Inside the largest library in Water Seven, Felina, Robin, and Kori were scattered across different sections, each absorbed in books that caught their interest.
Outside the library, at a street corner across the road, two men dressed like ordinary civilians stood in the shadows. From time to time, their gazes drifted toward Robin through the glass windows.
One of them, Agent One, spoke in a low voice.
"Have you informed headquarters to send reinforcements?"
Agent Two nodded.
"It has already been reported."
"I heard the one coming this time is from CP0," Agent One said, excitement creeping into his tone.
"Uh…" Agent Two hesitated, his expression awkward.
"What is that look supposed to mean?" Agent One frowned. "Do not tell me they decided not to support us."
"That is not it," Agent Two quickly denied.
"Then why do you look so uncomfortable?" Agent One muttered. "You are getting more unreliable by the day."
"…The person coming is Lord Spandam," Agent Two said quietly.
"What?" Agent One blurted out in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
"Lower your voice," Agent Two hurriedly said, trying to cover Agent One's mouth, completely unaware that his own voice was not much quieter.
Agent One slapped his hand away, irritation written all over his face.
"Did you tell him that Robin is currently with Eli Winters and his group?"
"I did," Agent Two replied helplessly. "But Lord Spandam said Eli Winters is nothing to worry about. He claims that this time, he will personally lead his men and capture Eli and the others."
Agent One's face went pale.
"This is bad. That arrogant fool is going to turn the credit I was about to earn into a disaster. What was he even thinking?"
Unlike others, Agent One knew exactly how terrifying Eli Winters and his crew were. They were people who had taken down even an admiral.
"Maybe Lord Spandam has some kind of backup plan," Agent Two offered weakly.
"Backup plan?" Agent One scoffed. "Do you even know what kind of people CP0 usually sends? You really think that will help?"
Agent Two fell silent for a moment, then tried to reassure him.
"It is not beyond saving yet. Once Lord Spandam arrives, we can secretly take Robin away. There is no need to confront Eli Winters directly."
"I hope so," Agent One said listlessly. His confidence had already collapsed. His original plan had been simple. Let CP0 stall Eli Winters while they grabbed Robin. With Spandam involved, they would be lucky not to be wiped out in seconds.
About an hour later, the two agents received word that Spandam had arrived. After a brief discussion, they decided that Agent One would stay behind to continue surveillance, while Agent Two would go to meet Spandam and report the situation.
When Agent Two reached the harbor and saw the massive warship docked there, he nearly cursed out loud.
Bringing a ship this large straight into Water Seven was practically announcing their presence. With Enies Lobby so close, taking the Sea Train discreetly would have been far wiser.
No matter how much he complained inwardly, Agent Two still stepped forward respectfully and quietly explained the situation.
After listening, Spandam's lips curled into a cold smile.
"So the Devil Child Robin really knows how to hide. Back then, my father made one mistake and let her escape. This time, I will wipe away that disgrace myself."
He turned to the men behind him, satisfaction clear in his expression.
"Blueno, Jabra, Kumadori. The three of you will take a squad and follow this agent. Bring the Devil Child back to me. As for the other two companions of Eli Winters, if they surrender, capture them. If they resist, eliminate them on the spot."
"Yes, sir," the three replied in unison, their voices sharp and confident. As the strongest members of CP9, they were certain they could handle criminals like these.
Agent Two hesitated, wanting to say something, but swallowed his words. He could hardly tell Spandam to be careful or warn him that provoking Eli Winters would get them killed. If he did, Spandam would probably deal with him first.
"Lead the way," Jabra said coldly.
Agent Two had no choice but to obey. He was only a communications officer. Agent One handled intelligence, and neither of them had the power to oppose Spandam's decision.
After they left, Spandam looked toward the inner city of Water Seven, his voice chilling.
"Let us go. Tom that old fool should hand over what he has been hiding. And Eli Winters… a lucky upstart who gained some fame. This time, I will show CP0 that CP9 is the true elite."
The men behind him straightened, pride evident on their faces.
Inside an office at Tom's workshop, Eli Winters was explaining his requirements for the new ship to Iceburg.
After listening carefully, Iceburg said seriously,
"Eli, if the entire structure is built using Adam wood, the cost will be enormous. And at the moment, we do not have Adam wood beams of that size."
"Money is not an issue," Eli replied with a slight frown. "The real question is whether you can obtain Adam wood that meets the requirements."
"I can," Iceburg nodded. "I have channels. As long as the funds are there, it can be done."
"Then use it," Eli said firmly. If he ran short, he could always obtain more elsewhere.
Iceburg clicked his tongue silently, impressed by Eli's wealth, then raised another concern.
"As for the specialized facilities you mentioned, I need to see them first to properly integrate them into the ship's design. You will need to provide them."
"That is fine," Eli replied calmly. Everything was stored in his system space. The annihilation cannon had been idle for too long anyway. He planned to put all of his advanced equipment to use this time.
Seeing Eli drift into his own thoughts, Iceburg cleared his throat twice to bring him back.
Eli looked up at him and, without the slightest embarrassment, said with a straight face,
"Are you sick or something?"
Iceburg froze, then snapped back,
"You are the sick one. Where are those devices you mentioned?"
"On me," Eli said with a grin.
"On you?" Iceburg looked confused.
"You will see soon enough. Come on, let us go to your workshop. I will show you everything there."
Though puzzled, Iceburg led the way. But before they could leave the office, an angry voice echoed from outside.
Iceburg recognized his teacher's tone instantly and rushed out. Eli and Dotai exchanged a glance and followed.
