Settsetse! The Pirate Nemesis

As a CP9 reserve agent, Rob Lucci is undoubtedly powerful. At only eighteen years old, he has already fully mastered the basic and advanced techniques of the Six Powers. His power level of 3,000 is unmatched by other CP9 reserve agents.

The Doki system is a reference value within the Navy, with an ordinary soldier having 10 Doki. A Doki of 500 or more can be considered superhuman—but this is only prevalent within the Navy. Due to the existence of Devil Fruits, the fluctuations in a person's Doki, or rather, combat power, are too vast. Therefore, on the high seas, bounties and actual combat achievements are more important.

"Let's get ready to go... Let Sett leave Flevans."

Hearing Rob Lucci's cold words, Kaku, who looked even younger and was only thirteen years old, opened his mouth in surprise. Although he was the youngest member of the group, Kaku's power level was indeed second only to Rob Lucci's as the second strongest agent.

Perhaps due to their personalities, Kaku, with his long, square nose, got along very well with Rob Lucci. Looking at Lucci before him, Kaku hesitated slightly before speaking;

“Sett? He’s no small fry!” Kaku said. “I heard he just captured the great pirate Moria, who cost 170 million. I don’t know the details, but his strength is definitely extraordinary.”

"Besides... if the target is Sett, those marines won't obey our orders."

Upon hearing Kaku's words, fifteen-year-old Kalifa nodded in agreement—though young, her body was already well-developed, exuding a budding intellectual charm.

"Sett has a high reputation in the Navy... and the North Blue is not like the West Blue. Vice Admiral Kizaru Borsalino and Vice Admiral Akainu Sakazuki are both from the North Blue as candidates for admiral."

Kalifa frowned and said seriously, "Although it's not as peaceful as the East Blue, the North Blue has the most people who want to join the Navy. Especially since Vice Admiral Sakazuki Akainu specifically acknowledged Sett's doubts about the Navy in the newspapers. Now, in the eyes of the North Blue Navy, Sett is like a representative of the winds of change... If we take action against him, the Navy might even help them deal with us!"

She paused, then rubbed her temples; "Especially since the Navy itself didn't really approve of the blockade of Flevans..."

If that were true, Sett wouldn't have been able to break into the containment zone so easily back then...

Upon hearing Kalifa's words, the other members of the CP9 reserve team exchanged glances, their eyes revealing a hint of agreement. However, they also knew that the real decision did not rest with them, so they all turned their attention to Rob Lucci.

After a moment of silence, Rob Lucci, though knowing that Kalifa was telling the truth, didn't take it too seriously.

"It has nothing to do with these things... This is what Doflamingo requested."

Having undergone high-pressure training as CP9 agents from a young age, even the most steadfast Rob Lucci and others inevitably experienced some degree of brainwashing, affecting their perceptions. For example, in their minds, the Celestial Dragons' bloodline was noble and inviolable.

Although Doflamingo has been expelled from the Holy Land Mary Geoise, it is undeniable that he still has the blood of a Celestial Dragon flowing through his veins... in addition, his superiors have ordered them to cooperate with Doflamingo...

“There’s no turning back, we have to move.” As he spoke, Rob Lucci casually placed the Den Den Mushi aside, then stood up and straightened his clothes. “But Kalifa is right… we have to hurry. Take a break, and get the Seastone handcuffs and other things ready.”

"We'll depart first thing tomorrow morning... At noon, Sett clashed with Don Quixote's officers, and the Navy is currently monitoring Flevans. Tomorrow morning, we must drive Sett out of Flevans before the Navy arrives!"

His words were earnest—the North Blue is full of Akainu and Kizaru's confidants, and it's also the core of the Navy's recruitment base. Sett's reputation for reform can have a far greater impact here than in the West Blue, and those Navy personnel hoping to gain the favor of the Headquarters' high command will not miss the opportunity to befriend Sett.

After sensing Rob Lucci's determination, the other members of the CP9 reserve team nodded in agreement.

Even without being told, they could guess how difficult this mission would be... but they weren't afraid of that!

"Haha! I heard Sett's martial arts skills are pretty good! I wonder how it would be if we actually fought!!"

Jabra, sporting a mustache, spoke with some excitement—having also practiced the Six Powers of the Navy, they had long heard of Sett's strength.

But in this world, there's no absolute first in literature, but there's a clear second in martial arts. They haven't even exchanged blows yet, so they won't easily admit someone else's superiority!

Furthermore, what they rely on is not just their own military strength... The technological power represented by the World Government is also at the top level in the world!

110·Hesitation

They set off at dawn, under the cover of darkness. The CP9 team carried heavy packs on their backs.

He knew better than anyone how powerful Sett was, but as an agent, he had no choice but to surrender without a fight. Similarly, since he might be at a disadvantage in terms of strength, he naturally needed to compensate with other tools.

Upon arriving at the door, Rob Lucci knocked, his eyes filled with solemnity and seriousness.

