In the G-7 base commander's office, Finn had just finished giving Vergo instructions and watched the man's back as he departed.
Finn felt somewhat helpless. Why was this guy so dense?
I've hinted at you so many times. Why don't you go find Doflamingo and present me with a fine blade?
Do you still want to advance?
Believe it or not, I'll arrange for you to go mining in the Calm Belt right now.
The same thing with Chief of Staff Tsuru and Stussy. It's been so long, and there's still no movement on acquiring a quality sword for him.
Alas, famous blades are hard to find.
After suppressing those mercenary thoughts, Finn took out a document, reviewed it, and signed his name.
Everyone at G-7 was loyal to him, so no one would jump out to cause trouble or challenge his authority.
Therefore, Finn could handle procedures and matters very efficiently. He only had to tell his subordinates his ideas, they'd organize them into formal documents, he'd sign them, and then they'd be implemented.
There wasn't much for him to deal with personally. Soon all the documents were signed.
Finn stood and poured himself a cup of tea, then turned to look at the sea chart hanging on the wall.
Things had been relatively calm at G-7.
His name might not be enough to terrify the entire world, but he was well-known among the truly powerful.
Therefore, people like Crocodile, Gecko Moria, and Doflamingo didn't dare cause trouble in G-7's waters. Even the new generation of outstanding pirates emerging in the current era avoided his territory. Veterans like Crocodile and Doflamingo had already entered the New World.
Moria was probably heading there soon. Calculating the timeline, once he reached the New World, he'd cause trouble for Kaido.
But that had little to do with Finn.
If there was any connection, it meant Moria might steal the sword Shusui from Wano Country.
Then perhaps he could arrange for Moria to pay tribute to him.
If he didn't comply, kill him.
Only ignorant small-time pirates would come to provoke G-7, so there was no real trouble.
But the New World was said to be in chaos. The Big Mom Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates had fought battle after battle, turning the entire New World into a mess.
Several other major pirates were joining the fray as well.
The new pirates pouring into the New World were even more unscrupulous and brutal.
Many challenged Whitebeard and Charlotte Linlin, but were either destroyed or absorbed by them.
Only Kaido remained quiet and never showed himself.
Just as Finn was pondering these trivial matters, there was a knock on his office door.
After responding, Gion pushed the door open and walked in, followed by a young boy who looked somewhat serious, but with a firm expression on his face.
"What are you thinking about?" After Gion entered, she sat down on the sofa confidently, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a sip.
Finn's eyelid twitched slightly. He really wanted to tell her, that's my tea!
However, seeing Gion's indifferent attitude, he didn't say anything. It would seem petty, and there was a high probability Gion would tease him in return.
"Nothing much, just calculating the current situation." Finn shook his head.
After he finished speaking, he looked at the boy standing at the door without moving. He smiled and said, "It's been a while, Lucci."
As soon as he finished speaking, the boy quickly replied, "Thank you for your care, Lord Finn!"
That's right. The boy was Rob Lucci, the one Finn had taken from Stussy at the orphanage.
In the past few years, he'd been learning from Instructor Zephyr.
Zephyr also liked Lucci, this talented and hardworking disciple, and took good care of him.
Originally, according to Zephyr's plan, he was going to send Lucci to the military academy when he was older. After graduation, with Zephyr's and Finn's protection, Lucci would definitely have a bright future in the Marines.
Lucci had originally thought he'd follow that route.
But he'd been summoned early by Finn not long ago.
Gion went to Headquarters in person and requested Lucci from Zephyr.
"It's nothing. It's your own talent and effort," Finn said with a smile.
After he finished speaking, he waved at Lucci, indicating he should come over and sit down instead of standing awkwardly at the door.
Lucci hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and sat down opposite Finn.
"How old are you this year?" Finn asked.
"Ten years old," Lucci replied softly.
But looking at his appearance, he didn't resemble a ten-year-old child at all. On the contrary, he looked more like a teenager of fourteen or fifteen.
It wasn't just that his body had developed well under Zephyr's training. Mainly, Lucci was too mature. His temperament didn't reveal that he was only ten years old.
If you thought about it carefully, he'd given people a sense of precociousness even when he was in the orphanage.
"Ten years old... still a child." Finn smiled, reaching for the teacup from under the table to pour water.
Lucci was quite perceptive. He immediately picked up the teapot and started pouring.
After taking a sip of tea, Finn asked again, "Any thoughts? Any ideas for the future?"
This question wasn't really appropriate to ask a ten-year-old child.
But Lucci didn't feel anything was wrong. After thinking for a while, he said, "Originally, I was thinking of following Instructor Zephyr's guidance and entering the military academy. If I could become a pillar of the Marines like you, Lord Finn, and dedicate myself to justice in the future, I'd be satisfied and have no regrets. But Lord Finn, you suddenly summoned me here. You must have plans for me, right? So now my plan is to follow your instructions!"
Finn's eyes lit up. He had to admit, this boy was remarkably mature. He could speak well and had a clear head.
"I do have ideas and plans for you, but they're very dangerous and will take a very long time. Even... ten or twenty years," Finn said softly.
Lucci hesitated. He wasn't afraid of danger. He'd known from childhood that danger always coexisted with opportunity.
But the time-consuming nature made him hesitate.
Ten years? Twenty years? He'd only lived for ten years total!
What exactly was Finn planning?
Finn didn't rush him. After a brief hesitation, Lucci said, "Is it for your personal use, my lord? You don't intend to let me officially join the Marines?"
"It's a mixture of official duty and personal interest. But I'm not saying you won't join the Marines. On the contrary, if you agree, I'll arrange for you to officially join the Marines today," Finn replied after a moment's thought.
