Chapter 666: Who Do You Think You Are?
Chapter 666: Who Do You Think You Are?
Rob Lucci.
Hailed as the strongest man CP9 had produced in eight hundred years.
Frankly, Kuro found this title questionable.
After all, CP9 wasn't even the entire Cipher Pol organization—just a branch office.
It was like saying, "I'm the only student in my class who's maintained the top spot for years", only to discover you ranked 146th in the entire school or completely off the charts citywide.
Of course, this comparison wasn't entirely fair to Rob Lucci. The guy was genuinely powerful.
"Long time no see, Vice Admiral Kuro", Lucci said, his tone layered with complexity.
Who could have predicted that the lowly Navy officer they'd met briefly at Enies Lobby would one day wield such strength? During the Top War, his potential had begun to surface, and his subsequent meteoric rise had cemented him as a pillar of the Navy's elite forces.
In Lucci's eyes, Kuro had already become a top-tier powerhouse.
"Lucci, you've climbed the ladder pretty well—from CP9 to CP0. I remember you used to be wanted, right?" Kuro remarked.
"Various reasons. Details aren't necessary."
Lucci shifted his gaze from Kuro to Donquixote Doflamingo. "According to orders, we're here to assist with the Donquixote Doflamingo case and the Dressrosa incident."
"Now?" Kuro frowned. "Isn't it too soon? I haven't even reviewed the details yet."
"That's exactly what CP0 does. We provide intelligence to support your decisions."
"Actually, this isn't necessary."
Suddenly, one of the three masked figures—the one wearing a white hat and a mask with black-and-white patterns—spoke up.
"We'll propose two options. You just need to follow them. Option one: release Donquixote Doflamingo and let us arrest the Donquixote royal family. Reinstall Doflamingo as king, eliminate all unstable factors—including the neighboring kingdoms supporting him—through assassinations or arrests."
"This maintains the Grand Line's balance. Intelligence suggests he's been dealing with numerous dangerous influences along the Grand Line."
Kuro smirked mockingly. "Does CP even use the word 'suggests'? Be more confident. Drop the 'suggests.' You know exactly what he's been up to."
"You know quite a lot, Golden Lion. Or should I say, Lucius Kro", the masked man said, his heterochromatic gaze piercing. "Sometimes, it's better to know less."
Kuro shrugged noncommittally. "Pass. I've changed my mind. This guy..." He turned to Donquixote Doflamingo. "Better to lock him up. Your proposed plan is too destabilizing."
"Hey, Kuro!" Doflamingo growled. "You're really not letting me go? This is your last chance! If I fall, you'll regret it—mark my words!"
"Cut the crap."
Kuro's voice was icy. "The word 'if' doesn't exist. Only the present is real. You lost. Accept it. Stop embarrassing yourself with these pathetic 'what-ifs.'"
Doflamingo froze for a moment, then laughed. "Kshhhkshhkshh... You're impossible."
Kuro glanced away. His refusal stemmed from the exorbitant cost of their methods.
The Cipher Pol agencies never did anything gently. They ruled through brute force.
If they reinstated Doflamingo, they'd first need to silence the neighboring kingdoms' Transponder Snail reports about the incident. Cipher Pol could certainly handle that, but as they'd admitted, forcibly suppressing everything would maintain the balance.
But this balance would be built on the suffering of their own people.
Arrest the royal family, eliminate all witnesses, and maintain balance against the pirates—the so-called "Enemies." But there was always the risk of that idiot Moer Gangs exposing everything.
Then they'd be the ones losing face.
The classic "cowardly abroad, ruthless at home" approach.
What a joke.
Kuro wouldn't touch such a plan—it was a lose-lose scenario.
"Change the plan", Kuro ordered.
"Then..."
The masked man with the black-and-white pupils stepped forward. With a 'whoosh,' he vanished.
In an instant, he appeared before Doflamingo, a finger stabbing toward the pirate's temple.
Smack.
A hand grabbed his wrist.
Kuro materialized beside him, gripping his arm tightly. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Please don't interfere, Vice Admiral Golden Lion."
The masked figure's voice was cold. "The other option is eliminating Donquixote Doflamingo. Remove him, and all chaos disappears."
"Are you joking with Old Man?!"
Kuro bared his teeth, twisted his arm, and sent the masked man flying with a punch to the gut.
Bang!
The man soared through the air, but as he neared the tent's edge, Lucci suddenly reached out and grabbed his collar, halting his flight.
Clutching his stomach, the masked man gasped, "Hey, Golden Lion! This is our mission! Are you defying the World Government?!"
"Old Man himself ordered me to personally oversee his custody! If he dies on my watch, where does that leave my reputation? Huh?!"
Kuro bit down on his cigar, lifting his head. Killing Intent surged outward, making the tent flaps snap violently. The air turned frigid.
The three masked figures simultaneously tensed their breathing, assuming defensive stances.
"As I said, killing him in front of you is impossible."
Lucci remained unaffected by the Killing Intent. "Please relax, Vice Admiral Kuro. Eliminating Doflamingo is one of our options. Since you oppose it, we'll drop the matter."
"You think it's that easy? 'Drop the matter'? Who the hell do you think you are?!"
Kuro raised an eyebrow. "The Navy and Cipher Pol are peer institutions. We're not your subordinates. Watch your tone, Rob Lucci. Your intelligence network might be impressive, but you know I have no fondness for CP. Don't do anything to make me dislike you further."
"Also, the higher-ups ordered you to assist me. If you don't understand the meaning of 'assist,' I can arrange a remedial school for you. I make the decisions here. Jurisdiction belongs to Brother Yi Xiao. You lot have no authority over decisions or jurisdiction. Got it, you sewer rats?"
"You bastard!" the heterochromatic masked man snarled. "Watch your mouth!"
"What? You wanna sue me?" Kuro exhaled a plume of smoke. "If you can't sue me, then follow orders. Now do as I say—get me the nobility records of Dressrosa. I need to choose who becomes the new king!"
(End of Chapter)
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