บท 54: CP9
---
"Kalifa," Iceburg said, his gaze firm. "Send someone to invite this Mr. Uchiha Akira over. I have a business proposal for him."
"Yes, Mr. Iceburg!"
"Also call Paulie back in," Iceburg said, his tone firm.
"Understood!" Kalifa quickly stepped outside and called out, "Mr. Paulie !"
Paulie turned, surprised. "what!"
"Mr. Iceburg has something important to discuss with you," Kalifa replied.
Paulie went inside, Hearing the whole story, he couldn't help but interject. "Hiring that kid, Akira? Don't tell me we're so helpless we need him for his protection?"
Word had spread quickly that Akira planned to establish a security company in Water 7. Naturally, the foremen, who prided themselves on the company's strength, felt uneasy about hiring external protection.
"This is my decision," Iceburg said, his tone calm but resolute. "And I have my reasons. Paulie, please understand. Anyway I had sent Kalifa to hire him."
Next, Iceburg revealed his plan to Paulie, whom he'd known and trusted since childhood. "This may put you in danger, but after careful thought, I can only ask you. Are you willing to accept it?"
"Of course! Leave it to me," Paulie responded confidently.
As he left, Paulie noticed the shipyard was in high alert.
---
On a nearby rooftop, Nico Robin stood alongside a man in a bear hood, observing the scene below.
"Puft, puft!" The phone bug in Robin's hand crackled.
"Is everything set, Nico Robin?"
"Yes, whenever you are."
"Alright, then. Let's cause some chaos. The remaining four will operate individually, joining in when they see the signal to complete their tasks!"
Boom!
Before the transmission ended, an explosion erupted at a corner of the Galley-La Company headquarters.
"Whaaaaaaa—!"
The blast caught many off guard, sending them sprawling as debris scattered.
"What's going on?! Was that shelling?"
"No, there were no shells! Someone planted bombs!"
Before the shock wore off—
Boom!
Another explosion thundered from the north corner on the first floor.
"Aaaah!!"
"Everyone, report! Is anyone injured?"
"Half the crew, stay put! We still haven't seen the attackers!"
Tilestone rushed into the bedroom, his voice urgent, "Mr. Iceburg, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, just startled."
A commotion sounded from outside, "There they are! After them!"
"Are we under attack? Come with me!" Tilestone shouted as he sprinted out, closely followed by people around, only leaving Kaku and Rob Lucci at the door.
Outside, Luffy and his crew had gathered in the branches of a large tree, having been inexplicably hunted down earlier.
They'd heard rumors about Robin attacking the mayor but didn't buy it, determined to see the truth with their own eyes. So they chose to hide here waiting to search for Robin.
The entire Galley-La Company headquarters was in turmoil, with figures darting back and forth as pandemonium ensued.
---
No one noticed the three figures perched atop a nearby rooftop. Akira, Shisui, and Itachi observed the chaos calmly.
"Are those masked figures the ones who attacked the mayor?" Shisui asked, intrigued.
Akira nodded. "Yes, they are. Turn on your Sharingan. Observe closely and try to copy their techniques."
Both Shisui and Itachi activated their Sharingan, studying the movements of the masked attackers.
They watched as a boatman charged forward with a large saw, aiming at one of the masked figures. Without hesitation, the masked man leapt into the air, performing what seemed like an impossible feat.
"He's moving in mid-air!" Shisui exclaimed.
The masked man executed a series of rapid steps in the air, an ability known as "Moonwalk."
(I will use the eng dub words instead of Geppo)
"That's Moonwalk, one of the six techniques of "Rokushiki" that allows for "flight" by kicking off air itself," Akira explained. "It's used by generating powerful thrusts with their legs. But it's limited; they can't hover for long."
"Rokushiki?" Itachi's curiosity was piqued.
"Yes. It's a combat technique created by the World Government to push the boundaries of human ability. It's quite versatile."
Shisui and Itachi watched closely, their Sharingan capturing every detail. As geniuses of the Uchiha clan, they could already sense the tactical advantage of this move—being able to fight from above, strike unexpectedly, or retreat if needed.
