By the time Lucci and the others groggily opened their eyes, it was already noon the next day.
Lucci fell weakly to the ground.
His hands and feet were cuffed, but he had not suffered many injuries. He had only taken Pedro's punch.
Looking at the cuffs on his hands and feet, Lucci frowned.
"Seastone?"
The others woke up one after another, each opening their eyes and examining the surroundings.
A large room.
That was the first thing they saw.
It was very clean. Under the light from the lamps on the wall, the facilities inside were clearly visible.
Whips.
Candles.
Pliers.
Nails.
Saws.
Many, many torture tools were arranged on racks to the side.
"Chapapapa. Are we about to be interrogated?"
Fukurou looked at the torture tools with mockery in his eyes.
Which CP agent had not suffered countless hardships before walking out of that place?
Could these little toys scare them?
Jabra's face was pale as he turned to look at the silent Lucci beside him. The corner of his mouth lifted.
"I bet this black cat will be the first to break and confess later."
Lucci raised his head and stared at him coldly.
"You sick dog, shut your mouth. I think you'll be the first one who can't hold on."
Jabra glared right back.
"Then let's see who breaks first. I'll be waiting to watch you beg for mercy."
The others said nothing.
These two had never gotten along. Whenever they were together, they either argued over nothing or started fighting outright.
They had been colleagues for so many years that everyone was used to it.
Kaku looked at the Seastone cuffs on his wrists.
"I wonder what that great figure plans to do with us."
Kalifa adjusted her glasses from the side.
"Based on the information we've gathered, he'll probably negotiate with the World Government and exchange us for something he wants."
"Heh."
Kaku sneered.
"We're only small fry. What could we be exchanged for? We probably aren't even worth a few Devil Fruits. Most likely, we'll just be fed to the fish."
"Hehehe."
Jabra sneered and looked at Lucci.
"We're small fry, but that one is different. The CP9 agent known as the strongest in eight hundred years. The World Government might redeem him."
The others' eyes dimmed.
They were only ordinary people.
No background, nothing else, just a bit of strength.
And now, it seemed even that bit of strength meant little to the World Government.
They could not even beat animals.
Kalifa's eyes held a trace of hope.
Her father was also a CP agent. He should think of a way to save her, right?
Lucci looked coldly at Jabra.
"Shut up, Jabra. At a time like this, you're still talking nonsense."
Jabra leaned against the wall and looked at him.
"I'm not talking nonsense. I'm only stating facts.
"We aren't strong. We have no background, no fame, and now we can't even beat animals. Do you think the World Government will bother rescuing useless people like us?"
Lucci closed his eyes and ignored the foul-mouthed bastard.
"Heh. All we can do now is wait. Whether we live or die depends entirely on that great figure's mood."
Everyone looked at Jabra, danger hidden in their eyes.
Lucci's gaze turned icy.
"Are you planning to surrender? If so, I'll kill you right now, so you don't disgrace CP."
Jabra clicked his tongue.
No one could move right now. Kill him?
Jabra looked at the others.
"Don't tell me you don't know what kind of person that commander of ours is. I bet he'll pin this entire matter on us."
The others fell silent.
They all knew what kind of person he was.
Credit belonged to him. Blame was carried by his subordinates.
Creak.
The sound of a door handle turning came.
They all looked over.
The leader was White Ghost, the man publicly recognized by the sea as the fifth Emperor. Behind him were Nico Robin and several others.
White Ghost held a Den Den Mushi.
"I'm not asking for much, sir. I have seven people here. One Ancient Zoan for each.
"These are elite CP agents. You're getting a bargain."
White Ghost sat down on a chair, and Robin stood behind him, massaging his shoulders.
One Ancient Zoan each?
Are you serious?
Are we really worth that much?
Saint Topman Warcury's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Brat, your appetite is too big. Besides, they're only a few CP agents. Do you think they're worth that price?"
Lucci and the others lowered their heads and said nothing.
Although they had been indoctrinated since childhood to absolutely obey the World Government, hearing those words still made their hearts sink.
White Ghost lit a cigarette and spoke into the Den Den Mushi.
"If not for these people, then why would one of the busy Five Elders personally call me?"
The Den Den Mushi mimicked Saint Topman Warcury's disdainful expression.
"A few useless agents who acted privately. They aren't worth us contacting you specially."
White Ghost said nothing.
He watched as their heads lowered further. Only the werewolf kept meeting his gaze.
Saint Topman Warcury continued,
"You should know exactly why we contacted you. Hand over Nico Robin. Whatever you want, we'll give it to you.
"Don't you like beautiful women? We can give you as many as you want."
Robin's hands trembled very slightly.
It was faint, but White Ghost still felt it. He patted her hand, signaling for her to relax.
White Ghost spoke lazily.
"As for beauties, I already have enough. Too many would be boring.
"Besides, Robin is also a beauty. More importantly, I prefer choosing for myself."
Robin's cheeks turned faintly red.
Just like the captain's wives had said, this man was a bad one.
Saint Topman Warcury's tone grew unfriendly.
"Brat, what will it take for you to hand her over?"
White Ghost tapped his fingers against the table.
"How about this? Five Mythical Zoans, and I'll sell her. How's that? Fair price, right?"
Everyone present had twitching mouths.
He really dared to say it.
Five Mythical Zoans?
Why didn't that greed choke him to death?
"So you refuse to hand her over. Then you should know what consequences await you."
Saint Topman Warcury's voice carried a hint of threat.
The corner of White Ghost's mouth lifted.
"Don't scare me. I'm a very insecure person.
"If I get frightened, I might squat in the Sabaody Archipelago every day. I refuse to believe not a single Celestial Dragon will come down to show off."
Lucci and the others widened their eyes as they looked at that man.
They understood exactly what that sentence meant.
And this man truly dared to do it.
Just as the atmosphere fell into a deadlock, White Ghost spoke into the Den Den Mushi.
"Relax, gentlemen. I know better than anyone what Nico Robin has mastered.
"I'm not interested in those things. In my hands, she can't run away either. I only want to live quietly and peacefully, provided no one forces me."
"Are you telling a joke?"
The Den Den Mushi mimicked Saint Topman Warcury's expression. It looked very unpleasant.
White Ghost exhaled a smoke ring.
"What kind of person am I? The information on your desk should already have given you the answer.
"As long as no one provokes me, I can live quietly until I die of old age."
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