The newcomer wore an orange and blue uniform with a white baseball cap. Most notable was his square-shaped face with a long rectangular nose similar to Usopp's.
"Kaku." Hyaku thought to himself.
The man was none other than one of the CP9 (Cipher Pol Number 9) members who had infiltrated the Galley-La Company in Water 7.
A Devil Fruit user with the power of the Ushi Ushi no Mi, Model: Giraffe — Kaku, the Mountain Wind!
Upon seeing him, Hyaku instinctively wanted to avoid getting too involved with him.
CP9's years of undercover work were aimed at obtaining the Pluton blueprints — the same goal as his current mission. If conditions allowed, he preferred not to interact with unnecessary people.
After all, the Pluton blueprints were a hot potato — the more people who knew about it, the more trouble it would bring.
"That won't be necessary. The Marines have our own shipwrights."
Though many thoughts crossed his mind, Hyaku maintained a calm and composed exterior. He acted as if he didn't know this person at all.
"That's a shame. It's rare to see a Marine battleship, and this old man would have liked to take a look." With that, Kaku politely nodded to him.
Then, with a powerful kick of his legs, he leaped into the air and disappeared.
Watching this hasty departure, Hyaku shook his head.
What will be, will be.
'I hope you won't stand in my way.' He thought to himself.
Next, Hyaku led Coby and Helmeppo to purchase three Yagara Bulls for transportation nearby. They were the smallest type of bull, and each could carry a two-seat carriage. For the three, he paid ฿3,000.
After asking for directions, they headed toward the center of Water 7.
Based on his memories of the original story, Hyaku recalled that the Pluton blueprints should be with Franky.
That cyborg was hiding in the back streets, running a ship dismantling company called Franky House. He had also gathered many subordinates to establish the Franky Family.
Since this was his first time actually visiting Water 7, Hyaku needed to go to the central district to ask for directions.
Soon enough, with the convenient Yagara Bull transportation, the three arrived at the central district.
"Hmm?"
As soon as they arrived, Hyaku sensed someone watching him from the shadows.
'Who could it be?' He wondered to himself. He hadn't interacted with anyone in Water 7 yet, 'Could it be remnants of Baroque Works?'
After some thought, he addressed the other two.
"Coby, Helmeppo, both of you go ask around the area. There's a ship dismantling yard in the back streets — find out its exact location. Meet back here in thirty minutes."
"Yes, sir!" The two responded in unison.
Then they walked off in different directions.
Seeing this, Hyaku also walked straight ahead.
✣ Kenbunshoku no Haki: Sonzai Kankaku ⭄ Observation Haki: Presence Sensing! ✣
Whoosh!
As he walked, Hyaku suddenly focused his mind. He skillfully released his Observation Haki. The invisible Haki spread out from his body in a semicircle.
'There is someone after all!' Not long after spreading his Observation Haki, he sensed a figure hiding in a secluded corner of the street.
When Hyaku moved, the figure followed. When he stopped, they stopped too. They were clearly tailing him.
Realizing he was indeed their target, his eyes darted quickly. His pace suddenly quickened. As he sped forward, he abruptly turned into a long alley.
After a few steps, Hyaku stopped.
"Come out. How long have you been following me?" He suddenly turned around and called out to the empty alley entrance.
Silence. After his words, only silence greeted him. It was as if no one had been following him at all.
Seeing this, Hyaku thought for a moment, then crouched down to pick up a small stone.
In the next instant, he gripped the stone and threw it forcefully in the direction he had sensed the presence.
Whoosh!
Don't underestimate the thumb-sized stone he threw. With his powerful explosive force, the stone shot out like a bullet.
Bang!
Whoosh!
The stone hit the left wall of the alley entrance. With tremendous penetrating force, it blasted through the wall.
At the same moment, startled, the figure hiding around the corner jumped out.
"It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, chapapa..."
The figure that jumped out had a body shaped like a round ball, with green hair and a beard on his chin. His mouth had an eerie zipper-like appearance.
Hyaku naturally recognized the newcomer: one of the CP9 members, Fukurō the Silent.
Seemingly trying to stay hidden, Fukurō hadn't immediately revealed his true identity to him.
"Hmph." Seeing this, Hyaku let out a cold snort.
His right hand gripped the handle of Ryūka.
Whoosh!
Without warning, he drew his sword with one hand and launched a crescent-shaped slash attack through the air at Fukurō.
The crescent slash howled with cold wind, moving at extreme speed toward its target. It left a particularly visible sword mark in its wake.
"I said it was a misunderstanding... chapapa... Why did you have to draw your sword..." Seeing the slash attack coming, Fukurō complained.
Just before the slash arrived, his expression suddenly changed. His eyes fixed on the attack, unconsciously flashing with a cold light.
✣ Rokushiki: Kami-e "Slime" ⭄ Paper Art, Slime! ✣
In the next moment, he called out.
As the slash was about to hit, Fukurō's body began to twist strangely. His body became like clay in an instant, twisting and changing shape continuously.
Finally, his body contracted to create a gap in the middle, his transformed body completely merging with his limbs.
Boom!
Almost simultaneously, Hyaku's slash attack arrived. The slash passed right through the gap Fukurō had created in his body, finally landing on the ground behind him.
With a boom, it exploded and carved up the earth.
At the critical moment, Fukurō had used an advanced version of the Rokushiki technique Kami-e, Slime, changing his body's shape to dodge the slash.
"That was dangerous... chapapa..." Having just dodged the slash, Fukurō returned to his previous demeanor.
He looked at Hyaku with a joking expression.
"Where did he go?" Suddenly, Fukurō realized.
Hyaku, who had just been standing there, had vanished. He instinctively searched around for the young man.
Whoosh!
Just then, Fukurō heard the sound of wind breaking above his head. He immediately looked up.
The vanished Hyaku had appeared in the air above, holding his sword with both hands, coming down with a mountain-splitting stance.
✣ Rokushiki: Tekkai ⭄ Iron Body! ✣
The sudden attack left Fukurō no time to judge the situation.
He could only instinctively use Tekkai to enhance his defense.
✣✣✣
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