"It seems you still don't understand your situation." Blueno's uncaring voice echoed across the room.
"You're committing a major crime—on a global scale." His eyes pierced through Luffy and Ryomen.
"We understand that very well…or at least I do." Ryomen replied, sparing a quick glance at Luffy.
"Really? What's this big cow trying to say?" Luffy tilted his head, his curiosity overriding any sense of danger.
"Let me help you understand." Yorozu chimed in, her amused chuckle cutting through the tension.
"Your actions here will draw the ire of nearly two hundred nations!" Her wide, feral grin unsettled even Ryomen.
Luffy's eyes narrowed as he caught her unhinged expression. "Jump!" He shouted.
Without hesitation, Ryomen leapt into the air just as the floor beneath them crumbled inward. Spikes shot upward, forming a jagged bear trap that would've caught them had they stayed a moment longer.
"Of course, that's if you manage to escape here with your lives!" Yorozu's laughter echoed as the trap snapped shut.
"Damn it!" Ryomen cursed as dozens more spikes erupted, hurling toward them in midair.
"Ryomen!" Luffy extended his hand, trying to grab his crewmate, only for a sudden presence to appear beside him.
"If you can't help yourself, it's useless to try and help others." Blueno declared, his fist smashing into Luffy's face. The Straw Hat captain crashed into a nearby pillar, groaning in pain.
"Cursed Dismantle!" Ryomen roared, sending a flurry of slashes toward the spikes. The attack shredded through the incoming threat, flying toward Blueno and Yorozu, forcing them to dodge.
Yorozu barely glanced at the attack before chuckling. "So that's your power? Interesting, but…a slight problem for me at best."
Blueno shot her a disapproving look. "You would've known that if you actually paid attention to my information."
Yorozu smirked, brushing him off. "Maybe you should focus on the fight instead of criticizing me."
"Gomu-Gomu no…"
"Tekkai." Blueno stiffened his body just as Luffy burst from the rubble.
"Rifle!!"
Luffy's fist stretched forward, smashing into Blueno's face and sending him flying across the room. Blood sprayed from the agent's mouth as he crashed into a pillar.
'He…wasn't this strong back at the company!' Blueno thought, struggling to get back up.
"What an idiot." Yorozu sighed, shaking her head. "It seems Lucci and I are the only ones doing anything around here."
"Don't overestimate yourself!" Ryomen scoffed as he charged at her, his extra arms ready to strike.
"Hahaha!! You'll see the truth once your guts are spilling out!" Yorozu's grin widened as she prepared for his attack.
"Cursed dismantle!" Ryomen unleashed another wave of slashes.
"Again?" Yorozu raised an eyebrow as a liquid metal wall sprang up, shielding her.
"Hm?" Yorozu's expression then shifted to mild confusion as a strange, dark energy tore through the wall she had just created.
She sidestepped the black "flames" with ease, her curiosity piqued. 'So, he's coating his attacks with this energy…where does this power come from? My Observation Haki can't seem to dissect it…' She pondered, her interest growing with each second.
"Haah!!"
Her thoughts were cut short as Ryomen suddenly appeared in front of her, his fist cloaked in melting black armor.
But just as his punch was about to connect, his arm abruptly halted mid-swing.
"The hell…?" Ryomen's gaze darted backward, spotting metal chains snaking around his arms and binding his movements.
Yorozu's chuckle broke the moment's silence as she stepped closer to her captive. "You know, you're not half bad. I dig the whole multiple arms and eyes thing." Her lips curled into a wide, toothy grin.
Ryomen scowled. "I don't care about your tastes, lady."
Unbothered, Yorozu continued. "But…you still can't compare to my Little Lucci! Every time he looks at me with those cold, indifferent eyes, my body just—" She shivered dramatically, punctuating her words with suggestive movements that made Ryomen grimace.
"Thanks for sharing, but I think I liked you better when you were trying to kill me." He said flatly, though inwardly, he couldn't help but question how she could say such things about Lucci and still be alive.
'Are they actually together?' This useless thought wormed its way into his mind before he shook it off.
Yorozu seemed to remember she wasn't finished, clapping her hands as if to refocus herself. "Ah, right. Back to you."
Ryomen stiffened as her tone shifted.
"Let's see…would eight be enough?" Her eyes gleamed with twisted excitement as she mumbled to herself.
"Eight…?" His brows furrowed in confusion.
