On a certain afternoon, about three years after the incident in Water 7, I sat in the chief's office at Enies Lobby, gazing at a single mission document. Before me stood the neatly lined-up members of CP9.
Taking a light sigh at the contents of the mission document, which I had seen many times before, I addressed the gathered members.
"Do you remember the search for the ancient weapon Pluton's blueprints three years ago? Although it was put on hold temporarily, subsequent investigations revealed a high possibility that the blueprints have been passed down through generations of craftsmen in Water 7. Therefore, we have officially taken over the investigation. And this mission will be a long-term undercover operation."
"A long-term undercover operation... We'll be infiltrating somewhere?"
"Yes, that's right. Tom's disciple, Iceburg, is the most likely candidate to possess the Pluton's blueprints. He unified the seven major shipbuilding companies in Water 7 and formed the Galley-La Company. It seems he's planning to expand the company's scale in the future and has started recruiting employees in a big way. You will infiltrate there."
"Well, it was expected, but we can't ignore the element of the ancient weapon's blueprints. The timing of the orders coincides almost exactly with the original storyline."
"As for the selection of the members for the undercover mission, I have some say, but ultimately, the decision lies with me. After considering various factors, I find that the original members are still the most suitable."
"Let me inform you of the members beforehand. Lucci will be the leader of the infiltration mission. Kaku, Kalifa, and Blueno will operate under his command. Lucci, Kaku, and Kalifa will infiltrate by applying for positions at the Galley-La Company. Blueno will remain in Water 7... Although he's considering opening a bar, his main focus will be on gathering information outside the Galley-La Company."
While informing them, I observed the members, but there didn't seem to be any objections. Well, it was an official order from above, so no one would likely protest... Nevertheless, I suspected that Lucci and the others were expecting the undercover period to last no more than a year, while the original story would take five years.
"Regarding the reason for selecting these members, there is significant input from above. Currently, the world situation is relatively stable and peaceful on a global scale. There are some minor incidents, but... the higher-ups want young members to gain experience in long-term undercover operations now. When they become CP0, they might need to have a public face other than just being intelligence agents."
"What about me?"
"As for Blueno, his role as a communication officer is crucial. He will relay instructions from us to the undercover members and report their findings back to us. Your ability is valuable for this task."
Blueno was young enough to be considered among the junior members, except for Fukurou, so he was a candidate... His selection was based on the need for his Door-Door Fruit's relay and support abilities.
"This role could also be fulfilled by Fukurou, but I want to give Fukurou a different mission. Since we will be short four members for a while, it will be a bit busy, but I want to assign Fukurou tasks that involve leading junior officers in larger-scale missions."
"Sure, leave it to me. I promise to live up to your expectations."
"Thank you. As for Fukurou, Kumadori, and Jabra... You are not suitable for long-term undercover missions due to certain fatal flaws, so you were not chosen... That's all."
"Hey! Wait a minute, Chief!!"
After carefully explaining the reasons for the member selection, Jabra vehemently protested.
"The member selection is fine. I'll follow your orders... but there's no way I'm in the same category as these two!!"
"Well, it's quite obvious that you are in the same category."
"Hey, now, Lucci, you...!"
Frustrated with Lucci's sneering, Jabra was about to retaliate, but Fukurou and Kumadori placed their hands on his shoulders.
"Chapa, it can't be helped, Jabra..."
"You're right! In our daily life~"
"Hey, what's with you guys acting like we're buddies or something? I don't agree with this!!"
After arguing back and forth for a while, I cleared my throat, and everyone stopped talking, returning to their neat postures.
"I'll provide each of you with the necessary background information, including your life stories. Make sure to memorize it perfectly before the mission begins... Oh, and Lucci, your background includes having a family on another island. You'll send letters to your family regularly under that pretext, but be careful not to mention anything related to the mission in your letters or replies."
"Why do I need such a background?"
"To allow you to go outside for a period of time, at least once a year, under the pretext of visiting your family. This mission will likely take a considerable amount of time. It's stressful to be unable to kill during that period, right? I'll give you a chance to relax under the pretense of returning home."
"I see, Chief, you expect this mission to take more than a short period..."
Indeed, this mission could end as soon as the Pluton's blueprints are found, which would be the case if they were discovered in January.
However, in all likelihood, it won't be that simple.
