Chapter 63

Sengoku rubbed his temples and looked quietly at the bald man whose face was as dark as soot.

"Zephyr may have a point. We're getting a bit too worked up about this," he said.

The agents they had brought from various CP divisions were in rough shape. If Sengoku didn't know they were part of the World Government's secret intelligence network, he'd think they were soldiers from a warring nation, wounded and needing aid.

But Sengoku knew better. Looking at the twisted, frost-bitten limbs of the fallen agents, he could tell they were indeed members of the Cipher Pol - no regular military force could have done this to them.

"Loya really is a monster," Kizaru murmured, watching the injured agents being carried out. His tone betrayed the shock beneath his usual languid facade.

Leaning against the doorframe, Kizaru tilted his head to get a better view of the icy carnage in the courtyard. Seeing the bloodied, frozen bodies, he couldn't help but think of the current Admiral Aokiji. "What a terrifying power," he said, almost in awe.

The World Government officials present were not just bald bureaucrats, but senior Cipher Pol leaders. They glared unhappily at the sight of their subordinates being hauled away like rag dolls, limbs twisted at unnatural angles.

Not only were they angry at Loya for being too heavy-handed, but they resented the bald man who had proposed this operation in the first place. If he hadn't assured them the elite Cipher Pol agents could easily crush the target, they never would have green-lit Lucci's mission.

After all, the various Cipher Pol divisions were primarily intelligence organizations, not military forces. Aside from a few top experts, their overall strength paled in comparison to the Navy's. The two organizations had always been at odds, each trying to one-up the other.

And now their trump card, Rob Lucci - the strongest agent in Cipher Pol 9 in 800 years - had been rendered all but useless. His two index fingers, the source of his immense strength, had been severed. Even with his mastery of the Six Powers, he would never regain his former might.

The Cipher Pol's grand plan had been undone by a single, terrifying individual. It was a humbling - and frightening - lesson.

The scheming officials could see that in this moment, Lucci's pride had been utterly shattered by Loya. He might never fully recover from this disgrace.

They realized that even with the protection of their Cipher Pol identities, their lives would not be easy going forward. The Navy held more sway in this world than the intelligence agency. If they didn't want to be underhandedly sabotaged on future missions, they'd have to keep their heads down.

"I thought I could come here and flaunt our power, show up the Navy," one official muttered bitterly. "But Loya just slapped us in the face with his strength."

Unable to stomach the humiliation, the Cipher Pol contingent left Marineford that same afternoon. What else could they do - stand around and be the subject of whispers and scorn? Dare to try and arrest people at Marine HQ? No, they had lost face and had to slink away in disgrace.

As for the injured Cipher Pol agents left behind for treatment, Loya made it clear he wouldn't be covering their medical bills. That would really rub salt in the wound.

Fortunately, Zephyr stepped in, saying he would pay the expenses out of his own pocket. "He's my student, so as his teacher I'm responsible," he explained.

Sengoku was happy to let Zephyr handle it. Dealing with the higher-ups was a headache he didn't need on top of running Marineford. The less he had to argue over a relatively small sum, the better.

That night, two shadowy figures crept along the walls of the naval hospital. The man in front held a rope, speaking in a hushed tone to his companion.

"Hey Simon, you're sure they're all on the seventh floor now? Don't mess this up."

Simon nodded. "Don't worry, I know Marineford like the back of my hand. The whole medical building is under lockdown, except for the seventh floor. That's where they'll be."

Simon reached into his bag and pulled out a grappling hook, his face lighting up. "Found it! This is the one," he said, taking the rope from Loya's hand and quickly rigging up the hook.

"Alright, all set. Noah, it's all you - make this shot count," Simon said, clapping his hands together.

"No problem," Loya replied tersely, his sharp eyes already picking out the balcony on the 7th floor, a fluttering red flag marking their target.

Loya began to swing the rope, the hum of it cutting through the air. As he did, he glanced at Simon. "By the way, do all nearsighted people have trouble seeing at night?"

Simon's expression soured, but he just grumbled, "Can we focus, please?"

With a quick flick of his wrist, Loya sent the hook arcing up towards the balcony. It caught the railing with a sharp metallic sound, and Loya carefully tested the line, nodding in satisfaction.

"Alright, good. Now for the next step," he said, gesturing to Simon, who pulled out a Den Den Mushi and began dialing.

Back in room 702 of the hospital, the space felt crowded, dominated by the imposing presence of the big man, Aludo. In the dim ward, pairs of glowing green eyes flashed as the Jerome brothers kept watch by the door, peering out into the corridor.

Sitting in a wheelchair, the blonde-haired woman named Minnie held a Den Den Mushi in her hands, waiting anxiously for Simon's call.

Suddenly, one of the Jerome brothers by the door hissed in alarm, "Oh no, the head nurse is doing rounds!"

The members of the elite group inside the room stirred in panic.

"Why is the head nurse making rounds at 10 o'clock? Wasn't it supposed to be at midnight?" someone whispered frantically.

Looking at his agitated comrades, the huge Aludo gritted his teeth. "I'll distract the head nurse, you guys hide!"

"No way!" the others protested. "If you can't leave, what's the point of the rest of us escaping?"

