Chapter 173: Dark Justice
Chapter 173: Dark Justice
Soge Queen ate his meal while keeping an eye on the situation in the second car, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "This is getting interesting."
"What is it, Bruno?"
Everyone except for Lucci was startled by this scene.
To have infiltrated this far into the train and defeated Wanze, this intruder must be one of the Straw Hat's main crew members, even if he didn't have a bounty.
That much was expected, but what they didn't see coming was the kick that sent Bruno flying.
If the average combat strength of an armed Marine soldier was rated as 10, then anyone surpassing 500 was considered a superhuman 'monster'.
In all their years of carrying out missions, they had never failed, nor had they encountered anyone who could overpower their Rokushiki techniques.
There were certainly strong individuals in the vastness of the Grand Line, but the CP9 had their own methods of dealing with such threats.
The only exception was this straw hat-wearing, brow-furrowed pirate, who, despite being one of the main crew members, only had a bounty of 100 million berries. He couldn't possibly be that strong... and yet, here he was, having just kicked Bruno aside.
"Where did you learn the Rokushiki? Aside from us, the only ones who know all six techniques are—"
Gabra trailed off, his eyes darting towards the back of the train. Soge, using his dinner knife to crack open a lobster shell, popped a large piece of meat into his mouth and swallowed it in a few quick bites. Noticing the others looking at him, he nodded and said, "I've encountered it before."
So it was true...
While they had come across individuals who knew one or two of the Rokushiki techniques, those who had mastered all six, aside from the elite Marines and themselves, the CP9, were members of the Natural Disaster Pirate Crew.
Had they prepared for this battle because they had encountered the CP9 before?
"It's done!"
Usopp's smile widened as he waved at them. "Well, bye-bye now, guys—"
"Soru!"
Just as the train car was pulling away, Lucci's figure flashed, and he leaped over the door, unleashing a burst of air that swept through the car like a whirlwind, knocking back the two occupants.
Bang!
Franky was sent flying and crashed into the next car.
Sanji, on the other hand, was struck in the throat with an elbow and slammed into the ground. The whirlwind continued unabated, rushing forward and reaching Usopp just as he was still waving goodbye.
Puchi!
A finger pierced his chest, causing Usopp's movements to freeze as his eyes rolled up, and he collapsed.
"Usopp!!!"
Sanji, struggling to lift his head, shouted with narrowed eyes.
Lucci retracted his bloody finger and looked down at the fallen sniper. "Defeating Bruno means nothing to us. Die."
He raised his foot, intending to stomp on Usopp's masked head.
But just then, arms sprouted from Lucci's body, restraining him by the neck, waist, and joints.
Robin crossed her arms and fixed Lucci with a steady gaze. "We had an agreement!"
"As long as they don't get in our way," Lucci growled, his eyes locked on Robin.
"Fine," he finally relented, slowly lowering his foot. "As long as you don't resist, it'll be fine."
Creak!
Just then, a door of air opened behind Robin, and a grim-faced Bruno stepped through, his voice low and angry as he said, "Quite a heavy kick. I underestimated you."
"Oh?"
Soge Queen, from his position, could also see the door and the surprised look on his face. "So, he's a Devil Fruit user? Convenient. What's the fruit's power?"
"It's the Door Door Fruit," explained the owl, perched on his shoulder. "Bruno is a Door-Door Human who can turn anything that obstructs him into a door, even air."
Soge regarded Lucci and Robin with interest as they entered the door, letting the train car pull away. Once they were in the second car, he asked with a hint of curiosity, "A very handy ability. Can you bring people through as well? What about objects?"
"How large is the storage space? If this ability is used well, can you trap people inside forever?"
Bruno paused after hearing this and replied, "Theoretically, yes, but it also requires stamina, and..."
He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I don't think it would work on you."
"Hohohoho! You're quite perceptive. Indeed, each member of CP9 is a talented individual." Soge Queen laughed heartily.
No matter how powerful an ability may seem, there is always a way to counter it.
Even the most formidable abilities can be negated by Haki, the mysterious power of will.
The same principle applied to the spatial ability displayed by the air door; theoretically, it could be used to imprison someone. However, if Bruno could be defeated, then his ability could be countered as well.
For individuals like Soge, even if the door were closed, he was confident that he could use his Haki to 'open' it again.
After all, imprisoning someone within that space still required the ability to be actively maintained. As long as the ability was being sustained, there would always be a way to break free.
If it were truly invincible, why bother with Impel Down? They could just trap troublesome individuals in that space forever.
"This is a handy ability indeed, making movement very convenient, and even if we encounter obstacles during a robbery, we don't have to worry about the loot getting damaged," Soge said as he finished the last piece of fish. He wiped his mouth with the napkin that had been provided with the meal cart and took a few sips of red wine. After a contented sigh, he waved his hand to signal for the meal cart to be removed.
"You can talk about taking him when you've successfully escaped from Enies Lobby," Lucci replied calmly. "We are well aware of your plan, and we are impressed by your audacity. However, as one of the World Government's three great power institutions, Enies Lobby is not so easily breached, especially when you plan to attract even more Marines. I don't think you'll be able to escape."
"Chiba! Enies Lobby has a garrison of 10,000 men, and there are two giants guarding the entrance. Even for your captain, it will be extremely difficult," the owl added as it pushed the meal cart away.
Soge opened the cigar box that had been delivered earlier and took out a cigar, placing it between his lips. With a quick flick of his fingers, he produced a match, lit the cigar, and leaned back into the sofa, exhaling a puff of smoke.
Baring his white teeth, Soge said with a sinister smile, "Numbers mean nothing to me. You have received my intelligence report, have you not?"
This statement caused everyone's pupils to constrict, even Lucci's usually expressionless face twitched slightly.
Yes, this man's intelligence report... even Gabra had mentioned it.
This was a man with the qualifications of a hegemon!
That was why he was so dangerous.
Yet, he also had great charisma, managing to convince half of CP9, who were supposed to be loyal only to the World Government, to follow him.
"Come to think of it, I'm quite curious. It seems like you're not concerned about Enies Lobby at all. What is it that you're worried about, then?" Soge asked, his curiosity piqued.
Lucci's cold face gradually twisted into a sinister grin as he replied, "Killing! Only through killing can justice be maintained. As long as evil people exist, there will be evil in the world. That is why killing is necessary! And the only ones qualified to do so, the only ones who can legally kill, are those who serve the World Government!"
Unlike the Navy, which usually refrained from killing unless absolutely necessary and focused more on arrests, CP9 operated in the shadows. They were assassins, a group of killers who maintained justice through their ruthless methods.
They were not mere spies; they were an organization of assassins!
This was the dark justice of Rob Lucci and CP9!
(End of Chapter)
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