical head, who resembled an owl in appearance. His legs were short and thin, his hair light green, and a beard covered his chin. This man, named Fukurou, had a zipper for a mouth and spoke in a high-pitched voice.
The other man, sitting beside Fukurou, had a large, rotund body, with long white hair cascading to the ground. His face was covered in thick white makeup, and black paint outlined his facial features in a menacing pattern. This man, Kumadori, looked fierce and spoke in an exaggerated, singsong manner. "Yoohooo~ You sure took your time getting here."
Fukurou and Kumadori were two of CP9's official members, who hadn't been sent on any missions outside of Enies Lobby.
"What the hell are these two freaks?" Enel asked, eyeing them with disdain.
"How dare you call me a freak!" Kumadori suddenly stood up, facing Spandam. He pulled out a katana and, still in his theatrical manner, declared, "Commander, allow me to commit seppuku to atone for this insult!"
Spandam didn't even bother responding.
"Seppuku!" Kumadori shouted, plunging the blade toward his own chest. At the last second, he invoked "Iron Body," causing the blade to clang against his hardened flesh with a metallic sound. He dropped the sword and sighed, "Alas… I remain alive."
Enel watched the absurd scene unfold with utter disbelief. "Is this guy mentally ill?"
Kaku remained silent, his previous look of concern fading, replaced by cold indifference.
Fukurou suddenly jumped in front of them and, without hesitation, unlocked the Sea-Prism Stone net that had been covering Kaku.
"Chapaa! Welcome back, Kaku~" Fukurou cheered, raising his hands in celebration.
Enel froze, staring at Kaku in shock. "What's going on? Welcome back? Kaku, what the hell is this?"
"As you can see," Kaku replied with a smile. "I've always been an agent of the World Government."
"What?" Enel's expression darkened. "You're joking! You can't be working for the World Government!"
Kaku waved dismissively. "If you're this shocked, then it just proves how convincing my act has been."
"You bastard! Takumi and I trusted you, and this is how you repay us? I'll kill you!" Enel roared, but the Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs sapped his strength, preventing him from acting.
Kaku ignored Enel's rage and approached Spandam's desk. "Commander, my mission is complete, isn't it?"
Spandam laughed. "Hahaha, yes, but there's still one more thing left."
"Takumi, I assume," Kaku said, smiling. "He won't leave Enel behind. We just have to wait. He'll come to us."
"Hahaha! Perfect! Well done, Kaku!" Spandam laughed maniacally, eyes gleaming with malice. "Anyone who defies me will die! I want Takumi and Enel wiped from existence!"
"I can't go back to Water 7 now," Kaku continued, "so once Takumi is captured, do you want me to remain here with Fukurou and Kumadori?"
Suddenly, Fukurou lunged at Kaku from behind.
Kaku swiftly countered with a spinning kick, sending Fukurou flying across the room.
"What are you doing?" Kaku asked coldly.
Fukurou picked himself up, touching his fingertips together. "Rokushiki Art—Finger Pistol Ranking! If an average marine has a power level of 10, then Kaku's power level is… time to reveal! Kaku's power is 3,300! That's more than twice as strong as when he left Enies Lobby!"
"What? 3,300?" Spandam exclaimed, shocked. "How is that even possible? How did your power level increase so fast?"
Kaku scratched his long nose and laughed. "You have no idea what I've been through these past few months."
He glanced at Enel, who had quieted down and was now glaring at him with cold intensity. "It's thanks to this guy. He pushed me to improve every single day."
"Why?" Enel asked icily. "Back in Water 7, Takumi and I weren't even on the World Government's radar. What was your real goal in joining us? And if Takumi hadn't decided to come here, how long would you have stayed undercover on our ship?"
Kaku grinned. "Does it even matter now? You and Takumi are strong, but I'm with the World Government. Our paths were never the same."
"If you weren't with the World Government, would you still betray us?" Enel pressed.
Kaku paused, then laughed heartily. "Hahaha! There are no 'ifs'! I'm with the World Government, and that's a fact. No matter what happens, I would never betray the World Government."
Enel coldly chuckled. "And if the World Government ordered you to die?"
Kaku's expression remained unchanged. "Then I would die."
Enel burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You're a fool—nothing but a blindly loyal pawn!"
Before Kaku could respond, Spandam's suspicious voice echoed from behind. "Kaku, you're really willing to die for the World Government?"
Kaku turned and glanced at Spandam, noticing the shift in his demeanor. But he replied calmly, "Of course, my life belongs to the World Government."
"Good." Spandam stood up, grasping his elephant-sword Funkfreed, and approached Kaku with a wicked grin. "In that case, why don't you prove it? Die for the Government right now!"
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