White Ghost was still lounging there, enjoying Nami feeding him oranges, when he sensed something and lifted his head.
A ship flying the World Government flag was approaching across the sea.
Everyone paused to watch it draw closer.
"Devil Fruits delivery?" Kuro stepped out of the cockpit, eyeing the CP agents on deck.
White Ghost waved lazily. "Everyone, carry on. As long as they're not here to start a fight, I don't care."
His prey had been stolen right in front of him.
He was furious.
Demanding compensation wasn't excessive.
When the Government ship pulled alongside the Dragon Emperor, two CP0 agents used Geppo and hopped over. Their ship kept pace beside them.
Kuro smiled.
Familiar masks.
The same two who'd been beaten half to death last time.
Kuro's smile widened. "You two again. What is this—fate? We meet by punching?"
The bird mask replied coldly, "We're delivering goods. Are you really going to waste time talking?"
Kuro chuckled. "Follow me. Captain's up top enjoying the breeze."
Then he added casually, voice soft but edged:
"Of course… if the goods aren't satisfactory, I can't guarantee what the Captain might do."
Both CP0 agents visibly stiffened.
They'd experienced it.
If it were anyone else, they'd swagger.
But White Ghost?
He really would beat them.
Strong, airborne, and obnoxiously troublesome—so troublesome even the Five Elders didn't want to escalate.
As long as White Ghost didn't do something catastrophic, the Government preferred to pretend he didn't exist.
The dog mask spoke, voice slightly strained. "Relax. You won't be disappointed this time."
And it wasn't just the Captain.
The crew watched them with faint smiles.
The tiger and leopard Minks smiled especially warmly.
Last time, those two had been the most brutal.
When Kuro led them to the bow—
they saw White Ghost in casual clothes, shirt open, legs crossed, eyes half-closed, being fed fruit by a small girl.
The two CP0 agents' gazes sharpened with contempt.
So the rumors are true.
White Ghost flicked them a calm glance.
"If you don't want me to toss you into the sea and feed you to fish…"
"…watch your eyes while I'm still in a good mood."
Both CP0 agents froze.
Cold sweat soaked their backs.
Only then did they remember:
This "young man" had just defeated a top-tier monster after a ten-day fight.
If Kizaru hadn't interfered, that man would've been beheaded.
Kuro watched with quiet amusement.
The Captain hated people making jokes about his women.
If White Ghost ever caught Morgans…
Kuro was sure he'd hang that bird and whip him.
White Ghost waved a hand. "Bring the goods."
"And then get lost. I'm not in the mood to talk."
The bird mask set a box on the deck.
They both knew what was inside.
They were both jealous.
But they didn't dare.
Betraying the Government meant dying without even knowing how.
And this Captain was petty—if they tried anything, he'd make sure they regretted it.
White Ghost opened the box, glanced at the Devil Fruits, and nodded with satisfaction.
Then he looked up at the two agents still standing there.
"Anything else?"
The dog mask stepped forward. "The Five Elders asked us to deliver a message."
White Ghost didn't react.
So CP0 continued:
"If you obtain any information about that group in the future, report it."
"We'll pay you."
He placed a Den Den Mushi on the table.
Nami picked it up and pocketed it without a word.
The CP0 agents understood immediately.
That was a "maybe."
They turned to leave.
At the railing, Zango and Pedro folded their arms and grinned.
"Hey," Zango said brightly. "Want to spar again sometime?"
Both CP0 agents shivered.
They didn't answer.
They leapt back to their ship and ordered immediate departure.
These people are insane.
What normal person sees CP0 and tries to schedule a rematch?
Watching the Government ship retreat, Zango clicked his tongue.
"Last time they got beaten up. This time they don't even dare talk big."
Pedro glanced at him. "Last time, you punched the bird mask so hard he spat blood."
Zango grinned. "If Smoker hadn't stopped me, I was gonna kick him right in the—"
Pedro shook his head. "That would've ruined him for life."
Zango snorted. "Don't act righteous. I saw you almost swing there too."
Pedro's leopard face reddened. He turned away and went back to training.
Zango stared at the disappearing ship and muttered, half-disappointed, "Shame. I wanted an excuse to beat them again… but they behaved."
On the Government ship, both CP0 agents shivered again for no reason.
A bad feeling crawled up their spines.
They demanded full speed ahead—far away from those lunatics.
Uta watched the ship vanish, said nothing, and walked over with freshly washed fruit.
White Ghost was about to pull out the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia to identify what he'd gotten.
No labels.
Obviously the Five Elders were trying to disgust him on purpose.
Then—
"Behehehehe!"
A Den Den Mushi rang.
White Ghost frowned.
Who had no sense right now?
He answered. "Speak. If it's nothing, don't waste my time."
A pause—then:
"It's me. Dragon."
"Oh." White Ghost relaxed a little. "Dragon. What is it?"
Dragon's voice was steady. "Didn't you say you had better weapons? Made from rare metals?"
"Yeah," White Ghost replied casually, chewing the apple Uta handed him. "You want some? Bring money."
"Send Kuma," Dragon said. "His ability makes transport easy."
Dragon went quiet for a moment.
"…How do you know about Kuma? You've never met."
White Ghost chewed, swallowed, and replied evenly:
"If I said I guessed, would you believe me?"
Then he added, smoothly:
"A few years back in Shimotsuki Village—he hid it well, but my Observation isn't just for show."
Dragon fell silent again.
Finally, he spoke. "I'll send him."
"He's in the East Blue anyway."
Click.
The call ended.
White Ghost clicked his tongue. "I was just testing you. Why so serious?"
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