The Demon King's Melody

Luffy, the protagonist of the original story, has started his journey in earnest, but it doesn't really have a significant impact on my life. Without the Enies Lobby arc, Impel Down arc, and Summit War arc, there's hardly any chance for me to get involved.

For a moment, I considered going to Rogue Town to eliminate Dragon, but it wouldn't make sense unless I went on the exact day Luffy appeared there. Besides, I'm not particularly interested in the Revolutionary Army to begin with.

While in terms of position, me being with CP and Dragon being with the Revolutionary Army makes us enemies, I'm just doing my job, so I don't hold any specific thoughts about the Revolutionary Army. In fact, I've been rather low-key recently.

...From the Revolutionary Army's perspective, I might be an archenemy, but well, it doesn't matter.

The only place where me and the Straw Hat crew might encounter each other is Water 7. It's the Aqua Laguna season, so the timing is obvious. However, even if we were to meet... there wouldn't be any particular purpose. It's not like I, a World Government official, can cheer them on with something like "Do your best finding the One Piece."

For now, I just want to know the effects of the Enies Lobby arc being eliminated. So, I should pay attention to the information from the agents I have undercover in Water 7.

With these thoughts in mind, I finished my paperwork and put down the pen.

"...Lately, the Revolutionary Army seems quiet, which might explain why I'm bored due to having fewer tasks."

"The reason they're quiet might be because they've been severely dealt with by us... Well, I agree about the boredom. I wouldn't mind a decent-sized battle."

As I muttered while receiving the coffee that Pochi brought me at just the right time, Lucci, who was sitting on the couch, reacted.

Recently, CP9 has been taking on missions in the New World quite frequently, but we still have more free time compared to before. Perhaps due to the many branch chiefs being assassinated, the Revolutionary Army has become more cautious in its movements, resulting in fewer missions.

"Chapapapa, speaking of which, it seems there's increased rebellion activity in Alabasta recently."

"But, isn't the Revolutionary Army not involved in the rebellion in Alabasta? Unless it's a request from the country, we wouldn't act."

Well, even if the Revolutionary Army isn't involved, other organizations might be... However, according to the information in the "VIVRE CARD," Luffy made a snowman when he went to Whiskey Peak on February 18, and the Thousand Sunny was made on March 25. Between those dates, he managed to complete the Little Garden arc, Drum Island arc, Alabasta arc, and Skypiea arc.

If anime-original arcs are also taken into account, the Lost Island arc, Goat Island arc, Rainbow Mist arc, Navarone Fortress arc, and Ocean's Dream arc would be added... but that's impossible, right?

Considering Luffy's journey from the beginning to Sabaody Archipelago, it's said to take about three months based on reference materials, but that's just crazy.

I wonder what kind of crazy schedule would actually make sense...

While I have plenty of free time, the original story's protagonist seems quite busy.

"Captain, here's a new set of orders."

"Hmm? Ah, thanks."

Just as Pochi brought the orders to me, I received them and checked the content. It's been a while since we've had a job related to the Revolutionary Army. The task is to eliminate a relatively large Revolutionary Army force operating on a certain island.

"...An extermination mission against the Revolutionary Army, huh? Since we're kind of free, should we send all available members?"

"It sounds interesting. It's been a while since I've had a chance to go all out."

"Alright then, Fizz, how about a competition to see who can take down more?"

"Hah, you think you can beat me, Jabra?"

Of course, Lucci was the first to respond, but the others also seem eager, probably because they've been relatively free lately. Listening to the more lively conversation than before, I confirmed the contents of the orders and started contemplating.

The location of the island for the mission, the timing, and the information reported...

"...However, everyone must wear masks and cloaks. Also, the use of Devil Fruit abilities is prohibited in combat."

"Huh? Why?"

"Considering their recent caution, the Revolutionary Army probably wants our information. While it's not necessarily a decoy, there's a high likelihood they've stationed observers at a distance in case we appear. The recent reports about this island suggest that besides the Revolutionary Army members operating there, there are traces that suggest a few additional individuals have been dispatched."

"For the Revolutionary Army, we're like a thorn in their side. They'll observe and try to gather any information they can... It's like harassment."

"That's right. Well, it's just a side note to their main activities, more of an insurance, I guess."

We don't need to give away information to those who are trying to obtain it. I'll have everyone fight using only Haki and Rokushiki techniques; Devil Fruit powers won't be disclosed.

***

In the darkness of the night, a man peered through a special pair of binoculars from behind a rock, communicating via a Den Den Mushi.

"...!? Ugh, unbelievable strength. That's CP9... The main unit is being steadily... defeated..."

"Understood. Share as much detailed information as you can."

"Yes."

