A figure in a loose white robe and various masks—a trademark look of CP0, the most secretive division under the World Government. For Bonney, these guys, who specialize in doing the dirty work for the World Government, are not something she can contend with.
CP0 agents, standing at various positions in the slums, locked onto Bonney with their aura, not bothering to conceal it. Usually, when they move out, it's to kill a target. But they didn't show killing intent toward Bonney. Clearly, the Celestial Dragons used their privileges to give these CP0 agents a strict order to capture Bonney alive.
Bonney knew why the World Government was after her. As she scanned the CP0 members eyeing her, she also checked her body's condition. During her standoff with CP0, the small wound on her neck from the blowdart was healing rapidly. She forced herself not to show any discomfort. By using her ability, she could alter her physical state, though she couldn't make the drug inside her disappear. She accelerated her body's state, rendering the drug ineffective.
In the next instant, Bonney's body suddenly became weak, and she collapsed to the ground. "Such a strong drug... The World Government really spared no expense..." she thought, cursing the CP0 agents from her position on the ground. However, as her ability took effect, the drug's potency quickly dissipated, and strength began to flow back into her limbs.
The CP0 agents, concerned about any unexpected developments, moved the moment they saw the drug taking effect. The lead agent coldly ordered, "Move." As the command fell, a tall and short, fat and thin pair of CP0 agents, each with the characters "Life" and "Death" on their robes, leaped toward the fallen Bonney like large birds. Being colleagues, they knew the drug developed by the old poisoner well. The leader had promised to request permission from above for the poisoner to use it once if they captured Bonney. This was enough incentive for the old guy to bring out his best stuff.
Even though they knew Bonney was under the drug's control, the two CP0 agents pulled out a pair of Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs from their robes as they approached her. After all, besides seawater, Sea-Prism Stone is the most effective way to deal with Devil Fruit users.
Just as they were about to cuff the seemingly powerless Bonney, she suddenly sprang up, using a Dragon Claw move to strike the short, fat CP0 agent. "What?" The agent's expression behind the mask changed to one of terror as his body aged rapidly. His black hair turned white, and his body shrank from a young, short, stout man to an old man on the verge of death. The tall, thin CP0 agent beside him reacted quickly, kicking Bonney away with a long leg.
With a crack, the short, fat CP0 agent screamed in pain, falling to the ground. The change in his body had made his bones unable to support his weight. As he hit the ground, several more loud bone-cracking sounds were heard. The Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs he held fell to the ground with a clang.
Bonney got up from the ground, wiped the blood from her mouth, and coldly stared at the surrounding CP0 agents. The scene had shocked the watching CP0 agents. "What happened? Didn't you say the drug was foolproof?" someone shouted. The elderly CP0 agent holding the blowpipe replied confidently, "The drug is fine. You saw its effects yourself."
The leader of the CP0 team said in a deep voice, "The drug did work, but that woman used her ability on her own body. Though it seemed only a second or two passed, she fast-forwarded the drug's effective time." "No wonder she's been evading us for so long. She's a tricky one." "Hey, now's not the time to chat," another reminded, pointing to Bonney, who had already run some distance during their conversation. "Chase her."
The lead CP0 agent leaped into the air, followed by a series of explosive sounds as he used Moonwalk, quickly closing the distance to Bonney. The other masked CP0 agents followed suit, all using Moonwalk to pursue her. The constant explosions echoed in the air. Bonney ran frantically, hearing the noises behind her. Looking back at the rapidly approaching CP0 agents, her heart sank. These guys weren't like the dumb marines; tricking them wouldn't be as easy as turning into a child or an old person. And the thought of turning around to fight them off didn't cross her mind. Even if she could take one out by surprise, there were too many of them for a head-on fight.
"I have to find Kuma. I can't get caught here!" Bonney thought, running with all her might. She knew what would happen if she got caught, so she couldn't let that happen. Suddenly, she spotted several figures standing in the street ahead. Near them lay several bloodied corpses.
"Those guys..." Bonney thought, getting an idea. These guys looked tough; if they clashed with the CP0 agents, she could escape in the confusion. As for what happened to them after, it wasn't her concern.
"Help! Bad people are chasing me! Someone save me!" Bonney cried out, changing her appearance to a seven- or eight-year-old girl as she ran toward Nicholas and the others. Nicholas, who was pondering how to talk to Bonney about his connection with Kuma, looked up in surprise at the cry for help. He saw Bonney, now in her child form, running toward him. "What's going on?" he wondered. But his Observation Haki quickly picked up the CP0 agents using Moonwalk to close in behind her, and his eyes narrowed.
Bonney glanced at Nicholas and the others, now just a few meters away. She gritted her teeth and made a split-second decision, tripping herself and falling hard to the ground near Katy. After all, among them, only this flat-chested lady seemed sympathetic. As she fell, Bonney turned on the waterworks, looking despairingly at the approaching CP0 agents.
Nicholas glanced at Bonney, noting her impressive acting skills. "What a waste not to put this in a film school curriculum," he thought. In the air, the CP0 agents, seeing Nicholas and the others, grew wary and quickly surrounded the area. They ignored the corpses on the ground, focusing on their target, Bonney.
"World Government business, everyone else back off!" one CP0 agent shouted. For them, the mission came first; any unforeseen events needed to be avoided.
"Captain, it's the World Government," Simon said, teasing Nicholas. "Yo ho ho, CP0 agents from the World Government? This girl must be important," said Brook, lifting his hood. At this point, even the slowest CP0 agent realized something was off. They quickly matched the faces of these people with the legends in their minds. Almost simultaneously, they spread out, all looking extremely tense.
The CP0 agents' reaction stunned Bonney. "Oh, look at that, CP0 agents! Hard at work, I see," Nicholas said with a smile, greeting them. The smile made many CP0 agents break out in a cold sweat under their masks. Some even gulped involuntarily; the man before them had a fearsome reputation, having taken out many CP0 and CP members in past battles.