Chapter 84: Set Up?

"You useless trash!"

"If you hadn't lost the Pluton blueprint, I wouldn't be in this situation!"

Spandam exploded, shouting as he saw the look on Kaku's face.

Crack, crack…

Hearing Spandam's rant, both Kaku and Lucci's expressions darkened, their jaws clenching tightly.

The Pluton blueprint had been entrusted to him, and yet this fool had flaunted it around like a trophy.

In the end, it was blown to pieces by one of Franky's cannons, with not even a scrap remaining.

He'd even gotten himself taken hostage by the Straw Hats and let them walk away unscathed.

Just thinking about it made Lucci feel like insects were crawling under his skin.

All their hard work, wiped out by this idiot standing in front of him.

If Spandam didn't have a powerful father backing him, Lucci would've torn him to shreds.

"Alright, calm down."

Seeing the fury in their eyes and their heavy breathing, Spandam quickly backed off.

"Caelan was seriously injured in his fight with Aokiji. He's barely clinging to life."

"If we move now, we'll clean up easily. Not only can we recover from the loss of the Pluton blueprint, but we'll earn a huge promotion!"

Spandam tried to appease them with a softer tone.

He had originally planned to dump the blame for the blueprint's loss on them, but now that he needed their strength, he had to sweet-talk them.

To Spandam, knowing how to bow and bend was the mark of a real man.

In his mind, he was already fit to be commander of CP0.

"But the Navy's intel says Caelan wasn't injured at all," Kaku said, unable to keep quiet.

What Spandam claimed was completely different from the Navy's report.

"Hmph! I don't care how accurate their intel is, but Aokiji was seriously injured and is still recovering in a hospital bed!"

"Even the Four Emperors couldn't injure Aokiji without getting hurt themselves!"

Spandam responded confidently, as if he had personally seen Caelan bedridden.

He was so proud of his deduction that he thought his IQ had once again reached new heights.

What he didn't know was that Aokiji's injuries weren't that serious—he just wanted a couple extra months of medical leave.

And Caelan, thanks to his cheating system, really could defeat opponents of equal power without getting hurt.

"But…"

Kaku tried to speak again, but Spandam cut him off impatiently.

"Enough! This is your mission. Are you taking it or not?"

Spandam was clearly annoyed. These guys didn't understand what an opportunity looked like.

If he weren't a little afraid himself, he would've picked up a sword and gone after Caelan alone.

"Fine. We'll take the mission."

Lucci, who had remained silent, finally spoke. His decision was final.

Without waiting for a response, he left the Judiciary Tower with the others.

He couldn't stand this pathetic coward another second.

"Are we really going to fight Caelan?"

"He defeated an admiral and is being called a Four Emperors–level fighter."

"His injuries might not even be real. We might not stand a chance."

Kaku looked at Lucci, his voice filled with unease.

"Even if he's not injured, I'm not afraid."

Lucci raised his head and answered coldly.

"A newcomer who popped out of nowhere being called a Four Emperors–level powerhouse? I don't buy it."

He said with scorn.

He had read Caelan's dossier. It had only taken him a year to rise from obscurity in the East Blue to defeating Aokiji.

Lucci couldn't accept such a meteoric rise.

He was Rob Lucci, the most talented agent in CP9 history!

"Fine. Let's hope you're right."

Kaku sighed, deciding not to argue further.

The intel had come from Kalifa, and they had worked together for years. He still trusted her skills.

Soon, after preparations were complete, a warship sailed out from Enies Lobby and headed toward the Wind Rider.

"Haha! I'm going to be CP0 Commander!"

Spandam stood at the bow of the warship, full of smug excitement.

He was going to lead the team personally. This time, he'd earn all the credit himself.

As for Lucci and the others? They'd get nothing.

By the next noon, their warship caught up with the slow-moving Wind Rider.

Just then, Spandam received a message from Kalifa.

Caelan and the others had been drugged and couldn't resist.

Spandam was giddy with joy.

He'd expected at least some kind of fight, but he hadn't expected Kalifa to be this effective. She had knocked them all out without even breaking a sweat.

"Hahaha! Bring the ship in close!"

Spandam couldn't stop laughing as he gave the order.

Lucci and the others had a bad feeling. Even if Caelan's reputation had been overblown, this was starting to feel off.

But per Spandam's orders, the warship came alongside the Wind Rider, and a boarding plank was extended between them.

"Let's go!"

Spandam, holding his elephant sword, charged onto the deck of the Wind Rider.

This was his moment of glory—no way was he going to be polite about it.

Though Lucci and his group were skeptical, they followed behind cautiously.

"Good afternoon, everyone."

Caelan stood relaxed on the deck, smiling warmly as he greeted them.

Beside him, Nami and the other women glared at the CP9 members, ready to fight at a moment's notice.

Gecko Moria had also arrived from his own ship, now grinning as he stared at CP9.

Only Kalifa looked slightly uneasy seeing her former colleagues.

"...Sigh."

Lucci sighed silently. So it really wasn't that simple.

Kaku, Blueno, and the others immediately tensed, facing Caelan's group like they were facing a force of nature.

Spandam, still clueless, blinked and asked, "Wait… Weren't you all drugged?"

"Yes, Kalifa did knock me out."

Caelan licked the corner of his mouth and said playfully.

Kalifa blushed and shot him a glare.

"I'm sorry. I'm undercover."

Kalifa spread her hands and calmly addressed Spandam.

"You! You… you…!"

Spandam pointed at Kalifa, unable to form a full sentence.

It had been less than two weeks. How had their undercover agent ended up switching sides?

Did this mean the whole operation was a setup?!

His dream of a one-shot promotion had turned into a nightmare. It was too much to handle.

Spandam's face turned pale, and his knees trembled violently.

He immediately shrank behind Lucci, shaking like a leaf.

(To be continued.)

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