Imber

Sleepy Town, inside a meeting room at Rheinhardt's castle. Lockes sat on a couch, his gaze fixed on the young man standing straight before him.

"Kid, do you realize how dangerous the things you're about to face are?" Lokes asked in a calm tone.

"Yes, I do. But to control my destiny and gain powerful strength, I'm willing to face danger!" the young man replied with a serious expression and tone.

He had prepared to risk everything to gain power and take control of his fate. "Very well, Izabelle. I see your determination," Locke said, standing up and walking over to Izabelle, patting his shoulder lightly. 

"Then show me. Let me see what you can achieve." Locke took a Devil Fruit from his pocket and handed it to Izabelle.

Izabelle's eyes lit up with excitement as he looked at the blue Devil Fruit in Locke's hand. He knew that this Devil Fruit would grant him significant power.

Seeing the young man's excitement and eagerness, Locke chuckled and placed the Devil Fruit into his hand.

"This is the Cold-Cold Fruit of the Paramecia type. Consume it, and you will gain formidable abilities," Locke explained. "However, remember that the power of a Devil Fruit is just a tool. 

Whether you can truly stand atop the world and control your destiny depends on your efforts."

"Yes, I will always remember your words, Captain Locke!" Izabelle said, filled with excitement, as he accepted the Devil Fruit.

"Very well, eat it now," Locke instructed. With Locke's permission, Izbelle quickly consumed the Devil Fruit.

"Ugh…" As soon as he swallowed the Devil Fruit, Izbelle felt a peculiar force emanating from his body. Cold air flowed out of his pores, chilling the entire room.

"This power!"

"It's so strong! Thank you, Captain Locke!" Isabelle exclaimed in gratitude after experiencing his newfound strength.

"Alright, Izabelle, get accustomed to your abilities," Locke advised. "In three days, you'll set out. I hope to see you become a high-ranking Marine officer within ten years. Work hard."

Locke patted Izbelle's shoulder and then left the meeting room. Izabelle experimented with his newfound abilities, like a child with a new toy. 

"Haha! Don't worry, Captain Lokes, I'll work hard. I promise that I'll become a Vice Admiral in the Marines in ten years!"

Isabelle laughed confidently, regardless of whether Lokes heard him. Outside the meeting room, a smile appeared on Lokes's lips.

"All right, the Marine's side is in Izbelle's hands now. Next, I need to consider the candidates for the Warlords of the Sea and the personnel in the World Government."

On Hundred Flowers Island, in Grims, the headquarters of the Lokes Pirates, a magnificent and enormous pirate ship was slowly docking at the Purple Lilac Harbor.

Barbosa and some pirate crew members were waiting at the harbour. "Heh, you're quite pampered, Barbosa. I didn't expect you to come and greet me," a woman named Caterina, who had disembarked from the ship, said with a playful smile.

However, Caterina's appearance had changed. She now resembled the notorious pirate, Kid, with a bounty of 2.2 billion Berries.

"Heh heh heh, well, let's not dwell on the past. Come with me," Barbosa replied casually, leading her towards a nearby building.

As they entered the building, the pirate crew quickly cleared the area, not allowing anyone else to enter.

"Heh, so Barbosa, is there something important you want to discuss with me?" Caterina asked lazily as she sat on a couch.

"Ahem, yes. It's about you, Caterina," Barbosa said, getting straight to the point. 

"Captain Lokes has sent a secret order. He hopes you will join the newly established Warlords of the Sea, which the World Government has just introduced."

Upon hearing Barbosa's words, Caterina was surprised for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

Indeed, any significant power in the world would take advantage of the opportunity presented by the World Government's introduction of the Warlords of the Sea.

"Caterina, you are the most suitable candidate within our pirate crew. You haven't been exposed to anyone's eyes as a crew member, and your strength is unquestionable."

"So, Captain Lokes has decided to send you. Your strength and reputation on the Grand Line are undeniable," Barbosa explained, awaiting her response.

After a while, Caterina finally made her decision. "Well, I'll have to carry it out since Captain Loke's decision. Heh heh." She chuckled, stood up, and walked towards the room's exit.

"Now that the decision is made, I'll have to make the most of it. I don't want to waste any time." Caterina opened the door and transformed herself into an inconspicuous middle-aged man before disappearing into the crowd.

Barbosa took out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket while watching her leave.

Buzzing

Click

"Heh heh heh, Locke, I've arranged everything as you ordered. Caterina has also started her mission."

"Is that so? She's as swift as ever. Now that Caterina's side is settled let's focus on the government's side and the CP Intelligence Agency. Do you have any suitable candidates? Any chances of turning Eilene?" After listening to Barbosa's report, Lokes visibly relaxed.

"Heh, excellent. With the government's side taken care of, we must wait for the seeds to sprout."

"However, regarding the CP Intelligence Agency, I've sent someone to participate in their selection process. Given that person's potential, the CP Agency won't be able to resist.

 Besides, to increase his chances, I ensured he consumed an Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit of the Animal type." Upon hearing Barbosa's response, Lokes appeared relieved.

"Heh, very good. Since the seeds are already planted, all that remains is to wait for them to grow."

"But, as for the government, now that everything is in place, we need to speed up our efforts concerning the other pirate factions."

Click

After saying that, Locke ended the call. "Kaido, huh? That guy Keen spent some time with Kaido before. It's time to use him."