"Shh, keep it down!" the other Jerome brother urged.

Reluctantly, Aludo sat back down, the room once again filled with only the sound of hushed breathing.

Then, a faint clicking noise came from the balcony. All eyes turned that way instinctively.

Buzz-buzz. The Den Den Mushi in Minnie's hand vibrated to life. She quickly pressed it to her ear. "Hello? Simon?"

"It's me," came the reply. "I'm ready. Let's slide down the rope! Don't worry, with Loya on the other end, we won't fall."

Simon's voice on the Den Den Mushi was like music to their ears. Hearing his words, the group in the hospital room jumped up excitedly, the sound of chairs and tables clattering filling the quiet ward.

The commotion caught the attention of the middle-aged head nurse passing by. She whirled around, shouting, "Who's there?"

This ward was normally only used for emergency wartime patients, not regular occupants. The nurse's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Could it be a thief?" she muttered, her jowls quivering with anger. "How dare some lowlife try to steal from the Navy Headquarters!"

She rolled up her sleeves, balling her fists. "Come out, you little rat, and I'll beat you to death!" she roared, charging towards the room.

The thundering footsteps alerted the Jerome brothers by the door. "Get out of here! The head nurse is furious!" one hissed.

Aludo's face paled. If that vicious old woman discovered their escape plan, she'd make sure to give them the most painful treatment next time. Quickly, he scooped up Minnie and a few others who couldn't move well, hurrying to the balcony.

"Loya, we're coming down!" Minnie called into the Den Den Mushi. "Hold on tight!"

"No problem, come on down!" Loya's calm voice replied.

Gripping the rope, Aludo leapt over the railing, his body swinging down. The bandage on his injured hand provided some protection against the friction.

Squeak, squeak - Aludo's sheer strength and willpower allowed him to endure the burning rope, rushing towards Loya.

Suddenly, strange blue patterns began to spread across Loya's skin. Reaching out, he blocked Aludo's path, sending the large man flying back with a powerful impact that made him nearly retch.

"Take them and go, quickly! Meet at the recruit camp cafeteria!" Loya ordered.

Aludo just nodded, too winded to argue, and ran off into the night, vanishing into the woods.

Loya and Simon exchanged a triumphant high-five, their daring rescue mission a success.

Loya and Simon doubled over in laughter, clutching their aching stomachs.

"Did you see the look on his face?" Simon gasped, wiping tears from his eyes. He clapped Loya on the shoulder. "Alright, get going and take them all. We've gotta move quick."

Loya nodded, pressing his palms to the ground. Instantly, a frigid wind whipped up, and an icy slide shot up towards the 7th floor balcony.

Simon gave the rope a tug, signaling he was ready. One by one, the escapees slid down the icy chute, whooping with exhilaration.

Thud! The 300-pound frame of the head nurse hit the ground, creating deep divots in the soil. Brushing herself off, she pulled out a sheaf of papers - not medical files, but a script. Grinning, she gave a little bow.

"How's my acting?" she asked coyly.

Loya clapped politely. "Excellent, head nurse." He turned to another man. "Mingde, did you get the supplies?"

Mingde puffed out his chest. "Of course! Intimidation is my specialty."

Loya just shrugged, not particularly impressed. Simon hurried over, unfurling a safety net. "The clean-up crew is on their way, let's get going!"

Loya nodded, gathering everyone. Aludo, in his haste, was barreling ahead at a breakneck pace, terrifying poor Minnie.

"Slow down! They're not ready yet!" she cried.

Fortunately, the faster members of the elite group had already prepared everything by the time Aludo arrived at the cafeteria.

Minnie gazed out at the dark, silent building, a chill running down her spine from the cool breeze drifting out. This was their destination - a ghostly, abandoned cafeteria.

Aludo suddenly stopped running, his feet plowing deep furrows in the ground as he eyed the cafeteria with a wary gaze, scanning left and right.

"What's wrong?" Minnie asked carefully, worried he might have discovered something.

Aludo's expression was serious as he gently placed his companions behind a large tree by the road. "I smell blood in there. Something's not right. Wait here, I'll go check it out."

"Okay, be careful," Minnie replied, trying to inject some nervous anxiety into her voice, though her acting skills were a bit lacking.

Aludo, oblivious to her attempts at subtlety, simply nodded solemnly, his armed Haki enveloping him as he tensed, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

Pushing open the cafeteria door, Aludo winced at the unpleasant creaking sound. The smell of blood was thick in the air, and he couldn't hold back a violent sneeze that echoed eerily in the empty space.

As he stepped further in, a faint scraping sound caught his attention. Aludo immediately shifted into a fighting stance, his body hardened by his Iron Body technique.

"Who's there?!" he demanded.

"Is that...Aludo?" came a weak, wheezing voice.

"Mingde!" Aludo recognized the voice and rushed forward, all thoughts of defense forgotten. But when he saw the state Mingde was in, he froze in horror.

Mingde's lower body was gone, a river of scarlet blood trailing behind him, his guts and organs spilled across the floor. Raising his head with great effort, Mingde looked at Aludo with his remaining eye, despair etched into every feature.

"Hurry...to the courtyard," he gasped. "There's a killer..."

"A killer?!" Aludo roared, his eyes burning with fury.