Carrera Company.
Inside Dock No. 1, in a quiet room.
"Thump, thump, thump…"
Iceberg Mayor's secretary, Kalifa, pushed the door open, gently adjusting her glasses. "Mr. Iceberg, his companions have been located. I've already instructed them to be brought to Dock No. 1."
"Hmm, as expected of Kalifa, your efficiency never fails to impress," the Mayor said casually.
Turning his gaze to Shirogai, who sat opposite him, he continued in a calm, steady tone, "So, Great Pirate, with a bounty of [200,000,000 Berries], is there anything you wish to discuss?"
"It's very simple," Shirogai replied, his voice carrying the faintest smirk.
He pointed toward Kalifa, who stood behind the Mayor. "Iceberg, you've already been marked by the World Government's secret intelligence organization CP-9. Your secretary, Kalifa, is one of their operatives."
The words hit the room like a thunderclap.
"What?!"
Iceberg spun toward Kalifa, eyes wide. "Kalifa, you're from the World Government's CP-9?"
Barry, bristling with tension, let a rope slip from his sleeve and aimed it at Shirogai. "Don't talk nonsense! Kalifa may dress provocatively, but she would never harm the Mayor!"
Kalifa's frown deepened as she looked at Shirogai. "Shirogai San, I don't understand. What are you trying to achieve?"
Shirogai's lips curved into a faint smile as he lightly clapped his hands. "Hehe, as expected of a high-level agent raised by the World Government. Even exposed face-to-face, you remain composed."
"Arrest this man immediately!"
Kalifa ignored the sarcasm, adjusting her glasses. Her tone grew sharp and unwavering. "This attempt to slander me suggests that his 'chance encounter' with you today is no accident. It's deliberate, likely covering some unknown operation."
The Mayor stared at Kalifa, her expression unchanged as always, deep in thought.
On one hand, she had loyally assisted him for years, arranging nearly every aspect of his life. If she truly were an enemy, his life could be ended in an instant.
On the other hand stood a pirate, bounty marked by the World Government, whose intentions remained a mystery—and likely malicious.
"Iceberg, Kalifa is right!"
Barry's eyes burned with suspicion. "This pirate is too dangerous! To slander our own shipyard as World Government agents on the first meeting… I won't allow it. I'll take him down and uncover his conspiracy!"
He flicked his wrist, sending a sturdy rope whipping through the air. "Catch-man knot!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
The rope formed a perfect noose, landing around Shirogai's neck. Barry sneered, triumphant. "Hmph, a pirate worth [200,000,000 Berries] is nothing more than this!"
The rope tightened, biting against Shirogai's neck—but he remained calm. With a smile, he extended a hand, gesturing behind Barry. "Hehe, Barry, perhaps you should look behind you first."
Barry tightened his grip, disdain in his voice. "You really underestimate me…"
He turned, only to freeze.
"What?!"
Kalifa stood expressionless, dagger pressed against the Mayor's throat.
Iceberg's expression shifted, the reality clear: Shirogai had been right.
Kalifa was indeed a CP-9 agent.
Barry's body trembled as he roared, "Kalifa, what are you doing? Could everything he said be true?"
Kalifa's voice was calm, chillingly composed. "He's right. I am an intelligence agent of the World Government, assigned to the Mayor's side. Special privileges prevent me from revealing my identity openly."
"So that's it…" Iceberg breathed, relief mingled with lingering fear. "The World Government has been watching me all along. They placed you here to gain my trust and wait for the right moment."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Iceberg," Kalifa said flatly, devoid of genuine remorse. "If I could avoid it, I would, but you guard your secrets too well. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't obtain what I needed."
"So you planned to remain hidden until I revealed the information…"
Iceberg exhaled slowly, tension easing slightly. "Fortunately, you revealed yourself now, or I would have always feared what might happen."
"Kalifa, you scoundrel! Let go of the Mayor!"
Barry retracted his rope, glaring at her but wary to move closer. Any sudden advance could cost the Mayor his life.
"You're no match for me, Barry," Kalifa said, eyes cold yet calculating as they flicked to Shirogai. "But, Shirogai San, do you intend to fight? Aren't you concerned that the Mayor might die before your eyes?"
Despite her ignorance of Shirogai's insight, she sensed the truth. This pirate, revered in the underworld, had come for Iceberg. Perhaps, even threatening the Mayor's life would not sway him.
Iceberg shook his head bitterly. "People of the World Government… threatening a city mayor with a pirate? Truly, you cultivate justice only in name. Your intelligence organizations act under the guise of righteousness, yet wield fear."
Kalifa remained unflinching. "Though we act in the name of justice, when someone refuses to comply with the World Government, CP-9 retains the right to execute them."
"Justice?" Barry ground his teeth, furious. "Kalifa, if you harm the Mayor, I will not let you go unpunished!"
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