One Piece: I Weave the Pirate Codex with My Zanpakuto

"A chance to try and fail? It seems I was too cautious before."

"Since you have given me this confidence, then I will give it my all."

Chapter 169 Merlin, Merlin!

One hour later—

[Private training grounds behind Ross Church]

Barrett led Merlin into the training field without disturbing Ross, who was practicing his sword swings.

The two of them stood there for half an hour.

"Sorry, I was so engrossed in training, did you keep me waiting long?"

Barrett tactfully handed over a towel.

"Your name is Merlin, right?"

Ross sat on a wooden stool to rest, wiping away sweat with a towel in his hand.

"Yes, Lord Ross," Merlin greeted respectfully.

"Would you be interested in leaving the World Government and working for me?"

Merlin's muscles tensed instantly, and his smile froze.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just one of the lucky ones who chose to follow Boss Barrett."

Ross looked at Barrett, his eyes filled with surprise: "Didn't you tell him that your Observation Haki is special?"

A unique, domineering aura?

A sense of foreboding crept into Merlin's heart.

"I forgot to mention, Merlin."

Barrett wore a gloating smile.

"I am a Logia-type Devil Fruit user who ate the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. My Observation Haki is different from others. After being enhanced by radio waves, my Haki can hear the voices of everyone within range."

"In other words, I heard what you reported to Ruschi, I followed you when you went to that tavern, and I also overheard your conversation with that dishwasher."

"The only reason I brought you to see the teacher is because the teacher is interested in you."

Merlin felt a dryness in her throat and instinctively wanted to run away.

But seeing the Barrett blocking his escape route and emitting electric arcs, he could only suppress the idea of ​​running away.

“You’re right. I’m a CP agent belonging to the World Government, and my superior is Lucas, the head of CP9.”

With a clean and decisive rip off of her disguise, Merlin straightened up, her expression towards Ross becoming increasingly complex.

“I’m just a nobody, I don’t understand what you need someone like me to do.”

“Small roles have their uses, and sometimes they can be the key to victory.”

Ross signaled to Barrett to put away his Devil Fruit powers.

"I need you to get into CP9 so that my people can fully infiltrate the World Government's intelligence agencies and turn that place into the cradle of an ideal world."

"What intelligence the World Government officials and the Five Elders will hear in the future depends on what intelligence I want them to hear."

"And you, Lord Merlin, you are about to become the cornerstone for me to overthrow the World Government."

Merlin swallowed hard, his face contorted with horror and fear.

This man wants to overthrow the world government?!

"Of course, this is entirely voluntary, and I respect Lord Merlin's choice."

"me……"

Merlin stammered "I" a few times, unable to utter a complete sentence.

"Do you need me to help you make a decision?" Barrett asked softly, placing his hand on Merlin's shoulder.

Merlin swallowed hard, but still stubbornly refused to give in.

It wasn't that he wanted to show off his toughness, but rather that if he didn't understand certain things, he would face certain death no matter which side he defected to.

Are you really that at ease?

“Barrett can monitor me for a while, but he can’t monitor me forever. I will always have the opportunity to send out intelligence.”

"If, I mean if."

With her thoughts clear, Merlin spoke more and more fluently.

"What if I agree to you on the surface, but then go back on my word?"

Ross tossed aside the towel, picked up his wooden sword, and got up to train.

Why do people betray others?

Merlin glanced at the dark red katana leaning against the wooden stump in front of him, his eyes flashing.

"There are two reasons. The first and biggest reason, which is also the reason that cannot be resisted, is the choice between death and life."

"The second is how to live better."

"What will you get by following the World Government? Nine meals a day for three days? Or those empty promises?"

"Even if you were brainwashed as a child, you should understand by now after decades."

“I am not your master, I am just your boss who intends to hire you.”

Merlin remained silent.

"I pay you a good salary, and you work for me, it's that simple."

"With me, you don't have to work yourself to the bone. When you reach retirement age, you can retire, collect your pension, and enjoy the last stage of your life."

All I can give you is freedom and happiness.

“In my opinion, this is not betrayal, but simply a natural job hopping when you have a better platform.”