"No, no…It doesn't feel quite right." She tapped her chin thoughtfully, as if deciding the fate of her next meal.
Now, Ryomen watched her warily, unsure whether she was stalling or simply deranged.
"How unfortunate…" Yorozu mumbled to herself, summoning a sword in her hand. The blade glimmered with a dark metallic sheen.
She raised the weapon, pointing it at Ryomen's abdomen with a predator's focus.
Ryomen's stomach twisted. 'This woman is insane…but I can use that to my advantage!' His expression gained a more confident edge.
Yorozu then leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper. "Scream as much as you want. Honestly, I enjoy it more that way."
The words crawled against his ear, but Ryomen remained stoic, his face betraying no sign of panic.
She thrusted the sword, but before it could connect, all of a sudden, Blueno crashed into Ryomen, sending both of them sprawling across the floor.
"Ugh…couldn't you have found another place for this, Luffy?" Ryomen muttered, wincing as he pulled himself free from under the agent.
"Are you okay?" Luffy rushed over, helping him up.
From a distance, Yorozu watched them, her grin returning. 'Right before I could
hit him…was that a mouth?'
Her excitement grew. 'Ten. Yes, that's what I was missing! Now everyone can have their own share!'
As Ryomen and Luffy distanced themselves, Ryomen glanced at his captain. "What do you think?"
Luffy's grin was wide and determined. "We can beat them!"
Ryomen smirked. "Good. That woman could be trouble, but nothing I can't handle."
"Don't worry, I'll jump in if you can't!" Luffy teased.
Ryomen stiffened, taking the remark more seriously than intended. "No need. I'll be fine."
Luffy shrugged, already focusing on Blueno. "Alright! The cow guy is getting back up. Good luck!" He sprinted off.
Ryomen's lips twitched. 'Cow…? He really has a way with words.' With that thought, he turned his attention back to Yorozu, her wide grin still plastered across her face.
"Ready for round two?" Ryomen smirked confidently.
"Hm? I don't even think you can call the first one a fight though." Yorozu countered, tilting her head with a playful yet menacing grin.
Ryomen's lips twitched in annoyance. "Well then, you might have a surprise."
"Hmm…I don't really want to kill you, for now, at least." Yorozu sighed, an exaggerated pout on her face. "I'm more interested in your strange powers."
Her words made Ryomen pause, confusion flickering in his eyes. "I find it hard to believe you don't know about Devil Fruits, considering you use one yourself."
Yorozu let out a light laugh. "A Devil Fruit? I know that's what your slashes are, but I'm talking about that black energy." Her grin widened as she leaned in, her eyes sparkling with interest. "The more I look at it, the more my body tingles!"
'Right, two Devil Fruits aren't common...' Ryomen thought, unease creeping over him. 'I don't think I should reveal too much just yet… though that might not matter after the fight with Aokiji.'
A low, dangerous voice echoed in his mind. 'It was only a matter of time until they found out.'
"Huh?" Ryomen snapped his head around, confused.
"Are you pretending to be stupid? You should be grateful I'm letting you live a few minutes longer." Yorozu scoffed, her eyes narrowing.
The voice in Ryomen's mind chuckled darkly. 'I like this girl. She seems intriguing.'
'You…?' Ryomen's brows furrowed, the realization hitting him like a bolt. 'How…are you doing this?'
'I don't think that matters.' Sukuna's voice rumbled, dripping with contempt. 'I'm just trying to finally find some amusement from you.'
Ryomen gritted his teeth, trying to suppress the sudden weight brought by the voice. 'This just sounds like you're clinging to whatever belief that you can still take control of me.'
'Is that what you think? How painfully unaware you are of your own self.' Sukuna's laugh echoed darkly before his voice faded, leaving Ryomen to wrestle with his thoughts.
"Hey!" Yorozu snapped, her voice cutting through the mental fog. "Stop ignoring me!"
Ryomen snapped back to reality just as Yorozu lunged toward him, her body a blur of speed. He instinctively dodged, feeling the brush of danger.
"If you won't share willingly, I'll just have to dissect you and find out myself!" Yorozu said with an excited yet annoyed glint in her eyes.
"Tell me if you find anything." Ryomen scoffed, a wry smile tugging at his lips as he prepared for the next round.
…
In the Tower of Justice, inside Lucci's private room, tension simmered beneath the surface.
"There are plenty of people who sail their entire lives just to find one Devil Fruit." Lucci said, his voice calm but authoritative, resonating through the room.
