Chrollo and his group naturally had no idea how the Buggy Pirates were reacting.
Even if he did, he'd probably just say: Is this the pirate crew with the wildest imagination on the seas? Unbelievable!
Right now, he was leading the Troupe's combat members in a standoff against CP9!
Opposite him stood the legendary strongest agent in CP9's 800-year history, the cold-blooded killing machine, the Thrill-Seeker himself—Rob Lucci!
After a brief skirmish, the surrounding trees had been almost completely leveled. The ground was scarred with deep craters from the blasts.
Off to the side, Buggy watched the scene, trembling with fear, his knees knocking and his jaw hitting the floor.
"So... so strong!"
The two factions separated momentarily after a powerful clash.
"So, you are the leader of the Phantom Pirates—Chrollo Lucilfer... with a bounty of 720 million Berries."
Lucci looked at Chrollo with arrogant eyes.
Hiding in the bushes and eavesdropping, Buggy felt as if he'd been electrocuted when he heard that number. He couldn't stop shaking.
"How... how much?"
"7... 700 million?!!"
Just thinking about how he had tried to rob a guy like that moments ago filled him with lingering terror.
Behind him, his subordinates heard this and looked at their captain with eyes full of worship.
"Cap... Captain Buggy... he just scared off a powerhouse worth 700 million with nothing but his own aura! What kingly spirit!"
"Captain Buggy really is a man who possesses the disposition of a king!"
"Captain Buggy deserves a seat among the Four Emperors!"
"Seconded!"
"Emperor Buggy! Emperor Buggy!"
"This era shall be named 'Red Nose'—"
"Heh... Gyahahaha—"
"Th... that's right! Exactly!" Buggy forced a smile onto his face.
Chrollo ignored the commotion in the bushes. His eyes narrowed as he sized up the man in front of him—the one with a pigeon on his shoulder who upheld "Dark Justice."
"So you are Captain Lucci, CP9's war machine... I am curious, though. Where exactly did you learn my full name?"
Only the Troupe members and a very small number of others knew his full name.
Chrollo had been wondering for days how the Navy and the World Government had managed to learn all the Troupe members' names and issue bounties for them in such a short time.
After all... many in the Troupe hadn't even made a move yet.
"Curious, are you? ...Well, I suppose there's no harm in telling you, since you're all about to become ghosts under my command."
Lucci wore a mocking expression.
"A new lieutenant who recently joined the Navy voluntarily provided your information."
I knew it...
Chrollo's eyes narrowed.
Only the remnants who had escaped from the Black Whale would have their information.
He just didn't know which one of them had joined the Navy...
"I knew they wouldn't stay quiet... I'll have to deal with this sooner rather than later."
Those who knew the Troupe inside and out were the biggest trouble for them.
"I have a question for you as well."
"Did you steal the Heavenly Tribute?" Lucci stared at Chrollo with a sharp gaze.
"Guess," Chrollo replied, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly.
"Heh..." Lucci sneered.
"I don't need to guess. Once I capture all of you and make you feel true despair, you will naturally tell me the truth and reveal the location of the Heavenly Tribute."
A smile of arrogant confidence spread across his face.
"I hope you can provide me with some entertainment."
As a genius with a Douriki of over 4000—a rarity in CP9's centuries of history—Lucci indeed had the capital to be arrogant.
However...
"..." Chrollo was speechless.
As expected of the Thrill-Seeker. He always picks the wrong people to flex on...
"Worth killing"... do you even know you don't have the ability for that?
Chrollo couldn't be bothered to waste any more breath on him. He waved his hand.
"...Members, go. Plunder them."
Hearing their leader's command, Uvogin took the lead. An astonishing aura erupted from his entire body. He shattered the ground beneath him with a stomp and charged straight at Rob Lucci with a savage grin, his momentum terrifying.
"Your strength looks pretty good—"
Lucci sized him up with interest, then spread his arms.
"Zoan-type: Cat-Cat Fruit, Leopard Model — Hybrid Form!"
His body suddenly expanded, bursting through his shirt. Yellow and black leopard spots covered his entire body, and his hands and feet transformed into the powerful limbs of a cheetah.
A savage, arrogant grin hung on his lips.
He first glanced at Chrollo.
"Sending a subordinate to fight? A coward, then... No matter. After I kill him, you're next."
Then he turned to Uvogin and lunged at the charging giant.
"The second-in-command of a 700 million berry pirate is also worth killing—"
Bang—
Inhuman physique clashed with beastly form; fist met leopard claw.
Instantly, a powerful shockwave rippled out from the point of impact.
The ground beneath their feet cracked inch by inch.
"Not bad—"
"Interesting—" Both of them grinned.
"Shigan: Yellow Lotus!"
"Rock Storm!"
Tyrannical bodies collided in the forest. Fists and claws met, creating explosive booms.
For a moment, dust rose like a dragon.
On the other side, guided by a swordsman's intuition, Nobunaga and Kaku found each other and faced off.
"Kaku."
"Nobunaga."
Their introductions were brief, their expressions serious.
Kaku's height gradually increased as he transformed into a giraffe-human hybrid. He drew two swords from his waist, holding them in a reverse grip, one in front and one behind.
"Zoan-type: Ox-Ox Fruit, Giraffe Model."
"Eh—his neck is so long!" Bonney pointed at the scene and exclaimed.
".......Don't make fun of my neck!" Kaku couldn't help but turn his head and yell angrily.
Nobunaga kept Chrollo's advice in mind, placing both hands on the hilts of his swords, "Oto" and "Kogarashi," simultaneously.
Whoosh—
A breeze swept across the ground, and both men moved at the same time.
"Rankyaku: Spiral White Blade!"
Kaku leaped into the air, spinning at high speed instantly. A spiral storm erupted on the field, blades scattering in all directions.
Nobunaga unsheathed both famous swords at once. In a flash—
Two incomparably sharp sword gleams flashed, meeting the blade storm.
"Iaido: Draw Sword: Dual Slash—"
Clang—
Four blades locked together instantly, cold light radiating everywhere.
The trees around them were sliced cleanly, falling in patches.
At the same time, the others also found their opponents.
Phinks took on Jabra, the user of the "Zoan-type: Dog-Dog Fruit, Wolf Model."
Feitan faced off against Kalifa, the user of the "Paramecia-type: Bubble-Bubble Fruit."
Franklin and Shalnark also found Kumadori and Fukuro, respectively.
The scene was chaotic, with various abilities clashing against each other.
Chrollo casually found a rock to sit on. He pulled out a comic book wrapped in a cover of serious literature and read quietly, enjoying his leisure time.
Because only at times like this could he read comics without being discovered.
He paid no attention to the battles on the field.
On one hand, the Troupe had a bad habit: they didn't like others interfering in their fights.
On the other hand, Chrollo needed to leave room for the members to grow.
The current CP9 was perfect for them to practice on and hone their skills.
...