Chapter 167: CP9

T/N: Please consider reviewing this Fanfic, Thanks and appreciate all who support me)

(T/N: Enjoy!!)

<><><><><><>

The waves surged as the small, drifting boat floated along, resembling a lone leaf lost at sea. 

Aboard the vessel were the defeated members of CP9, who had recently faced off against the Straw Hat crew at Enies Lobby. 

At the centre of the boat sat a man wrapped in bandages, his eyes closed. The stark white fabric was stained with fresh blood, a testament to his severe injuries. 

Resting on his chest was a white pigeon. This man was none other than Rob Lucci, the strongest assassin in CP9's 800-year history, a killing machine feared by all.

Surrounding him were the other CP9 members, each wearing sombre and grave expressions. 

"Damn the World Government! They actually put a bounty on us! If it weren't for Blueno's quick reaction, we would've been captured!" Jabura clenched his fists in fury. 

Kalifa adjusted her glasses, her usually pristine face now smudged with dirt and bearing a few scratches. 

She remained silent, her gaze fixed on Lucci. "Right now, the most important thing is to find a doctor as soon as possible. If we don't, Lucci won't make it!" Kaku said gravely, his long nose twitching slightly.

Kumadori sat quietly, his lips tightly sealed, his expression filled with despair and uncertainty. 

From the moment they could remember, they had lived as intelligence operatives, weapons of the World Government. 

Their missions involved gathering crucial information and assassinating key targets. But now, they had been cast aside, hunted like criminals. 

This sudden shift in identity filled them all with not only anger but also a deep, unsettling confusion. 

They needed a leader to guide them, and in their hearts, that person had always been Rob Lucci. 

Yet, in his current state, unconscious and gravely wounded, he could offer them nothing.

"What do we do next? Where do we go from here?" Blueno's deep voice broke the silence. His question hung in the air, but no one had an answer. 

The entire ship fell quiet. Uncertainty, anger, and fear swirled in their minds, rendering them too lost to even speak. "Will he wake up?" Kalifa sighed. 

Having stayed by Lucci's side, she was all too aware of how critical his condition was. Without immediate medical attention, he wouldn't survive. 

Given their current situation, with the entire world turning against them, things looked grim.

"No matter what, we have to save Lucci!" Kaku declared. Suddenly, Fukuro lifted his head, his gaze locking onto something in the distance. 

A flash of white caught his eye, causing him to freeze. Moments later, when he recognized the anchor emblem on the massive sail ahead, his face turned pale. 

"A Marine warship has been spotted ahead!" His words sent a shockwave through the entire boat. In an instant, everyone turned toward the direction he was staring. 

Rising and falling with the waves, a massive warship came into view, its golden sceptre-like ornament gleaming under the sunlight.

"This isn't an ordinary Marine vessel," Kaku stated solemnly. 

"Ships bearing insignias like that belong to elite Marines, the pillars of their forces." Despite being spies for the government, CP9 had access to Marine intelligence. 

"Running into a high-ranking Marine at a time like this… could not be worse," Fukuro muttered, shaking his head. 

"Does anyone recognize the owner of that ship?" Jabura shouted. The team fell silent as a realization dawned upon them. Not a single one of them had information on this warship.

This was highly unusual. Even if one of them lacked intelligence on a Marine vessel, there was no way an entire squad of government operatives would be uninformed. 

"Lucci might know," Blueno said, glancing at the unconscious man. 

"But given his condition, we won't be getting any answers from him." A heavy tension settled over the boat as the warship loomed closer. 

It was clear that just as they had spotted the Marine vessel, the Marines had spotted them as well.

"Can we escape?" Kaku asked. 

"I'd rather not engage with the Marines right now." Kalifa sighed. 

"Our boat is no match for a warship, no matter how hard we try to flee." Kaku's expression darkened. 

"Then that means we have no choice but to fight?" That was the last thing he wanted. 

After barely escaping the World Government's grasp, every member of their team was at their limit. 

Since their defeat at Enies Lobby, they hadn't even had food or fresh water.

The golden-sceptered warship drew closer, its massive size becoming more and more apparent. 

Seeing its sheer scale, CP9 realized that even among Marine warships, this one was exceptional. 

"This is bad," Blueno muttered, his face clouded with worry. Fukuro shut his mouth tight, his eyes flickering with fear. Suddenly—

Crackle! A bolt of lightning shot out from the warship, splitting the sky with a blinding flash. 

