"How many people do you need?"
"The more, the better. If the entire Galley-La Company could relocate, that would be ideal."
But Luo Lan knew very well—that was impossible at the moment.
"Five foremen and one hundred shipwrights. I'll provide the site, and I'll be responsible for building the shipyard. How does that sound?"
"Deal. In fact, I can give you ten foremen and two hundred shipwrights. But I have three conditions."
"Oh? What are they?"
Ten foremen and two hundred shipwrights—that was over half of Galley-La's workforce. Luo Lan hadn't expected Iceburg to offer even more than he asked for.
As long as the conditions weren't unreasonable, Luo Lan was happy to agree.
"First, once the warships are completed, Jun Lin is not allowed to force any of my people to stay. Whether they stay or go should be up to them."
"Second, you'll handle the CP9 problem for me—and I must not be implicated."
"Third, take Franky with you. Rather than risk the World Government tracking him down later, it's safer for him to be with you."
Iceburg stated his conditions directly.
Luo Lan was momentarily stunned.
Because... these were exactly the things he had already planned to do. He just didn't expect Iceburg to bring them up first.
There was nothing left to consider.
"Agreed. I accept all of them."
Yes, Luo Lan promised that Jun Lin would never force any of those shipwrights to stay. If they chose to leave, he wouldn't stop them.
As for CP9—he had already started taking care of that. There wasn't much left to say. At most, he'd just need to send Hima and the others back to Enies Lobby one more time and take care of Spandam.
And Franky...
Even if Iceburg hadn't brought it up, Hina was already planning to take him.
After all, Franky was one of their primary targets in this operation—not for Pluton, but...
Because of Franky himself.
If there were anyone in this world who could surpass EX-level in shipbuilding, it would be either Iceburg or Franky.
And compared to Iceburg, Franky clearly had more potential.
Iceburg was too traditional. Franky, on the other hand, had a wild imagination.
And that imagination wasn't just limited to shipbuilding...
"I can have the people ready in a few days. How will you pick them up?"
"My ship will come in five days."
"And CP9?"
"Handled tonight. After that, you just clean up the scene."
Luo Lan was very confident in this.
The only CP9 agents still at large were Lucci, Kaku, Blueno, and Spandam.
Even the strongest among them, Lucci, had a Doriki value just over 3,000.
Any one of Hina's team could take him down easily.
And that's exactly what happened...
That very evening.
Lucci and Kaku got off work, planning to grab a drink and meet Blueno for a quick meeting.
They were ambushed on the street.
Kaku didn't even have time to react—Zoro took him out in a single strike.
As for Lucci, his Zoan-enhanced body and mastery of Rokushiki let him endure two attacks...
But even though he survived those two blows, he was seriously injured.
He dropped to one knee, coughing up blood.
Then a bolt of lightning fell from the sky, engulfing him instantly.
When the lightning faded, Lucci lay unconscious on the ground.
At that moment, Hina appeared—dragging an unconscious Blueno behind her.
And just like that, CP9's Water 7 unit was wiped out.
The whole thing happened so fast, not even the locals noticed.
Soon after, Lucci and Blueno were shackled with seastone cuffs.
Why not Kaku?
Because he was dead—Zoro had literally sliced him in half in a single blow.
A true instant kill.
That was why Hina had assigned Zoro to Kaku. When it came to taking lives, Zoro was much more efficient than Iceburg.
Was Kaku unlucky?
Very. If only he'd eaten a Devil Fruit—he might've lasted a few days longer...
---
Galley-La Company Headquarters
"What? That scandalously dressed woman is a spy?!"
Paulie, who had been called over by Iceburg to guard Kalifa, was stunned, eyes wide with disbelief.
He'd never liked how Kalifa dressed—those ultra-short skirts and those fishnet stockings that could drive a man to sin—but despite that, he'd always respected her.
Her work ethic, her efficiency—both were impeccable.
But now Iceburg was saying she was a spy?
"President, are you sure?"
"I don't know. We'll ask her when she wakes up."
Iceburg shook his head.
But truthfully, he was already 90% convinced.
All that was missing was her confession.
As if on cue, Kalifa slowly opened her eyes.
She immediately realized her hands and feet were shackled—and she'd been tied up in what looked like a bondage play.
Trying to recall what happened, she only remembered supervising Iceburg at work—and then everything went black.
She had no idea what the situation was now.
So, she stayed in character, playing her role flawlessly.
"Let me go! This is sexual harassment!!"
She shouted, furious.
Iceburg calmly sat down in front of her, eyes level with hers.
"Kalifa, how long have you been with me?"
"Three and a half years. President, please—just untie me! This is serious sexual harassment!!"
"Hmm... Three and a half years..."
Iceburg ignored her accusations and continued.
"Out of everyone in the Galley-La Company, the two people I trust the most are Paulie and you. So tell me...
Why are you part of CP9?"
At that, Kalifa froze.
He knew. She'd been exposed...
But how?
The questions swirled in her mind. She'd been so careful, so perfect—no mistakes for over three years.
Why now?
Wait—maybe he was just suspicious and trying to test her?
Yes. She couldn't admit it yet.
"President, I don't know what you're talking about. CP9? Never heard of it."
"Really? Then I guess you don't recognize these three either?"
As Kalifa denied it, several figures appeared in the room.
They were carrying two unconscious men.
And when Kalifa saw their faces, her whole body trembled.
She could no longer hold it in. Her expression cracked, and she cried out—
"Lucci! Blueno!!"
---
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