Doflamingo managed to suppress his anger and said with a smile, "Hehehehe! Law, don't be so heartless. At least we've known each other for a long time, and you were close to Buffalo. How can you be so cruel?"
Law gave him no room for negotiation. "Resign as a Warlord immediately. I want to see the news in the near future. As soon as I see it, I'll release him. Otherwise, you'll be waiting for his body to be collected!"
"Law, do you really want to be so cold-hearted?"
"I'm waiting for the paper."
With that, Law hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Looking at the hearts in his hands, Law sneered. Doflamingo was cunning. Even if he saw the newspaper that he had resigned as a Warlord, he'd still find a way to trick him. So when the time came, Law would only release the agents but keep their hearts. If Doflamingo was dishonest, Law wouldn't hold back.
With that thought, Law went to the room where the CP9 members were being held.
The CP9 members were all awake, but Rob Lucci and Kaku were seriously injured. Without treatment, they wouldn't survive long. When they saw Law enter, they all fell silent.
Law looked at Kaku. "I'm interested in your ability. My submarine needs a good shipwright, so you'll be staying with me."
Kaku responded, "If I stay, will you let them go?"
"I can let them go, but they have to return to the World Government and be my undercover agents," Law said. "You'll stay here under the pretense of being a spy within the Heart Pirates and will be responsible for keeping in touch with them.
Of course, I'll be keeping your hearts." Law then activated his ability and took out the CP9 members' hearts. He was careful, though, only taking the hearts and leaving the heart tissue behind so it wouldn't be noticeable.
"Hmph! Kill me if you want," Rob Lucci said stiffly. "I won't do anything for you!"
Law raised his eyebrows and clenched his heart slightly. Rob Lucci's face turned pale immediately, and he clutched his chest in pain. Because of his serious injuries, he almost went into shock.
Luckily, Law let go just in time. Rob Lucci was breathing heavily, his face as pale as paper and covered in sweat. But the guy was stubborn and didn't even scream, which was something Law admired.
"I'm willing to stay!" Kaku said immediately. "So stop hurting him and let them go!"
Even though there was no love between the members of CP9, the sea had its own magic. As long as they were part of a group, even the most cruel person would value their crewmates.
Like Gecko Moria, he was a guy who cared about his crew very much. However, guys like Blackbeard, who kill their own crewmates, are hated by many people.
When Kaku saw what Law was doing to Rob Lucci, he immediately agreed. It showed how much he valued his partner. The other CP9 members also nodded, agreeing to Law's terms.
Seeing that, Rob Lucci snorted and stopped talking. It was a sign of his consent.
Law asked his medical staff to treat all of the CP9 members' injuries, then sent everyone but Kaku off the ship. As for how they would get back to the World Government, Law didn't care. He couldn't be too involved, or his plan would be exposed. With the strength of these agents, it wouldn't be hard to get back to Enies Lobby.
When Law and Kaku got back to the deck of the Thousand Sunny, the Straw Hat Pirates were having a banquet. The banquet was small and had been funded by Nami. Nami had just given Iceburg 3 billion in gold, and she was already suffering from a headache, so she wanted to keep the party simple. Nami's wrath was terrifying.
"Yo, Law, you're done with your business? Why'd you bring a CP9 agent?" Carl greeted them.
"Oh, I needed a shipwright on my crew, and it just so happens that Kaku is good at building ships, and his strength is not bad either, so I kept him," Law explained casually.
Carl didn't press the matter. Law was a schemer; keeping Kaku with him must have been part of his plan. The Straw Hats were strong enough that they didn't have to worry about Kaku causing trouble. Besides, Law had Kaku's heart, so he wasn't a threat.
Carl didn't believe that Kaku would give up his life for some grand scheme. In the original story, Spandam blamed all the CP9 members for failing the mission, and they all ran away to survive. If they were really brainwashed to be loyal, they wouldn't have run away.
Therefore, leaving Kaku with them was not a problem and was within their control.
Soon after, the Heart Pirates joined the banquet. Franky was indeed a pervert with thick skin. When he first joined, he was laughing and talking with everyone and even dancing with Jango. It was just that the guy would groan from time to time, and his singing voice was truly terrible.
The banquet was over by noon. Koshiro suddenly spoke up. "Everyone, I've been in Water 7 long enough. It's time for me to go."
"Master Koshiro?"
Everyone was surprised by his sudden decision to leave. Tashigi tugged on Koshiro's sleeve with red, tearful eyes.
Koshiro looked at Tashigi lovingly and smiled. "I've already taught you everything you needed to learn, Tashigi. You're a smart girl and can practice on your own. I still have a dojo in the East Blue, and Kuina's tomb needs someone to look after it. I have to go back. It's time for me to say goodbye, since all of you will be sailing off soon."
Luffy nodded. "Well, if it's time to say goodbye, then goodbye, old man."
"Goodbye, Uncle Koshiro!" the crew said sadly. Even though they hadn't known him for long, everyone had grown to like Koshiro's gentle personality. The sudden departure made them all feel a little sad.
Koshiro smiled at everyone, then looked at Zoro. "Zoro, remember what you said?"
"Master Koshiro, I remember. I'm strong, and so is she."
Satisfied, Koshiro looked back at Tashigi, stroked her hair, and then reluctantly turned around, walking toward a large ship that was about to set sail nearby. It seemed that Koshiro had bought his ticket back to the East Blue a long time ago.
Just then, Tashigi ran up to him and hugged him from behind. She whispered a few words in his ear and slowly let go.
Koshiro was already crying.
"Master Koshiro, here's a thank you gift!" she said, before adding, "Daddy, have a safe journey!"
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