"Archive room search complete. No findings."
"Storage room search complete. Nothing found either."
"Damn employee dormitories turned upside down—nothing missed, nothing found."
"All mid-to-high-level offices in Tom's Shipbuilding Company have been searched... No discoveries. Some offices had hidden compartments with design schematics, but none related to Pluton."
"In that case, only Franky's workshop and Tom's office remain unsearched..."
"Don't forget, we also need to thoroughly search Iceburg's office from before he officially became the mayor of Water 7. After all, he was Tom's most valued disciple!"
After dispersing to conduct their searches, the CP9 members regrouped and exchanged their findings. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩
Though the shipbuilding company was empty in the dead of night, they instinctively kept their voices low to avoid any mishaps.
However... they certainly didn't expect that their every move had already been broadcast live by the Video Transponder Snails hidden throughout Tom's Shipbuilding Company.
And not just anywhere—it was being displayed in the World Council assembly hall, where every king of the World Government-affiliated nations, high-ranking Marines, and the Five Elders could see it all clearly.
Nusjuro's expression had completely slipped beyond his control.
They had explicitly told Spandine and Spandam after Tom's Judgement that the matter was over—those two should just go about their business!
And yet... this was what they were doing!?
Not only that, but they hadn't even reported it, directly deploying the most elite members of CP9 instead?
If this had been executed flawlessly, with no one the wiser, then fine.
But now, not only had it been exposed—it was Michael, that bastard, who had done the exposing!
If he got the upper hand, did they really think the World Government would come out unscathed?
"Nusjuro-sama, do you have any explanations for CP9's current actions in Tom's Shipbuilding Company?" Michael smiled as he turned to the sword-carrying elder among the Five Elders.
"After all, while the CP organization does possess considerable authority—including the power to monitor and surveil World Government-affiliated nations..."
"Indeed, the CP organization does have that function," Nusjuro reflexively replied.
But the Finance Warrior God, who had lived through countless years, immediately realized his mistake the moment the words left his mouth.
Michael was setting a trap!
"Nusjuro-sama, since you've admitted it, that's good." Michael shook his head, unleashing a torrent of Conqueror's Haki towards Nusjuro, causing the latter's mouth to twitch uncontrollably—clearly pushed to the brink of fury.
"At your age, you shouldn't get so worked up... What if you end up with a stroke or paralysis? Oh wait, as a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit user, strokes probably aren't in your future... My apologies, my mistake."
Though Michael said "my apologies," there wasn't a trace of remorse in his expression.
Meanwhile, Nusjuro was forcing himself to remain calm.
His eyes were filled with wariness.
He had realized how effortlessly Michael wielded Conqueror's Haki—meaning this man had truly stepped into the ranks of the strongest.
Even Im-sama... held such individuals in high regard.
Not to mention, this man was the Marine's Grand Inspector, the "Silver Falcon."
After all, the Marine and the World Government were still aligned, not yet completely separated.
So after taking two deep breaths, Saint Nusjuro gradually composed himself.
Then, glancing at the screen showing CP9 ransacking Tom's Shipbuilding Company, he turned back to Michael and said calmly.
"This matter was the unauthorized action of CP9's commander, Spandam. To carry out such operations in Water 7, a free trade city not affiliated with the World Government... it's truly an outrage that defies heaven and earth."
"My, my, Nusjuro-sama, how righteous of you!" Michael smiled amiably.
"It's rare for me to reach a consensus with esteemed figures like yourself... So, how do you intend to handle this?"
"Handle this..." Nusjuro sighed.
Faced with Michael, it seemed his only option was to sacrifice CP9's members.
Though the World Government held immense power, and CP meddling in various nations was an open "secret," everyone tacitly ignored it to maintain superficial harmony.
But once such matters were brought into the open, even the World Government—despite its dominance—had to present a stance of accountability.
After all, the reason World Government-affiliated nations followed its lead was shared interests.
Yet CP9's actions blatantly declared... anything of value would simply be taken by force.
If they couldn't prosper together... then there was no reason to keep recognizing the World Government as the leader.
And already, powerful nations were growing restless.
So... there could be no hesitation in handling this.
No pity for CP9's talents—though "talents" certainly didn't include the foolish father-son duo, Spandine and Spandam!
"CP9 Commander Spandam, along with his father Spandine, will be detained by the World Government, with execution dates to be decided by a vote among the kings. All other CP spies involved will be permanently dismissed." Nusjuro gritted his teeth, scanning the assembled kings before adding.
"Does this... satisfy everyone?"
"Of course not." Michael was the first to raise his hand in opposition.
Looking at Nusjuro's forehead, which was already bulging with veins, he smiled and said.
"This is your explanation to all the World Government-affiliated nations present... but what about Water 7? Water 7 isn't a World Government-affiliated nation—it's not even a country!"
At this point, even Smoker could pretty much grasp the implication.
Let alone Nusjuro, one of the Five Elders.
He looked at Michael with a complicated expression...
In other words, after all this elaborate staging, the ultimate goal was to have him, one of the Five Elders, personally elevate the trading city of Water 7 to the status of a World Government-affiliated nation?
What benefit could this possibly bring to him as a Marine officer?
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