"What the hell?!" Fukuro shouted. The entire crew's eyes widened in shock. 

The lightning moved with impossible speed, cutting across the sea before coming to an abrupt halt right in front of them. It hovered there, unmoving.

"Lightning?" Kalifa gasped. Every CP9 member immediately snapped into alert mode. They had never seen anything like this before. 

A bolt of lightning behaving as though it had a will of its own—it was unnatural. Then, a voice rang out. "It looks like you've run into some trouble."

The blue electrical arcs twisted and distorted, morphing into the shape of a human head. The features grew clearer and clearer. 

"Who's there?!" Fukuro yelled. 

The figure exhaled lightly. "I know who you are." As he spoke, the lightning shifted, fully transforming into a tall, human-like form. 

His feet touched the deck, and his body solidified. "CP9," Arashi said, gazing down at them with a calm smile.

The small boat rocked violently as he landed. It was not meant to carry this many passengers, and with its weight already over the limit, it threatened to capsize at any moment. 

The CP9 members were at their lowest point—exhausted, starving, and stranded in the open sea. 

As Arashi uttered their name, Kaku and the others immediately tensed, their eyes locking onto him with wariness, preparing for a fight.

"Marines, we have no quarrel with you," Kaku said in a low voice. "Pretend you didn't see us and let us go." 

Arashi smiled faintly. His feet, which had been hovering, finally settled onto the deck. Instantly, the boat lurched, nearly overturning.

"I heard your mission ended in failure," he said lightly. "So now the World Government has discarded you." 

His voice carried amusement, but his eyes remained sharp. "If I remember correctly, you've even been given bounties, haven't you?"

CP9's face darkened. "It seems a fight is unavoidable." Kaku gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing coldly. They were not ones to hesitate. 

After exchanging glances, they immediately decided on their next move. "Since we've seen you... we can't just act like nothing happened, former CP9!" 

Arashi's voice rang out as he stood there, completely unguarded. At that moment, Kaku suddenly moved. 

At the same time, Blueno, Jabura, Kalifa, Kumadori, and Fukuro all sprang into action as well. 

Their speed was extraordinary, their timing impeccable, leaving Arashi with almost no space to evade.

From all directions, CP9's attacks engulfed the area in an instant. "You really are impatient!" Arashi shook his head with a faint smile. 

His arms remained crossed, making no effort to dodge or defend. 

"Swish!" The air rippled as CP9's combined assault struck Arashi head-on. 

But what made their pupils contract in shock was that every attack passed straight through him, hitting nothing but space. 

"Impossible?!" 

"Who is this guy?!" Their expressions changed drastically.

Kaku turned his head abruptly. The sight before him sent a jolt through his heart. The areas where their attacks had landed had transformed into blue lightning arcs. 

Every strike had simply passed through as if they had attacked pure electricity. "Ugh!" A muffled groan escaped as Kalifa's eyes widened in fear. 

From Arashi's body, streaks of blue lightning burst forth, crawling across her entire form in an instant. A surge of numbness and searing pain coursed through her. 

"Crackle!" The sound of electric currents filled the air. In the small boat, blue lightning spread, enveloping everything, before surging over the entire CP9 squad.

"I don't appreciate rude people." "So let me teach you a lesson first." Arashi spoke calmly. 

Kaku, Jabura, Kalifa, Blueno, Kumadori, and Fukuro trembled violently as electricity coursed through their bodies, their eyes filled with shock and fear. 

Then, one by one, they collapsed. In just a single exchange—no, in a single moment—they had all been defeated. 

The man before them was a lightning human, a wielder of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit! The strongest Logia-type Devil Fruit had appeared before their very eyes. "Who... are you?!"

Kaku gritted his teeth, struggling to stand but failing. "Who am I?" 

"Just a kind-hearted Marine who saw your predicament and decided to lend a hand." Arashi chuckled lightly. 

"Honestly, I despise those who use others and then discard them like trash, even going so far as to silence them." 

"So, in a way, my sentiments align with yours." Kaku's expression shifted. 

"Align with us?" 

"You want to help us?" Kalifa, however, picked up on the deeper meaning behind this mysterious Marine's words. 

"Clever." Arashi snapped his fingers, glancing at the bespectacled woman with admiration.

With black stockings, sharp eyes, and an air of cold elegance mixed with allure, Kalifa was undeniably suited to the role of a secretary. 