He sat in a chair at the center, exuding his usual coldness. Kalifa and Kaku were seated on the couch nearby, each holding a Devil Fruit in their hands.
The other CP9 agents stood at the cracked doorway, watching with varying expressions of unease. Spandam, standing slightly apart, scrutinized the scene with his intense gaze.
"Eat it and see." Lucci continued, his eyes sharp as they fixed on Kalifa and Kaku. "It'll be fun."
"Kaku, Kalifa, don't do it! Nothing good will come of it!" Jabra warned, his voice laced with desperation. "It tastes like shit! I'm telling you—shit!"
"Jabra doesn't want Kaku to overtake him. Chapapa!" Fukurou quipped, his round face wobbling as he chuckled.
"Envy and jealousy hurt a man's soul! Yoyoyo!" Kumadori added, dramatically posing.
"Those are the same thing, you idiot!" Jabra snapped, his frustration boiling over.
Spandam crossed his arms, his expression unreadable but his tone firm. "I'll warn you once, even I don't know what powers these fruits hold. But you'd best think carefully before deciding."
Kaku glanced at his bandaged chest, his fingers tightening around the fruit. "Not like I'll miss swimming…" He hesitated briefly, then bit into the fruit without another word.
Kalifa scoffed. "I'll show her not to flaunt in my face." She bit into hers as well, her expression defiant.
"They ate them!" Jabra shouted in shock, throwing his arms up. "Damn it!"
"Ugh…" Kaku and Kalifa grimaced, struggling to keep their composure as the vile taste hit them.
"How was it?" Fukurou asked, leaning forward slightly.
"Yeah, did anything happen to your bodies?" Kumadori chimed in, his concern genuine.
"What kind of power did you get?" Jabra demanded, unable to hide his curiosity.
"Haa…haa…" Kalifa took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I don't think anything's changed…yet."
"You'll notice in due time." Lucci said with a faint smirk. "I'll be looking forward to seeing what you've gained. Get a handle on your powers."
"Ha! The CP9 will be untouchable now!" Spandam cackled, already reveling in their perceived invincibility.
Suddenly, a slow, deliberate clapping filled the room.
"Well, well, should I say…congratulations?"
An amused voice came from the window. Every head snapped toward the source, revealing a man leaning casually against the frame, an air of confidence radiating from him.
"Who!?" Spandam barked, his hand instinctively going to his sword.
"Me." The man exclaimed with a grin.
The agents stiffened, their collective unease palpable.
"Fushiguro Toji…!" Spandam's voice faltered, his eyes widening in recognition. His wariness dimmed slightly. "Did the Navy Headquarters hire you for a job? We haven't been informed."
Toji chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "No, not quite."
The room tensed immediately. Even though Toji was a known asset of the Navy for their dirty work, he was no ally. His allegiance was fluid, dictated by convenience and opportunity.
"Before we get to why I'm here, I've got a little curiosity to satisfy." Toji started pacing around the room, his movements casual, almost lazy, as though he owned the space.
Then, without warning, he disappeared. A split second later, Fukurou was sent flying through a wall with a single devastating blow to the stomach.
"Fukurou!" Kumadori shouted in fury. "How dare you!"
"Just because you're some big shot doesn't mean you can trample over us!" Jabra growled, joining Kumadori.
Kalifa and Kaku sprang into action as well, all four agents charging at Toji with synchronized precision.
But their strikes hit nothing but empty air. Toji weaved through their attacks effortlessly, his movements fluid and almost mocking in their ease.
"There's no need for this." Toji said with a smirk, sidestepping an attack from Jabra. "I'd rather not get on the Navy's bad side. At least, not just yet."
"You attacked a CP9 agent! That's more than enough to convict you!" Spandam snarled, his face red with anger.
"Oh? Is that so?" Toji raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "And what happens if I kill the CP9's chief? What then?"
In the blink of an eye, Toji appeared behind Spandam, a dagger pressed lightly against his throat.
"Help me!" Spandam shrieked, his voice high-pitched with panic.
"Spandam-sama! Don't worry! I'll protect you!" Kumadori declared, lunging at Toji.
Toji sighed as he sidestepped Kumadori's attack with ease. "Here I thought you'd at least be somewhat interesting."
"That's enough." Lucci's voice cut through the chaos like a blade. His glare was icy, his presence commanding. "Fukurou, what's his douriki."
The agents froze, realization dawning on them.