The man was a member of the Revolutionary Army and had been observing from a distance during this operation. The reason was simple: the world government's strongest assassination group, CP9, had the potential to appear, and they had been causing trouble for the Revolutionary Army lately.

CP9 was an extremely brutal and dangerous force, and thinking about the extent of the damage the Revolutionary Army had suffered in recent years was almost unbearable.

What made it even more troublesome was that information was scarce, as their main objective was assassination or elimination. Many times, crucial comrades had been wiped out without warning, making the Revolutionary Army more cautious lately.

However, that didn't mean the Revolutionary Army could stay idle. That's why, to avoid wasting precious lives, observers like the man were assigned during operations to gather information and devise strategies.

Especially, this man possessed the Zoan-type Devil Fruit ability of an animal with the eyesight of an ostrich. With his vision enhanced, he could accurately see the movements of ants and creatures more than 25 to 40 meters away. He led the group of observers and held a considerable position within the Revolutionary Army.

The man continued to observe with his overwhelming vision, striving to gather accurate information, but at that moment, a communication from the headquarters reached him.

"... Communication with some of the observers has been lost."

"What!? I'll check."

Frantically shifting his gaze towards the headquarters' communication, he confirmed the location of the other observers... only to see their fallen forms.

He checked the locations of all the observers besides himself, and all of them were down... It was hard to believe any of them were alive.

"Headquarters! All members except me have been wiped out! Requesting instructions!!"

"..."

"Headquarters? Headquarters!?"

"--------"

"What is this... a song?"

He called out to headquarters via Den Den Mushi, but there was no response. Not only that, an eerie, chilling song seemed to emanate from the receiver.

Feeling an indescribable terror, the man raised his head and saw a presence in his line of sight. A figure standing atop a rocky hill, almost as if carrying the moon on its back.

This presence wore a mask in the shape of a cross over the left eye and a hat adorned with dragon motifs. The moment the man saw this figure, his heart was seized by a paralyzing fear.

"...Ah... ah..."

His body trembled, unable to flee or divert his gaze. The eerie song from the receiver seemed to grow louder.

Then, in the next instant, the left eye of the mask briefly glowed red, and the man felt a surge of heat in his chest.

"....? ...?"

Looking at his own body, he saw a hole in the shape of a cross. As he recognized it, and while still hearing the eerie song, the man's consciousness sank into darkness.

***

I had Lucci and his team attack the Revolutionary Army, while I eliminated all the observational soldiers and destroyed the Den Den Mushi equipment before retreating into the wilderness. I conducted various experimental procedures, and they went quite smoothly.

In the theatrical version, when Totmusica appeared, it caused disruptions like the Den Den Mushi's audio cutting off. I tried similar techniques to see if I could replicate these effects, and indeed, I was able to interfere with Den Den Mushi communication without any problems.

Furthermore, I was able to utilize the beams that Totmusica had used without any issues. The beam from the final movement, even with my enhanced agility and Haki-empowered skin, grazed my cheek with a speed and power that could not be evaded, showcasing its considerable strength.

Moreover, as this was a flash of light manipulated by magic, it didn't carry heat like a regular laser and didn't explode upon impact, making it suitable for assassination purposes. Subjectively speaking, its range could easily span from tens to hundreds of kilometers if properly aimed... although achieving the precise aim is another matter.

Now, for one more experiment... I can discern what can be done based on Totmusica's intentions, so I'm eagerly awaiting the results.

Smiling beneath the mask, I approached the fallen man with a hole in his chest. Then, around me, the arms of Totmusica's final movement puppet materialized. The hands grabbed the man's body, an ominous light enveloped him. After a while, the puppet's hands released the man, and he lay on the ground once again.

In front of me, a stylishly adorned skull floated, shrouded in purple flames. Sensing Totmusica's presence within, I was able to move the skull intuitively.

With a light movement of my finger, the stylish skull transformed into an ostrich-shaped skeleton.

So, what did I do? It was somewhat akin to copying abilities. In Totmusica's final movement, he employed various abilities using magic, such as flames and lightning.

Considering what else I could enhance, Totmusica within my soul responded, "If you touch a soul that serves as a sample, you can reproduce the ability." Thus, I decided to try it out.

While it might not work in every case, the ability to pseudo-replicate Devil Fruit powers by touching a soul is fascinating. It's a reproduction based on magical energy, so it's not necessarily the exact same ability, but it's extremely useful.

Moreover, since it's still a reproduction, I wouldn't inherit the drawbacks of consuming a Devil Fruit... Truly, this power of mine is exceptional.

With a snap of my fingers, I dispelled the ostrich skeleton, then looked at the corpse before me. Among the other bodies, this one with a cross-shaped hole in its chest should be disposed of as well.

Thinking this through, I conjured a black musical note at my fingertip and let it fall onto the corpse.

***

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