As the Commander-in-Chief of CP9, I have become accustomed to my role and have maintained fairly good relationships with the members. Recently, Fizz, who was on leave due to an injury, has returned and has been actively working.
In the original work, he claimed to be on par with Rob Lucci, but based on what I've seen of his abilities, he is slightly inferior in combat power to Lucci. His combat abilities are somewhere between those of Jabra and Kaku, closer to the latter. However, his true strength lies elsewhere.
Fizz possesses exceptional leadership skills and can effectively command a considerable number of subordinates. In this regard, he clearly surpasses Lucci.
Especially in missions involving multiple people, his suitability as a squad leader is highly valuable, and he can handle tasks that involve leading many lower-ranking officials.
He works well with other departments, making him an exceptionally talented and easy-to-use asset. It's astonishing how the World Government would consider letting go of such talent with trivial responsibilities.
Well, it's good to have high morale, but he tends to be overly eager and prone to overworking himself. As his superior, I should manage that aspect properly.
"...Captain, everyone is assembled."
"All right, understood."
Upon hearing Pochi's words, I turn to look behind me, where all the CP9 members have gathered. This is a rare occasion since the mission is quite significant, requiring the participation of all members.
The target is a rebel army of a certain country... This country is known for its abundant resources and wealth, making it an important allied nation for the World Government. No, correction... It's a country with extreme disparities, where the rich are incredibly wealthy, and the poor are extremely impoverished.
We received information that a large-scale rebellion is being prepared against the current monarchy of this country, and CP9 was assigned the task.
"Fukurou, have you determined the enemy's strength?"
"Chapapapa, it's 3,700."
"Just as the preliminary information suggested... Blueno, what about the key figures?"
"All the individuals that match the information on high-ranking members have been confirmed within the fortress."
What we see below from the top of the cliff is an ancient fortress once used in a large-scale war. It serves as the headquarters of the rebel forces, and almost everyone has gathered there in preparation for tomorrow's uprising.
It's the most efficient situation for an all-out attack. In such situations, Blueno's Door-Door Fruit ability for gathering information is incredibly useful. The fact that he can slip into any location as long as there's air makes him an invaluable asset as a spy.
"So, what's the plan, Chief? If it's just assassinating key figures, I can handle it and be done with it."
"No, the orders from above this time are to annihilate the rebel forces. We need to eliminate not only the key figures but also reduce their military strength to the point where rebellion is impossible."
"I see, so it's going to be quite a flashy battle... Looking forward to it."
"It's fine to cause a commotion, but make sure to eliminate all witnesses, Jabra."
Acknowledging Fizz and Jabra's words, I check the time. We have 10 minutes until the execution of the operation... The night is deep and dark, with many within the fortress already asleep. It's the perfect time for an assassination squad.
"Kaku, Kalifa, Kumadori, and Pochi, watch all four sides. Eliminate anyone who attempts to escape from the fortress. The rest of us will storm in and deal with the commanders first, in rapid succession... Lucci."
"Yeah?"
"You can kill them all if you want; do as you please."
"Haha, I expected no less."
We've already had a thorough pre-operation meeting, but I give final instructions just to make sure. A large-scale battle is a rare opportunity for coordination, and with the experience they gain from this, I'd rather not get involved.
The enemy forces number 3,700... Just hearing the numbers may sound impressive, but in reality, most of them are inexperienced amateurs, and their weapons are all makeshift.
In the first place, it's too few to wage a war, and it's only a size that could barely constitute a surprise attack on the capital. Even if they were to rise up in rebellion, they would likely be suppressed... Considering their abilities, it should take about 45 minutes to completely annihilate them.
I'll use Observation Haki here to ensure there are no missed targets.
But really, a rebellion for the sake of those who suffer... It's foolish. Even if they were to win, the situation would simply invert, and the suffering wouldn't disappear.
There's no such thing as a war where everyone ends up happy... Well, it's their right to dream, but they should also consider the possibility of shattering that dream.
***
In less than 40 minutes, the members who had completed their mission returned to me. None of them were injured, and they had barely a speck of blood on them. Their performance was impeccable.
"Captain, mission accomplished."
"Yes, you finished more than 5 minutes ahead of my estimate. Excellent job... Well done."
With that, the members lined up neatly. Though they usually act freely, they are true agents of CP9 and can show disciplined movements when necessary. I am impressed by their competence.
Even when I use Observation Haki to search, there are no survivors within the fortress... With this, the mission is almost complete.
"By the way, Chief, we were told to leave the bodies as they are?"
"Yes... 'There were no rebels here, and no fortress either'... That's the narrative."
As I respond to Lucci's question, I use Moonwalk to leap high. The reason I personally came to the site to lead the operation is mainly for the aftermath. If it was just an extermination mission, I could have had Pochi or Fizz take command. But cleaning up the 3,700 bodies in the fortress would be quite a hassle.
Negotiations with this country are already over. There's no need for evidence of an almost uprising. Just get rid of the old fortress entirely... That's the plan.
I've been given full authority on the method... so might as well erase every trace of it.
I clench my fist tightly and surround it with Conqueror's Haki. Red-black lightning-like light bursts from my arm as I swing the power towards the fortress.
"Haoshoku... Ha Jū"
The impact of the Conqueror's Haki-infused Ha Jū creates an overwhelming destructive force as it strikes the fortress, raising a massive cloud of dust accompanied by a deafening sound.
From afar, it might look like a mushroom cloud, but it's nighttime and impossible to see from a distance, and this location is quite far from any populated area. The sound might be mistaken for thunder in the nearest town at most.
CP9 members land on the cliff and wait for the dust to settle. When the dust clears... only a giant crater remains, resembling the impact of a meteorite.
"...Mission accomplished. Let's head back."
"Ah, ah... Chief, isn't that...? Your real name is something like Pluton or Uranus..."
"Who said I'm an ancient weapon..."
"No, no, something like this is practically an ancient weapon! The fortress disappeared without a trace..."
With a face pale enough to be visible even at night, Jabra and Fizz speak to me. I give a brief response while walking. The CP9 members seem to have understood that they can talk more freely after hearing the words "mission accomplished," and they enjoy their conversations.
"Chapapa... I'm really glad that the Captain isn't an enemy."
"What on earth... what kind of punch can do something like that? I thought I was getting used to it, but the Captain's monstrous strength still surprises me."
"Hehehe... One shot of Rokushiki with just one hand, and with this power... truly, how fascinating of a man he is."
"What would happen if that were to hit us? If we put ourselves in the Air Door and enter another dimension, would we barely survive? Well, would we make it in time..."
"Y-yoii! I think I saw... some red lightning!"
"As expected of the Captain! Such awe-inspiring strength. Don't you think so too, Kalifa-san? The Captain has always been incredible..."
"Huh? Uh, yeah, I think so... But Chelsea is moving right now, so let's talk about that later."
They are lively. Well, in the original CP9, they got along reasonably well, but from their expressions and voices as they talk, they seem to have a better relationship than in the original. Perhaps Lucci's noticeably more expressive and laughter-prone nature is one of the factors. Well, there's no problem with friendly relations among the members... Now, once we get back, they were on night duty, so I'll give them a half-day off... I'll need to start working on the mission report.
***
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