The secret intelligence agency directly under the World Government—CP9—is a spy organization that operates under the banner of "dark justice."
Dispatched directly by the Five Elders, CP9 agents were sent to Water 7 to secretly monitor Iceburg and seize the blueprints of the ancient weapon Pluton. Since Iceburg works under the World Government, they couldn't attack him directly and had to rely on subterfuge. They've been lying low for four years.
Among the agents, Vane spotted Kalifa and Rob Lucci, whose current identity was that of the foreman at Dock No. 1 of the Galley-La Company.
As the strongest member of CP9, Rob Lucci's base power level was said to be 4,000—and that was before using his Zoan Devil Fruit. When he transforms into a leopard hybrid, his strength increases significantly.
Vane didn't have a precise concept of these "power values," but he guessed Lucci's combat ability was comparable to that of a Rear Admiral—or possibly even higher.
If he were to deal with CP9, It wouldn't be hard but Vane preferred not to make unnecessary enemies.
Especially not this man, who represents the World Government's twisted version of justice.
"Masked man, what brings you here?" Kalifa asked coldly.
"You're being awfully rude," Vane replied lazily, "I can tell you're itching to pick a fight."
He was seated casually atop a stack of lumber. It was noon, and the dockworkers were taking a break when Kalifa approached. Vane had been watching her, and that gaze unsettled her—being stared at by a man made her visibly uncomfortable.
Before Vane could say anything else, Kalifa suddenly lunged at him, swinging a long, toned leg with aggressive force.
But to Vane, her movements were sluggish and riddled with openings.
He blocked the kick easily with one hand. Though Vane appeared slender, he had the physique of a monster—comparable to Whitebeard himself. His raw physical strength could shatter a pirate ship with a single punch.
When Kalifa's leg made contact, he caught it effortlessly.
"What?!"
Kalifa was stunned. She was confident in her skills, and having her attack blocked so easily shocked her. She didn't hesitate to launch another kick, but Vane caught that one too.
"You've got no power behind your strikes," Vane said flatly.
"Damn you—so rude!" Kalifa growled through clenched teeth. The dockworkers nearby had noticed, making her feel even more humiliated.
"Shigan!"
Kalifa shot forward with her index finger extended, attempting a Shigan—a finger strike said to have the force of a bullet. But Vane casually swatted her hand aside with a palm strike.
"What…?"
Kalifa stumbled forward and nearly fell into Vane's chest, her expression shifting with shock.
"Shigan Whip!"
Her hand blurred, forming afterimages as it lashed out like a whip—faster and more violent.
"You're still too weak," Vane said calmly. Each strike from her was intercepted and nullified with a simple movement of his hand.
"You—!"
Kalifa's face flushed with frustration. Her strikes became increasingly sloppy—she wasn't thinking, just blindly trying to land a hit. But Vane, still seated on the pile of lumber, never even rose. He just kept catching her strikes effortlessly.
"Sister Kalifa can't beat him!"
"He's too strong!"
"Who is this guy?!"
"Is he an outsider?"
The Galley-La shipwrights watching were stunned. Kalifa, someone they viewed as powerful, was completely outmatched.
"Who is this guy?" one whispered.
"He's strong… real strong," another muttered.
Rob Lucci watched silently, his expression unreadable. As the most powerful CP9 agent in eight hundred years, with a personal power level of 4,000, he could feel that Vane was no ordinary man. And the sense of mystery Vane gave off—it wasn't just the mask. It was something deeper. Something dangerous.
"You're really too weak," Vane said.
With a casual motion, he placed a palm on Kalifa's abdomen—and sent her flying.
"He's unbelievably strong," Kalifa gasped, barely managing to stand. Pain shot through her torso.
Rob Lucci tensed, ready to intervene—but ultimately held himself back.
Vane stood and approached Kalifa.
"Secretary, I want to see Iceburg. Lead the way."
By now, it was clear to her that he was much stronger. That alone was enough reason for her to comply. Kalifa was prideful, but she wasn't foolish. If she refused, he might not ask twice.
"What business do you have with Mr. Iceburg?"
"That's none of your concern. You couldn't stop me even if you tried."
"Don't get cocky," Kalifa muttered.
She turned around, her heels clicking against the ground as she walked ahead. Despite her annoyance, she led him toward Iceburg's office.
At this point, Kalifa hadn't yet eaten her Devil Fruit. That would come later.
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I changed the cover art for all my fanfics, you can check it out.
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100 Powerstones=10 Bonus Chapters
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