"But saving you won't come without a price." 

"A price?" Kaku's gaze sharpened, locking onto the man before him. 

Tall and muscular, with short black hair, his very presence exuded strength. Just by looking at him, one could tell how formidable he was. 

Yet, no matter how hard Kaku searched his memory, he couldn't recall any information about this man. There seemed to be no record of him in the Marines.

"What kind of price?" Jabura, the most impatient among them, shouted from where he lay. Their current situation was utterly hopeless. 

They saw no future. Their wounds and hunger alone could be enough to claim their lives. If someone was willing to extend a helping hand, it would be their best option. 

"Let's hear it." Kaku remained calm, speaking in a deep voice. 

"The World Government sees you as failures and wants you silenced. But I personally admire your abilities. So…" Arashi smiled slightly, looking at them. 

"Are you interested in becoming Marines under my command?" Hearing this, the CP9 members were momentarily stunned. 

Then, surprise flashed through their eyes. But soon after, Jabura let out a mocking laugh. 

"Join the Marines? You just said it yourself—we've been placed on the World Government's bounty list." 

"What kind of Marine would dare go against the World Government?" Kaku and the others remained silent, waiting for Arashi's response. 

Now that the government wanted them, their only possible refuge would be among notorious pirates. 

The Marines, who were technically a rank beneath the World Government, would never take them in.

"I have my ways." Arashi replied nonchalantly. However, the CP9 members were clearly unconvinced, their faces filled with scepticism. 

Just then, a voice broke the silence. "We will join you." Rob Lucci's eyes snapped open. His abdomen trembled slightly as he spoke, his voice carrying over the deck. 

"But can you truly disregard our past identities?" His sudden words made the CP9 members turn in surprise, their expressions shifting to excitement. 

"Lucci!" Kalifa called out. Kaku narrowed his eyes. From Lucci's words, it was clear—he recognized this man.

For Lucci to agree so readily, without hesitation, meant that the man before them was no ordinary figure. 

Just who was he? "In my ranks, you only have one identity, and that is my soldier," Arashi stated calmly. 

His gaze fell upon Rob Lucci, immediately assessing his severe injuries. It was evident that he could not even move his mouth properly and had spoken using ventriloquism. 

"Arashi." Rob Lucci's pupils contracted as he stared deeply at the man. It really was him!

Over the past decade, this man's name had been deliberately erased by the World Government, so much so that his once world-renowned reputation had faded into obscurity. 

Only a handful of people still knew who he was. Even his detailed intelligence had been classified as top-secret by the government. 

Yet, they had encountered him here. More than that, he seemed to have taken an interest in them. 

Though Lucci had only just regained consciousness, his mind was operating at full capacity. He swiftly assessed the situation and reached a simple conclusion.

Right now, CP9 has no other choice. Their only option was to follow this man. That was the only way to survive. 

From Lucci's knowledge, if there was anyone in this world who could shelter them without fear, it was Arashi. 

"We will join you and follow your orders. But you must guarantee our safety." Rob Lucci's voice was low and firm. 

"What happened before... my team and I never want to experience that again." Hearing this, Arashi burst into laughter, scanning the people before him.

"Do you take me, Arashi, for a fool? Do you think I'm like those incompetent, ignorant fools in the World Government?"

With just those words, the CP9 members felt their hearts stir. It was clear that the man before them held nothing but disdain for the World Government. 

Calling them incompetent fools deeply resonated with them. At this moment, the CP9 members found themselves feeling a slight sense of recognition toward this Marine.

"Regardless of your motives, thank you for extending a helping hand to us." Rob Lucci's low voice echoed from his abdomen before his eyes shut once more, losing consciousness again. 

His injuries from the battle at Enies Lobby had been severe, and after clashing with the World Government and Marines, he was on the brink of death. 

He had only woken briefly due to the shock, recognizing the Marine before him and speaking his piece before blacking out again.

"And the rest of you?" Arashi asked with a calm smile. 

"Do you refuse my offer and choose to be captured and sent straight to the World Government? Or will you become Marines under my command from this moment onward?" The CP9 members fell silent. 

After a long pause, Kaku finally sighed. "It seems we have no choice. Before we agree, I want to know exactly who you are." 

Arashi let out a hearty laugh. "My name is Arashi. Currently, I serve as an Admiral of Marine Headquarters!" The CP9 members were stunned. 