"Iceburg is quite sharp. He doesn't show any weaknesses easily. Moreover, he demonstrated remarkable ability in uniting the seven companies that were competing until recently. Probably, from now on, Iceburg will become even harder for the government to approach."
Considering Tom's Workers' reputation, it's an extraordinary feat to reach such a level in three years. His intelligence, negotiation skills, and management abilities are undoubtedly top-notch.
Even without considering the original storyline, he's not an easy opponent to deal with.
"Galley-La will increase the government's workload in the future and become a company that cannot disappear. Water 7's shipbuilding technology is already top-notch, and it's only a matter of time before it becomes indispensable for the government. Instead of provoking them, we need to infiltrate their ranks... Iceburg's competence is evident from the fact that he chose this option."
"So you highly regard him... I see, he seems like a formidable opponent."
"Moreover, this large-scale recruitment... Iceburg will, of course, be cautious about the government's intelligence agents. To gain trust, it will take a significant period of time."
Perhaps because of Tom's incident, he would be highly cautious of the government's intelligence agents, and his cunning intellect allowed him to consider various strategies. When you become the one exploring, you fully understand the difficulty of the task, as Lucci and the others did in the original story.
"Anyway, we'll take some measures as well. Apart from you, we'll dispatch a few spies from other CP units, but these spies won't know about your infiltration, and we won't inform you about them either. The reason is simple: they'll act as decoys."
"So, you mean you'll intentionally let Iceburg notice them?"
"Even without our intention, he'll probably notice them... and clever individuals would want to see and control their opponent's hand. He'll definitely realize it and then play along. We have several other strategies prepared, but they should divert some attention."
With that explanation, I ended the discussion and handed documents to Lucci, Kak, Kalifa, and Bluno, each containing their background settings. I considered giving them fake names, but... well, I decided to keep it the same, hoping they'd follow the original storyline.
"The mission will start in 20 days. Be prepared by then... As I mentioned earlier, if we discover the Pluton's blueprints, the mission ends right there. If not, we'll consider ending it after about 5 years."
"Understood."
The undercover mission at Galley-La Company... It will take place five years from now, after the Straw Hat Pirates' visit... Fortunately, the timing of that event is relatively predictable. After the incident in Alabasta, it would be wise to prepare for it when the time is near.
I handed out the assigned missions to the other members, and CP9 members left. Now that the paperwork was done, I thought of having a coffee break... Just at that moment, as if perfectly timed, the Den Den Mushi indicated an incoming call.
"...It's Spandam."
"It's me."
"Go to hell. I'm hanging up..."
"Wait, wait! Why do you get so sarcastic every time we talk?!"
Of course, it was my father. Why does he always have such bad timing? I almost hung up, but... well, I might as well hear his request at least.
"So, what do you want?"
"Ah, um... Actually, didn't you order a new suit? You said the old one tore and..."
"So what?"
"Vegapunk says that it's not a suit that can be torn so easily. He wants to ask what kind of usage you're putting it through... So, could you spare some time to meet with him?"
I had asked Vegapunk to create the suit a few years ago. It was indeed a durable suit, but as my strength continued to grow, it started to get damaged more frequently. Especially around the arms when I used Haki to the fullest, it couldn't withstand the force. Luckily, money wasn't an issue, so I kept ordering new suits whenever it tore... But recently, the frequency became too high, and the producers finally complained about how I was using it.
"...You want me to go all the way to Punk Hazard?"
The Special Science Group, led by Vegapunk, had their base on Punk Hazard. It was once a lush and resource-rich island, but in a few years, there would be a gas weapon explosion accident caused by Caesar Clown, making it uninhabitable. At that point, Vegapunk would move his base to Egg Head... But currently, Punk Hazard was their base.
Either way, it was a New World island, which was a bit of a hassle. Well, it wouldn't take much time, but I wasn't exactly thrilled about going to meet an annoying person.
"You know about Vegapunk's satellite, right?"
"Yeah, I do."
"One of them is currently doing collection work in the first half of the Grand Line's sea. You should meet that one. It's undoubtedly one of Vegapunk's creations."
"...Sigh, can't be helped. Give me the location and date..."
Well, if I can negotiate directly with Vegapunk and make him produce an even sturdier suit... However, a satellite, huh? There are supposed to be six of them... Which one is it?
***
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