CP9 and Their Party, Lu Qi's Unwillingness

Not far from the Devil's Sea, on the most famous shipbuilding island of the Grand Line, the capital of the Seven Waters. In a dark room, several figures of different shapes gathered. If William were present, he would definitely recognize them as CP9 members - Rob Lucci, Kaku, Blueno, Kalifa - his former companions with whom he had rigorously trained at the CP base since a young age. 

They had been sent to Water 7 by Spandam, ordered to go undercover around Iceberg, Tom's disciple, to investigate the whereabouts of Pluton's blueprints.

"Lucci..." Kaku, having just turned eighteen with a long square nose, asked helplessly, "Such a big incident has happened, are we really going to continue lurking here?"

"Although our identities may be exposed anytime due to William's defection, that guy hasn't shown up yet. It seems he has no intention of causing trouble..." Rob Lucci stood with arms crossed, leaning against the wall. He calmly stated, "Our orders from above are to remain here and continue investigating information on Pluton's design blueprints. Additionally, to prevent those plans from falling into the hands of the traitor William."

"I heard our new commander is Spandam's nephew and cousin...the former CP5 leader was also called Spandam!" Blueno, tall with black hair combed into horns and a fierce face, said helplessly, "He's even more of a dandy than Spandam himself!"

"We're really unlucky," Kalifa said softly, her long blonde hair and rimless glasses framing her face. "I can't believe William actually did such a thing!" 

"Kalifa, I know you had a good relationship with him, but be mindful of your position!" Lucci warned coldly. "If not for your father being a CP9 agent, the higher-ups would have eliminated you already. Our new commander may be deliberately looking to settle scores with William, always ready to find fault with you and those close to him like Kaku and Blueno. Remember, he is no longer our comrade!"

His words were for their own good. As killing machines crafted by the World Government, having too many unauthorized thoughts or feelings would see them erased by the higher authorities. The elite CP9 agents knew better than anyone how terrifyingly desperate the behemoth World Government could be. There was no thought of resistance.

"I understand," Kalifa replied, sadness flashing in her eyes as she fought back deeper worry. William's young, calm, spirited figure flashed through her mind. Was this truly his choice? They had been inseparable all these years, incredibly close despite his insistence on treating her like a younger sister. In truth, his shadow already lingered in the depths of her heart. But as tools of the World Government, they were forbidden from harboring emotions, let alone controlling their destinies - especially as CP9 members strictly prohibited from romantic entanglements.

"Conqueror's Haki...that guy was hiding too deep!" Kaku was filled with emotion. In his memories, William was just one year his junior, yet had been a outright monster since childhood, born with powerfully awakened Observation Haki. A genius on par with Lucci, ranked as CP9's other rising star. But his Conqueror's qualifications had never been revealed. 

It was said during the unprecedented Enies Lobby incident, William had directly unleashed Conqueror's Haki, stunning countless Marine soldiers and government personnel. Even their CP9 companions who grew up together were left stunned by the revelation.

"If I meet that guy again, I have to kill him with my own hands..." Lucci's gaze grew gloomy, a cold murderous intent flashing in his eyes. He clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging, as he gritted his teeth. "That bastard, how dare you play tricks on me!"

Hailed as a genius from childhood, Lucci had always been extremely conceited. Facing the years-younger William, he had still been able to fight on equal footing. The two were considered the shining twin stars of CP9 over the past 800 years. While the comparisons were frequent, taking William's age into account, many thought Lucci's talent slightly inferior. 

He was already deeply unhappy about this. Then at Enies Lobby, beyond the sudden Conqueror's Haki reveal, not only were CP9 members like Jabra, Fukurou and Kumadori easily crushed, even Vice Admiral Satsuma responsible for escorting the Devil Fruits was defeated. William displayed strength that completely exceeded his usual performance, as if he had hidden tremendous power.

For the arrogant Lucci, who considered himself weaker than none, how could he accept this? Whenever he recalled their sparring sessions, he felt William had just been pretending, playing the fool while Lucci remained oblivious. The thought that this man he looked down on was merely mocking him was unbearably humiliating.

"Lucci, calm down..." Blueno reminded helplessly. "I heard one of the Devil Fruits he stole has the rare Zoan mythical beast ability. I'm afraid his strength will become even greater!"

In fact, whether CP9 or the World Government, all believed William's true reason for defecting was to seize that mythical beast fruit. Although he had once tried to shirk Spandam's undercover mission orders, it seemed unwise to kill his boss and defect just for that. Both William and Lucci were geniuses the World Government heavily invested in, with promising futures.

Perhaps William had accidentally learned the Devil Fruits would be escorted to Enies Lobby and got the idea to take them by any means necessary, deliberately dodging his assigned tasks as a result.

"..." Hearing this, Lucci's eyes narrowed sharply as his expression fluctuated. Unconsciously clenching his fists and gritting his teeth, he refused to admit defeat. "Fruit abilities don't represent everything!"

But his heart couldn't help sinking, feeling a bucket of cold water poured over his head, anger quelled. A mythical beast species rarer than Logias - Lucci certainly knew what that implied. Specifically, he had been assigned by the World Government to go undercover in Water 7 as a shipwright at Galley-La Company. To avoid exposing his identity, he couldn't just openly train or seek out powerful enemies to battle. The gap between them was bound to widen.

"I hope we don't become enemies!" Kaku sighed helplessly. Only one year William's senior, the two had trained alongside each other since ages five or six, motivating each other's growth. Their relationship remained extremely close. 

Instead, Kaku came to understand William better than most. That was a man utterly obsessed with strength. Back at the CP training base, William's level of diligent effort was simply mind-numbing. He never missed a moment of free time, devoting every spare second to training, even while chatting with them. 

Meticulous and thoughtful, yet utterly ruthless towards any enemy. Hence his ominous "Black Jail" nickname that struck fear into countless souls. If someone like that became their enemy, it would prove quite the predicament.

"Blueno, how are the preparations for your bar coming along?" Lucci took a deep breath, trying not to dwell on it. They were no boldly defiant souls like William - they could not seek death by resisting the World Government's behemoth might. Their only choice was to diligently complete orders from above.

"Still under renovation..." Blueno responded. "We can officially open in half a month!"

"And you Kalifa?" 

"Iceberg is preparing to hire a secretary..." Kalifa adjusted her glasses. "Tomorrow I will apply at Galley-La Company, and strive to become his secretary to get close to him!"

"Then for now, let's proceed as planned and complete this mission swiftly. Dismissed!" Lucci turned to leave, his cold eyes revealing an indescribable perseverance. 

Since he could not openly train during the day, he would simply double his efforts practicing at night. William, I, Rob Lucci, will never lose to you!

(end of chapter)