"Reporting them? Just like that?"
Luoyu took a swig of his homemade liquor, glancing at Isuka's eager face.
"You've got the makings of a model citizen."
"That woman you saw? Not just anyone. That's Shakky—the Black Widow. Former intelligence officer of the Rocks Pirates. Her name is no less terrifying than Rayleigh's."
"The fact that both of them have lived openly on Sabaody for years, right under Marine HQ's nose, means only one thing: they've been tacitly allowed to stay."
"Better to keep two ticking time bombs where you can see them… than let them vanish into the sea."
"Wait… you're saying that woman is even more dangerous than the Dark King?" Isuka blinked. "And we can't report them because Sengoku and the World Government already know?"
Before Luoyu could answer, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
Ding! Congratulations, Host. Golden Chest upgrade complete. You now have a 100% reward rate.
Luoyu raised an eyebrow.
He'd almost forgotten.
Three days ago, he'd scraped together enough for a twenty-pull.
Then the system hijacked it for a chest upgrade.
Now the golden chest floated in his mindspace, gleaming with promise.
No flashy twenty-pull this time.
But a guaranteed drop?
He could live with that.
Especially with a Flying Six member tied up on his ship, bait for Jack the Drought.
If Jack showed up, Luoyu needed to be ready.
"System," he said, exhaling slowly. "Open the Golden Chest."
Ding! Please wait…
Ding! Congratulations, Host. You've received: Intermediate Mutation Card.
This card can be applied to yourself or any of your skills. It will trigger an unpredictable transformation.
"Mutation card?"
Luoyu blinked.
He'd been hoping for something flashier.
Future Sight. Advanced Conqueror's Coating. Something visibly powerful.
Instead, he got… a wildcard.
Still, good steel belongs on a sharp blade.
And a bold idea was already forming in his mind.
"Stop right there! Marines aren't allowed in here!"
A shrill voice snapped him back to reality.
He exited his mindspace.
They'd arrived—Area 3's infamous Human Auction House.
The streets, once cleared by his presence, were now crowded again.
And leading the blockade?
A hulking figure in armor, wielding a massive katana.
With a voice like a squeaky duck.
Pica.
Top executive of the Donquixote Family.
Luoyu finally understood what Shakky meant by "tricky."
Doflamingo wasn't just a pirate.
He was a broker, a warlord, and a man who knew the Celestial Dragons' secrets.
If his people were involved, this wasn't just about CP9 anymore.
CP9 were masters of stealth.
But to fool Marine HQ and even CP0?
They had help.
Even if CP0 showed up now, they'd hesitate at the sight of Doflamingo's men.
They'd report it.
And wait for the Five Elders to decide.
"So the new Admiral found us after all."
A voice from the shadows.
A man in a white cloak.
Behind him, a bandaged figure with half a mask—Spandam.
"Father, you have to help me!" Spandam clutched the man's cloak. "Our family has always served the Celestial Dragons. We can't fall now!"
"If we pin everything on Lucci and the others, say they failed… we can survive!"
He was desperate.
He'd risen to power with just 9 Doriki.
Now, CP9 was gone.
Enies Lobby was gone.
And if the truth came out, so was he.
"Shut up, Spandam." Spandain growled. "This has nothing to do with you. It was Lucci's failure. That's the story."
"I'll clean this up. Before Lord Im finds out."
"CP0 is already on the way. This will be over soon."
"Heh. Didn't think you'd come crawling to us, Spandain."
Two ghostly figures appeared behind Spandam.
Tall. Inhumanly slender.
Spandam nearly collapsed.
If not for his father catching him, he'd have hit the floor.
Spandain gritted his teeth.
"Iga. Iha. Don't forget—you owe me. This is the time to repay it."
"Repay a favor?" Iga chuckled beneath his mask.
"Spandain, you're too polite. Your son's problem is our problem."
"We'll handle it. But now that the Joker's involved, we can't act openly."
"Let the new Admiral take the lead. If he gets the target, we'll make him hand it over."
Let him handle it?
Spandam turned to look at Luoyu's back.
And for some reason…
He felt a chill crawl up his spine.