That terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki hung over CP0 like the sky collapsing.
And within that pressure, there was something deeper. Something indescribable, as if it came from beyond the heavens and pierced through the world itself. It crushed their will to resist.
Flame Demon and the other two were drenched in cold sweat.
This kind of Conqueror's Haki… even Red-Haired Shanks might not compare.
If others possessed the disposition of a king…
Then Oguro's aura was the presence of an emperor.
Standing at the side, Lucci felt incredible satisfaction.
That's right. The World Government?
Nothing but a bunch of useless wastes sitting on rotting thrones.
"Still not leaving?"
Oguro's eyes widened. His right hand grasped the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
Flame Demon gritted his teeth, growling, "Retreat!"
It wasn't that they lacked the will to fight. The enemy was simply too overwhelming.
Their figures flickered and vanished into a nearby alley.
They didn't even finish their mission to eliminate CP9.
Watching them flee in disgrace, Oguro retracted his Conqueror's Haki and turned back toward Iceburg.
"Well then, Iceburg. What's your answer?"
Iceburg paused, then asked in a deep voice, "Do you want Pluton as well?"
He could hardly help it. Even the World Government obsessed over that weapon. His first thought was that Oguro wanted it too.
Oguro clicked his tongue.
"It's just a battleship. I'm really not interested."
Even if the rumors were true and Pluton could destroy a nation with one shot…
Soi Fon's Bankai carried destructive power comparable to a nuclear explosion.
Much more practical than a ship.
Not to mention, once he summoned the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13…
Ryūjin Jakka's power would be comparable to the sun descending upon the world.
What was one ancient battleship worth compared to that?
"And besides, aren't you forgetting that I already knew about the blueprint? If I wanted it, do you really think Franky could stop me?"
Iceburg blinked, only now remembering that Oguro had been the one who warned him someone was after the blueprints.
"Then what do you want from me?" Iceburg asked.
He didn't believe Oguro acted without purpose.
"Simple." Oguro shrugged. "Water 7 and the Galley-La Company come under my banner. I'll help the company become the center of shipbuilding in the world."
"And Water 7 will become the world's economic hub."
Iceburg inhaled sharply.
Each goal alone was difficult enough. Oguro wanted to accomplish both.
And this man had just been placed on the World Government's blacklist.
Seeing Iceburg remain silent, Oguro didn't mind. He said calmly.
"Of course you can refuse. I won't force you."
"But whatever the World Government does to you and Franky afterward has nothing to do with me."
If he wanted protection, he had to offer allegiance. Nothing in the world was free.
Giving Iceburg time to think, Oguro walked toward the CP9 members who were still nearby.
The moment he approached, Kaku and Kumadori took fighting stances.
Thankfully, Lucci stopped them in time.
Seeing this, Oguro smiled lightly.
"Lucci, have you figured out your escape route yet?"
If Lucci still didn't understand his intentions, then he wasn't worth recruiting.
Lucci stayed silent for a moment, then met Oguro's eyes without fear.
"How do I know you won't abandon me like they did?"
After suffering betrayal twice in a row, Lucci no longer had any sense of security.
Oguro chuckled.
"Didn't expect you to ask that."
"What do you mean?" Lucci frowned.
Oguro spoke slowly.
"Do you remember the five hundred soldiers you killed at thirteen? You said they deserved to die because they had no value."
"By that same logic, they abandoned you because you no longer had value."
Lucci froze.
The boomerang he threw out years ago came back and hit him right between the eyes.
You can discard others easily. Naturally, others can discard you.
Luckily, Oguro didn't twist the knife deeper. He continued calmly.
"First of all, I don't need stupid tactics like sacrificing pieces."
"Second, as long as you have value, you won't be abandoned."
"Or did the great Rob Lucci become so insecure he thinks he's inferior to everyone now?"
"If that's the case, you might as well crawl back to the World Government. I don't take in trash."
"Who are you calling trash?!"
The fire in Lucci's chest finally erupted.
Oguro smirked.
"Then prove it. Show the World Government and Spandam that abandoning the strongest CP9 in eight hundred years is the biggest mistake they ever made."
"Let me tell you this clearly. We're not going to be some reckless pirates. We're building a true nation. One that will make the World Government tremble."
"And because of that, my ship has never flown a Jolly Roger."
Lucci's shock slowly turned into resolve. He looked Oguro straight in the eyes.
"…Fine. I'll join you."
Abandoned by the Government, his only options were pirates or the Revolutionary Army.
Between criminals and a group that hid in the shadows…
Oguro clearly had the greater vision. The greater ambition.
And what better way to prove his value than helping build a nation that toppled the World Government?
"Good." Oguro nodded with satisfaction. "From today on, all of you will operate under Soi Fon's command. You'll continue doing intelligence and assassination work."
The other CP9 members didn't object.
If even Lucci had joined, refusing would only get them killed faster.
At that moment, Oguro took out a Devil Fruit.
It was the one he obtained back in the East Blue.
"This is the Zoan-type, Cat-Cat Fruit, Ancient Model, Smilodon Form. The same class as that CP0 operative earlier."
"Whoever earns enough merit gets to eat it."
Kaku, Blueno, Kumadori, and even Kalifa's eyes lit up.
They had just witnessed firsthand how different Devil Fruits could be in strength.
If they got this fruit, their power would skyrocket.
Even Lucci's eyes held a trace of desire.
If he hadn't eaten a fruit already, he would definitely fight for this one.
Though the fact that the Government handed him such a basic Zoan made him realize even more how little they cared about him.
Hanataro treated CP9's wounds.
Oguro returned to Iceburg and asked quietly.
"So then, Iceburg… have you made your decision?"