What do you think, Merlin?

Merlin suppressed his urge to steal the demon sword and escape.

Since that man dared to place the knife in front of me, it means that he is not afraid of me taking it away.

"Changing jobs... it seems I don't have a choice."

Merlin gave a wry smile: "I'll join, but I'll make it clear beforehand that I can't guarantee I can complete your mission. I'm too old, and CP9 won't want someone like me."

“It’s alright, Barrett, take him to As to complete the onboarding process.”

Before leaving, Ross gave one last piece of advice:

“Where you can’t see swords, spears, or cannons, there is still a battlefield. Mailin, I hope you can become the seed that spreads rice and grows into a forest.”

Just like your name, until autumn, no one knows whether the rice in that field will yield a good harvest.

……

Meanwhile, in a certain sea area northwest of Miracle Island.

The Roger Pirates' flag fluttered in the wind.

Roger, sitting near the bow of the ship, was looking around.

"Rayleigh, are you sure Garp will head in this direction?"

"My patience is wearing thin, and I still haven't seen those guys!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than shouts came from the lookout tower of the Oro Jackson.

"Captain Roger~~"

"I see it! There are naval warships far to the north!"

Roger shouted hurriedly, "Then what are we waiting for? Quickly turn the rudder, let's go find Garp for a drink!!"

Hours later, the silence of the night was broken by several artillery shells.

"Hey~~ Garp, long time no see!"

At the stern of the warship, Garp covered his face.

“That bastard Roger… Bogart, have the warship turn around and prepare to return to port.”

Zhan Guo walked over from one side, his expression complicated.

"The Roger Pirates appearing here is probably Ross's doing, isn't it?"

"He knew that the navy would most likely come to join the fun, so he had them wait for us in this area of ​​water beforehand."

"Sengoku period, should we fight?"

Garp was wearing a justice cape, but underneath he was dressed in a floral shirt and slippers, a typical vacation outfit.

"I suggest we leave immediately. With this small force, we can't possibly capture Roger. Rather than wasting the lives of our marines, we should retreat directly."

Sengoku sighed inwardly as he looked at Garp, who seemed to have little will to fight.

Ever since the World Government chose to ignore Dragon's life during the Water 7 operation, Garp has been openly skipping work.

Although they are competent most of the time, when faced with multiple choices, they will not hesitate to choose to protect the lives of the marines.

"What can I say after you've already given the order to return, but Garp."

Sengoku glanced deeply at the Roger Pirates approaching their side, then turned and walked towards the deck.

"That's enough of the bickering. After all, the World Government is the Navy's superior, and sometimes air power isn't that useful."

"Wasn't the reason this operation plan was leaked because someone within the Navy tipped it off to Dragon?"

"I don't need to tell you who that guy is, do I?"

Garp picked his nose, wearing an indifferent expression.

“I didn’t say anything. Dragon is my kid. When I contacted him, I just asked how he was doing.”

Sengoku shook his head and said nothing more; he himself was not optimistic about this operation.

I only had to make this trip because of the World Government's orders and to save face.

"Turn around, return to Marineford!"

Chapter 170 Roger's Invitation, A Musical Journey to the East China Sea

Miracle Island a few days later.

The Oro Jackson docked at the port. Stepping ashore, Roger immediately spotted Shakky's Bar not far away.

"Rayleigh, when did Shakky's bar move here?"

"She said this place is more profitable, and pirates coming and going will basically choose her bar as their first stop when they arrive on the island."

Rayleigh quickened his pace, passing Roger as he ran towards the bar.

ding~~

The bell behind the hinged door rang, but Xia Qi didn't look up and continued pouring water into the wine.

"Welcome! Rum is 5 berths a glass."

"Intelligence fees will be calculated separately."

"Xia Qi!"

That sound...

Shakky looked up in astonishment: "Rayleigh!? What are you doing here?"

"Hahaha~~ Shaki-chan~ It's been a long time, haven't we...?"

Just as Roger was about to have a heart-to-heart hug with Shakky, he suddenly saw the man sitting at the bar.

What are you doing here?

Lockes turned his head and waved the newspaper in his hand as a greeting.