135 She Knows #135

Khalifa adjusted her bag on her shoulder as she turned to Cedric, her expression still somewhat guarded. "Would you mind walking me home? I'd rather look presentable if I'm going out on a date...."

Cedric nodded, his easygoing nature shining through. "I think you look more than presentable as you are, but I won't say no... I'd be happy to accompany a pretty lady like you to her home." With a quick glance around, he hailed one of Water Seven's famous Bulls, a unique mode of transportation that traversed the city's waterways.

As they boarded the Bull, Cedric, and Khalifa settled into the comfortable seating, their surroundings bustling with activity. The gentle rocking of the Bull's movements created a soothing rhythm as they glided through the water. They chatted idly, the conversation flowing naturally between them.

Curiosity danced in Khalifa's eyes as she inquired, "So... why did you become a pirate?" Her tone retained a distant edge as if trying to maintain a sense of detachment.

Cedric leaned back, a contemplative expression on his face. He paused as if reliving the memories that fueled his decision. "Well, it all started when a celestial dragon pissed me off," he replied indifferently. "How they looked down on people was irritating me, so I did something about it..."

Khalifa raised an eyebrow, her tone laced with mockery. "How noble... do you fancy yourself a revolutionary or something?"

Cedric chuckled, his laughter carrying a hint of self-awareness. "Not exactly," he admitted. "I didn't have a grand motive in mind when I acted. I just wanted to put that celestial dragon in his place, to show him that his status didn't make him invincible. I tried to kill him and unfortunately failed in the end due to Admiral Aokiji's intervention."

Khalifa's eyebrow arched even higher, her interest growing. She probed further, using her questioning to gather more information about Cedric. "And what happened after that? What made you continue on the path of a pirate?"

Cedric's gaze turned distant, his eyes glimmering with determination and defiance. "Once I crossed that line, there was no turning back," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of resolve. "I'd always been a drifter, and I couldn't return to the Marines after almost killing a celestial dragon..."

"It just so happened that I had a few idiots willing to follow me around, and being a pirate suited me more..." Cedric concluded.

As Cedric and Khalifa continued their conversation, Khalifa found herself intrigued by Cedric's simple, almost nonsensical reasons for becoming a pirate. His determination and defiance seemed alien to a loyal hound of the government such as her.

Still, She nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging his words. "Your reasons are rather simple and childish but interesting in their own way, I suppose...."

Their discussion came to a halt as they arrived at Khalifa's house. Khalifa turned to Cedric, her expression slightly apologetic. "I need to change before we proceed. Would you mind waiting outside for a moment?"

Cedric shrugged casually, his easygoing nature unfazed by the request. "Sure, take your time. I'll be right here."

As Khalifa disappeared into her house, Cedric leaned against the nearby wall, enjoying the tranquility of the surroundings. The sound of water lapping against the nearby docks and the gentle breeze rustling through the trees created a peaceful atmosphere.

In that quiet moment, Kieran emerged from the shadows, his expression blank as he regarded Cedric. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "What on earth are you doing? Asking a CP9 agent on a date?"

Cedric chuckled, not at all bothered by Kieran's questioning gaze. "Why the hell not?" he replied playfully, his eyes glinting mischievously.

Kieran gave Cedric a pointed look. His tone tinged with a hint of seriousness as he spoke. "You know the risks. CP9 agents are trained to gather information-- to probe. It's dangerous territory."

Cedric's playful demeanor softened as he met Kieran's gaze. "I know, Kieran. But there's a method to my madness," he confessed. "I'm doing this to help you with your work."

Kieran's stern expression relaxed slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Explain," he demanded, eager to hear Cedric's plan.

Cedric leaned in, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial tone. "Khalifa will undoubtedly try to question me, gather information. But little does she know, the same will go for her..." he explained. "And in the process, she might just take me to a controlled environment where she can question me without interference. That's when we might stumble upon the hidden CP9 agents outside Galley-la company."

"In other words, we're playing the same game, but I have the overwhelming advantage..." Cedric continued, taking a deep breath before continuing. "She knows I'm a wanted pirate, and I know she's a CP9 agent... I know she knows I'm a pirate, but she doesn't know that I know she's a CP9 agent..." With an exhale, he let out a barrage of almost nonsensical words that still made sense to Kieran, much to his chagrin.

"It's a mouthful, but it makes sense..." Cedric concluded with a chuckle.

Kieran scoffed, a hint of amusement creeping into his features. "All I'm hearing is a fancy way of saying you want to get laid... But I can't deny that your plan has its merits."

Without waiting for a reply, Kieran swiftly disappeared into the shadows, leaving Cedric alone with his thoughts. Cedric shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. It seemed his antics had amused his shadowy shipmate, at least.

...

As Khalifa finished changing and began applying her makeup, she focused on perfecting her appearance. But her concentration was interrupted by a sudden presence behind her. She turned, her eyes widening as she faced a figure clad in a black suit and top hat, with a majestic white pigeon perched on his back. It was none other than Rob Lucci.

Khalifa paused her makeup application, her expression guarded as she addressed Lucci. "What do you want, Lucci?" she asked, her tone tinged with annoyance.

"What are you doing, Khalifa?" Lucci inquired, his voice as cold as steel, showing no hint of warmth or empathy. He stepped closer, the intensity of his stare making her uneasy. "Our mission is to find the Pluton blueprints. We must stay focused and avoid any unnecessary distractions. Deviating from our objective could jeopardize the entire mission."

Khalifa regarded Lucci with a confident smirk, her defiance evident. "Relax, Lucci," she retorted, her voice laced with playfulness. "While we're here on a mission, a slight detour to capture a dangerous pirate wouldn't hurt. In fact, it would only benefit our standings..."

Lucci's expression remained unchanged, and he crossed his arms, unyielding in his stance. "Personal pursuits have no place in our mission," he stated firmly. "We are professionals, and our priority is to retrieve the blueprints. Anything else is a distraction."

Khalifa's eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement. "Come on, Lucci," she teased, testing his resolve. "Aren't you even a little curious about this pirate? He's caused quite a stir, and bringing him in would be an impressive feat."

Lucci's stern features softened for a moment, but only briefly. "I have no interest in personal glory," he replied icily. "I follow orders and complete the mission, nothing more, nothing less."

Khalifa's playful demeanor faltered slightly, realizing she wouldn't sway Lucci easily. Nevertheless, she couldn't help but try one last time. "Well, suit yourself," she said with a shrug. "I'll take care of this on my own then. I'm sure the higher-ups will appreciate my initiative."

Lucci's expression remained impassive, and he turned to leave. "Just remember," he warned, his tone stern. "If you go down this path, you'll be on your own. None of us will help you if you fail."

As Lucci disappeared into the shadows, Khalifa scoffed. Unlike him, she tended to think about the future instead of mindlessly devoting herself to the orders of her superiors as if it were heaven's mandate.

...

Khalifa stepped out of her house, dressed in a casual attire that deviated from her usual professional uniform. Her choice of clothing, a simple blouse, and jeans, hinted at her willingness to embrace a more relaxed atmosphere outside her work responsibilities.

Cedric's eyes scanned her outfit appreciatively, and a mischievous grin spread across his face."Looking good, Khalifa," Cedric complimented with a playful tone. "I must say, the casual look suits you."

Khalifa arched an eyebrow, feigning indifference but secretly enjoying the compliment. "Flattery won't get you anywhere..." she retorted, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

Without further ado, Cedric and Khalifa hired the next Bull that passed by the waterway next to Khalifa's house and set out to tour the city.