"Punk Hazard? What, have you successfully convinced Dr. Vegapunk to research some special projects there?"
"No, it's Caesar Clown, another former member of MADS. When you arrive at Punk Hazard, someone will specifically brief you."
Over the den den mushi, Satan didn't say much, as it was considered a secret project of the World Government.
"Caesar, I almost forgot about him. That guy really needs to do well."
Oran hadn't paid much attention to Caesar's situation, as he hadn't interacted with Caesar much over the years. However, Oran still hoped Caesar would rise through the ranks in the World Government.
The reason was simple: if one day you discovered that your extremely incompetent former colleague had joined a rival company and become a high-ranking member.
In such a situation, would you believe that person had a sudden enlightenment, or that someone was blind?
In Oran's eyes, Caesar's only redeeming quality was his obsession with scamming funds and his immense courage.
With him there, it would essentially guarantee that all of the World Government's funds would be wasted and not used for proper purposes.
Just like how undercover agents on an island shouldn't be too outstanding, having someone like Caesar in a high position was most beneficial to Oran.
After hanging up the call, the den den mushi was left there. According to Satan, some necessary communication was still required.
And Oran wasn't in a hurry to go to Punk Hazard immediately.
Although there was a "defective product to be destroyed" waiting for him at Punk Hazard, a perfectly good Devil Fruit wouldn't just disappear. Finishing the matters at hand first was just as good.
With the departure of this group of World Government agents, Stussy and her team also went their separate ways. Only Alifa remained undercover on this island, following the World Government's orders. Oran also held a small meeting regarding this matter.
"Alright everyone, this is her information: Alifa, a member of CP8, a special agent trained by the World Government for many years, who can use some Rokushiki. She is currently undercover on the island.
Ginny, you're in charge of the intelligence department. Besides collecting intelligence, your burden is about to increase.
Let's start here. Occasionally, disseminate some false information to mislead, and you can also try to extract some new intelligence from her."
"Leave it to me, Big Brother Oran. This is more challenging than simply collecting intelligence. However, I don't have many people under me. Xiong Zai and I have found some reliable personnel over the past two years. Shouldn't the intelligence department expand its staff?"
The intelligence department Ginny was in charge of had always been short-staffed, mostly relying on androids to assist her with related tasks.
But she and Kuma hadn't been idle. Whether it was the craftsmen who came to this island with them initially, or the local residents of Firefly Island, there were many people with clean backgrounds and some capabilities among them.
Ginny had already written a report on expanding staff a while ago, and this time she brought it up naturally.
"It's about time. We also need our own eyes and ears in the outside world. Form an independent field team. For now, there aren't many good people, so you can temporarily take on this position as well. Is there anything else you need?"
"Yes, one thing. Big Brother Oran, please transfer Absalom to me. His ability is quite suitable for this kind of work.
I see he's quite loyal to you, just a bit young. After some training, he should be able to handle this aspect."
"We'll talk about it after he graduates from Brand's training. He still needs some more practice."
The Devil Fruit is indeed excellent for stealth, but it only makes the body transparent; sound and scent remain.
Absalom can't control this aspect well yet, and he can easily be exposed by these things.
When he's a few years older, there won't be much of a problem with him leading the field team.
"Big Brother Oran, the Police Force Special Operations Team selection is about to begin. Do we need to pay attention to anything? Like adjusting the selection venue or something."
"No need. The Special Operations Team is equivalent to the elite of the Kingdom Army. Like Steel Oz, they are meant to be shown to others. If she wants to investigate, let her do it."
When a piece of equipment leaves the laboratory and becomes a weapon officially deployed in the army, its confidentiality begins to decrease. Unless all the drivers are robots, some information will inevitably leak out.
However, these people are only drivers. Only Oran himself knows how to manufacture them. If someone tries to steal a mech to disassemble and study it, that thing will become a ticking time bomb.
While Alifa was confidently preparing to achieve results on Firefly Island, the people of Firefly Island were also thinking about how to maximize the use of this already exposed agent.
The next day, the selection for the Special Operations Team officially began. Those who passed the initial screening had already gathered in District Six, which is the mountainous area on Firefly Island, with the most complex terrain, and where the hydropower station is also built.
And their assessment location today was at the bottom of a waterfall.
"Everyone, I won't say much unnecessary. There are only 120 official spots. Even after the preliminary elimination, the number of people is still far beyond expectations.
I know you all want to gain piloting rights for the mechs, but today, here, we only look at ability.
Physique, courage, and intelligence—none can be lacking! And the first item of today's assessment, the Water Trial: Armed Swimming!"
Brand's voice entered everyone's ears through the megaphone attached to his mech. Then he pointed to the rapid river beside them.
"I'm waiting for you on the other side of the river. It's up to you where you cross, but only half of you will remain! Now, the selection begins!"
Brand controlled his mech, took a running start, and with a single leap, crossed the nearly thousand-meter-wide river, reaching the opposite bank.
This was not the widest part of the river, but it was the area with the highest drop and the most turbulent currents. Selecting pilots required not only physical strength but also their ability to adapt.
Whether to force their way directly across or choose to go around and cross from a calmer spot was entirely up to them.
Facing the turbulent river, many chose to go around, but some also chose to jump directly into the water and force their way across.
Some bravely faced the challenge with their physique, while others couldn't withstand the impact and were swept away by the river. After some twists and turns, they were carried downstream and saw Kuma there.
At this time, Kuma had taken off his gloves and stood on the bank. If anyone failed to cross the river by force and was swept away, they would be directly slapped by Kuma to the hospital for treatment.
With Kuma as insurance here, their lives were guaranteed, but once slapped away by Kuma, it meant failing the selection.
For a time, Kuma, the captain of the Police Force, became the person the officers least wanted to see.
Although he was very gentle, if they failed this time, they didn't know when they would get another chance.