"Those people..."
"CP0 is taking them."
Spandine and Iga vanished in a blur, using Soru to flash into the ruins.
Ihe, who had been following behind them, immediately felt his newly rekindled confidence begin to waver.
But the instant Lucas turned and his gaze landed on him, Ihe’s face turned pale.
There was no turning back now.
Although every instinct screamed at him to retreat, he could only grit his teeth and follow, relying on the prestige of CP0 to steady his nerves.
"Admiral Lucas, it’s CP0."
Ain hurried to Lucas’s side with a Den Den Mushi in hand, her expression changing slightly.
As one of Zephyr’s prized disciples, she knew exactly what CP0 represented.
If CP9 was the strongest intelligence agency stationed at Enies Lobby...
Then CP0 stood above even them.
The elite among elites.
An organization that answered directly to the Five Elders.
Their authority was so great that even Marine Headquarters’ top brass treated them with caution.
For them to appear demanding custody of CP9...
Could only mean trouble.
Kalifa and the others’ expressions also changed dramatically.
They had expected CP0 to eventually track them down.
What they hadn’t expected...
Was that CP0 had been lying in wait from the very beginning.
Originally, Kalifa and the others believed that if they surrendered to the Marines, they would at least be taken back to Marineford first, giving them enough time to maneuver.
But if they fell into CP0’s hands instead...
There would be no room for negotiation.
Only death awaited them.
As for escaping...
The thought had crossed their minds.
But looking around at the scorched battlefield...
And then at Pica, whose fate remained unknown...
Could they really escape?
Left with no alternatives, they could only look pleadingly toward Lucas...
Hoping for a miracle.
"So..."
"You want to take them away?"
Lucas adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and spoke calmly.
"Heh, Admiral Lucas, you heard correctly."
Spandine smiled as he stepped forward.
"CP9 betrayed Enies Lobby, bringing unprecedented disgrace upon the World Government—something that hasn’t happened in eight hundred years."
"CP0 must bring them before the Five Elders so the truth can be determined."
"Of course, Admiral Lucas, you needn’t worry."
"You’ve contributed greatly to capturing CP9 this time."
"So, as compensation for your efforts..."
"I have something far more valuable than the reward money you keep talking about."
"I’m sure you’ll want to take a look."
As he spoke, Spandine reached beneath his cloak and produced a small metal case.
The instant he opened it, everyone’s attention was drawn to its contents.
Nestled inside...
Lay a Devil Fruit covered in mysterious swirling patterns.
One of the sea’s greatest treasures.
A prize countless people would risk their lives to obtain.
There was a saying throughout the seas:
"The difference between an ordinary person and a powerhouse is often just one Devil Fruit."
Among the Four Emperors currently ruling the seas, three were Devil Fruit users.
That alone was enough to drive countless people into a frenzy.
Even an ordinary Zoan Devil Fruit would fetch hundreds of millions of Berries at auction.
Compared to that...
The few million Berries Lucas kept mentioning seemed insignificant.
"Admiral Lucas!"
Ain quickly pulled out the small notebook she’d always carried with her.
After flipping to the final pages, her eyes widened.
"This Devil Fruit is listed in Instructor Zephyr’s Devil Fruit Encyclopedia."
"It’s the Cat-Cat Fruit, Ancient Zoan Model: Saber-Toothed Lion."
"Its black-market value is at least one billion Berries."
Seeing the crude sketch in Ain’s notebook, Spandine couldn’t help but smile.
Quality merchandise was only wasted on someone who couldn’t appreciate it.
Now that someone had recognized it immediately, it saved him the trouble of explaining.
Still...
Every time he looked at the Ancient Zoan, his heart bled.
Not long ago, he had acquired several Zoan Devil Fruits.
To strengthen Spandam’s position within CP9, he had generously allowed Kaku and the others to eat them.
Only this rare Ancient Zoan had been kept in reserve.
He had hoped that one day his precious son would finally come to his senses.
When that day came...
This Devil Fruit would allow him to become stronger and make a comeback.
Unfortunately...
The fall of Enies Lobby had shattered all of those plans.
For the Spandine family’s future...
He had no choice but to part with it.
Originally, seeing Lucas remain expressionless from beginning to end, Spandine had prepared a lengthy explanation.
Fortunately...
Ain had already explained everything for him.
"Heh, just as expected of Zephyr’s finest student."
"You recognized it immediately."
Suppressing the pain in his heart, Spandine forced a smile before signaling Iga and Ihe with a glance.
"This Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit would easily sell for one billion Berries at the auction house in the Sabaody Archipelago."
"That’s worth far more than a reward of only a few million."
"Admiral Lucas, don’t be so formal."
"We’ll have plenty of opportunities to work together in the future."
"So..."
"I’ll be taking these people now."
Closing the metal case, Spandine reluctantly extended it toward Lucas.
At the same time, he silently vowed that once this was over...
He would give Spandam the beating of a lifetime.
Naturally...
He’d make sure not to damage anything necessary for carrying on the family line.
Otherwise, nothing could make up for the pain he was feeling right now.
Beside him, Iga quickly stepped forward while pulling out CP0’s special Den Den Mushi, preparing to request reinforcements if necessary.
"Sorry."
Lucas casually took another sip of strong liquor.
"When did I ever say..."
"...you could take them?"
Everyone froze.
Their eyes shifted toward the metal case still held out by Spandine.
Wasn’t a Devil Fruit far more tempting than a reward?
"Admiral Lucas..."
Spandine’s smile disappeared.
"Are you joking?"
His expression darkened.
The metal case remained awkwardly suspended between them.
For the first time in years...
He didn’t know whether to keep holding it out...
Or pull it back.
Seeing Lucas remain completely unmoved, Spandine’s face gradually twisted with anger.
"Admiral Lucas!"
"So you’re refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit?!"
"Others may respect your position as a Marine Admiral..."
"But we’re CP0!"
"We answer directly to the Five Elders!"
"Yes, capturing CP9 is a tremendous accomplishment."
"But don’t forget."
"The Marines are merely assisting CP0’s operation."
"I’m already giving you enormous respect by offering an Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit worth one billion Berries."
"If you continue to push this..."
"Don’t blame us for taking them by force!"
Standing at the very back, Ihe’s expression stiffened.
The unease he had barely managed to suppress erupted all at once.
He knew Spandine had always relied on his authority within CP0 to act recklessly.
But now...
Blinded by anger...
He had actually dared to say such things.
Ihe’s sense of impending doom instantly grew overwhelming.
"Oh?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow with a faint smile.
"So..."
"You just said you’d take them by force?"
He slowly adjusted his glasses.
"Looks like..."
"You people are fake CP0 after all."
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