"Hmm?" Takero's brow furrowed. The playful look in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp intensity. An enemy invasion? Someone dared to cause trouble on his territory right after he had claimed it?
"Give me the details," he said, his voice clipped and firm.
"It's CP9! The World Government's secret intelligence agency!" Tesoro's voice was frantic over the Den Den Mushi. "Their objective is clear! They're surrounding the villa, and they're here for Miss Robin!"
"Understood." Takero's tone was calm, but a furious fire was simmering just beneath the surface. These dogs from the World Government had dared to sneak into his home while he was away. Even worse, they had interrupted his quality time. They were, quite simply, asking to die. He hung up the Den Den Mushi and, without a moment's hesitation, stood up from the bed.
Sora saw the sharp change in his expression and asked with concern, "Is... something wrong?"
"Just a little trouble," Takero nodded. He walked over to the massive hole he had created in the wall and turned back to her. "I'm going to head out and deal with it. While I'm gone, have your people pilot the ship and start heading towards Ambri Island. Someone will be there to meet you when you arrive." He paused, then added in a tone that allowed no argument, "You have full authority here until I get back. Your word is my will. No one will dare to disobey you."
Without giving Sora another chance to ask questions, a dark red aura exploded around him. He shot through the hole like a crimson meteor, tearing across the sky and streaking towards Ambri Island at maximum speed.
A short while ago, on Ambri Island.
The night was as dark as ink. Several figures, like ghosts cloaked in shadows, were positioned silently around Takero's villa.
"Lucci, is the intel confirmed?" Who's-Who whispered into a miniature Den Den Mushi.
"Confirmed," Lucci's emotionless voice replied from the darkness. "'Strange Tail' Takero has left Ambri Island."
Hearing this, a greedy, fanatical glint appeared in Who's-Who's eyes. Former Admiral Zephyr's fleet wouldn't arrive until tomorrow at the earliest. If he could capture the "Devil Child" Nico Robin on his own before they arrived, then all of the glory would belong to him and him alone. That so-called "once-in-a-century genius" Rob Lucci would be left in his dust.
"Excellent." A cruel smile spread across Who's-Who's face. He made his decision. "Everyone, listen up! Change of plans! We're not waiting for the Marines. We're raiding the villa now!"
"Who's-Who!" Lucci's voice instantly turned cold. "That's a direct violation of our orders! Commander Spandine instructed us to—"
"Shut up, Rob Lucci!" Who's-Who rudely cut him off, his voice filled with arrogance. "Don't forget who's in command here! My orders are absolute! If you're scared, you can stay here and watch. Just don't get in the way of my promotion!" He ignored Lucci and waved to the other CP9 agents. "Go!"
Like arrows shot from a bow, the dark figures sprang from the shadows, descending on the quiet villa from all directions. But just as they were about to smash through the windows, the front door creaked open.
Tesoro stepped outside. He had just finished a meeting with Robin, discussing their next business shipment. The moment he was outside, he sensed a cold, suffocating killing intent in the air. "Who's there?!"
His answer came in the form of several deadly finger strikes, moving faster than the eye could see.
"Rokushiki: Shigan!"
The air shrieked as it was pierced by the attacks. Tesoro's pupils contracted. On pure instinct, he crossed his arms in front of his chest.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
A series of dull thuds echoed in the night, like metal striking metal. Tesoro felt a searing pain in his arms, as if they were being hit by high-speed drills. The force of the blows sent him stumbling backward, cracking the stone steps beneath his feet.
"Oh? You actually blocked it?" Who's-Who's figure emerged from the darkness, a cruel, amused look on his face. "Interesting. You must be 'Strange Tail' Takero's top subordinate, Tesoro."
Tesoro's expression was grim. If he hadn't spent the last month training like a madman in the Kame School style, pushing his body to its limits, his arms would have been crippled. He ignored the numbness in his limbs and fixed his gaze on the group of dark figures. "Who are you people?!"
"We are the ones who erase 'sin'." Who's-Who wasted no more time. His figure vanished.
"Soru!"
In the next second, he appeared directly in front of Tesoro, his fist clenched to deliver a blow powerful enough to shatter steel.
"Not good!" Alarm bells screamed in Tesoro's head. This opponent's speed and power were on a completely different level. Just as the fist was about to connect—
"Yukiusagi!"
A clear voice rang out. A giant, lifelike rabbit made of pure snow leaped from a second-story window, crashing directly into Who's-Who. The snow rabbit exploded into a cloud of ice crystals and cold air, momentarily blocking Who's-Who's attack.
Monet landed beside Tesoro, her snow-white wings beating softly. Her face was serious. "Tesoro, who are they?"
"I don't know," Tesoro admitted, his guard raised as high as it could go. "But they're definitely not friendly!"
"A Logia user?" Who's-Who emerged from the cloud of cold mist, shaking ice from his clothes. A greedy look flashed in his eyes. "Perfect. Capturing you along with Nico Robin will be an even greater achievement!"
Tesoro's eyes widened in understanding. "You're from the World Government!" Their target was Miss Robin. These had to be their secret agents.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll hand over Nico Robin right now," Who's-Who said arrogantly, as if he had already won. "Do that, and maybe we'll go easy on you."
"Get lost, you government dog!" Tesoro shot back. If there was one thing he had learned from Takero, it was to never back down and never mince words.
Who's-Who's face twisted in rage. "You're asking to die! Defying the World Government is a crime punishable by death!"
Tesoro didn't bother replying. He secretly pressed an alarm button hidden in his sleeve, sending a piercing siren wailing across the entire island. At the same time, he pulled out his Den Den Mushi to call his boss. He knew that he and Monet couldn't stop these agents alone.
As the island's newly formed guard squads began rushing towards the villa, Who's-Who's expression darkened. He wasn't afraid of a few guards, but if they delayed him long enough for Takero to return, it would be a disaster. He had to end this now.
"Quickly! Everyone, get into the villa and capture Nico Robin!" he ordered.
"Monet!" Tesoro shouted. "Go protect Miss Robin! I'll hold this guy off!"
Monet gritted her teeth. She knew this was no time to argue. She transformed into a whirlwind of snow and flew back inside.
"You think too highly of yourself, kid," Who's-Who sneered at Tesoro. "You really think you can stop me all by yourself?"
"There's only one way to find out." Tesoro grinned and settled into the opening stance of the Kame School. It was time to see what his training was really worth.
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