Fukurou groaned as he was helped to his feet by Jabra and Kaku. "It's…five thousand." He muttered weakly.
The number hit the room like a thunderclap.
Toji sighed, his expression one of mild disappointment. "That's it? How underwhelming."
Lucci's face darkened. A 500-point gap in douriki was enormous at their level.
"Now that that's out of the way, why are you here?" Lucci demanded, his tone cold. "And how do you know about Fukurou's ability?"
Toji's smirk returned. "No need to be so aggressive, Lucci, I was getting to that." His expression turned serious for a moment. "I followed you all the way from Water Seven."
The agents were stunned into silence.
"Was he on the train?" Kaku muttered in disbelief.
"There's no way he could've hidden from that many Marines." Kalifa countered, her voice unsteady.
"To answer your question…" Toji paused, his casual demeanor slipping for just a moment. "I'm here for Ryomen Sukuna."
"Sukuna?" Spandam frowned, the unfamiliar name making him uneasy. "Is that another title?"
Toji shrugged while plucking his ear. "That's what the big man calls him. Who am I to argue?"
Spandam froze. "The big man…?"
"That's right. Got this as proof."
Toji leaned back nonchalantly before spitting out a small, purple sphere from his mouth. In seconds, it transformed into a grotesque worm, its slimy, coiling body wrapping lazily around Toji's chest.
"Uhh…" Kalifa's face twisted in visible disgust, her nose wrinkling at the sight.
The creature's head resembled a human's, but grotesquely so—its features warped and malformed. Thick strands of saliva dripped from its slack mouth, pooling onto the floor.
"Felt the same way about it." Toji said, completely unfazed. "But it's useful. Carries my stuff, so I let it hang around."
"What's that supposed to prove?" Kaku asked, his tone skeptical as he eyed the monstrosity.
Kalifa and Lucci exchanged puzzled glances, their expressions unreadable.
"It's Isgor-sama's!" Kumadori suddenly exclaimed, breaking the silence.
"The Celestial Dragon?" Lucci's eyebrows furrowed in thought. "Never seen such a…pet before."
"It's not a pet." Spandam interjected darkly, his arms crossed. "It's part of a Devil Fruit. One we don't have records of."
Kalifa gestured to the worm with an air of distaste. "But…since when could he do this? This isn't exactly a small thing to hide."
"He only gained this power some time after your mission began." Fukurou replied, still massaging his bruised stomach." So it makes sense you wouldn't know. Chapapapa!"
Lucci's gaze narrowed. "If this is from Isgor, then I assume it ties into why you're here. What does the Celestial Dragon want with the 'Cursed Being' Ryomen? He's made his disdain for the World Government clear."
Toji smirked, his sharp eyes glinting. "Heh, you're quick on the uptake. That's good. Saves me time."
"And?" Lucci pressed, his arms crossed.
"Simple." Toji's casual grin widened, a predatory gleam flashing in his expression. "Killing him. That's why I'm here."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling heavily on the group.
"And we're supposed to…what? Assist you? Be your pawns?" Lucci's voice was cold, his irritation barely concealed.
Toji chuckled, stepping closer to the window. "Relax. I'm not here to babysit. All I need you to do is stay out of my way. Go after his crew, I don't care, but he's mine."
"So you swoop in to deliver the killing blow?" Lucci's tone turned sharper, a sardonic edge to his words. "Is that what the 'World's Strongest Bounty Hunter' has been reduced to?"
Toji stopped, glancing back over his shoulder. The grin faded, replaced by a look so cold, so deadly, it sent an involuntary shiver through the room.
"Is that what you think?" He asked softly, his voice devoid of amusement. "Because from how I see it…cornered prey fights the hardest. That's when it gets fun."
For a moment, the room seemed to freeze as Toji's gaze locked onto Lucci's. The calm, predatory intent in his eyes was enough to unsettle even the most composed of the agents.
"Well then." Toji continued, his grin returning, though it lacked any real warmth. "Don't disappoint me. I'd hate to see you all get crushed before the real fun begins."
And with that, he vanished, leaving nothing but the faint whisper of disturbed air in his wake.
For several moments, the CP9 stood in silence, their attention fixed on the now-empty window.
Spandam was the first to break it, his voice trembling. "That man…"
"His motives aren't as simple as they seem." Lucci muttered, his gaze still locked on the window.
The others exchanged uneasy glances. For all his casual bravado, Toji's words left a lingering sense of dread—a feeling none of them could shake.