The newly deceased pirates began to whisper fervently as they watched the scene unfold. A wave of hushed voices rippled through the clearing as the Reaper boss spoke to Whitebeard. After Whitebeard gave his word, the Lord of the Underworld nodded, took a Reaper attendant with him, and left the area. They headed toward the large hole in the roof, likely intending to go below.
"Mama, that guy—is he really the ruler of the afterlife?"
Perospero, Big Mom's eldest son, extended his long tongue and licked his candy cane staff while watching the two departing Reapers. His eyes narrowed, focusing particularly on the leader. A sharp glint flickered in his gaze. Big Mom withdrew her gaze from Ren and glanced at her son, a look of naked ambition crossing her face.
"Ma-ma, ma-ma! That is the King of the Underworld. Perospero, he is the man who will become your father. You must show proper courtesy when you see him in the future."
Perospero's pupils shrank before a wild grin spread across his face. "Pero-pero-pero! As expected of Mama, targeting the Lord of the Underworld himself. If Mama marries him, the entire world of the dead will be no different from Mama's personal property."
The Beasts' Disagreement
Though the mother and son had lowered their voices, Kaido and his group standing nearby heard them clearly. Kaido snorted, choosing not to comment. However, one of the Lead Performers beside him grew agitated.
"Lord Kaido, it seems the Big Mom Pirates have already locked onto their target. If they succeed, it will be far too detrimental to our Beast Pirates' operations—"
Kaido shot a sideways glance at his subordinate, his tone unreadable. "Jack, what are you suggesting?"
"We should strike first! We must seize the Underworld's territory before Big Mom makes her move. That way, Lord Kaido can—"
BANG! Before Jack could finish, Kaido delivered a heavy punch directly to Jack's metal mask. The force was so immense that the iron mask shattered instantly, slamming Jack face-first into the ground.
"Lord Kaido is on a drunken rampage again! This time he even went after a Lead Performer."
"Shut up, you idiot! Governor Kaido is a soul now, where would he get alcohol?"
"Captain Jack must have provoked Governor Kaido—"
Seeing the exchange, the members of the Beast Pirates scrambled back several paces to avoid the crossfire. Jack climbed up from the ground, coughing and wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. Looking at his still-energetic subordinate, Kaido sighed, a sense of helplessness rising in his chest.
"Jack, next time you want to act, how about you think for a moment first? At least understand the difference in power before deciding whether to make a move."
Facing Kaido's earnest instruction, Jack nodded, his rugged face showing a hint of guilt. "I... I'm sorry, Lord Kaido."
The Silent Observers
Hiding in a corner of the crowd, the two CP0 agents took in the pirates' reactions. They glanced at each other, sensing a shared, speechless frustration.
"What are these pirates thinking? Do they have no brains?" Guernica's complaining was kept extremely low. "That is the Head of the Reapers! A true God ruling the world of the dead! They should show proper respect, otherwise, if we anger the Reapers, we'll never find peace even in death."
Maha nodded in deep agreement. "These pirates are just used to being arrogant. To be this boastful before a true God..."
"What are you two discussing?"
The cold voice rang in their ears, causing them to spin around immediately. A black-clad Reaper with crimson eyes had appeared beside them. Those eyes glowed with a dark red light, radiating an ominous, cursed aura.
"Nothing, we weren't saying anything!" the two shook their heads frantically. "We wouldn't dare show the slightest disrespect."
The Reaper nodded slightly. "My name is Uchiha Tekka, a subordinate of Lord Ren. I heard you were employed by an intelligence organization in life, and that you were elites within it, correct?"
Guernica nodded. "You are correct, my lord. We were indeed agents under the World Government."
"That's good," Uchiha Tekka said. "Lord Ren has a similar organization, responsible for the Stealth Force. I think you are capable. Especially the fact that you didn't value your own lives for the sake of a mission—that is commendable. Do you want to come over?"
The two looked at each other and nodded without hesitation. "If my lord thinks well of our meager skills, we naturally will not refuse."
"Good. When we return to the Underworld City, follow behind us. I will take you to the Soul Society. Once we reach the Seireitei, I will submit an application for you. Don't disappoint me."
The CP0 agents immediately bowed their heads. "We are deeply grateful for your appreciation, my lord. We will not let you down."
Uchiha Tekka turned to leave, waving his hand at them. "Follow me."
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