After a brief silence, Law was the first to get out of bed—his parents, who had been suffering from lead poisoning, were finally relieved of their pain thanks to the availability of medical supplies and could get a good night's sleep. Hawkeye, though sensing Rob Lucci and the others' hostility, didn't do anything out of line, simply picking up his longsword and watching Law head towards the door with an indifferent expression.

As for Sett... he's still soundly asleep, oblivious to everything.

However, Hawkeye is certain that with Sett's almost freakish combat intuition or Observation Haki, Rob Lucci would be countered and blasted apart the moment he launched an attack.

Luo didn't open the door immediately because he knew that the extra supplies in the church hospital were enough for some strangers to steal and rob.

However, through the peephole, Luo only saw a group of men in black who were about the same age as him, but taller and more mature.

Who are you?

Looking through the peephole at the eyes, Rob Lucci could tell from their youthful appearance that they weren't Sett's eyes—according to intelligence reports, Sett's eyes were amber, turning golden in intense battle. The eyes in the peephole, however, were grayish-brown.

"We're here to see Sett."

There was no attack on Law—Lucci was well aware of their purpose this time. Sett was very strong, and it would be difficult to defeat him in a short time, not to mention he had a swordsman as a partner… If possible, they should try not to cause any unnecessary trouble, so as not to attract the attention of the Marines and prevent them from causing any more problems.

Upon hearing that Lucci and the others had come to find Sett, Law breathed a sigh of relief—judging from their clothing and behavior, Lucci and the others did not seem like desperate mobs.

So Law opened the door and said, "Mr. Sett is still sleeping. Should I go and wake him?"

Upon hearing Law's words, Lucci and the others' eyes narrowed sharply. And when they saw Law preparing to run and wake Sett, they tensed even more.

"Need not!"

Before Law could even take a step, Rob Lucci pressed down on Law's shoulder. The sudden, intense pressure made Law feel a sharp pain in his shoulder. Seeing this, Lucci quickly released his grip—and Law, clutching his shoulder, looked slightly puzzled.

If he were on another mission, Luo would have to be silenced... but the situation is different now. The tiger is asleep; it's best not to let the smell of blood awaken it.

Thinking it over, a forced smile appeared on Lucci's cold face, and he said, "Let's go give Sett a surprise... You can take us there."

Hearing Lucci's words, Law was puzzled, but being a child after all, he nodded in confusion, then rubbed his shoulder as he led Lucci and the others toward Sett's room.

On the way, Lucci and the others exchanged glances. Although they didn't say a word, Lucci's intention was clear. After training together for a long time, the group nodded in tacit agreement, and then Kalifa quietly took out seastone handcuffs, preparing to lock them down the moment they encountered Sett.

However, on the way, Kalifa narrowed her eyes and then casually asked about hair, "I heard Sett seems to have collected a batch of supplies. Where are those supplies now?"

Those supplies are key to Doflamingo's wealth accumulation—and are also things that need to be reclaimed.

Seeing Kalifa's deliberately alluring girlish charm, Luo Xiao, who had never experienced such things before, blushed. Upon hearing Kalifa's question, her eyes shone with excitement and admiration: "Mr. Sett has left it all to us!"

"...Leave it to you?"

Upon hearing Law's words, even Lucci couldn't help but narrow his eyes—why would Sett, as a gang leader, give Law and his group such priceless supplies?

Could it be that this hospital is hiding some unknown secret?

Just as Lucci was still thinking, Law said, "Mr. Sett only asked for some water and food, and all the medical supplies were sent to the hospital... Thanks to Mr. Sett, my father can finally get a good night's sleep, and my sister doesn't have to worry about her lead poisoning getting worse."

"My dad is the most famous doctor in Frivans! I believe it won't be long before he finds a cure for lead poisoning!!"

"...You mean, the supplies you're using now were all given to you by Sett?" Lucci's voice held a hint of hesitation.

The young Law didn't notice anything amiss and nodded firmly. "Yes! And he doesn't want anything, saying it's inconvenient to carry anything on the road... You know what? I want to go to sea too! I want to be a bounty hunter someday! A bounty hunter like Mr. Sett!"

"Being able to bring hope to others and lend a helping hand to those in distress... although Mr. Sett doesn't seem to care about these things."

As he spoke, Luo rubbed his nose somewhat embarrassedly.

At this, Lucci and the others stopped in their tracks. They looked at each other, only to find that their companions also looked bewildered.

In their education, the Celestial Dragons are supreme, they do not covet power, and they leave the outside world to be ruled by others. Similarly, the Celestial Dragons bring peace and beauty... anyone who opposes the Celestial Dragons is a villain who destroys the world.

But is that really the case now? Lost in confusion, his worldview was shaken, and even Rob Lucci, with his typically aloof nature, felt an unprecedented sense of doubt…

"Boss...we..."

"The mission is urgent..."

Seeing the hesitation of the others, Lucci, as the team leader, took a deep breath and said with a complex expression, "We are fighting for justice..."

