Translator: PapaSmurf0700
Spandam eyed Bai Ye, expecting him to interrupt his tirade at any moment. However, to his surprise, Bai Ye watched him with an amused expression, as if thoroughly entertained. It was as though Bai Ye's look said, "Please, continue—I find this part particularly enjoyable."
Turning away from Bai Ye, Spandam faced the assembled Straw Hats. Luffy stood proudly atop the highest point of the roof, arms crossed with characteristic confidence. Flanking him were Sanji, casually smoking a cigarette, and Zoro, hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Nearby stood Usopp, Chopper, and Merry to Sanji's side, while Nami, Robin, and Franky grouped near Zoro. They all stared back at him with a mix of calm and indifference, as if watching a performance by a particularly uninteresting clown.
Robin and Franky, who Spandam had hoped to intimidate, seemed utterly unmoved by his threats.
Luffy adjusted his straw hat, his gaze lifting to the World Government flag fluttering above. "A world government?" he mused aloud, a spark of defiance lighting his features. "That's precisely the kind of enemy I'm looking for."
He turned decisively to Usopp. "Sogeking, shoot down that flag."
Usopp nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of the moment. He lifted his sniper rifle, taking aim at the symbol of oppression and control. "Understood," he confirmed with a steady voice.
As he fired, a fiery projectile shaped like a bird erupted from the barrel. The Flamingo shot soared through the air, its wings beating flames as it struck the flag, setting it ablaze. The fire might have been small, but to Robin, Franky, and the rest of the crew, it represented a beacon of their resolve and rebellion.
As the ashes of the flag drifted past Spandam, his mouth dropped open in disbelief, his expression one of utter defeat. He couldn't fathom their boldness and muttered under his breath, "Are these guys fools?"
But before he could gather his thoughts further, Bai Ye delivered a swift punch that knocked him out cold. Luffy looked down at the unconscious Spandam and shook his head, remarking, "The real fool here is obviously you. You knew all about us yet you were still so overconfident."
"It also makes our next move easier," Luffy added, glancing at his crew with a nod.
Spandam had partially understood why Bai Ye hadn't killed him—considering the political and familial influences at play. In the original story, after the disaster at Enies Lobby, most CP9 agents were branded as traitors by the World Government. Yet, despite his failures, Spandam's position remained unusually secure, eventually even earning a spot in CP0—a promotion that seemed ludicrous.
This couldn't be explained by mere government corruption. It suggested that Spandam's family might have ties to the Celestial Dragons, the secretive and powerful rulers of the World Government. Perhaps, Bai Ye speculated during their "friendly" chat, Spandam even shared a distant bloodline with these formidable figures.
Spandam believed Bai Ye hesitated to act against him because of his potential Celestial Dragon lineage. However, he was mistaken.
Bai Ye didn't view even a true Celestial Dragon as too daunting a target. He refrained from killing Spandam not out of fear but because he had another purpose for him—related to a new strategy Bai Ye was devising, involving a technique called the Soul Illumination Technique from the Daoist Jilu texts. This technique, Bai Ye believed, could play a crucial role in their upcoming plans.
This technique, called the Soul Illumination Technique, is a Daoist method that directly influences the soul. It's potent but can only be applied to individuals who are unconscious. The effects range from altering memories to copying or even deleting them.
Although powerful, the technique demands precision and skill, making it difficult to master and execute. Currently, Spandam, rendered unconscious by Bai Ye's swift intervention, serves as an ideal test subject.
Given Spandam's limited intellectual capabilities, manipulating his memories should prove relatively straightforward for Bai Ye. Additionally, considering the inevitable clash with the World Government, Spandam could unwittingly serve as a valuable asset.
For now, Bai Ye has altered Spandam's memories to ensure he possesses comprehensive knowledge about him. However, turning Spandam into a double agent directly would be impractical given his tendency to inadvertently divulge secrets.
In espionage, the most effective undercover agents are often those unaware of their own role. This principle guides Bai Ye's strategy with Spandam, avoiding deep alterations to preserve his natural behavior.
Bai Ye's plans also extend to Lucci and Kaku, known from the original story as future CP0 agents. Instead of seeking their direct allegiance or extensively using the Soul Illumination Technique—which would be largely ineffective due to their deep-seated indoctrination by the World Government—Bai Ye opts for subtlety.
He plants a metaphorical seed of betrayal within their psyches—a seed that could potentially grow, fueled by their own experiences and the actions of the World Government.
Bai Ye's approach is patient: he merely sets the stage and waits, allowing the seeds of doubt and betrayal to sprout and evolve naturally.
After completing the Soul Illumination Technique on Spandam, Kaku, and Lucci, Bai Ye also managed to secure a coveted Devil Fruit. With their mission accomplished, the Straw Hat Pirates started preparing to leave Enies Lobby. Oimo and Kashii, now aware of their captains' whereabouts, have taken a naval warship and a log pose to embark on their own journey to reunite with their leaders.
As the Straw Hats said their goodbyes and set sail on the Golden Merry, Bai Ye pondered a curious detail. In the original narrative, despite the chaos at Judicial Island, the World Government's headquarters remained uninformed until Spandam disastrously triggered the Buster Call.
Initially, Bai Ye had concerns that they might have to contend with additional forces from headquarters, given the short sail between Enies Lobby and the main naval base. But, as they departed without encountering any reinforcements, Bai Ye relaxed and even cracked a joke, lightening the mood.
However, their relief was short-lived. As the Golden Merry navigated away from Enies Lobby, they encountered an unexpected and unwelcome sight. Ahead in the sea, an immense ice field stretched out, and atop this icy expanse sat a throne carved from ice. Seated on the throne was a figure who slowly looked up at them, his breath visible in the cold air.
"Ah la la, it seems that you have done a big thing," the figure declared.
Franky, gazing at the dramatic setup, couldn't help but react. "Who is this guy! He looks quite unpleasant, not SU.PER at all," he muttered.
Usopp, quick to recognize the gravity of the situation, clamped his hand over Franky's mouth. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he whispered, "Hey, Franky, calm down. This man is one of the navy's top fighters, Admiral Aokiji!!"