Time flowed on.
As the deep night gradually swallowed the clamor and prosperity of Ambri Island, a secret meeting concerning the fate of the world was quietly taking place in an unknown, dark corner of the brightly lit "sleepless city."
Inside a secret room, its windows completely blacked out by heavy curtains, a group of elite CP9 agents, led by Rob Lucci, knelt on one knee. Their expressions were solemn as they faced a special Transponder Snail. It was an extremely luxurious model, entirely black, with the emblem of the World Government carved onto its shell. They waited in silence for their instructions. The atmosphere in the room was as heavy and oppressive as liquid mercury.
Only the tall figure slouched on a sofa in the corner, who always seemed out of place, broke the silence.
"Oh my…" Aokiji let out a long yawn, his characteristic lazy tone filled with soft complaint. "I say… how much longer do we have to wait? If this goes on, it'll be morning."
Before anyone could answer him, the luxurious Transponder Snail, which had been silent, suddenly made a "click" sound. It was active.
An old, emotionless, yet supremely authoritative voice slowly emerged from the device. "Report on your progress."
Rob Lucci, kneeling at the front, immediately bowed his head even lower. He reported in an extremely respectful, machine-like tone, "Reporting, Saint Saturn. As per your command, everything is ready."
"Very good."
On the other end of the call, the Elder overseeing Scientific Defense, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, seemed to nod in satisfaction. His voice immediately became cold and sharp, like a surgical knife cutting straight to the core of the mission.
"This time, you have only one objective. You are to find out, at all costs, what is being researched in that so-called 'secret laboratory' on Ambri Island. And you will uncover what kind of secrets are hidden within."
As one of the Five Elders, Saint Saturn was deeply vigilant of any unknown entity that might threaten the World Government's technological dominance. Ever since the monster known as "Strange Tail" Takero had appeared on the world stage, the Elders had never ceased their secret surveillance of him. Their concern grew immensely after learning he had allied himself with Nico Robin, the "Devil Child of Ohara."
An ambitious monster with world-destroying power, paired with a living "key" capable of deciphering the forbidden Poneglyphs—who knew what world-shattering events this terrifying combination could bring about?
Their fears were amplified when spies within the Germa Kingdom confirmed that Takero had indeed built a massive secret laboratory on Ambri Island, apparently for research into some mysterious biotechnology. Then, the "Omni-Capsule" was unveiled, a device that completely revolutionized global logistics. At that point, the Five Elders could no longer sit still.
That incredible, high-tech product, capable of spatially compressing physical matter, was technology that simply should not exist in this era. It had to be the forbidden technology of the Great Kingdom, the one they had erased from history eight hundred years ago. It seemed that after joining forces with Nico Robin, Takero's research into the Void Century had reached an extremely terrifying stage.
No, they couldn't wait any longer. The consequences would be unthinkable.
However, they couldn't move directly against a monster like Takero. Against an individual of his caliber, if they failed to kill him in a single, decisive strike, they would face endless, frenzied retaliation. Therefore, they had to first discover what was hidden inside his laboratory. Could they find the secret to his monstrous power? Was it possible to find a way to counter him?
If they could figure these things out, they could eradicate Takero, this dangerous tumor, from the root. Thus, after a secret deliberation, the Five Elders decided that Saint Saturn, their highest authority on science, would personally oversee this top-secret mission.
"Listen carefully, Lucci," Saint Saturn's voice was as cold as ice from the abyss. "This operation must succeed. Failure is not an option."
"Yes!" Lucci and the members of CP9 responded in unison, their voices firm and without a trace of hesitation.
Then, the Transponder Snail fell silent once more.
Aokiji, on the side, yawned again. "Oh my… so, can I go back to sleep now?" he asked lazily.
Lucci didn't answer him directly. Instead, he turned, his sharp, hawk-like eyes locking onto the admiral. "Vice Admiral Aokiji. Tomorrow, when the martial arts tournament finals officially begin, we will commence our operation to raid the secret laboratory."
He paused, his voice low and serious. "At that time, I will need you to keep that monster, Takero, fully occupied on the arena stage."
"We are not asking you to defeat him. But you must buy us enough time. Is that clear enough?"
"Alright, alright, I get it~" Aokiji's tone was as lazy as ever. However, a hint of imperceptible solemnity flickered in his eyes.
He knew he was no match for a monster like Takero. But if it was just a matter of stalling for time, he felt that as the user of the Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit, he could still manage it.
"Don't worry," he agreed confidently.
Lucci took a deep breath, his gaze as sharp as a knife. Everything was set for tomorrow's operation. He could only hope it would all go smoothly.
…
Just as the CP9 agents were finalizing their plot, the lights in Takero's villa were still on. He leaned back on his huge sofa, looking at the figure standing in front of him with a somewhat speechless expression.
"I have to ask, why are you here?"
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