Stussy felt a growing unease. She had underestimated the stakes. Even if the assassination failed, she thought she could escape using Geppo. At her level, moon-stepping is practically flying—an ability as rare as it is valuable. Escape seemed easy. Plus, if things went wrong, Wulaoxing would likely forgive her. That's what she told herself.
But deep down, doubts lurked.
"Rhett Vane must be eliminated—no more Pirate Emperors in this era."
Her Shigan: Flying Finger Gun shot invisible force from her fingertip, aiming like a lethal bullet. It sped toward Vane's forehead… but then everything changed.
His eyes snapped open.
"Someone's above us."
Before Esdeath could react, an ice shield formed overhead, blocking the incoming attack. A crisp crack split the air—then realization dawned.
"Protecting us—a big move," Esdeath murmured.
Stussy's heart froze.
Her perfect shot blocked. And now…
Vane had appeared, hovering mid-air, as if he had anticipated the move all along.
"How…?"
Before Stussy could react, Vane's fist smashed into her stomach. He didn't need full strength—mere technique was enough.
No hesitation, no mercy.
She doubled over. Vane followed with five precise strikes. Within moments, Stussy lay unconscious.
He released her gently and set her on the deck.
Kalifa emerged, noticing Stussy's limp form, blood at the corner of her mouth. She gasped.
"A high-ranking CP0 agent!"
Esdeath frowned. "The woman aiming for Vane this morning."
Kalifa nodded. "She's elite—World Government's CP0. What do we do, sir?"
Esdeath's voice dropped cold. "Kill her."
Vane nodded once, expression unreadable. He remained silent.
CP0 is the World Government's top secret force, directly serving the Celestial Dragons. Taking one down would have global ramifications—but Esdeath carried Stussy below deck with a lethal intent.
"I haven't used interrogation methods in a while," she whispered as they vanished.
Kalifa shuddered quietly. Esdeath's brand of "justice" was unmistakable—torture over quick death.
---
Back on deck, the mood shifted. Kalifa brought Vane his dinner—serving with a quiet warmth that contrasted sharply with the earlier violence.
"You shouldn't wear glasses, Kalifa," Vane said randomly.
Kalifa blinked. "They're necessary, sir."
Before she could speak further, Vane gently removed her gold-rimmed glasses. He held them, closed his eyes, and activated his [Investment System].
A gentle power enveloped her.
Half a minute later, he removed his hand. Kalifa gasped.
"My vision… I can see clearly again!"
Her tone was radiant. Years of nearsightedness vanished with that touch.
After the meal, the crew returned to the deck. They'd sailed far from Whole Cake Island when Vane gazed upward, eyeing the clouded sky—invisible stars, no moon.
From below, muffled voices drifted—the stifled screams and groans of Esdeath's interrogation room.
"Wonder how long she'll last," he remarked.
Whether Stussy died or begged didn't concern him much. If needed, flinging her into the sea wouldn't be hard.
Suddenly, Vane's transponder buzzed—it was the CP0 phone bug in Stussy's bag. He retrieved it and listened, silent.
"Stussy, mission status? Even if you failed, you must at least have wounded him?" "That brat's growing too fast—he'll shake the balance in the New World!" "He must die."
It was the voices of the Five Elders—the CP0 council urging assassination.
Vane smiled. He understood now.
Kalifa opened her mouth to speak, but he gestured gently for silence.
He strolled below deck, heading to Esdeath's interrogation room, phoning the fascist world.
"Stussy—say something. Is that difficult?"
Voices clamored on the device until Vane stepped inside. Doors closed, muffling the screams.
"This is Vane." He spoke calmly. "Your CP0 agent is safe… for now. You won't see her again."
An elder's voice screamed, "You! Are you mocking us?"
Vane's lips curved. "Look around. You're tied to Mariejois, afraid to venture beyond its walls. You call yourselves gods—but you're nothing more than terrified turtles."
More screams followed—but he cut the connection.
"Do you really believe you're all-powerful?" Vane's voice floated through the door. "Think again."
---
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