This scene would never happen to the future CP9... But right now, their values ​​are not yet fully formed, and most of them are even minors. It would be strange if they didn't waver after receiving such a shock.

As soon as they opened the door, the first thing Lucci and the others saw was not the sleeping Sett, but Hawkeye, who was dressed neatly and carefully, holding a long sword in his hand.

111. Flashy

Swordsman, Mihawk.

Lucci was very familiar with this bounty hunter who had risen to fame on the high seas alongside Sett. Putting aside everything else, his signature flying slash alone was enough to dominate the entire seas…

Now, as soon as he opened the door, he felt Hawkeye's sharp gaze—almost the instant he received that gaze, Lucci was certain that the guy in front of him was definitely more powerful than the intelligence indicated.

Just as Lucci and the others were on high alert, Hawkeye made a new move—but before they could even be alert, Hawkeye casually yawned, glanced at Sett who was still fast asleep, and leaned against the edge of the bed with an indifferent expression.

That posture seemed to say, "Hurry up and do it, I still want to sleep"...

Seeing this, he breathed a sigh of relief and nodded to Hawkeye to express his goodwill. Then, Lucci and the others, with a bit of vigilance, tiptoed into the room.

Hawkeye simply gripped his longsword, a subtle smile playing on his seemingly expressionless lips.

His sharp eyes were also filled with curiosity—he was eager to know what Sett would do next.

Unaware that Hawkeye's black blade had turned to the depths of his heart, Lucci and the others were merely relieved that, as the intelligence suggested, the rational Hawkeye and the brainless Sett were not on good terms, and it was simply a transaction. Otherwise, given their abilities, they would have to exert all their strength to face Sett alone; adding a swordsman of the level of a master swordsman... that would have been suicidal.

Cautiously, Kalifa approached Sett stealthily, handcuffs in hand. Standing outside the door, Law was puzzled as to what kind of surprise required handcuffs—he wanted to wake Sett, but as soon as he looked up, he saw Hawkeye gently shaking his head at him.

Having come here together, Law knew about Hawkeye and Sett's relationship—could it really be a joke? Thinking this, Law remained silent. After glancing at the time and realizing it was time to change his sister's bandages, he tiptoed away, leaving Sett and Mr. Sett's friends to "reunite."

Just as Kalifa's hand landed on Sett, the sleeping Sett frowned as if sensing something. Before Kalifa and the others could react, a leg shot out like a cannonball—Kalifa, alert and having only casually stretched her leg, narrowly avoided the swift attack before the large foot arrived.

Even though she managed to dodge in time, the swift kick—or perhaps the strong wind—still left a visible bruise on Kalifa's pretty face.

Seeing this, Hawkeye couldn't help but shake his head and sigh—seemingly noticing Hawkeye's actions, Kalifa also felt her face burning a little... well, it was just a soreness from the abrasion. After this soreness subsided, before Kalifa could do anything else, Lucci stopped her, took the sea stone handcuffs, and walked towards Sett himself.

However, the moment Lucci placed his hand on Sett, Sett suddenly opened his eyes—he reacted the instant Sett's eyelids twitched—or perhaps Lucci had already tensed up and prepared countermeasures before even touching Sett.

Lucci's eyes narrowed sharply, his muscles hardening like steel. He then swiftly hurled the seastone handcuffs at Sett—Devil Fruit users cannot enter the sea. Contact with the palms and soles is manageable, but once more than a third of their body touches seawater, they lose their strength. Furthermore, as the essence of the sea, seastone renders Devil Fruit users unable to use their abilities upon contact!

Without the slightest pause, Lucci's fingers shot out like a sharp javelin the instant the seastone handcuffs touched Sett—a finger gun!

Click!

"..."

Looking at the fingers twisted at an odd angle, Lucci, who was originally about to say something nice, fell silent.

"...Where did this 'ha' come from?"

Pointing at Lucci, who had poked his own chest with his finger and broken his bone, Sett looked blankly at Hawkeye, who was watching the scene unfold.

Hawkeye shrugged indifferently, a hint of amusement in his eyes, though he didn't show it, maintaining his high-class demeanor as the sharp-eyed swordsman.

Seeing that his attack had no effect and realizing that it looked like a staged accident, Lucci quickly reacted. But before Lucci could get away, Sett suddenly stood up—no!

Lucci's eyes narrowed suddenly—could Sett really withstand the corrosive effects of Seastone?

Yes, while Seastone can neutralize a Devil Fruit user's abilities with just a tiny touch, it is ultimately not the sea itself. Submerged in the sea, no matter how powerful the enemy, a Devil Fruit user will lose all strength.

Unlike other materials, Seastone only affects Devil Fruit users to a certain extent—in other words, it silences them, sealing their abilities but not completely depriving them of their mobility. While it can weaken a Devil Fruit user's physique, this weakening can be countered by continuously becoming stronger!

It's easier said than done - Devil Fruit users who can resist the Seastone's energy seal are all top-tier powerhouses on the sea!

Before Lucci could react, Sett appeared in front of him.