Meanwhile, several nautical miles away from the Gate of Justice beneath the Red Line...
A heavily damaged warship was cutting swiftly through the waves.
On the bow, Lucas leisurely drank from his bottle while tending a grill.
Every so often, he sprinkled his homemade cumin seasoning over the skewers, instantly filling the deck with an irresistible aroma.
Everyone aboard stared at him blankly.
Several of them couldn’t help swallowing their saliva.
Watching Lucas’s practiced movements and smelling the mouthwatering barbecue...
If they hadn’t witnessed his terrifying strength firsthand, they would have thought he was some world-class chef rather than a Marine Admiral.
"Nothing beats having a skewer in one hand and a drink in the other."
Lucas bit into a lamb skewer before taking another swig of strong liquor.
"Slacking off during work really is one of life’s greatest pleasures."
The scene immediately made Koby and the others, who had been training to stabilize their newly awakened Haki, clutch their stomachs.
After what they had just gone through—and the massive physical drain caused by awakening Haki—
They were no match for the temptation of good food.
"Admiral Lucas..."
"I have a request."
A voice suddenly called out.
Lucas raised an eyebrow and looked toward Jabra, who was standing several meters behind him.
That was unexpected.
"Jabra, what are you doing?"
Spandam hurriedly shouted.
"Even if we’re hungry, we’re not going to beg for a few skewers!"
"We’re almost at the Gate of Justice."
"Once we reach the Red Line, I can get you anything you want."
"Don’t forget—we’re the strongest CP9 in Enies Lobby’s history!"
As the Chief of Enies Lobby, Spandam had never imagined that he would be attacked twice in a single day...
By the same person.
The difference in strength was overwhelming.
But that didn’t mean he could simply swallow his pride.
"Chief Spandam..."
Jabra looked unusually serious.
"You can’t."
"You can’t give us what we want."
"...Can you help us awaken Haki?"
"If you could..."
"We wouldn’t need to ask anyone else."
He immediately looked toward Lucas.
"Admiral Lucas."
"If you’re willing to help us awaken Haki..."
"We’ll cover the 300 million Berries needed to repair your warship."
"You won’t have to pay a single Berry yourself."
Beside him, Fukurou and Kumadori also wore eager expressions.
Competition within CP9 had never stopped.
Although they had mastered the Six Powers and even developed combination techniques and advanced Six Powers techniques...
Awakening both Armament Haki and Observation Haki would increase their strength dramatically.
It might even allow them to surpass Rob Lucci.
After witnessing Ain and the others awaken Haki so effortlessly...
There was no way they were willing to let this opportunity slip away.
Ain and the others looked equally surprised.
They had never expected the usually arrogant CP9 agents to humble themselves and ask for help.
At the same time...
They were also curious about Lucas’s answer.
"Of course."
Lucas took another sip of strong liquor and smiled.
"No problem."
"No problem?"
Jabra’s eyes immediately lit up.
A crafty gleam flashed across them.
"Admiral Lucas..."
"You really mean it?"
"When do we start?"
"No..."
"We’re ready anytime!"
Everyone aboard froze.
To them...
Awakening Haki was already an incredibly difficult feat.
Having an Admiral personally help you was almost unimaginable.
Yet CP9 had only just asked...
And Lucas had immediately agreed.
Was he simply being generous?
Or was he giving face to the World Government’s intelligence agency?
Even Spandam was briefly surprised.
Soon afterward, he sneered proudly.
"Heh."
"So the Marines’ Fourth Admiral is surprisingly cooperative."
"Is this your way of making up for offending the Chief of Enies Lobby earlier?"
"If that’s the case..."
"I might graciously forgive you."
"Forgive me?"
Lucas adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.
"What exactly do I need your forgiveness for?"
"Oh, right."
"Before you disembark..."
"Don’t forget to pay your fare."
"You hitched a ride on my ship."
"As for helping you awaken Haki..."
"Like I said—no problem."
He casually pulled out a sheet of paper.
"Here’s the application form."
"Fill in your personal information first."
"Then submit it through the Marine chain of command."
"Have it approved and stamped by the Fleet Admiral, the Chief Staff Officer, the Chief Instructor, and every relevant superior."
"Once all approvals are complete..."
"Wait seven business days."
"After that..."
"I’ll consider whether it’s feasible."
"Then I’ll give you an answer."
"Oh, and don’t forget to file my meal allowance, overtime pay..."
"And my performance bonus."
"I’m not interested in working for free."
"I trust that was clear."
"Because I have no intention of repeating myself."
Silence.
Not only were Spandam and the CP9 agents dumbfounded...
Even Ain and the others stood there speechless.
They stared blankly at the application form fluttering onto the deck in the sea breeze.
Application forms.
Official seals.
Seven business days.
Meal allowance.
Overtime pay.
Performance bonuses.
Was this some kind of joke?
None of them had ever heard of such an absurd process.
Then again...
Thinking about everything Lucas had done recently...
Ain and the others exchanged helpless smiles.
The same thought appeared in all of their minds.
Now this was exactly how Lucas did things.
And seeing that the arrogant CP9 hadn’t succeeded in taking advantage of him for free...
They secretly felt rather satisfied.
"You bastard!"
Spandam roared furiously.
"How dare you toy with me?!"
"I’m the Chief of Enies Lobby!"
"I’ve never heard of Marine Headquarters having such ridiculous procedures!"
"So you’re refusing our goodwill?"
"Our goodwill?"
Lucas laughed.
"My apologies."
"I was simply expressing my goodwill."
"I’ve always wanted an excuse to beat up a client."
"It’s just that old man Sengoku is still covering my repair bills."
"I’d feel bad hitting him."
"But since you’re basically at the same administrative level as the Fleet Admiral..."
"I’ll make do with you instead."
Boom!
The Conqueror’s Haki dormant within Lucas erupted.
Guided by his precise Nen ManipUlti on, the crimson shockwave condensed into a single beam that shot straight through the air.
It reached Spandam in the blink of an eye.
Watching the attack rapidly fill his vision...
Spandam’s mind went blank.
He nearly wanted to slap himself.
He actually hits his superiors...
He really wasn’t joking!
Unfortunately...
The attack was already too close.
He had no chance to react.
Boom!!
The invisible impact blasted him away once again.
Spandam flew hundreds of meters through the air before crashing headfirst into the colossal Gate of Justice.
The tremendous collision shook the gigantic gate violently.
The deafening impact immediately drew everyone’s attention in the surrounding harbor, where ships were waiting for clearance to pass.
Watching Spandam slide down from the massive gate and land on the platform below...
Lucas suddenly raised an eyebrow.
He hadn’t expected to see two familiar flags waiting here.
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