"Heh. Old man, hand it over if you know what is good for you," Spandam said coldly. "Otherwise, do not blame us for using force."
"I do not know what you are talking about," Tom replied, struggling to suppress his anger.
"Is that so?" Spandam sneered. "Do you think I came here without investigating? Do not push your luck. If I find it myself, you and everyone connected to you will face punishment from the World Government."
Tom's anger boiled, but he held it back.
"I truly do not have what you are looking for. Search if you must. Just do not interfere with my work."
"Hmph. Since you refuse to cooperate, I will use other means," Spandam said icily. "Lucci, teach this old man a lesson."
A tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit stepped forward, silent and composed, a white tie and a small pigeon perched at his collar.
In a flash, he was in front of Tom, his leg snapping out with terrifying speed.
Tom did not retreat. Despite his age, the strength of his youth had not fully left him. He clenched his fists and met the attack head-on.
A dull boom echoed as fist and leg collided, shockwaves rippling outward and dust filling the air.
Lucci's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So the old man still has some power left," he thought, though he was already preparing to escalate.
His attacks grew fiercer, strikes flowing like a storm. Tom fought back with all he had, but time was unforgiving. Slowly, he began to falter.
At that moment, Iceburg arrived and rushed forward without hesitation. Before he could reach Tom, a young man wearing a cap and holding a sword stepped in front of him.
"Who are you?" Iceburg shouted. "Why are you attacking my teacher?"
"Before our leader gives the order, you are not going anywhere," the young man replied with a faint smile.
Enraged, Iceburg lunged at him.
"Capture him," Spandam ordered coldly. "Kaku."
"Yes, sir," Kaku replied.
With a swift movement, Kaku intercepted Iceburg's attack and countered immediately. Despite Iceburg's skill, he was no match for Kaku, especially unarmed. In just a few exchanges, Iceburg was beaten down, bloodied and forced to the ground.
Seeing this, Tom panicked. Distracted, he took a heavy blow from Lucci and staggered back. Moments later, Iceburg collapsed completely.
Tom endured another crushing punch and broke away, throwing himself in front of Iceburg and shielding him with his own body.
"Well?" Spandam said smugly. "Care to hand it over now? Or should I let the boy die?"
"I have already said it," Tom replied hoarsely. "I do not have what you are looking for."
Furious, Spandam ordered Lucci and Kaku to kill Iceburg.
At that instant, Eli Winters and Dotai appeared in front of Tom.
"You cannot kill my shipwright," Eli said with a smile.
Spandam's eyes widened, then burned with rage.
"Kill them!"
Lucci and Kaku charged without hesitation.
Before they could even reach their targets, their vision blurred. Pain exploded in their abdomens, and the next moment, both were sent flying like cannonballs into a pile of scrap metal.
Spandam's pupils shrank. He stared in disbelief as his strongest subordinates were defeated in an instant, by a single fishman.
Suddenly, realization struck him.
"Eli Winters… the Sky Sovereign?"
"Oh? You know me?" Eli said lightly.
"This cannot be," Spandam stammered. "How can you be this strong?"
"We have always been strong," Eli replied casually. "Is that really news?"
What Spandam did not know was that he had recently taken over CP9 and had been kept in the dark about Eli Winters. In his worldview, those at the top were untouchable, and Eli was nothing more than a lucky upstart.
From the wreckage, a half-transformed leopard man emerged, blood at the corner of his mouth.
"You are strong," Lucci said, staring at Dotai with burning intent. "I will use my full strength."
Dotai waved dismissively.
"You are not my opponent. Train more."
That indifference ignited Lucci's fury. He roared and rushed forward with erratic, high-speed movements.
"You even know the Six Powers," Dotai said, surprised.
Lucci did not respond.
As Lucci vanished again using Soru, Dotai moved as well. When Lucci reappeared, a massive hand seized his ankle.
Before Lucci could react, Dotai slammed him into the ground repeatedly. The dull thuds echoed until Lucci lost consciousness.
Dotai grabbed the now-unconscious Lucci and walked over.
"Nice work," Eli said, clearly pleased. Another Devil Fruit secured.
Spandam's face twisted in fear. With his strongest men defeated, panic finally set in.
Forcing a smile, he said,
"Lord Eli, there must be some misunderstanding. How about I invite you to dinner another day as an apology?"
Eli chuckled.
"Let us call it a misunderstanding. But dinner is unnecessary. You are not worthy. Hand over the golden Den Den Mushi, and I will forgive you."
"How do you know about that?" Spandam exclaimed.
"Enough talking," Dotai snapped, slapping him across the face. "Take it out."
Humiliated and furious, Spandam nearly exploded. His subordinates moved to intervene, but a crushing pressure pinned them in place.
Another slap followed.
"Hurry up. How did someone like you even become their leader?"
At last, Spandam gave in. Trembling, he produced a golden Den Den Mushi.
It was immediately taken from him.
Eli examined it briefly and stored it away. Keeping it out would only invite trouble.
"Captain," Dotai said, eyeing the group coldly. "Should we kill them?"
Eli hesitated, then activated his Judgment Eye. Most of CP9 were marked with deep red intent, but Kaku and Kalifa were not. Many of the soldiers were also relatively clean, likely temporary assignments.
"Kill the marked ones," Eli decided calmly. "Let the rest go. Keep Lucci, Kaku, Kalifa, and Spandam alive."
As the surviving soldiers fled in panic, Eli sighed softly.
"I really am too kind."
Then his gaze settled on the trembling Spandam.
He was not being spared.
He was being saved for Robin.