Malphegor
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HGBW: Ch. 102
🕑 Added 2025-03-15 18:25:19 +0000 UTCKalifa and the others had no interest in Tesoro.
As for why Tanaka wanted them to track down Tesoro, they dared not ask too many questions. Instead, after receiving his orders, they immediately took out a Den Den Mushi and contacted the CP5 headquarters.
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Cipher Pol.
One of the three major institutions under the World Government.
From CP1 to CP9, each intelligence agency had its own headquarters.
Even CP0 was no exception.
However, CP0's headquarters was established within the World Government's main base—Mary Geoise.
Tanaka was witnessing the power of the World Government for the first time through the efficiency of Kalifa, Who's-Who, and the others.
In the pirate world, where the vast ocean covered over 80% of the surface, nations and islands were separated by endless seas.
Some islands were technologically advanced, comparable to the Information Age, and some were slightly behind, resembling the Industrial Age. However, most islands and nations were still at an Agricultural Age level.
Yet, regardless of the country, island, or sea area, the influence of the World Government seemed to extend everywhere, just like now.
Kalifa and the others had merely made a phone call, yet in the vast ocean, from countless islands scattered like stars in the sky, they managed to track down Tesoro's whereabouts.
"We found him."
"According to CP5's investigation, after seizing the Gold-Gold Fruit, Tesoro hid in the Lvneel Kingdom of the North Blue to evade the Donquixote Pirates' retaliation."
"This kingdom, from royalty and nobles to commoners, is obsessed with gold. Since he is a Gold-Gold Fruit user, he easily amassed a fortune using his powers. He then used his gold to bribe the king of Lvneel Kingdom and gained noble status."
"Now, he is not only a noble of Lvneel Kingdom but has also purchased a town there, transforming it into a casino city."
"Due to his noble status, even within Cipher Pol, neither CP9 nor CP0 has the authority to execute him."
After putting down the Den Den Mushi, Kalifa immediately reported to Tanaka.
As expected of the Golden Emperor. Tanaka was not surprised at all by Tesoro's current situation.
After all, in the near future, this man would rise from nothing to become the world's richest person, controlling 20% of the world's total currency while straddling both legal and illegal enterprises.
Not only would he become the king of the world's largest entertainment city, Gran Tesoro, recognized by the World Government as an independent nation, but he would also become one of the "Dark Emperors" of the New World.
He had both government backing and pirate connections.
If not for his ambition to dominate the Grand Line, he could have simply used it as a stepping stone for his grander ambitions. Given more time to develop, he could easily overthrow the king and take the throne for himself.
At that point, the king would be named Tesoro—just like how Doflamingo usurped Dressrosa.
"Let's go."
With Tesoro's whereabouts confirmed, Tanaka immediately set off, not lingering on Minion Island any longer.
Kalifa, Who's-Who, as well as Blueno and Jabra, hurriedly followed him, staying close behind.
Soon, the group arrived at the southern coast of Minion Island.
Then, a pirate ship flying the Jolly Roger, drifting on the sea, came into view.
Back when Tanaka first arrived in the pirate world, aside from intercepting the Op-Op Fruit from Barrels' pirate crew, he had also seized their pirate ship.
This was to prepare for leaving Minion Island and even the North Blue to make his way into the New World.
Now, this pirate ship had finally found its use.
"First, let's head to the nearest island to gather supplies, then set sail for Lvneel Kingdom."
After giving instructions to Kalifa and the others, Tanaka walked straight into the ship's cabin.
This was precisely why he had chosen to recruit CP9 instead of killing them.
They could serve as the foundation for his rise in the pirate world, act as combat instructors, and even solve his navigation issues.
The members of CP9 were carefully selected by the World Government after countless rounds of screening. Naturally, their skill points weren't just allocated to combat and espionage.
In a vast oceanic world like this, CP9 wouldn't have neglected navigation skills.
They had extensive knowledge of weather patterns, ship handling, repairs, cartography, and route planning.
Kalifa and the others excelled in all of these areas.
They could easily take on the roles of chef, shipwright, helmsman, and navigator.
With CP9 working as his crew, Tanaka had met all the prerequisites to set sail in the pirate world.
Navigating the North Blue was no longer a problem. Even if they entered the first half of the Grand Line, Kalifa and the others could still handle cooking, ship repairs, steering, and navigation with ease.
Splash—
As Tanaka disappeared into the cabin, Blueno silently walked to the helm, taking the role of helmsman.
Jabra used Geppo, landing gracefully atop the mast's crow's nest to raise the sails.
Kalifa took on the role of navigator, plotting the ship's course.
Meanwhile, Who's-Who stood watch, scanning the surrounding sea to ensure the ship's safety.
With the crew working together, the ship set sail, cutting through the waves and slowly departing from Minion Island.
This was their apparent course of action.
But in reality, from the moment Tanaka entered the cabin, a secret conversation had been taking place.
As CP9 agents, they had their own covert communication methods—ways that couldn't be detected or understood by others.
Their signals were similar to Morse code.
As they carried out their tasks, Kalifa, Jabra, Blueno, and Who's-Who subtly exchanged hand signals, coded taps, and rhythmic gestures to communicate.
Who's-Who: What should we do?
Blueno: Are we really going to betray the World Government?
Jabra: What else can we do? Tekkai won't protect us from the Caged Bird. Even if we learn Haki, it might not work against it.
Kalifa: Let's vote. If the World Government is willing to help us retrieve our lost half-heart and lift the Caged Bird, we remain CP9. If they refuse or fail, we pledge loyalty to him.
Jabra: Agreed.
Blueno: Seconded.
Who's-Who: Alright.
As CP9, they had at least ten different methods to send intelligence without being detected.
Just like earlier—when they contacted CP5 in front of Tanaka.
On the surface, they had only been inquiring about Tesoro's whereabouts, showing no flaws in their behavior.
But in reality, during that conversation, they had already sent a coded message to Enies Lobby, informing them that they were trapped.
After all, the Den Den Mushi they used belonged to Enies Lobby, meaning every word they spoke was being monitored by the judicial island.
