111 Chapter 111: CP9 and CP0
The name this city had once held no longer mattered, as its history had turned to dust along with the VinSmoke Family's conquest. Now, it was called "Hope Harbor," straightforwardly expressing the desires of the people living here.
"Here, your payment for today."
Although food was currently being distributed under a rations system, the Revolutionary Army still provided the workers with a certain amount of Beli.
They could use it to purchase essential items like fabric and coal, or opt for a glass of subpar beer to alleviate the day's fatigue.
"In charge Malik, care to join me for a drink?"
Taking a few notes of Beli, the burly and shy workers extended an invitation to their supervisor. However, the massive foreman merely smiled and shook his head.
"No, I have something to attend to."
"You all go ahead, just make sure it doesn't affect your work tomorrow."
The worker making the invitation was about to say more but was grabbed by the neck and dragged away by other workers nearby.
"Come on, let's go!"
"Do you not know about Foreman's fondness for Felipa at the 'Flame Tavern'?"
"He doesn't know squat; he's only been with us for a few days..."
As a group of workers arranged to meet at the "Pig and Whistle" tavern for drinks, the conscientious foreman, after meticulously reviewing the day's projects, closed his notebook and made his way toward the Flame Tavern.
The Flame Tavern belonged to the "Flame Chamber of Commerce."
Their chamber's leader had luckily survived the North Sea turmoil of the previous year and even expanded their territory, including establishments like Hope Harbor, a city in the midst of reconstruction, under their banner.
Of course, it was unlike the cramped, dim "Pig and Whistle," with just a few barrels of subpar beer.
The Flame Tavern appeared much more upscale. The brand-new oak floorboards had distinct rings marking each year's growth, and white candles were lit all around, burning on wooden candle holders encased in white tin.
Both the chairs and the floor were covered in deep red fabric, causing the burly foreman, who entered, to instinctively pat the wood shavings off his canvas pants.
"Ahaha, Malik, back for another visit with Felipa?"
In the hall, several businessmen who frequently traveled between nearby cities sat. These were well-off individuals, though they wouldn't dare engage in price manipulation—those who did had already been strung up on lampposts.
"Ahem, good evening, gentlemen~~"
The burly foreman bent into a bow, his clumsy demeanor akin to a dancing bear, causing the businessmen in the hall to burst into laughter once more.
"Malik,"
As the tavern's atmosphere brimmed with merriment, a young woman wearing an apron emerged from the back.
"Why have you come again?"
The young woman had pinkish waves of hair, freckles on her cheeks, and while she couldn't be called beautiful, she was undeniably youthful. Seeing the awkwardly shuffling foreman at the door, she waved her hand in exasperation.
"Since you're here, help me peel the potatoes."
Though the young woman's tone was impatient, it still brought a look of joy to the foreman's face, who was unsure where to place his hands and feet. He followed her toward the kitchen while patting his chest vigorously.
"I'm the best at peeling potatoes! Back when I was at home..."
"Poor soul,"
Several businessmen in the hall shook their heads. Naturally, they could see that the young woman was just using Malik as free labor, and the simple-minded lug willingly complied.
"Love is blind, lovers can't see the foolish things they do."
Someone even recited a famous poem, and amid the others' compliments, the conversation quickly shifted to discussions about the poet's homeland.
————
In the back kitchen of the Flame Tavern,
The "lickspittle" burly foreman, in the view of many businessmen in the hall, stood proudly, while the "goddess" of the tavern's staff respectfully stood by.
"Master Greg, five CP9 agents are in position, awaiting your orders."
Within the cramped kitchen: A person was seated cross-legged on a chopping board, another hung by one hand on the kitchen wall, and yet another stood upside-down on the ceiling. Six individuals in various poses were crammed into the small space.
"Target number 2, the Donquixote Brothers, have already made contact with target number 1. Should we act now?"
Facing the inquiry from the fearless CP9 members who were unaware of the truth, the burly foreman referred to as "Greg" by the disguised waitress cast a glance around.
"Weti Shanmazi, where is your leader, Spandine?"
With such a significant event, almost the entire CP9 of this generation was mobilized. Yet, their CP9 leader, Spandine, who held the position of authority, wasn't present?
"Uh... the leader's not feeling well due to the change in environment and headed back to Judicial Island on the way."
The pink-haired girl, whose real name was "Weti Shanmazi," helplessly reported to the legendary CP0 member in front of her. Their leader's behavior was a mixture of opportunism when successful, fleeing when threatened, licking up to the Celestial Dragons, falling ill at the first sign of danger...
He truly was a piece of work.
But regardless, he had gained a substantial amount of trust from the upper echelons of the World Government through his flattery. His status was far beyond that of these agents who were only good at "fighting and killing."
"Not acclimatized to the environment?!"
Even though CP0 was quite experienced, Greg was astonished by Spandine's shamelessness. But then, he thought:
That old fox!
This time, they had to face the Navy rebel who was soon to become an Admiral, "Monkey D. Dragon." It wasn't certain if they could win, even the leader of this CP0 had no confidence when thinking of that.
And even if they won, if they ended up in the hands of Monkey D. Cap, they could be mercilessly beaten up... or even killed on the spot!
Then there were those two "Donquixotes"... Despite being "stripped" of their title as Celestial Dragons, they were still Celestial Dragons. The fate of their "servants" who dared to attack their masters wouldn't be pleasant.
Even if they were only "former" masters!
Considering all this, the CP0 captain Greg, disguised as a burly foreman, gazed at the members of "CP9" before him.
