Several years have passed since I became the Commander-in-Chief of CP9, and the tower of papers piled up in my office every morning has doubled. However, I have no problem leaving work on time every day, and I can take vacations without any issues, so there is no need to worry about it.
If anything, the workload has increased, but I have grown accustomed to handling it, so I even have more time to relax than before.
My brain processing speed and memory have been enhanced by the periodic physical enhancements I undergo, which I still repeat regularly. Since I have practically memorized all the documents in the archives, there is no need to go there and search, which is a significant advantage.
Regarding the special physical enhancements I've been undergoing, they have yielded some fascinating results. It took quite some time to verify, but it seems that every time I undergo physical enhancements, my Conqueror's Haki becomes stronger.
Conqueror's Haki is originally an inborn quality, and while it can be controlled to some extent, it cannot be trained. Rayleigh also mentioned this in the original work, stating that it can only be polished through the individual's growth.
At first, I thought it was just my imagination... but after conducting detailed verifications over several years, it became clear that my Conqueror's Haki is indeed growing every time I undergo physical enhancements.
I've considered the reasons for this phenomenon, and it occurred to me that when I first started training, I never thought I had Conqueror's Haki, nor did I have any opportunities to feel its presence. I only became aware of having Conqueror's Haki during my warrior training.
Now I think that the correct hypothesis might be that "I didn't originally have Conqueror's Haki," and I acquired it somewhere around the time I started my warrior training.
Conqueror's Haki is supposed to be an inborn trait. It is impossible for it to develop postnatally. However, this is where my physical enhancements come into play...
After undergoing complete cell replacements, should I still consider myself the same individual as before? Every single cell in my body has changed. It's safe to say that I've been reborn entirely.
In that sense, with each physical enhancement, I am essentially dying and being reborn into a stronger version of myself. Considering this, it would explain why I didn't notice my Conqueror's Haki before.
As I continue to undergo regular physical enhancements, my King's disposition is getting even stronger. Whether I should attribute this to personal growth or not, it's clear that it's possible to intentionally enhance Conqueror's Haki, something that should be impossible to train.
...Well, in the end, it's all just speculation. There's no downside to my Conqueror's Haki growing stronger, and it's only beneficial for me. So, there's no need to delve into the correct theory.
By the way, my Observation Haki has also shown signs of improvement recently. Unlike before, I can now sense the presence of inorganic objects.
It's not so much a sensation of hearing the voices of all things, but more like a radar that can detect where and what type of objects are present. It's very convenient, but I'm not sure whether this is due to the influence of my physical enhancements or a result of continuously honing my Haki. Unfortunately, there's no way to verify it.
While idly pondering and reading the newspaper, my attention was caught by an article.
It was about the imminent opening of all sea train routes by Tom's Workers... Oh, the time has come for that. The sea train also connects to Enies Lobby, so as the Commander, I find it beneficial as it will increase the speed of transporting supplies.
Well, more paperwork seems to be coming, but that aside, it's a recognition that the time has finally come.
"What's up, Chief? Did you come across an interesting article?"
"No, I just remembered that the sea train's opening is coming soon when I saw this."
"Ah, the sea train. It's amazing, indeed. Not only the idea but also the realization is quite something. I'm not well-versed in shipbuilding techniques, but even I can see that it's impossible with ordinary skills."
"True, it's beneficial for us too. It's all thanks to the efforts of Shipwright Tom, who I asked to connect Enies Lobby as well... But it looks like more paperwork is coming."
While answering Kaku, who was in the room, I sipped my coffee. Lately, I seem to have the time, so reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee after 10 a.m. has become my daily routine.
"Well, I had some idle time recently, so I don't mind having more work to do."
"No, no... How can you have idle time when there's an absurd amount of paperwork to deal with? Moreover, other CP units often come to you with consultations, and you're practically the de facto leader of all CP units."
"It's not entirely true. There are departments in CP that dislike me. CP2 and CP4 are the prime examples... Well, it's not so much about me, but it seems they hold a grudge against my old man."
It's only natural; CP is not a monolithic organization. Recently, there have been more opportunities to cooperate with other departments, and the communication seems to have improved. However, there are still some who stubbornly rely on CP9.
As for my old man, he had quite a bit of power and managed to accumulate a fair number of grudges...
"...I think someone like the Four Emperors should be handling the branch offices in the four seas. Can't they just demote me?"
"Hahaha, that's an amusing joke. There may be promotions, but there's no such thing as demotion."
...I'm serious, though. Well, for now, I can still enjoy my leisurely life, so there's no problem. But, I have a feeling that troublesome situations tend to arise just when things seem smooth, as past experiences have taught me.
About ten days later, an instruction about "Searching for the design of the ancient weapon Pluton" arrived at my desk.
***
One evening... well, Enies Lobby is an island without nights, so unless I check the clock, I wouldn't know it's evening.
Anyway, it was getting close to the end of the workday, and I was staring at a single directive that had arrived. The details of the directive were about searching for the ancient weapon Pluton's design, and needless to say, it was the same task that Spandam had carried out in the original work.
However, the situation was quite different. First of all, I am not Spandam; I am the Commander-in-Chief of CP9, not a member of CP5. Moreover, in this search for the Pluton design, the initiator was the Chief of CP4. There were many differences, such as the condition to have several CP4 officials accompany the mission. However, the directive itself made sense. Suppose we assume that the Chief of CP4 is in the position of Spandam in the original work. In that case, he must have expressed his desire to search above, or even to the Five Elders, just like Spandam did.
