Chapter 124

The recent clash between the Marines and the Donquixote Pirates had become the hot topic in all of Dressrosa. In a tavern within the port town of Acacia, a group of patrons were involved in a heated discussion. One group was loyal to King Riku, while the others were residents of Balsa.

"It's all gone! More than a third of our army was decimated by those monsters. Even the Marines retreated! We're all doomed!" One man cried, clearly drunk and distressed.

"They're heartless! That was close to a hundred thousand soldiers who defended us from pirates," another added, his voice heavy with despair.

"And what good did that do for us? Except for our Balsa, the entirety of Dressrosa is burning. I would say the Donquixote family was a blessing in disguise. They're not like other pirates, and I heard that if not for King Riku trying to sneak attack the Donquixote family from the rear, this wouldn't have happened," one of the residents of Balsa commented, sipping on his beer with a calm demeanor.

"Bastard! Are you supporting those monsters? You ungrateful bunch! Do you know how much King Riku has done for us? Have you forgotten it all? Now that you're safe behind the pirate banner, do you reprimand the rightful king?" The man, who was drunk, flared up in anger.

However, deep down, he was jealous of these people from Balsa. Recently, his clothing store had been burned to the ground in a pirate attack, and he had lost all his fortune. His resentment towards those who were living a peaceful life had only grown.

The tavern fell silent for a moment; the tension was palpable. The crackling of the fireplace and the distant murmur of the sea were the only sounds breaking the heavy silence. The bartender, wiping a glass with a rag, watched the scene unfold with wary eyes, ready to intervene if things got out of hand.

"You think the Donquixote family is a blessing?" A middle-aged man with a scar across his cheek spat, slamming his mug on the table. "They're pirates! They bring nothing but chaos and destruction. King Riku was a good man and a fair ruler. He didn't deserve to be overthrown by those tyrants."

"But he was weak!" retorted the Balsa resident. "He couldn't protect us. The Donquixote family might be ruthless, but at least they have the strength to keep us safe. We haven't had a single pirate attack in Balsa since they took over."

A woman, clutching a child to her chest, nodded in agreement. "My husband was a soldier. He fought bravely under King Riku, but what did it get him? A grave in a field, that's what. At least now, with Donquixote in charge, my son might have a future."

The drunken man's face turned red with rage. "A future under a tyrant? That's no future at all!" He stood up, swaying slightly, his fists clenched. "You're all fools if you think this peace will last. Sooner or later, the Donquixote family will turn on you too."

The tension escalated, and it seemed a brawl was imminent. The bartender finally spoke up, his voice firm but calm. "Enough! We're all suffering here. Arguing among ourselves won't change what's happened. We need to find a way to survive, whether it's under King Riku or the Donquixote family."

The patrons slowly calmed down, the truth of the bartender's words sinking in. The scars of the recent battle were still fresh, and the future was uncertain. As the night wore on, they drank in a sullen silence, each lost in their thoughts, grappling with the harsh reality of their situation.

As the discussions in the tavern simmered down, a cloaked figure quietly rose and exited, not drawing any attention. Even the bartender, who always kept track of his patrons, failed to notice the movement. The figure moved swiftly and silently through the dimly lit streets of Acacia, the noise of the tavern fading into the background.

The cloaked figure reached a secluded alleyway, pulling out a black transponder snail. He was a CP0 agent, tasked with infiltrating Dressrosa and gathering intelligence on the Donquixote family. He had arrived alongside the World Government ship that was sunk earlier. During the chaos of the battle, he slipped through unnoticed and merged with the civilians.

The agent activated the transponder snail, its eyes opening and antennae twitching as it established a secure line. "This is Agent Spectre," he whispered into the receiver. "I've infiltrated Dressrosa and gathered preliminary intel on the Donquixote family."

A voice crackled back through the snail, stern and authoritative. "Report, Spectre. What have you learned?"

"Initially, I believed the Donquixote family would be razed to the ground. The Marines dispatched not only their Chief of Staff but also two admiral candidates, both of whom are already admiral-level powerhouses. But to my surprise, the Donquixote family pushed the Marines into a disadvantage. They're grooming a new generation of monsters. Two Logia fruit users and a kid who shows exceptional mastery of the Rokushiki. The boy could have been the perfect weapon if he was part of Cipher Pol."

The agent paused, glancing around to ensure he wasn't being overheard. The alleyway remained empty and silent. "Doflamingo's influence is stronger than we anticipated. He's not only fortified his power but also ensured a continuous supply of formidable warriors. If we don't act soon, Dressrosa will become an impregnable fortress under his rule."

The voice on the transponder snail echoed with a sense of urgency. "What about the blind swordsman? What have you found out about him? What is his threat index? And do you think you might be able to have the man join us or betray the Donquixote family?"

The CP0 agent, Spectre, took a deep breath before responding. "The blind swordsman is formidable. He's strong enough to face an admiral head-on. From my initial assessment, he appears to be the Zushi Zushi no Mi user, but I need to confirm it further. His abilities to manipulate gravity are evident in the way he fights, creating immense pressure and disorienting his opponents."

Spectre paused, recalling his observations. "From his behavior and the intel I've gathered from the citizens, it seems he is not entirely aligned with the pirate ways. He shows a fondness for helping the so-called innocent, often stepping in to protect those who cannot defend themselves. This suggests a moral code that is atypical for a pirate, especially one associated with the Donquixote family."

The voice on the other end was contemplative. "Interesting. If his sense of justice can be appealed to, he might be swayed to our side. What are the chances of recruiting him or at least causing a rift between him and the Donquixote family?"

