64: Passing by Enies Lobby

To travel from Marineford to Impel Down, they first needed to reach Enies Lobby, cross the Gate of Justice behind it, and finally arrive at the Underwater Prison—Impel Down.

As the warship reached Enies Lobby, Ron followed Garp down the bridge. Waiting to greet them was Spandine, the current Chief of CP9, the world government's secret intelligence agency. Beside him stood two individuals: one in his early twenties, and the other slightly older, perhaps in his thirties.

Ron's gaze settled on the younger of the two, a tall, dark-haired man wearing a black top hat, with a white pigeon perched on his shoulder. If his guess was right, this was Rob Lucci—the future CP9 captain, government's top assassin, and a weapon of unparalleled lethality.

As Ron studied him, Lucci also looked back, his expression a blend of scrutiny and mild curiosity.

This kid... could he be the rumored Marine intern from HQ?

Their eyes met, briefly exchanging a silent acknowledgment. Ron, with Raikiri strapped across his back, shifted his gaze to the pigeon on Lucci's shoulder. "That's one plump pigeon," he murmured, half to himself, half in jest. "I wonder how it'd taste roasted."

Lucci's eyes narrowed slightly, catching his words. He didn't react outwardly, but Ron noticed the slight tightening around Lucci's mouth. Clearly, the comment had struck a nerve.

Just then, several Marines moved a massive iron cage off the warship. Inside was a figure bound tightly with sea stone shackles, his powerful limbs further restrained by thick chains. The prisoner's head was topped with sharp horns, and his massive, muscular body seemed barely contained within his restraints.

"This… this is…" Spandam, Spandine's son, stared in shock, "...the 'Corrupt King' Avalo Pizarro!"

Hearing Spandam's astonished voice, Lucci turned slightly, casting an indifferent glance at the prisoner.

"Spandine, he's all yours now," Garp called out, addressing the cigarette-puffing CP9 chief.

Ron watched the interaction closely. This man, with his thin, triangle-shaped eyebrows and smug expression, was none other than the infamous Spandine—the man who'd wielded the golden Den Den Mushi to authorize the Buster Call that annihilated the scholars of Ohara.

"Hahaha! A bounty of 160 million!" Spandine laughed, almost in disbelief as he regarded the chained Avalo Pizarro. "To think Vice Admiral Garp managed to capture him. As expected from the Marine Hero!"

"We'll proceed with the sentencing soon," Spandine continued, chuckling. "Until then, Vice Admiral Garp, please feel free to relax here on Enies Lobby."

"Lucci, escort him to the court," Spandine ordered, nodding toward the captured Avalo Pizarro.

Lucci gave a quick nod, his gaze once again meeting Ron's before he turned and led his team to move the prisoner.

"Is that young man Rob Lucci?" Garp murmured, glancing at Lucci's retreating figure. "I hear he's highly valued by the World Government."

Garp chuckled and continued, "You've got a skilled subordinate there, Spandine."

"You flatter me, Vice Admiral Garp." Spandine's gaze shifted to Ron, eyeing the sword on his back. He grinned and asked, "And this young man must be the famed intern from HQ? Perhaps even your disciple?"

"Hahaha! Not at all," Garp laughed heartily, amused by the idea. "I'm not his teacher."

"I see…" Spandine eyed Ron with a smirk. "Well, Vice Admiral Garp, I have some matters to attend to, so I'll leave you to enjoy your time here."

"Not a problem, not a problem," Garp waved him off. "I know my way around Enies Lobby by now. I'll be waiting for you at the Bridge of Hesitation."

With a nod, Spandine turned to leave, accompanied by his son, Spandam, who was not yet a member of CP5.

Just then, a familiar voice echoed in Ron's mind.

[Detected current location: Enies Lobby. Sign-in conditions met. Would you like to sign in?]

"Sign in," Ron answered mentally.

[Sign-in complete. Reward acquired: Vitality +10. Bonus reward: Senzu Bean x1.]

"A Senzu Bean?" Ron's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Could it be the miraculous bean from Dragon Ball?

Before he could inspect it further, Garp's voice brought him back to the present.

"Ron, did you recognize that young man beside Spandine? The one with the pigeon?"

Ron turned, noticing Garp's thoughtful gaze.

"That's Rob Lucci," Garp explained. "Joined CP9 at thirteen; he's twenty now. Executed countless criminals, known as CP9's deadliest weapon, the coldest and strongest assassin in 800 years of CP history…"

Ron raised an eyebrow, glancing at Garp. "So what are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying… it's best not to provoke him," Garp chuckled. "Both the government and Lucci himself can be quite… complicated. With your current strength, well, how confident are you in beating him?"

"Ten out of ten," Ron replied coolly.

Garp blinked, momentarily speechless. Was this kid really that confident?

Ron's assurance wasn't just talk. His observation abilities had allowed him to gauge Lucci's strength accurately. Though powerful, Lucci was far from a match for Ron's current capabilities.

With Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and the ability to perceive the Transparent World, Ron's strength likely surpassed that of Luffy during his fight with Lucci nine years later in the original story. If he didn't even need to draw Raikiri, defeating this version of Lucci would be a mere warm-up.

Finally, they reached the Bridge of Hesitation. This immense structure was usually retracted, opening only to allow prisoner transfers through the Gate of Justice. At its end, the warship waited, ready to sail once the "Corrupt King" was brought aboard.

About four hours later, the bridge opened, and Lucci appeared, leading the prisoner Avalo Pizarro, now heavily shackled and subdued. As the Marines took over and prepared for departure, the Gate of Justice loomed ahead, its massive doors slowly beginning to open.

From the bridge's edge, Lucci watched the warship as it pulled away, his eyes narrowing slightly in contemplation.

As the ship passed through the colossal gates, a familiar message rang in Ron's mind.

[Detected current location: Gate of Justice. Sign-in conditions met. Would you like to sign in?]

Ron felt a surge of satisfaction. This journey was proving to be more rewarding than he'd anticipated.

"Sign in."

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T/N:

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