"We can use this to increase our mobility in the air," Shisui noted. "It's a huge advantage."
"Exactly," Akira agreed. "You should both copy it. With your enhanced breathing control and stamina, you'll have the strength to pull off this technique."
After practicing their internal focus, they both succeeded in copying Moonwalk, taking note of its limitations.
"Brother Akira, do you want us to intervene?" Itachi asked.
"No," Akira replied thoughtfully. "Let them suffer a little more then they will appreciate our help the most."
"When people truly feel despair," he added with a smirk, "that's when they learn to cherish."
---
Galley-La Company President's Office
Paulie followed Iceburg's instructions and pulled out a roll of blueprints. Suddenly, a voice interrupted from the doorway. "Is that Iceburg's prized collection? Hand it over. You probably don't understand its true value…"
Paulie spun around, startled to see two masked figures standing before him. "Who are you?! How did you get in here?" he demanded.
One replied. "But we're here for justice. CP9."
"No matter where you got in, you'll be met by our men soon enough," Paulie said, trying to keep his voice steady. The building was packed with his people, and he though the masked men wouldn't stand a chance.
The masked figure held up a bloodstained hand and smirked. "We've already run into some resistance—can't quite recall who they were."
"So you're not even trying to hide anymore, you want war" Paulie challenged.
"Maybe, as no one said we couldn't," the masked man replied. "Now, hand over Iceburg's 'treasure'… or die for knowing too much."
---
Meanwhile, in Iceburg's private room, a hidden door on the wall creaked open. Nico Robin and a man in a bear mask slipped inside, sealing the door as if it had never been there. Iceburg, taken aback, kept his composure. "I expected you, though not from that wall. Is this the same trick you used last night? There's not supposed to be a door there."
"It's the power of my 'Door-Door Fruit,'" the man in the bear mask explained. "I can create a door on any wall I touch, entering and exiting freely."
With a calm precision, the man raised a pistol and aimed at Iceburg. Bang! The shot echoed.
"Didn't you say you had a signal to wait for?" Robin asked, arching an eyebrow.
"He's still alive," the masked man replied smoothly. "All we need to do is leave him helpless."
Outside, the sounds of resistance dwindled, and Iceburg's hope began to wane. "Why hasn't help arrived?" he muttered to himself.
Just then, the main door burst open, and four masked figures dressed in black stepped into the room. Iceburg scowled. "Leave! I don't have what you're looking for."
The figure with the tie-clad pigeon on his shoulder took off his bull mask. Iceburg's eyes widened. "Lucci?!"
Another figure removed his mask, revealing a familiar face. "Maybe you should've taken the easy way, Iceburg."
"Kaku!" Iceburg gasped.
The others followed suit. "We didn't want this to turn out this way," one of them said. "By the way, don't expect any 'security company' to rescue you now."
"Kalifa?!" Iceburg stared in shock. He'd sent her to seek help from Uchiha Akira, but now realized it had been a ruse.
The last one removed his bear mask, revealing the well-known face of Blueno, a local bar owner.
"Are… are all of you working for the World Government?" Iceburg choked out, barely able to comprehend the betrayal.
"Indeed," Lucci replied, stepping forward. "We've been undercover in Water 7 for many years, we CP9 meticulously blending into your lives. But your silence on the design and location of the Ancient Weapon Pluton left us no choice but to act now."
"Before more innocents fall victim to pirates, give us what we need."
"Even if you wear the mask of justice, that doesn't give you the right to execute at will!" Iceburg shouted.
"Justice has changed," Lucci continued coldly. "The World Government sees no reason to fear weapon resurgence anymore. In fact, they intend to use it as a weapon to put an end to the 'Great Pirate Era'—by any means necessary."
"That's absurd! Awakening such power would only plunge the world into a bloodbath!" Iceburg countered fiercely.
"It appears you don't trust the government, Mr. Iceburg," Lucci replied.
"I only know human nature," Iceburg said through gritted teeth. "And I see none of it in you."
...
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