Spectre considered this carefully. "It's possible, but it would require a delicate approach. His loyalty to the Donquixote family seems conditional, based on their current actions and his ability to influence them towards more just behavior. If we can expose any misdeeds or plans that contradict his values, we might drive a wedge between him and Doflamingo."

The agent continued, "Additionally, any overt attempts to recruit him must be done with caution. He is not a man easily manipulated. His allegiance would depend heavily on the assurance that our cause aligns with his sense of justice and protection of the innocent."

The voice from the transponder snail responded, "Understood, Spectre. Continue your reconnaissance. Gather as much information as you can on their strengths, weaknesses, and any potential allies or enemies. We need a comprehensive understanding of their operations. Report back with any significant developments. And if an opportunity presents itself, take down the Donquixote brothers."

"Affirmative," Spectre replied before ending the call and pocketing the transponder snail.

As he stood in the shadows of the alley, Spectre's mind raced. The situation was more complex than he had anticipated. Doflamingo's empire was not just built on brute strength but also on strategic alliances and a formidable network of loyal subordinates. The CP0 agent knew that dismantling this empire would require more than just military might; it would need cunning, strategy, and a deep understanding of the enemy.

Spectre slipped back into the main streets, blending seamlessly with the night. He made his way toward the heart of Dressrosa, determined to uncover every secret of the Donquixote family. The recent battle had revealed their resilience, but it also provided an opportunity for him to delve deeper into their operations.

"So, a hunting dog of the World Government!" A cold whisper echoed in the ears of the CP0 agent. His eyes widened in sheer shock and terror, realizing he had been completely caught off guard. He hadn't detected the threat appearing so close to him.

He immediately swirled and launched a powerful Haki-clad kick at his assailant. "Sky Slicer!" A massive, glowing flying blade pierced through the air, but I had already flickered and appeared at his flank. Having the lightning Logia was a cheat—I could practically eavesdrop on any conversation that happened within Dressrosa if I wanted to. Luckily, I detected the secure signal from the black transponder snail. Sure enough, the Cipher Pol Aigis Zero agents were the elites. If not for him reporting to his superior, I wouldn't have known about his presence.

"Meteor Fist!" I coated my arm with Armament Haki and a powerful layer of black lightning, launching forward with immense speed and power.

"Busoshoku Koka! Tekkai!" The CP0 agent detected the incoming threat but wasn't fast enough to dodge. He used his most powerful defensive technique in addition to a layer of Armament Haki.

However, he had no idea what a lightning Logia could do. As my fist connected with his back, a resounding boom echoed throughout the street. The CP0 agent was hurled through the air, breaking through multiple buildings before crashing into a tree at the edge of the forest, the impact splitting the tree in half.

Dust and debris filled the air as I approached the spot where he had landed, my eyes scanning for any signs of movement. The CP0 agent, battered and bruised, struggled to rise. His defensive techniques had mitigated some of the damage, but the sheer force of the attack had clearly taken its toll.

"You... you're Donquixote Rosinante," he gasped, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "What... what are you doing here? How did you find me?"

I stepped closer, my gaze cold and unyielding. "It seems like you people have really short memories. Dressrosa is our territory, under the protection of the Donquixote family. Your World Government dogs have no place here."

The agent's eyes darted around, searching for any means of escape, but his body betrayed him, trembling from the intense pain and the residual electrical discharge from my attack. "You think... you think this will end here? The World Government will—"

"Will what?" I interrupted, my voice dripping with disdain. "Send more of you? Let them come. We are sorely lacking Devil Fruit users to experiment on."

Suddenly, my future sight detected the agent's next move. Instantly, I moved as the agent turned completely invisible, but I had already plunged my sword a few meters away from the tree. A deafening scream echoed at the edge of the forest.

"Aaaargh!!!" Crimson blood stained Kitetsu, which had pierced through the invisible agent. Even my observation Haki had difficulty detecting him; only my Voice of All Things could clearly discern his presence. It seemed like his Paramecia fruit could not affect the Voice of All Things.

"I remember you," I said, my voice cold and deliberate. "You were the one who sneak-attacked me back at Marineford when Darius attacked Zephyr's family, right? You were the one who sent that flying slash at the end, weren't you?" I questioned, but the agent remained adamant in keeping his stealth state. However, Kitetsu was firmly pierced through his thigh, pinning him to the ground.

"Well, you asked for it," I continued. Extending my hand, I made a grabbing motion. "El Thor!" A massive beam of lightning tore through the agent, illuminating the night sky. Moments later, the charred and twitching body of the agent materialized; lucky for me, he was still breathing.

I approached him, pulling out a sea stone cuff from my belt. With a swift motion, I shackled him, neutralizing his abilities. The agent lay on the ground, his breath ragged and his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and defiance.

"You won't... get away with this," he gasped, each word a struggle. "The World Government... will hunt you down."

I knelt beside him, my eyes narrowing. "Let them come. They will find nothing but ruin and defeat here."

The agent's eyes flickered with fear as he realized the extent of his failure. His invisibility, a power he had relied on for so long, was rendered useless against me. He had underestimated the strength and resolve of the Donquixote family, and now he was paying the price.

I glanced around, ensuring there were no other threats lurking in the shadows. The night was still, and the echoes of our one sided battle were fading into the forest. The agent's capture was a significant thing, especially with him being a special paramecia fruit user—a message to the World Government that we were not to be trifled with.

Standing up, I addressed him one last time. "Your mission here is over; for a CP0 agent, you are quite weak. You will tell us everything you know about the World Government's plans. And if you refuse, well," I glanced at the charred ground around us, "there are worse fates than death."

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