CP9's Mission: Pluto Blueprints

"So, what's the deadline for the mission?" Rob Lucci asked, after confirming that torture was off-limits.

"The term?" Spandam looked at the four CP9 agents before him. "There is no deadline until the task is completed!"

"No deadline?" Kalifa, in her black suit and glasses, pushed them up, her disdain for Spandam clear. She suspected this was just Spandam's way of suppressing them, given his reliance on family connections for his position, despite their superior abilities and achievements. It was like the previous North Sea mission—long, drawn-out, and pointless.

"That's why I asked you four to take action. After all, you are the elite in CP9!" Spandam said, eyeing the group. They were the best in CP9: Rob Lucci, the strongest in 800 years, master of Six Powers; Kaku, the second-best dual-sword master; Kalifa, skilled in espionage; and Bruno, with the Door-Door Fruit. They were difficult to discipline, but sending them on this mission would keep them out of his hair. And if they found Pluto's blueprints, he'd get a promotion.

"Understood, we will complete the mission." Hattori, the pigeon on Rob Lucci's shoulder, spoke for the group. "When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow, a merchant ship will pass by here. You can take the ship and leave. The rest will be up to you." Spandam picked up a Tesoro-gifted, high-end cigar from the table, trimmed it, and lit it.

Spandam's Ambition: The Seven Warlords of the Sea

"But before that, don't we have to worry about the island's affairs?" Kaku stood, looking towards the northwest, where the colossal Golden Giant had just caused a massive commotion.

"That kind of thing doesn't matter." Spandam subconsciously patted his pocket, where another gift from Tesoro lay: a card exchangeable for 200 million Baileys in chips. "Maybe some pirates are causing trouble over there again. They should have been dealt with by now." Despite his weakness, Spandam knew Tesoro was the new king of the underworld. No one from the first half of the Grand Line could threaten him.

"What a shame. I thought I could get to know that guy named Rhodes a little better." Kaku commented, pressing his hat. "During the last mission, I heard a lot of rumors about him."

"Rhodes?" Spandam's ears perked up. "Is it Rhodes from the Rhodes Pirates?"

"Yes, they landed on the island today, and among all the people currently on the island, he is probably the only one who could cause such a big commotion."

Spandam's eyes gleamed. He knew from his father's connections that the World Government was urgently seeking new Seven Warlords of the Sea. It had been over a decade since the policy began, yet the ranks weren't full. And with the Red-Haired Shanks now a Four Emperor, the urgency had only increased. Though not a direct assignment, successfully recruiting a new Warlord would be a massive achievement.

The Rhodes Pirates were a rising force. Captain Rhodes had a bounty of 210 million Baileys, the strongest rookie of the year. His crew also boasted impressive bounties. And...

"I remember that the Rhodes Pirates seemed to have caused quite a stir some time ago, right?" Spandam stroked his cigar.

"He defeated the former Marine Headquarters admiral, Black Arm Zephyr, and brought out the Giant Warrior Pirates who had been silent for a hundred years," Kalifa reminded him, her tone tinged with contempt for his ignorance.

"Zephyr!" Spandam paused, then a brilliant idea flashed in his eyes. They could invite this guy to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!

"Do you have detailed information about them? I want to take a look."

Bruno, silent as usual, handed Spandam a notebook. He might be quiet, but his observation skills and intelligence-gathering were top-notch.

"They've defeated the Ghost Spider (Vice Admiral Onigumo)?" Spandam was initially shocked by Rhodes's record but quickly grew more excited. The more brilliant Rhodes's record, the more likely the World Government would recognize him. Spandam recalled hearing that Vice Admiral Ghost Spider had been tasked with recruiting a Warlord but failed, likely due to his defeat by Rhodes. Now, with the World Government reiterating the need for Warlord candidates, it seemed the Navy hadn't found anyone else, or their attempts had failed.

Inviting Rhodes to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea seemed incredibly promising! Spandam could almost see the promotion beckoning.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Spandam outlines the CP9's mission to Rob Lucci, Kalifa, Kaku, and Bruno: to infiltrate Water 7 and covertly locate the blueprints for the ancient weapon Pluto, believed to be held by Iceberg. He sets no deadline and warns against direct confrontation due to Iceberg's political connections. As the CP9 agents prepare to depart, Kaku points out the massive commotion caused by the Rhodes Pirates on the island. Spandam, initially dismissive, quickly realizes the strategic potential of Rhodes, especially given his impressive record of defeating powerful figures like Zephyr and Vice Admiral Onigumo. Seeing an opportunity to gain favor with the World Government, Spandam begins to consider recruiting Rhodes as a new Seven Warlord of the Sea.

With CP9 now focused on the Pluto blueprints and Spandam actively contemplating Rhodes as a potential Warlord, how might these two separate, yet significant, plotlines converge? Will Rhodes's path to "hegemony" lead him directly into conflict with CP9 in Water 7, or will Spandam's audacious plan to recruit him lead to an unexpected proposition from the World Government?