The news of Wood defeating Gion during his defection was known by few. Apart from the higher-ups in the Navy, only the subordinates who had followed Gion at the time were aware.
Although Sengoku had ordered the information to be sealed immediately, the CP organization, as the intelligence agency of the World Government, naturally had access to such information.
Wood, who was merely a former Marine major, managed to defeat Gion, a highly regarded and powerful rear admiral among the younger generation. The CP organization speculated that Wood was a man filled with ambition, having hidden his true power for so long.
Given his combat prowess, it was clear that one could not judge his danger level based solely on the bounty or his former rank.
"Since he's such a dangerous individual, why don't we take this opportunity to capture him..."
Spandam's idea was straightforward. Since the plan to sabotage the sea train had failed, they needed another approach.
Judging by Wood's relationship with Tom, they seemed to be close friends. Therefore, capturing Wood and bringing him to Enies Lobby could serve as a means to coerce Tom into handing over the desired plans.
Hearing Spandam's suggestion, the two CP9 agents sent to assist him by Spandine looked at him with expressions of disbelief.
They figured that their superior either hadn't understood what they had just explained or that his mind wasn't working properly.
CP9, among all the CP organizations of the World Government, was considered elite. Those who joined CP9 were all "superhumans" who had mastered the Six Powers, making them some of the most formidable agents within the World Government's intelligence network.
However, even they couldn't confidently claim they could defeat a Marine rear admiral in direct combat.
Moreover, Gion wasn't just any rear admiral; she was a prodigy being groomed by the Navy as a candidate for admiral.
Facing someone like Gion was already daunting; facing Wood, who had defeated her, was a completely different level of challenge.
How were they supposed to capture Wood? With what strength? They might as well be offering their lives.
"Useless! You're all useless! A mere former Marine major, a rookie pirate with a measly bounty of over 100 million, and you're already scared stiff.
With skills like these, you dare call yourselves superhumans, the elite of the CP organization!"
Spandam spat his words at the two CP9 agents, who, though visibly displeased, had no choice but to tolerate his tirade.
Despite being weak himself, Spandam was still their superior. In the World Government, defying a superior's orders had serious consequences.
After a lengthy rant, Spandam, unwilling to let go of Tom and the trouble-making Wood, quickly took out a Den Den Mushi and made a call.
That's right—though Spandam's personal combat skills were lacking, his connections were solid.
He hadn't completed the task assigned to him by his superiors, and asking for help from the World Government would make him look incompetent. So, instead, he decided to reach out to his recently promoted father for assistance.
"Buru buru buru buru—"
In the office of Marine Headquarters, a small Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
Seeing the device buzz, Sengoku's expression subtly darkened.
If he could help it, Sengoku would rather never see that Den Den Mushi ring for the rest of his life.
This particular Den Den Mushi was a direct line to the World Government, and every time it rang, it usually meant trouble. Either it was some complicated, unpleasant task for the Navy, or it was the Five Elders summoning him for a scolding.
Yet, as much as he disliked it, Sengoku, as the Fleet Admiral and, by extension, the government's errand boy, had no choice but
to reluctantly pick up the Den Den Mushi...
A few minutes later, after a brief but tense conversation, Sengoku placed the receiver down with a heavy sigh. His expression was one of deep concern, and he immediately ordered a nearby Marine to summon Garp, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and Rear Admiral Gion for an urgent meeting.
Tsuru, being stationed at headquarters most of the time, and Garp, who was always finding ways to avoid work, were both conveniently nearby. Gion, who had been preparing to set out on a mission, was called back just in time.
It was clear that the phone call from the World Government had been about Wood.
Despite Spandam's incompetence, he had considerable influence, and his father, Spandine, seemed eager to support him. Shortly after Spandam's call for help, Spandine used his connections to quickly reach out to Marine Headquarters.
The task handed down to Sengoku was simple yet frustrating: dispatch elite Marines to Enies Lobby to assist Spandam in completing a classified mission.
However, the details of this so-called classified mission were withheld from the Marines, leaving them in the dark about what exactly they were supposed to do to help.
Sengoku was already irritated. The Navy's duty was to capture pirates and maintain order on the seas, not to clean up the messes of Enies Lobby or the World Government's secretive operations. Furthermore, how could they be expected to provide effective assistance when they were given no information on the mission's nature?
As the others gathered, Sengoku voiced his frustrations.
"Let's hear your thoughts on this," Sengoku began, his tone weary. "I'm starting to regret sending Wood on that undercover mission. When he was stationed here at headquarters, he was quiet and kept to himself. Who could have guessed that becoming a pirate would unleash such chaos?
"First, he goes off-script and releases prisoners from Impel Down. Then he attacks a Marine base in the West Blue. And now, he's somehow managed to stir up trouble with Enies Lobby's new chief. The World Government just called me, demanding answers!"
Sengoku was at his wit's end. When he had chosen Wood to go undercover, it was because of the young man's intelligence and ability to blend in. Wood had seemed like the perfect candidate—calm, calculated, and patient. But ever since he became a pirate, it was as if all those qualities had been thrown out the window.
Instead of a low-profile infiltration, Wood's actions had drawn international attention. His reckless behavior made it almost impossible for anyone to doubt his defection, but it also meant that Sengoku, as Fleet Admiral, was constantly putting out fires.
It was clear from the tone of the World Government's call that they were fed up with Wood's antics. Not only did they want him stopped, but they also wanted him dead—eliminated to prevent any further disruptions to their plans.
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 275+ at pat_reon.com/Betek.