Chapter 52: Reality Behind the Fairy Tale

As the sun set, night descended upon Odensai, accompanied by the refreshing breeze of the sea. The enormous windmills scattered throughout the city, which served as mills during the day, now transferred electricity to the city's streets at night. The illuminated street lamps resembled a string of pearls, adorning the city like an elegant beauty.

However, in the inn known as the "House of the Bull," a conspiracy against this city and its country was brewing.

"Sir, regarding the plan..."

Thunk!

The sound of a fist striking flesh was followed by the cold voice of another man.

"Pike, remember your role."

"You are a member of CP3, not a 'genius' from the orphanage, and certainly not a guard for any queen."

"Cough cough... Understood, sir."

Even without looking, Rosinante could vividly imagine the scene of a superior chastising his subordinate in his mind.

Naturally, the one being reprimanded was the young Seniole Pike.

CP3? Just as I suspected—

The icy aura that Rosinante sensed from the two men in black suits belonged to spies, emanating an air of detachment and vigilance.

CIPHER POL, a covert intelligence agency under the World Government. Openly divided into eight organizations, CP1 to CP8, CP9 was a secretive and specialized division, while CP0 reported directly to the Celestial Dragons, the world nobles.

Wherever CP operatives appeared, trouble was guaranteed.

Indeed, from beneath the wooden planks of the attic, a scolding voice resounded:

"You were placed beside that woman to monitor her every move. If you fail, you know the consequences."

The cold voice needed no intimidation, as all CP personnel were well aware of interrogation and torture techniques.

And when these methods were applied to them, the only thing they could expect was a swift death.

"Yes! Miss Jora wakes up at 7 in the morning, arrives at the White Sands Orphanage by 7:30... In the afternoon, she attends the charity auction at the 'Celia Opera House' at 4:20 and returns to the mansion at 6."

In the room below, after reporting Queen Jora's daily activities, Seniole Pike stood tall, as if he hadn't just been punched in the stomach.

"Very well. It seems our naive queen hasn't realized anything yet."

"Even if she does, she's powerless."

The other man in the black suit adjusted his hat and calmly spoke.

"We have activated members infiltrated into over a dozen pirate crews, such as the 'Bull Pirates' and the 'Sword and Gun Pirates.'"

"These wretched and ruthless pirates will undoubtedly leave an unforgettable memory in this city. And leading them is 'White Dragon' Balf Tanney!"

"What—"

The room filled with Pike's incredulous astonishment, making Rosinante, listening from the attic, commit the name to memory.

"Why, sir?"

However, the young Pike still couldn't comprehend why his "superiors" were targeting this city, going after Miss Jora, and even enlisting infiltrators to unite the pirates.

"Pike."

Faced with the boy's question, the CP3 captain wearing the hat let out a sigh.

"The fate of this city was sealed long ago, when they dared to form the so-called 'Entgree Alliance.'"

"We are an intelligence agency under the World Government, and anything that threatens the World Government's rule is considered criminal."

"Akanalia united with four other countries to form a covert alliance, using three coastal kingdoms as a shield. The other two kingdoms enjoy the peace brought by the Marines but refuse to pay the 'Celestial Tribute.'"

"This is blasphemy, contempt, an attempt to seize the World Government's assets!"

The black-suited captain who had delivered the punch earlier declared coldly,

"So, this city must be punished."

"And our actions are just!"

Indeed, even the Rosinante stood on their side of justice.

...

"Go, Pike."

"Focus on your task, and I'll promote you once the mission is complete."

"Yes, sirs."

As Pike turned and left, closing the door behind him, the black-suited man who had promised Pike a promotion tapped his hat and sneered.

"This pawn is useless now. Dispose of him when the plan begins."

"To let emotions cloud his judgment during the mission, what a waste!"

The other cold-hearted black-suited man closed his eyes.

"After witnessing Akanalia's fate, I believe no nation will dare defy the World Government again—"

"Don't be so quick to judge," the black-suited man with the hat chuckled.

"Without those audacious fools, how could CP have opportunities to shine and earn promotions?"

After this "annihilation" mission concludes, as the masterminds behind it, they should be able to get promoted to CP9, right?

As for the legendary CP0, that's out of the question.

To serve the Celestial Dragons, you'd need a bounty worth several billion at the very least!

...

"Because of the alliance between the five nations, reducing the Celestial Tribute, they have angered the World Government?"

Walking along the street toward the harbor, Rosinante looked around: one by one, the street lamps illuminated the city, and ordinary people emerged after having their dinner.

