One Piece: The Strongest Trait System novel Chapter 129

Chapter 129 - [129] : Rob Lucci: Even an Emperor is Worth Killing!

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"The Fifth Emperor—Sky Sovereign Rowen Is Here!"

This news spread like wildfire through Water 7.

When the World Economic News Agency first dubbed Rowen the "Fifth Emperor," some might have doubted.

After all, newspaper reports needed verification, and the Four Emperors had reigned supreme for so long, their authority unchallenged.

Sky Sovereign Rowen, though rising with astonishing speed, being called the Fifth Emperor—wasn't that too much of an exaggeration?? This was the thought of some across the seas...

But with Rowen's latest, incredibly high bounty and the World Government's official designation—all doubt vanished.

...

"Confirmed: Marine HQ Admiral Aokiji Defeated!"

"The World's Most Dangerous Man. The World's Most Vicious Man. The Man Who Can Steal Everything!"

Sky Sovereign Rowen! Dead Or Alive! Bounty: 3,000,000,000 Beri!"

...

Whether it was the bounty, the level of official concern, the title, or his battle record—Sky Sovereign Rowen was, without a doubt, the Fifth Emperor!

For such a super-powerhouse to arrive in Water 7—even this city, home to the world's largest shipyard and accustomed to repairing ships for powerful pirates, began to tremble.

Emperor wasn't just a title—anyone who angered an Emperor—all their personnel would be slaughtered. All their territories erased from the sea.

The most egregious example was Big Mom; if a nation under her territory failed to deliver sweets for her tea party on time, that nation ceased to exist!

And Sky Sovereign Rowen's infamy, fueled by the World Government's own propaganda, had, in a short time, even surpassed Big Mom's in sheer terror.

How could Water 7 not be afraid??

Driven by fear, many citizens of Water 7 flocked towards the city's largest shipbuilding company—Galley-La.

Galley-La wasn't just a world-renowned leader in shipbuilding, repair, and retrofitting—it was also led by Water 7's mayor, Iceburg.

Furthermore, Galley-La's foremen were very strong.

As a world-class shipbuilding company with a vast clientele, pirates were a major source of income for Galley-La. The ability to make pirates pay up and behave—rested on the strength of these foremen.

They could defeat vicious pirates with bounties in the tens of millions.

Though such pirates couldn't compare to the 3 Billion Beri Emperor—Galley-La's foremen were the strongest individuals in Water 7, offering the citizens a sliver of security.

The news quickly reached Iceburg, president of Galley-La, at Dock One.

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"The Fifth Emperor has arrived?" Iceburg, true to his name, showed no emotion on his face.

But his pupils constricted, revealing clear, grave concern.

This was a Great powerhouse who had defeated a Marine HQ Admiral, trampled Celestial Dragons, and left the World Government seemingly helpless—

Iceburg was, in fact, a student of Tom, the legendary shipwright who built the Pirate King's ship, enabling Roger to reach Laugh Tale. He had consolidated Water 7's original seven shipbuilding companies into Galley-La partly to become the World Government's official shipwright, thereby protecting the blueprints for the Ancient Weapon Pluton, inherited from his master Tom.

His careful planning had, for eight years, prevented World Government officials from obtaining them. But Iceburg knew World Government agents were always present in Water 7.

The seemingly peaceful city was, in reality, a place of roiling undercurrents due to Pluton's blueprints. Now, the arrival of this Fifth Emperor—would it introduce unforeseen complications?.

....

Iceburg sighed inwardly but showed no outward sign.

"Should we temporarily cease operations, President? He is, after all, currently the world's most vicious criminal," Kalifa, Iceburg's secretary, asked, pushing up her glasses.

"No need. This is the world's largest shipyard. If we close our doors just because the Fifth Emperor arrives, we'll lose our clients' trust," Iceburg stated calmly.

"Besides, the fact that the World Government issued a clarification statement suggests this man might not be as vicious as the legends portray." Iceburg looked seriously at a report about Rowen.

"Understood," Kalifa nodded. But beneath her glasses, her eyes held a dark, unreadable glint.

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Meanwhile, in a shadowy corner unnoticed by anyone.

"The Fifth Emperor, Sky Sovereign Rowen, is it? Didn't expect him to be with Nico Robin, a major criminal the World Government must eliminate... Looks like she's seeking his shelter to escape their pursuit. The Fifth Emperor? Worth killing, I suppose,"

A calm, chilling voice murmured.

"Lucci! Don't be ridiculous! That's an Emperor! Without orders from the highest echelons, even we can't make a move against him! Since Nico Robin is under his protection, we have no authority to act against her... Our priority is to complete our mission quickly—" an anxious voice replied.

In the shadows, Kaku looked nervously at Lucci.

Forget the World Government's ban—no affiliated organization could engage Rowen without express orders from the very top.

Even CP9, nominally the World Government's strongest direct subordinate agency—even their highest commander lacked the authority to order an attack on Rowen.

An order from the 'highest echelons'—what did that mean?

It meant only those few individuals standing at the absolute pinnacle of world power had the authority to issue such a command!

And—

This man defeated a Marine HQ Admiral.

In Kaku's view, though Lucci was monstrously strong, there was still a gap between him and the World Government's strongest combatants.

Their chances against Rowen were slim.

"Hmph." In the darkness, Rob Lucci's cold face remained impassive, but his eyes concealed a profound killing intent.

Killing was as natural as breathing to Rob Lucci—by his own admission, he joined CP9 for the license to kill legally.

To help the World Government obtain Pluton's blueprints, several CP9 members had been undercover here for seven years.

Lucci's innate bloodlust was already becoming difficult to control—he yearned to kill indiscriminately.

The thrill of killing weaklings paled in comparison to the ecstasy of killing this Fifth Emperor... Unfortunately, the World Government's highest echelons had issued a ban against engaging this Fifth Emperor.

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"We've figured out most of it. Since we can't act against Nico Robin, let's finish the mission quickly. Deal with Iceburg. Confirm if Franky is indeed Cutty Flam, Tom's student who supposedly died eight years ago—If so, capture him immediately. Pluton's blueprints can only be in his hands,"

Lucci stated coldly after a moment, regaining his composure.

During their seven-year infiltration, he and Kaku had posed as Galley-La foremen. Kalifa had become Iceburg's secretary, monitoring his every move. After seven years, they concluded:

Pluton's blueprints were NOT with Iceburg!

Fortunately, they obtained new intel: Franky, head of the notorious Franky Family in Water 7, was very likely Tom's other student, Cutty Flam—who supposedly died eight years ago trying to stop the Sea Train carrying Tom away.

Once his identity was confirmed, it was almost certain Franky held Pluton's blueprints.

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...

'Interesting.' Rowen smirked. 'Looks like the World Government's direct CP departments aren't all idiots like Rob Lucci.'

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Zoro's terrible sense of direction was no longer a problem. _{freewёbnoνel.com}

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