Chapter 162: Threatening Me With World Government?

Escaping Enies Lobby was no easy feat. All the ships were docked at the port, effectively cutting him off from a quick getaway. Additionally, Spandam's physical prowess was abysmal, even compared to a standard Marine soldier (assuming they weren't wielding a Devil Fruit weapon, which was a rare occurrence).

Devil Fruit weapons themselves weren't particularly useful. They granted a slight power boost, but unlike humans, couldn't develop their Devil Fruit powers further. Essentially, after consumption, they offered little more than a marginal strength increase, heavily dependent on the user's skill. Spandam, being inherently weak, wouldn't stand a chance. A Conqueror's Haki emission alone would have sent him sprawling.

Luo Ning and Robin faced no resistance as they navigated through Enies Lobby. Marines parted ways out of fear of accidentally provoking Luo Ning. Consequently, they arrived unimpeded at Spandam's residence.

The sight that greeted them was comical. Spandam, frantically packing his belongings in large and small bags, perfectly embodied the adage "a penny saved is a penny earned." Here was a man prioritizing material possessions over his own safety.

His embarrassment was palpable. As soon as he spotted Luo Ning and Robin, Spandam froze, clutching a bulging bag of money. Initially, he'd planned on enlisting the help of other Marines to stall Luo Ning momentarily, but the reality was far different. No one dared to intervene, and they even cleared a path for Luo Ning's passage. Spandam's escape attempt was thwarted before it even began, leaving him caught red-handed in the middle of his pathetic attempt at running away.

"Robin," Luo Ning declared, "handle this. You have a score to settle."

Luo Ning saw no need to personally confront such a pathetic figure. Robin, after all, bore the brunt of Spandam's past cruelty.

"Understood," Robin replied with a nod. With a swift gesture of her hands, she conjured arms that firmly grasped Spandam, rendering him immobile.

Robin's mastery of the Flower-Flower Fruit had demonstrably surpassed even her own abilities in the later stages of the original story. The result of her rigorous training was evident.

Confined by the arms, Spandam could only stare in terror as a colossal arm materialized above him, threatening to crush him like a fly beneath a giant's palm.

"Wait! I represent the World Government! You can't kill me!" Spandam sputtered, tears and snot streaming down his face. "My father holds a high position! Killing me is akin to declaring war on the World Government!"

The sight of the descending Palm sent shivers down Spandam's spine. He truly was a pathetic excuse for a human being.

Robin hesitated upon hearing his desperate plea. While ending Spandam's life would be a simple task, she didn't want to cause unnecessary complications for Luo Ning.

"Threatening me with the World Government?" Luo Ning scoffed, eyeing Spandam with a mixture of amusement and contempt. "I even dare beheading Celestial Dragons, so why would I hesitate with you? Have you suffered a blow to the head, Spandam?"

Robin, prompted by Luo Ning's words, couldn't help but chuckle. She'd momentarily forgotten the power dynamic shift. With the myth of the Celestial Dragons shattered, their threats held no weight anymore.

The colossal palm continued its descent, unfazed by Spandam's desperate pleas. He was utterly powerless, weaker than even a regular Marine soldier, let alone someone like Luo Ning. With a resounding slap, Spandam was obliterated.

"Consider this a first installment on our debt collection," Luo Ning declared. "Spandam is gone, but Spandine isn't. He'll face his due as well. We'll settle this with the World Government directly."

With Spandam dealt with, the two departed. The remaining CP9 agents on Enies Lobby watched in stunned silence. While Lucci and others had been dispatched, a few remained.

But these few wouldn't dare challenge Luo Ning. Few in the entire world would be so foolish.

"H-he's dead? What do we do now?" one CP9 agent stammered, his voice laced with fear, as they watched Luo Ning and Robin leave.

"Just report it directly," another replied dismissively. "Even if Naval Headquarters intervenes, they won't be able to stop this. We have no blame in this incident."

"I know we can't change what happened to Luo Ning, but what about Spandam's father? Can you imagine him taking his anger out on us?"

Kumadori expressed his helplessness. This kind of thing is common in the World Government. When those above make mistakes, they blame those below.

But the lower agents have no recourse. Even if they seek justice, they have no power or access.

Rob Lucci was probably recruited for his talent in the original story. Otherwise, mediocre agents like they are disposable. They get played to death by Spandam's kind.

"Let's contact Lucci first," someone said desperately. "He's probably in the Seven Water capital and might have a way to handle this."

These agents, in a way, are united. They don't abandon each other. Soon, they connected with Lucci via Den Den Mushi.

"What are you doing? Why are you contacting me in broad daylight? It's against the rules!" Lucci's voice came through after a while. His face was dark. After all, he was supposed to be an undercover agent, working as a shipwright. This whole thing happened right under his nose.

As an agent, going undercover requires realism. But this operation has left him fuming. It seems like a minor incident, but it has the potential to ruin the entire plan. This is a completely unprecedented situation, and Lucci is furious.