But now that the directive has come to me, it means that it was not accepted.
Water 7 is under our jurisdiction, as it is close to Enies Lobby, so it is not strange that the directive has come this way. However, I wonder why it came to me. Did the Chief of CP4 lack strong connections like Spandam did in the original work, which led to his request being denied? Or did the Five Elders want to avoid trouble with me because they got the impression that I value my territory based on the previous incident with Vice Admiral Fizz? In reality, I have my own standards, and I won't necessarily complain just because my territory was violated, but the Five Elders wouldn't know that.
To avoid a situation like before, it's reasonable to decide to give me this directive as a form of respect.
Requiring CP4 officials to accompany the mission was probably a concession made by the Chief of CP4, who couldn't give up on the search he personally conducted. Also, the Chief of CP4 dislikes me, or rather, my father, much like the Chief of CP2, so he doesn't have a good impression of me. He probably wanted to avoid letting his accomplishments be taken by someone like that, so he tried to at least bring his most trusted subordinates along. The Five Elders could understand the feelings of the Chief of CP4 as well, and to avoid unnecessary resentment, they would accept such concessions. I would do the same.
...In other words, there are enough reasons, including the circumstances, for this directive regarding the search for the design to make sense.
However, could it be that I feel this way because I have knowledge from the original work?
"...What's wrong, Chief? You've been making a complicated face for a while... If it's a troublesome mission, shall I go in your place?"
"No, I intend to go on this mission because there are some aspects that bother me..."
Jabra, who was in the Chief's room, asked curiously, and I answered concisely while pondering. Yes, thinking alone can lead to biased thoughts. It would be helpful to hear a somewhat objective opinion.
"...Jabra, do you know the story of Little Red Riding Hood?"
"Huh? Why are you asking about that all of a sudden... Of course, I know it."
"Then, suppose the grandmother in the story suddenly gained the ability to see her own future. Whether it's through prophecy or for any reason, she learned that she would be eaten by a wolf. To avoid being eaten, she left the house before the wolf arrived... However, she coincidentally encountered the wolf in the forest where she fled to. Would you think that the future of the grandmother being eaten is fixed?"
"Well, um... I don't really get it, but... It doesn't mean she was eaten just because she encountered the wolf, right?"
"I see... Then, what would you do?"
"Why not defeat the wolf?"
This is an interesting perspective as well. Now that I think about it, even if they encountered the wolf, it doesn't necessarily mean that the future of the grandmother being eaten is predetermined. In reality, whether they can fight and win is a different matter, but there is room for resistance...
"...What if you resist in vain and end up being eaten just like the future you saw?"
"We'll think of a way to escape! Just because the outcome of being eaten might be the same, it doesn't mean the process leading to it will be the same. We can try various things."
"Ha, hahaha, hahahaha..."
"Chief?"
"I see... That's an interesting view. Even if the process is the same, it doesn't mean the outcome will be the same. Conversely, even if the outcome is the same, it doesn't mean the process leading to it will be the same... Perhaps I'm thinking too deeply about this."
This feels like I'm being taught by Jabra. Being optimistic doesn't necessarily mean it's good, but thinking too deeply about things can also be a problem.
In the end, there's no conclusive proof of the existence or non-existence of a power that corrects history. If there's no way to prove it, there's no point in thinking deeply about it.
Moreover, fundamentally, whether the events progress according to the original work or not, it doesn't really matter to me. If Enies Lobby collapses as it advances, then I can expect demotion and live leisurely. If it doesn't, then there's no problem continuing as usual.
Either way, there's an advantage for me, so it doesn't matter which way it goes. So, it's okay to be a little more flexible and spontaneous.
"...Well, it's time to leave. Let's go have a drink, Jabra. Care to join me?"
"Really? You're treating?"
"I invite my subordinates and expect them to pay? Not a chance."
"As expected of the Chief! All right, let's have a drink!"
"Pochi, please make a reservation at the bar."
"Yes!"
Having decided on the future course of action, the Chief walked out of his office with a slightly lighter step. For now, he planned to search for the Pluton's design in his own straightforward way, without weaving any conspiracies like in the original work... However, if Tom follows a similar path as in the original, the events of Enies Lobby arc could still unfold as in the original story, so he decided to act with that in mind.
As for Luffy and the others, the Chief didn't have any particular attachment to Robin or the ancient weapon, so he intended to keep it simple.
If following the original work would be beneficial for him, he would just observe without intervening. If changing the course of events would be more advantageous... Unlike the grandmother in the earlier analogy, he had the power to kill the wolf.
Before reaching Enies Lobby, if he encounters the Rocket Man and kills everyone on board, that would be the end of it.
Ultimately, all his criteria were based on what would benefit him the most... Whichever way it goes, he just needed to prepare for his own convenience. Simple is sometimes better.
With a smile on his face, he addressed Jabra.
"Jabra, you can drink as much as you want, but be prepared if you get too drunk... Do you want to know what future awaits you if you end up getting too drunk?"
"N-No, it's fine... I'd rather not know the future."
"I see... Then, make sure to know your limits while drinking, so you won't have to worry about that future."
First, there's the Tom incident... I wonder how it will turn out... It's going to be interesting.
***
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