"Mom! Mom! These pirates are filthy rich!"
Weevil had just decimated a pirate ship and was now eagerly reporting his success to Miss Buckin.
Miss Buckin—this scrappy old lady—had her eyes practically glowing with greed, her entire body trembling as she waddled over.
"Hahaha, good job, my sweet boy! With this haul, we can head back to the Golden City!"
Miss Buckin tossed aside her cane, dived into the pile of treasure, and started rolling around in ecstasy. "Gold! Treasure! Oh, after decades of being a pirate, I've finally found your true worth!"
"Hurry up, my darling! Gather it all up. Mama can't wait to go gamble in the Golden City again!"
"Yes, Mama!"
Weevil's left arm, which Wright had severed during their attack on Zephyr, had since been replaced with a prosthetic. Though wielding a blade was now a struggle, it was still sufficient for hauling loot.
This was one of those moments where being part of an organization really made a difference. In the original story, when Zephyr lost an arm, the Marine scientists fitted him with a Sea Prism Stone "crusher," turning him into a force of nature.
But for Weevil? With a miserly mother like Miss Buckin, getting even a basic prosthetic was a luxury. Forget about one that boosted combat strength—it wasn't even worth dreaming about.
Meanwhile, Wright had stealthily entered the Golden City. Disguising his appearance, he made his way from the lower decks of the massive ship to its opulent entertainment district.
Thanks to the "Golden Particles" constantly swirling in the air, the open decks were heavily contaminated. Wright chose to remain indoors whenever possible.
He had already activated his Observation Haki upon entering the Golden City, not only to locate Weevil and Miss Buckin but also to remain vigilant against the pervasive gold dust, even indoors.
"That's... CP?"
It didn't take long for Wright's advanced Observation Haki to pick up on someone unusual.
Most of the individuals enjoying themselves in the Golden City were filled with thoughts of money, indulgence, or even twisted emotions like hatred and revenge. The intensity of these desires was almost overwhelming to Wright's senses.
Yet amidst this cacophony of fervent thoughts, a few minds stood out for their calmness.
The majority of these belonged to Golden City staff—understandably so, as they were simply doing their jobs for their boss.
Some were just strong-willed individuals who had come to relax and maintained control over their impulses—nothing extraordinary there.
But then there was one individual who was different.
This person's mind was eerily mechanical, with only occasional stray thoughts breaking through what was otherwise a near-total blank slate.
People like this could only be one of two things: an idiot—or a trained agent.
Idiots simply didn't think much, while agents were trained to suppress unnecessary thoughts, allowing only sharp, deliberate bursts of mental activity when required.
Focusing on this individual, Wright quickly determined it was the latter. After all, how many idiots occasionally thought about the World Government and the Celestial Dragons?
"This must be the guy sent by the World Government to invite Weevil… He looks competent enough."
Wright knew that even if this agent wasn't particularly strong, the Golden City's ruler, Gild Tesoro, would protect anyone who invoked the authority of the World Government.
CP, the Cipher Pol, was the World Government's secret intelligence agency. Units CP1 through CP8 operated openly, while CP9 handled covert assassinations.
Above them all was CP0—a direct subordinate of the Celestial Dragons and reputed as their "strongest shield." This elite force was comprised of some of the world's most formidable operatives.
For a simple matter like delivering an invitation to a Warlord of the Sea, CP0 wouldn't bother showing up. Assigning a high-ranking CP1 agent was already more than sufficient.
At the moment, this CP1 operative was seated in a luxurious restaurant, sipping fine wine and enjoying the Golden City's world-class cuisine. His mind was calm—a testament to his professional demeanor.
However, Wright noticed something peculiar: the agent's body was riddled with traces of gold dust.
"It seems Tesoro has indeed awakened the powers of the Gold-Gold Fruit. Without awakening, maintaining control over such a massive structure like the Golden City would be impossible."
After carefully scanning himself and confirming he wasn't contaminated with any gold dust, Wright entered the restaurant, ordered some food and wine, and began eating at a leisurely pace.
The CP1 agent needed to be dealt with. If he successfully delivered the invitation to Weevil and Miss Buckin accepted, Wright's actions would be classified as assassinating a Warlord of the Sea.
Killing a Warlord would be a direct affront to the World Government. Even if Wright managed to keep his identity hidden, it would trigger a massive chain reaction involving the World Government, the remaining Warlords, and even Marine Headquarters.
But if Weevil never received the invitation, his death would merely be the elimination of another pirate. The World Government wouldn't go out of its way for that, and the agent's failure would simply result in his punishment—no great loss.
Wright patiently waited until the agent finished his meal and left the restaurant. Then, he quietly followed.
As he walked, Wright subtly altered his appearance—his clothing, facial features, and even his posture shifted until he looked almost like the agent's colleague.
The identity of "Swordsman Blazer" was reserved for the battle against Weevil. During combat, maintaining such a precise disguise would be impossible.
The CP1 agent eventually headed toward the casino, clearly aware that this was the best place to locate his target.
The casino floor was a stark contrast to the exclusive VIP areas, but its electrifying atmosphere was unmatched. Gamblers from around the world packed the massive hall, filling it with deafening noise and excitement.
"Fujitora would love it here…"
Wright smirked at the thought as he watched the agent navigate the crowd. His eyes briefly glimmered with golden light, and a faint "crack" of energy echoed.
No one noticed anything unusual. Ahead, the CP1 agent's legs buckled slightly, and he stumbled before Wright stepped forward to catch him.
"Hey, brother, I told you not to drink so much. Let me help you back to your room."
Offering an apologetic smile to the onlookers, Wright supported the now-unconscious agent—who appeared drunk—and slowly led him toward the residential quarters.
"This Conqueror's Haki is really something else… The mutation from the Holy Light allows for such precise targeting—it's flawless."
The CP1 agent, though reasonably skilled, was utterly outmatched. Wright's specialized Conqueror's Haki, enhanced by the power of the Holy Light, was particularly effective in single-target scenarios. Knocking him out had been effortless.
Retrieving the agent's room key from his pocket, Wright entered the room, hung a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door, and activated his Observation Haki to keep an eye on the casino from a distance.
Every now and then, Wright sent another pulse of Conqueror's Haki to ensure the agent remained unconscious. In the meantime, he began experimenting with a new technique—
Combining Observation Haki, Conqueror's Haki, and the power of the Holy Light, Wright unleashed a targeted mental shock that could paralyze his enemies. The duration of paralysis depended on the intensity of the output.
Such a classic move deserved a fitting name.
Wright smiled to himself. "Let's call it… Confession."
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