Their pupils contracted violently. "An Admiral of Marine Headquarters?!" Kalifa gasped in shock. 

"You must be joking! The Marines only have three Admirals!" Jabra's voice trembled in disbelief. Looking at the man before them, he found it impossible to accept.

But soon, sweat began to bead on Kaku's forehead as he spoke solemnly. "No... There have been rumors of a fourth Admiral!" 

"However, after Fleet Admiral Sengoku stepped down, this fourth Admiral vanished from the public eye." 

"More precisely, the so-called fourth Admiral is not actually the fourth at all!"

"He was the first! Among the four Admirals, he was the undisputed strongest! At one time, he was even rumored to be the strongest Marine in history!" 

As Kaku spoke, the rumours and whispers he had once heard became clearer in his mind. Information about the man before him surged into his thoughts. 

He never expected to encounter such a legendary figure. After being promoted to Admiral, this man had been erased from all records by the World Government. 

Only a select few knew anything about him, and the reason for his disappearance remained an enigma, fueling endless speculation.

"Oh?" Arashi raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"It seems you've heard of my legend. More than just heard of it!" Kaku gritted his teeth, lowering his voice. 

His gaze held both caution and fear. When this man had shaken the world, Kaku had been nothing more than an unknown soldier. 

The difference between them was like heaven and earth. Simply put, the man before them was an undisputed world-class powerhouse, a warrior of the previous era! 

Just then, a ship approached from behind them. The golden staff on its deck glimmered in the sunlight, and mysterious patterns adorned its hull, crackling with blue electricity.

"Bring Lucci aboard. I can tell you all need help." Arashi spoke lightly. 

As soon as his voice fell, his body flickered with electricity, and in the blink of an eye, he was back on his warship. 

The massive Marine vessel quietly loomed before the small boat. Kaku and the others managed to stand with some effort, supporting one another. 

But when they looked up at the figures standing on the Marine ship, their eyes widened in shock.

"The former Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile?! Marine Captain Smoker?! and the others... Their identities are unclear, but they all have an imposing presence!"

They couldn't understand why a Marine ship would carry a pirate, let alone a former Warlord dressed in a Marine officer's uniform. 

But remembering that this man was an Admiral, they refrained from questioning it further. Soon, Kaku and the others helped each other onto the ship.

"Tashigi, prepare food and fresh water for them and see to their injuries." Arashi ordered with a smile.

"Understood!" Tashigi responded immediately. Bucky, Rosinante, Smoker, and Kuina silently observed the newcomers, sizing them up.

"Their physical conditioning is exceptional. Especially the unconscious one—just from his build, it's clear he's undergone brutal training. The others are also at a superhuman level." Smoker muttered.

Bucky and Rosinante both nodded. The only uncertainty was whether they had mastered Haki, but regardless, their raw physical strength was undeniable.

"I heard they were the former CP9 unit, now wanted by the World Government. A bounty from the World Government? Hah!" 

"Arashi would never care about something like that!" The hushed conversation wasn't particularly discreet, and the CP9 members overheard it. 

Their expressions flickered, but they let out a quiet breath of relief. Even this Admiral's subordinates didn't seem concerned about the World Government. 

It was clear they had no immediate reason to worry about their safety.

Arashi sat back in his chair, watching as Tashigi and the others distributed food and water to the CP9 members while moving Rob Lucci to the cabin for treatment. 

He felt quite pleased. In the vast sea, he had stumbled upon a desperate yet incredibly talented combat unit. 

Was this not a gift from fate? In his eyes, Rob Lucci possessed outstanding qualities—a firm believer in dark justice with extraordinary strength and talent. 

If not for Luffy's protagonist aura, there would have been no way for him to defeat Lucci.

Moreover, under Rob Lucci's leadership, the CP9 team embodied the ultimate underdog success story. 

After Enies Lobby, they escaped in disgrace, yet two years later, they rose to become CP0 commanders, taking charge.

This group had both ability and ambition.

His gaze shifted forward. Garp had gone to Water 7, no doubt, to visit his grandson. Meanwhile, his destination was Marineford.

"It's time to have a serious discussion about the upcoming event that will shake the world." He paused slightly, his eyes deep and unreadable.

"The gears of fate have already begun to turn, silently and inevitably."

If you want to support me, join my patr**on. Have 10 advanced Chapters for you guys.

patr**n.com/saitamablast > OP:COI NOVEL TIER