"What’s that commotion?" Tom, who was busy building Alucard’s ship, couldn’t help but ask.
"It seems something happened with the World Government people, but I don’t know the specifics," one of Tom’s shipwrights replied.
"Hey, old man!" A shout came, and Tom turned to see the red-haired kid from the Roger Pirates. Shanks quickly ran over and said, "Alucard told us to tell you he’ll come for the ship later. Please keep working on it."
"Has something happened?" Tom didn’t think someone like Alucard would skip out on a debt. Something must have occurred. He had seen countless people in his life and possessed that much discernment.
"I don’t know, probably something interesting," Shanks shrugged. "Also, we’ve already paid you. After him, please build our ship quickly."
"I understand. Don’t worry," Tom nodded.
After passing through the Gates of Justice, they finally arrived at Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"Sir, we will moor the ship at Marine Plaza. After your meeting with Fleet Admiral Kong, please return immediately. You also need to report to your superiors in the government," an agent reminded the CP0 Chief Officer as he walked beside him.
"Just wait patiently," the Chief Officer responded coldly.
"My apologies, I spoke out of turn!" The agent quickly bowed his head in apology.
Soon, training Marines noticed a tall figure in a conspicuous white suit, accompanied by several black-suited government agents, walking through the alleys of Marineford.
"CP0, huh?" The Marines at Headquarters silently noted. Their attire was too eye-catching. Only CP0 government agents were authorized to wear white suits.
"CP0, come with me. The Fleet Admiral is waiting. Orders came from above." Yamakaji, wearing a Vice Admiral’s coat and a cigarette dangling from his mouth, already stood at the building’s entrance, addressing CP0.
"Understood. All of you return to the ship and wait. I alone am enough." He sent all other government agents back to the ship, entering alone.
The interior of the Marine Headquarters building was surprisingly Japanese in style. Upon reaching Kong’s office door, they found it to be a sliding Japanese paper screen door. While it offered no defense, what was the point of an extra paper door if only those capable of breaking through could reach it anyway?
Yamakaji stood at the doorway, signaling with his eyes that CP0 could enter.
When the Chief Officer entered, he found himself in an office of extremely simple style. A desk was placed on a tatami mat, behind which sat a man in a black suit beneath a Marine coat. It was Fleet Admiral Kong of Marine Headquarters.
At this moment, Kong sat with his arms crossed, his face grim. His thick lips moved. "CP0 actually failed. This is truly unimaginable."
"I came this time to convey orders from above: immediately list Alucard as a wanted criminal. The bounty amount will be decided by the Marines," the Chief Officer said flatly, showing no reaction to the word "failed."
’Covering up the government’s embarrassing failure, are they? A disgusting bunch.’ Although Kong was displeased, he perfectly concealed it, asking with a sneer, "Then, what charge shall we place upon him?"
"A great criminal who slaughtered cadres of the government’s direct agencies and stole important government secrets," the Chief Officer stated as if it were obvious.
’They’re practically forcing a crime onto him,’ Kong thought, annoyed. But compared to some of the government’s other actions, this was nothing. So he said, "I understand. This matter will be handled entirely by the Marines. The government personnel may leave."
"May I be granted an audience with Dr. Vegapunk? Although I couldn’t bring Alucard back, I can still relay some information to him," the Chief Officer said.
"Such matters can simply be submitted to me in a report, and after I approve it, I can forward it to him, no?" Kong asked plainly.
"This work is considered very important within the government. It should be kept secret even from the Fleet Admiral at this time."
Upon hearing this, Kong’s eyes narrowed, and his aura erupted, shaking the entire building. Outside the door, Yamakaji secretly thought, ’The Fleet Admiral is furious.’
"I am merely conveying orders from above," the Chief Officer said calmly, causing Kong’s aura to recede significantly. The meaning was simple: If you have an issue, take it up with the Five Elders; it has nothing to do with me.
"Hmph, the government people had best keep a lower profile. Haven’t they just lost two high-ranking CP0 personnel in one go?" Kong sneered repeatedly.
The Chief Officer inwardly chuckled. It was three. However, this was enemy headquarters; it was best to keep a low profile.
Soon, Kong issued the pass, granting CP0 permission to meet Dr. Vegapunk.
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