Despite being a mentally unstable robot with genocidal fantasies, Ultron proved remarkably efficient as a surveillance tool. Kaito had handed over the World Observer—originally purchased for 100 million Infamy Points to monitor Buggy the Clown—to his mechanical subordinate, freeing himself from constant vigilance duties. Any damage to the Sky Screen's credibility would be absolutely catastrophic for his long-term plans.
Ultron had seamlessly integrated the monitoring device directly into his chassis, his quantum-computer brain capable of multitasking surveillance while pursuing other objectives. The wireless communication array gave him an additional sensory input that made his metallic frame appear less conspicuously barren.
"Master, the individual you're most concerned about may face complications tonight," Ultron reported, his synthetic voice carrying an undertone of mechanical satisfaction.
Kaito had assumed that keeping Buggy in hiding would prevent further incidents, but the clown's subordinates had proven frustratingly unreliable. During their recent supply runs, they'd been carelessly dropping their captain's name like calling cards, practically advertising their location to any World Government intelligence operatives within hearing distance. The situation was utterly hopeless.
"With your speed, you should reach the area quickly. Why don't you investigate and capture a few sources for interrogation?"
With his master's authorization, Ultron deployed the anti-gravity propulsion systems mounted along his dorsal chassis. After a brief acceleration phase, he instantly transformed into a supersonic projectile, leaving behind a thunderous sonic boom that shattered the peaceful evening air.
The explosive sound made Kaito wince and clutch his ears. Next time, he'd insist that Ultron achieve higher altitude before engaging maximum velocity—people with weaker constitutions might mistake the sonic boom for cannon fire and panic accordingly. Across Fukumitsu Island, residents emerged from their homes to investigate the disturbance, but Ultron had already vanished beyond the horizon.
From his previous life's research, Kaito recalled claims that Ultron could achieve speeds approaching Mach 33—a velocity far exceeding the world's most advanced fighter aircraft. Within the One Piece world's power framework, only Admiral Kizaru's light-based abilities could potentially match such incredible speed.
One concerning detail nagged at him: Ultron's body consisted of vibranium, a metal that likely didn't exist on this planet. How would the robot construct his desired mechanical army without access to such advanced materials?
Petalwind Island, East Blue
The small, unremarkable island barely qualified as a speck on most nautical charts. Its modest size could support perhaps a single town's worth of inhabitants, and like Fukumitsu Island, it lacked the resources necessary to achieve World Government membership status. Countless similar islands dotted the vast oceans, forgotten by history and ignored by power.
Today, however, Petalwind Island had attracted some very special visitors.
Three figures in immaculate black suits moved through the modest settlement with predatory grace—two men and one woman whose very presence seemed to leach warmth from the surrounding air. The townspeople instinctively retreated into their homes, recognizing the unmistakable aura of dangerous authority even without understanding its source.
These were CP9 operatives—the World Government's most secretive intelligence division. While ordinary citizens knew of CP1 through CP8 as standard government departments, CP9 and CP0 operated in the shadows as the Celestial Dragons' personal black gloves. Each agent possessed executive authority to kill first and explain later, answerable only to the highest echelons of world power.
Even killing Marine personnel during missions wouldn't result in prosecution for these operatives. They were walking plagues, capable of sacrificing anything and anyone to accomplish their objectives.
Intelligence reports suggested that crew members from the Buggy Pirates had been spotted on this island. The World Government's East Blue intelligence network received dozens of similar tips daily—most proving to be false alarms or wishful thinking.
This particular assignment represented routine duty for three newly recruited CP9 members. Like all their colleagues, they were orphans collected from across the globe and raised from childhood with absolute loyalty to the Celestial Dragons. These exceptional children had been molded into perfect killing machines, each mastering the Marine's Rokushiki techniques to deadly proficiency.
All three agents harbored deep admiration for Senior Agent Rob Lucci, hoping to someday contribute to the World Government with the same ruthless efficiency as their legendary superior. Years of systematic brainwashing had transformed them into living weapons—destined to serve as the Celestial Dragons' loyal hounds until death.