Gentlemen with coats draped over their arms, ladies linked at their arms, young men and women exchanging hushed laughter, children running about...

Families and the artistic touch of horticulture and architecture that surrounded them created a beautiful and harmonious cityscape, almost making Rosinante feel like he was transported to another era.

"Lost in thought, Rosinante?"

As Rosinante was lost in his musings, Doflamingo's voice brought him back.

?

Unbeknownst to him, Rosinante had already arrived at the harbor. Sitting beside a barbecue stall beneath a lamppost were several figures of various heights and sizes. It was Doflamingo, Bege, Vergo, Trebol, and Diamante.

?!

"Why are you all here?"

Approaching them, Rosinante's gaze fell upon Bege.

"Heh heh heh, don't worry. The loading and unloading of cargo have been entrusted to the city officials at the port. They promised tenfold compensation for any loss of items!"

"I'm telling you, what if something is really lost from our ship..."

"Don't meddle," Rosinante said as he sat down by the barbecue stall, knowing that Bege wanted to have some fun with the city officials here.

Ignoring the pointlessness of such actions, the danger of this place alone made Rosinante want to leave sooner rather than later.

"By the way, do you guys know about 'White Dragon' Balf Tanney?"

?!

"Where did you hear that name?"

While the others hadn't reacted yet, Bege and Diamante's faces turned pale. Especially Bege, who even forgot his usual catchphrase, "I'm telling you."

"Is this person a big deal?"

Facing Rosinante's question, Diamante whispered.

"More than that, she's currently the most powerful pirate in the North Sea."

"She's the captain of the 'White Dragon Pirates,' and she's also a Devil Fruit user. Rumor has it she can transform into a gigantic white dragon over ten meters long. Her strength rivals that of a true monster!"

"The most important thing about her isn't her strength, but her cunning and scheming."

Vergo added in a hushed tone, glancing around as if afraid that this 'Balf Tanney' might suddenly appear and strike him down.

"Rumor has it that this woman is the daughter of 'Black Captain' Balf and a tavern waitress, raised in a chaotic pirate port."

"Growing up in that tavern, she started cleaning up the bloodstains left behind by brawling pirates from a young age, helping drag the bodies out of the tavern..."

"As she got older, she taught herself various skills like scams, theft, and assassination, becoming the leader of a gang..."

If her life trajectory was similar to Vergo and the others, then what followed wasn't something that Vergo and the others could aspire to.

"Then, she learned that her father was the 'Black Captain' Balf with a bounty of 50 million Berries. She sneaked onto his ship but was heartlessly thrown into the sea by her own father."

"After spending a day and a night in the sea, she was finally rescued by 'Black Captain' and, following pirate customs, killed one of his subordinates barehanded, taking his position."

Ah...

At first dismissive, Rosinante exchanged a glance with Doflamingo. Given their own strengths, they probably wouldn't fare well after spending a day in the sea, let alone immediately taking down a fearsome pirate...

With a captain having a bounty of 5,000 Berries, his subordinates would likely be worth several million at the very least!

"Then, that young girl quickly rose to prominence on her father's ship. She built her reputation by adding to her fame with the bodies of other pirates, Marines, and even her own crewmates. After consuming a Devil Fruit, she wasn't content with just being a boatswain."

"Two years ago, she personally dismembered her father, the 'Black Captain,' and fed him to the fishes. She even took on the name 'Balf' as her own."

"'White Dragon' Pirates, under Captain Balf Tanney's name, are renowned throughout the North Sea!"

Tch, this female pirate is too hardcore, isn't she?

Being able to take down a 50 million Berries strong opponent two years ago, she probably already has a bounty in the hundreds of millions by now.

A person like that is likely preparing to enter the Grand Line. She's not someone that Rosinante and his group, who are still in the mere millions, can provoke. So...

"Rosinante, you haven't gotten on her bad side, have you?"

Faced with Vergo's concerned inquiry, Rosinante waved it off.

"It's not me. I just happened to hear the name occasionally."

If she indeed has a bounty in the hundreds of millions, she's an adversary that the current Donquixote Family can't defeat. Taking a bite of the barbecue in his hand, Rosinante casually changed the subject:

"Vergo, double the wages for the workers when we return. Make them work overtime for loading and unloading. I'm a bit worried about Spadamearouge's industry."

As for Poliziaano Jora and Sainiole Pike...

They can only hope for the best.

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(End of this chapter)