“Before the mission ends, please hand over your hearts, everyone!”
Nagato addressed the seven fully alert CP9 members.
Facing Nagato, the tense CP9 agents remained silent. Instead, Law looked at the seven with surprise, commenting, “So these are the CP9, the guardians of Enies Lobby, now roped in to fight a World Government member country. Bold move, Nagato.”
The failure at Enies Lobby was already a heavy blow, and now, under Nagato’s threat, they were being criticized by a pirate. CP9’s expressions turned ugly.
However, they couldn’t vent their frustration because they knew Nagato’s power was beyond their resistance. Acting rashly would only result in humiliation.
“Mr. Nagato,” Lucci began, recognizing the situation. “The king of Dressrosa, Doflamingo, is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea directly under the World Government. To oppose him is to directly challenge the World Government. CP9…”
“Stop playing with words, Lucci,” Nagato interrupted. “I’ve already said the goal is to take over a country. You should understand that regardless of the presence of a Warlord, it would offend the World Government. And I’ve already said there won’t be retaliation from the World Government. Your excuses can only fool children.”
Unable to retort, Kaku stepped in, “Apologies, but our enemy is ‘Heavenly Yaksha’ Doflamingo. Mr. Nagato might have the strength to defeat him, but such a battle would only burden us. Therefore…”
Kaku glanced at Nagato, who showed no change in expression. Unable to gauge Nagato’s thoughts, Kaku pressed on, “CP9 wishes to withdraw from this operation.”
Their retreat wasn’t out of sheer cowardice but rather due to the overwhelming target.
CP9’s arrogance was based on their formidable strength, but as elite agents, their actions always adapted to mission needs and situational changes. When assessing danger, they would retreat if necessary.
As some of the world’s foremost intelligence experts, they understood the terrifying power of the New World’s “monsters”—the Four Emperors, the ambitious pirates eyeing their positions, and their powerful subordinates. “Heavenly Yaksha” Doflamingo, recognized by the World Government as having catastrophic, destructive power and strength comparable to a nation’s military, was one such “monster.”
Even if Nagato displayed overwhelming power, none of the seven agents believed he could challenge Doflamingo.
Law, too, found CP9’s reluctance understandable rather than scornful.
This was the intimidating power of the world’s top figures!
But such reasons wouldn’t deter Nagato, nor would he let CP9 slip away.
“Do you think this is a game? Joining and leaving at will?” Nagato’s calm voice carried an unyielding tone. “As CP9, you should know that upon hearing ‘Dressrosa,’ you only have two choices.”
Nagato’s Rinnegan swept over CP9: “Either carry out the plan or die here.”
Nagato no longer needed or had the patience to convince CP9 with words. They had a single option: hand over their hearts, or Nagato would take them.
Killing them for outright refusal would hinder his plan, lacking the necessary manpower.
CP9’s faces darkened, caught in an impossible dilemma.
Rejecting the plan meant opposing Nagato and dying.
Executing the plan meant opposing Doflamingo and dying later.
The difference was merely timing.
Seeing their wavering expressions, Nagato decided for them.
“Universal Pull.”
His right hand stretched out, and an irresistible gravitational force pulled Lucci towards him!
“Rankyaku, Kaibird!”
Lucci wouldn’t go down without a fight. Transforming mid-air into his three-meter-tall leopard form, his honed martial arts unleashed a slash powerful enough to slice through a battleship’s iron plating, aiming at Nagato.
“Earth Release: Hardening Jutsu.”
Nagato’s body turned gray-black, not dodging but taking Lucci’s Rankyaku head-on!
The slash, which could cut through steel, dissipated like a breeze against Nagato’s hardened body!
Jabra: “What is this?!”
Kaku: “Far surpassing… the hardness of Iron Body.”
The remaining four and Law were equally shocked.
“Lucci!” Kalifa cried out as Lucci fell into Nagato’s grasp.
“Begin, Law.” Nagato squeezed Lucci’s neck, immobilizing him.
Nagato had activated his Human Path ability, holding Lucci without extracting his soul.
Law, rising from his seat, commented, “Hey, is this really okay, Nagato?”
Despite his words, Law approached, right hand emitting a swirling energy that expanded into a spherical space: “ROOM!”
Setting up ROOM was essential for extracting hearts without causing harm. Without this, even Lucci would die.
“Surgical Knife!” Law’s energy-infused hand pierced Lucci’s left chest, extracting a cube that Nagato caught.
Thump thump! Thump thump!
Under CP9’s widened eyes, Nagato held Lucci’s still-beating heart!
“Whoosh—whoosh!”
After obtaining Lucci’s heart, Nagato released him. Falling to the ground, Lucci gasped for breath, recovering from the immense pressure of Nagato’s Human Path ability.
“Finger Pistol, Yellow Lotus!”
Nagato hadn’t truly harmed him. Regaining his breath, Lucci attacked again, fingers thrusting out.
“Ugh!”
But his rapid attacks abruptly stopped as Nagato lightly squeezed the heart in his hand, causing Lucci to collapse, clutching his chest in pain!
No matter how trained the body or skilled in martial arts, the heart remained vulnerable!
Seeing this, the remaining CP9 members no longer doubted the Ope Ope no Mi’s power.
Nagato used his gravitational ability to move Lucci aside, addressing the rest: “Next, please.”
Reluctantly, Kaku, Jabra, Blueno, Kumadori, Fukurou, and Kalifa followed, one by one having their hearts extracted by Law and handed to Nagato.
With all seven hearts in hand, Nagato produced a scroll from his sleeve.
Under the puzzled gazes of CP9 and Law, Nagato opened the scroll, placed the hearts on it, and pressed his right hand down. Black runes glowed briefly, then a puff of white smoke engulfed the hearts. When it cleared, the hearts had vanished!
Facing their confusion, Nagato explained the sealing technique before storing the scroll back in his robe.
Now, with CP9’s hearts in his possession, their lives were entirely under Nagato’s control.
Nagato wasn’t concerned about their loyalty. Strength rarely needed justification, especially in this world.
As for potential passive resistance, short-term fear and recognition of his power would keep them in line. Long-term success in his plan would further bind them to him, offering new incentives and control.
“Now, let’s discuss our detailed operation plan.”
With the preliminary preparations complete, it was time to take action!
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