If that slippery Spandine wasn't here, it might be a good thing after all.
Let these clueless fools bear the blame for harming the "descendants of the gods!"
————
The next day, at the docks.
"You're leaving so soon?"
Wearing a bear-shaped helmet, Telly Portgaz D. Ace looked at Doflamingo, who was draped in a pink feather coat, and Rosinante, who wore a black feather coat. He crunched down on a mouthful of dried leaf cigarette.
"Though we're not 'comrades,' I still thank you again for your assistance."
Without the constant influx of supplies brought by the Donquixote Family, the city's reconstruction wouldn't have progressed so smoothly. Both logically and morally, Doflamingo had to thank them.
"No need to be polite; it's what you deserve."
Seeing Rosinante, much like the man before him, possess immense strength yet be content with a simple life, willingly serving the people, Doflamingo couldn't do it, but that didn't prevent him from respecting such individuals.
"Goodbye, Rosinante."
In contrast, Doflamingo felt nothing about these matters. His biggest wish was to drag the Celestial Dragons down from their pedestal in the Holy Land.
"Doflamingo, Rosinante~~"
On the deck of a merchant ship, Gladius waved to the two.
Though he was just six years old, a year of training had made him a match for a dozen burly men. With the use of cannons, he could even send a shipful of pirates to the bottom of the sea by himself.
"Let's head back quickly; everyone's about to throw up from the bread on the ship."
"And what's that? Back then, we didn't even have bread to eat."
Ruffling Gladius's hedgehog-like hair, Rosinante looked up at a chubby sailor on the deck.
"Hoist the sails, raise the anchor, we're heading home—"
"Oh,"
The good-natured chubby sailor nodded, pulling the ropes with vigor. Other sailors on the ship followed suit, causing the massive merchant ship to slowly exit the harbor.
As for the pirate ship they seized midway, it would be given to the city as a means of transportation.
With the strong sea breeze, the ship's three masts swelled with wind, the sails fully inflated. They propelled the massive ship forward at high speed through the open sea.
Compared to the sluggish pace earlier, their speed had significantly increased.
As a city still undergoing reconstruction, Hope Harbor had virtually no goods to sell, making Rosinante and the others return on an empty ship!
Most maritime merchants saw this as a heartbreaking waste, so they would never come to Hope Harbor for trade.
The merchant ship sailed through the rolling waves, causing ordinary folks unfamiliar with the sea to vomit profusely. Even the sailors employed by the Donquixote Family, who stood by the cannons, didn't look too good.
Only individuals with strong abilities like Rosinante and Doflamingo, who were leaning beside the cannon, were unfazed. Beside them, Gladius muttered as he held onto the railing:
"Although my sister's cooking is good, Aunt Viola's dishes are still the best in the family."
"I really want to get home quickly, or maybe even encounter some enemies~~"
"Ha, then I hope your wishes come true."
?
Gladius glanced at the sailor who had chimed in and frowned displeasedly.
"What do you mean?"
"He means you're going to die on this sea."
Another sailor standing nearby suddenly put down his work and stood up, reaching for his face.
Rip...
He tore off his facial skin, revealing another unfamiliar face beneath it.
?!
"Enemy—"
Quickly getting to his feet, the man drew a flintlock pistol from his waist, aiming and firing without hesitation.
Bang!
With a gunshot, a lead bullet embedded itself into the man who had "torn off" his face, fully showcasing Gladius's marksmanship talent.
"Tsk, brat."
"If I hadn't maintained 'Iron Body,' I would've been in trouble."
Ding...
Amid the man's disgruntled voice, the flattened lead bullet fell down in a small, round disc shape, revealing the unharmed forehead of his opponent.
Rip...
"Wearing this thing is such a hassle."
Another sailor also tore off her own "face," revealing pink wavy hair. It was unclear how she managed to stuff her long hair under the mask.
"Dispose of these guys quickly and then go back to assist the three CP0 members in surrounding the 'former Navy Admiral.'"
As the five sailors discarded their disguises, a chilling aura spread across the deck.
"Sorry, Donquixote Doflamingo and Donquixote Rosinante."
The lead man stepped forward, facing the dubious Doflamingo and Rosinante, and declared coldly.
"This is where your journey ends!"
In a world where strength reigned supreme, most people's behavioral patterns followed: find an enemy—eliminate the enemy—complete the mission.
Combined with the fact that most powerful individuals were essentially "beasts of burden," engaging in direct confrontations was the norm for the majority.
Even the so-called assassination organization CP9 adhered to this principle—wipe out all enemies, forming their "assassination" habits.
"Is that so?"
Rosinante, who had earlier displayed "puzzlement," rubbed his face.
"I didn't expect you guys to jump out so soon. Well then, let's get started."
?!
————
Hope Harbor,
In the tallest stone building at the center of the city, Monkey D. Dragon was diligently reviewing documents, completely unaware of the sudden appearance of a man in a white suit and a mask behind him.
"Finger Pistol: Red Lotus Blast!"
In the eyes of pedestrians on the street outside, the stone building suddenly "swelled" and then erupted with countless chunks of soil and stone, almost melting due to the intense impact.
Molten rocks resembling cannonballs hurtled in all directions like artillery bombardment.
The entire building disappeared in an instant, leaving behind a ten-meter-wide crater that seemed bottomless!
At the edge of the crater, the man in the white suit with a mask emitted an unbelieving cry.
"Damn it, it's a puppet!"
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(End of this chapter)