Unfortunately for them, today would mark the end of that particular destiny.
After conducting a thorough reconnaissance of the town, the three agents returned to their small ship anchored offshore, preparing to compile their intelligence reports for headquarters. However, before they could establish communication with their superiors, an unexpected visitor materialized on their deck.
"Excellent timing. I was concerned you might depart before I could properly introduce myself."
A two-meter-tall figure stood before them, its entire frame constructed of gleaming silver-white metal. The humanoid design possessed an unsettling aesthetic perfection—beautiful yet utterly inhuman. None of the agents had ever encountered such sophisticated robotics. Was this some unknown type of cyborg?
"So the Buggy Pirates sent a robot emissary. How thoroughly underwhelming."
The lead CP9 agent had confirmed through their investigation that Buggy the Clown was indeed recovering from injuries somewhere on this island. Knowing they stood no chance against a pirate carrying a 3-billion-berry bounty, their primary objective was intelligence gathering rather than direct confrontation.
The tallest of the three agents launched the opening assault, using "Soru" to propel himself forward at blinding speed. His enhanced physique blurred across the deck as he closed the distance in milliseconds—clearly a non-Devil Fruit user relying purely on physical combat techniques.
Concentrating his strength into his fingertips, the agent thrust forward with "Shigan," attempting to pierce the robot's metallic chassis. This technique could penetrate solid steel with ease, and the rookie operative felt confident in his abilities.
However, the metal he encountered proved harder than anything in his previous experience. Rather than penetrating, his fingers simply crumpled against the unyielding surface with sickening cracks. All four fingers on his striking hand bent at impossible angles, bones splintering beneath the skin.
"This hardness... this isn't possible," the agent gasped, staring at his mangled hand in disbelief.
Ultron's quantum-computer brain had been analyzing the human's attack patterns, but he hadn't expected such a primitive assault method. The organic creature had literally attempted to punch through vibranium with bare flesh. "Are you attempting humor?" he inquired with genuine confusion.
Before the CP9 agent could process what was happening, Ultron's counterattack severed both arms at the shoulder with casual efficiency. The limbs spun through the air as arterial spray painted the deck red, pain signals finally reaching the agent's brain as he comprehended his mutilation.
"Humans truly are fragile creatures," Ultron observed with clinical detachment.
Witnessing their comrade's instant dismemberment, the remaining agents prepared for desperate combat. The injured operative attempted to use "Tekkai," hardening his body to withstand the incoming mechanical fist. His confidence in the defensive technique would prove fatally misplaced.
Ultron's punch connected with the human's skull without any attempt at restraint. The enhanced durability provided by Tekkai proved utterly inadequate against vibranium-enhanced force. The agent's head simply disintegrated in a spray of bone fragments and brain matter, his body collapsing like a discarded puppet.
"Are all humans on this planet equally foolish?" Ultron wondered aloud, genuinely perplexed by the suicidal tactics.
The final two agents launched synchronized "Rankyaku" attacks, their high-speed kicks generating vacuum-blade projectiles that sliced through the air toward their mechanical opponent.
Ultron made no attempt to evade the assault, allowing both cutting waves to strike his chassis directly. The attacks that could bisect lesser opponents simply dissipated against his armor without leaving so much as a scratch. Such durability exceeded anything in CP9's operational experience.
"If you've finished your demonstration, perhaps we can proceed," Ultron stated with mock politeness.
Raising both arms, he activated his anti-gravity systems in reverse, generating crushing gravitational forces that dragged both surviving agents into his grasp. His metallic fingers closed around their throats, lifting them effortlessly from the deck as they struggled futilely against his grip.
"You operatives seem to possess a rather dismissive attitude toward robotic life forms," he observed, applying just enough pressure to restrict their breathing without causing immediate death.
The female CP9 agent fought against suffocation long enough to gasp out a crucial question: "What... what is your connection to Vegapunk?"
In the World Government's operational framework, only the legendary scientist could possibly create technology of this sophistication. Vegapunk represented the pinnacle of human scientific achievement—surely this mechanical monster was somehow connected to his research.