Lucci, seeing this, thought for a moment, then straightened his posture and said, "Please command me, Lord Finn!"
Lord Finn had always been kind to him and recommended him to learn from Instructor Zephyr.
This was an enormous favor. If it weren't for Lord Finn, he might have been taken to the CP agency.
Lucci had lived in the Marines for four years and naturally had deep feelings for the organization, especially since Instructor Zephyr treated him very well. In such an atmosphere, how could he have any positive feelings toward a place like CP?
In addition, Lord Finn was now being frank with him and discussing these matters in a consultative manner.
How could he refuse?
Although he didn't know what the arrangement was, Lord Finn must have some personal motives, but from what Lord Finn said, it would ultimately benefit the Marines. A mixture of official duty and personal interest.
At the same time, he could immediately join the Marines, which was what Lucci cared about very much.
He really wanted to become a real Marine right away!
"Hahahaha, I wanted to manipulate you a bit, but seeing how honest you are, I can't bear it anymore." Finn laughed.
After a brief pause, Finn continued, "I'll tell you what's happening. If you agree, then follow my instructions. If not, that's fine. You're a talented person. As long as you work hard, you'll eventually succeed. I respect your talent and won't do anything to harm you. I'll still take good care of you. When the time comes, you can return to Headquarters and follow Instructor Zephyr's guidance. Join the military academy, then join the Marines, taking it step by step."
Lucci nodded, feeling somewhat touched, and said, "Yes, Lord Finn."
"Well, I plan to have you join the Marines' secret special force within the Intelligence Department, SWORD. You'll go to the New World as an undercover agent, join the Whitebeard Pirates, and strive to become a member of the Second Division." Finn's tone was matter-of-fact.
Lucci was stunned at this moment. What?
It sounded like he could indeed join the Marines right now, but would he have to go to the New World as a pirate the moment he changed identities?
After a moment's pause, Lucci asked, "Lord Finn, are you planning to take action against the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"It's only a matter of time. But I've already said your mission is a long-term undercover assignment. Publicly, it's to obtain intelligence on the Whitebeard Pirates. Privately, I'm also asking you to do something for me personally." Finn smiled.
Planting an undercover agent in the Whitebeard Pirates was indeed official business. After all, it could help the Marines obtain intelligence.
As for why he'd chosen Lucci, it was mainly because if he recruited an adult, it would increase the Whitebeard Pirates' vigilance. Lucci was a child and very talented, so he could not only reduce the Whitebeard Pirates' suspicion of him but also demonstrate his abilities and quickly establish himself.
At the same time, a child like him was insignificant in appearance.
Security would be higher.
As for the personal matter, it was to help Finn keep an eye on the ambitious Marshall D. Teach.
Finn was extremely interested in the Dark-Dark Fruit. He'd always been confused about it.
Was it that the Dark-Dark Fruit could accommodate the power of two fruits, or was it that Teach's special body structure could accommodate the power of two fruits?
Or perhaps a combination of both?
This was a question with no definitive answer. After all, before trying it, even Teach himself had no certainty and was gambling with his life.
But regardless, one thing could be confirmed: the ability of the Dark-Dark Fruit not only greatly restrained other Devil Fruit users, but also, if certain methods were mastered, it could be used to seize their abilities.
Once Finn mastered this method, he'd be able to go further and strengthen the Marines significantly.
Many powerful Devil Fruit users were imprisoned in Impel Down's great prison.
If the Dark-Dark Fruit could be used properly, Marine strength would definitely be greatly enhanced.
Thinking of this, Finn touched his chest. Although it wasn't visible to the naked eye, he knew his body was also special. The black core of unknown purpose still existed within his body.
If the Dark-Dark Fruit really had some special properties, if it could really allow him to become a dual-fruit ability user...
He'd have gravity in one hand and darkness in the other. Wouldn't that make him nearly invincible?
By then, if he used something like Gravity Domain: Planetary Devastation, he could probably seal even Whitebeard inside, render him immobile, then sink the old man directly into the sea.
If it wasn't feasible, that was fine too. It was better than letting this ability fall into Teach's hands. It would benefit the Marines regardless.
But the Dark-Dark Fruit wasn't easy to find, so Finn planned to steal it.
Send Lucci to the Whitebeard Pirates, and after the Dark-Dark Fruit appeared... arrange circumstances against Blackbeard.
This wouldn't produce results in a short period. As Finn said, it might take ten or even twenty years to bear fruit.
That's why he'd told Lucci this upfront.
After a long silence, Lucci looked at Finn seriously and said with conviction, "Everything is for justice!"
Finn smiled. The boy understood.
Gion, who'd been sitting quietly on the sofa listening to the entire exchange, took another sip of Finn's tea and spoke up. "You're sending a ten-year-old child to infiltrate the Whitebeard Pirates? That's quite ruthless, even for you."
"He won't be ten forever," Finn replied calmly. "By the time this mission reaches its critical phase, he'll be a fully grown man. An elite Marine who's survived years in one of the world's most dangerous pirate crews. The experience alone will be invaluable."
"And if he's discovered?" Gion pressed.
"Then he escapes or dies trying. Those are the risks of undercover work." Finn's tone held no sentiment, only pragmatism. "But Lucci is talented. He'll survive. And when the time comes, he'll be positioned perfectly to execute the mission."
Lucci absorbed this exchange silently. He'd made his choice. Whatever Lord Finn required, he'd fulfill.
Everything was for justice.
Even if that justice required him to live as a pirate for twenty years.