HST: Chapter 84/85

Chapter 84: Set Up?

"You useless trash!"

"If you hadn't lost the Pluton blueprint, I wouldn't be in this situation!"

Spandam exploded, shouting as he saw the look on Kaku's face.

Crack, crack…

Hearing Spandam's rant, both Kaku and Lucci's expressions darkened, their jaws clenching tightly.

The Pluton blueprint had been entrusted to him, and yet this fool had flaunted it around like a trophy.

In the end, it was blown to pieces by one of Franky's cannons, with not even a scrap remaining.

He'd even gotten himself taken hostage by the Straw Hats and let them walk away unscathed.

Just thinking about it made Lucci feel like insects were crawling under his skin.

All their hard work, wiped out by this idiot standing in front of him.

If Spandam didn't have a powerful father backing him, Lucci would've torn him to shreds.

"Alright, calm down."

Seeing the fury in their eyes and their heavy breathing, Spandam quickly backed off.

"Caelan was seriously injured in his fight with Aokiji. He's barely clinging to life."

"If we move now, we'll clean up easily. Not only can we recover from the loss of the Pluton blueprint, but we'll earn a huge promotion!"

Spandam tried to appease them with a softer tone.

He had originally planned to dump the blame for the blueprint's loss on them, but now that he needed their strength, he had to sweet-talk them.

To Spandam, knowing how to bow and bend was the mark of a real man.

In his mind, he was already fit to be commander of CP0.

"But the Navy's intel says Caelan wasn't injured at all," Kaku said, unable to keep quiet.

What Spandam claimed was completely different from the Navy's report.

"Hmph! I don't care how accurate their intel is, but Aokiji was seriously injured and is still recovering in a hospital bed!"

"Even the Four Emperors couldn't injure Aokiji without getting hurt themselves!"

Spandam responded confidently, as if he had personally seen Caelan bedridden.

He was so proud of his deduction that he thought his IQ had once again reached new heights.

What he didn't know was that Aokiji's injuries weren't that serious—he just wanted a couple extra months of medical leave.

And Caelan, thanks to his cheating system, really could defeat opponents of equal power without getting hurt.

"But…"

Kaku tried to speak again, but Spandam cut him off impatiently.

"Enough! This is your mission. Are you taking it or not?"

Spandam was clearly annoyed. These guys didn't understand what an opportunity looked like.

If he weren't a little afraid himself, he would've picked up a sword and gone after Caelan alone.

"Fine. We'll take the mission."

Lucci, who had remained silent, finally spoke. His decision was final.

Without waiting for a response, he left the Judiciary Tower with the others.

He couldn't stand this pathetic coward another second.

"Are we really going to fight Caelan?"

"He defeated an admiral and is being called a Four Emperors–level fighter."

"His injuries might not even be real. We might not stand a chance."

Kaku looked at Lucci, his voice filled with unease.

"Even if he's not injured, I'm not afraid."

Lucci raised his head and answered coldly.

"A newcomer who popped out of nowhere being called a Four Emperors–level powerhouse? I don't buy it."

He said with scorn.

He had read Caelan's dossier. It had only taken him a year to rise from obscurity in the East Blue to defeating Aokiji.

Lucci couldn't accept such a meteoric rise.

He was Rob Lucci, the most talented agent in CP9 history!

"Fine. Let's hope you're right."

Kaku sighed, deciding not to argue further.

The intel had come from Kalifa, and they had worked together for years. He still trusted her skills.

Soon, after preparations were complete, a warship sailed out from Enies Lobby and headed toward the Wind Rider.

"Haha! I'm going to be CP0 Commander!"

Spandam stood at the bow of the warship, full of smug excitement.

He was going to lead the team personally. This time, he'd earn all the credit himself.

As for Lucci and the others? They'd get nothing.

By the next noon, their warship caught up with the slow-moving Wind Rider.

Just then, Spandam received a message from Kalifa.

Caelan and the others had been drugged and couldn't resist.

Spandam was giddy with joy.

He'd expected at least some kind of fight, but he hadn't expected Kalifa to be this effective. She had knocked them all out without even breaking a sweat.

"Hahaha! Bring the ship in close!"

Spandam couldn't stop laughing as he gave the order.

Lucci and the others had a bad feeling. Even if Caelan's reputation had been overblown, this was starting to feel off.

But per Spandam's orders, the warship came alongside the Wind Rider, and a boarding plank was extended between them.

"Let's go!"

Spandam, holding his elephant sword, charged onto the deck of the Wind Rider.

This was his moment of glory—no way was he going to be polite about it.

Though Lucci and his group were skeptical, they followed behind cautiously.

"Good afternoon, everyone."

Caelan stood relaxed on the deck, smiling warmly as he greeted them.

Beside him, Nami and the other women glared at the CP9 members, ready to fight at a moment's notice.

Gecko Moria had also arrived from his own ship, now grinning as he stared at CP9.

Only Kalifa looked slightly uneasy seeing her former colleagues.

"...Sigh."

Lucci sighed silently. So it really wasn't that simple.

Kaku, Blueno, and the others immediately tensed, facing Caelan's group like they were facing a force of nature.

Spandam, still clueless, blinked and asked, "Wait… Weren't you all drugged?"

"Yes, Kalifa did knock me out."

Caelan licked the corner of his mouth and said playfully.

Kalifa blushed and shot him a glare.

"I'm sorry. I'm undercover."

Kalifa spread her hands and calmly addressed Spandam.

"You! You… you…!"

Spandam pointed at Kalifa, unable to form a full sentence.

It had been less than two weeks. How had their undercover agent ended up switching sides?

Did this mean the whole operation was a setup?!

His dream of a one-shot promotion had turned into a nightmare. It was too much to handle.

Spandam's face turned pale, and his knees trembled violently.

He immediately shrank behind Lucci, shaking like a leaf.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 85: Disgraceful
"Hmph!"

Lucci glanced at Spandam with contempt and snorted coldly, but still stood in front of him protectively.

As useless as he was, letting Spandam die here would cause unnecessary trouble.

With Rob Lucci shielding him, Spandam let out a sigh of relief and cautiously poked his head out, watching Caelan's every move.

"Kalifa, you used to work for this guy? That's just embarrassing."

Nami didn't hold back, glaring at Spandam like he was trash.

Kalifa covered her face.

If CP9 had a different leader, she might not have defected so easily. But under Spandam? There was no second thought.

"Kalifa, do you really intend to become our enemy?"

Lucci looked at her seriously. Kaku, Blueno, and the others also turned their attention to her, waiting for her response.

"Surrender. You don't stand a chance against Caelan."

Kalifa stood beside Caelan, letting out a quiet sigh.

It was a final warning out of professional courtesy and long-standing teamwork.

But returning to CP9? Impossible.

Caelan was far more reliable than the rotten leadership of the World Government. Besides, she could no longer leave this ship.

"Lucci, don't listen to her nonsense! Betraying the World Government never ends well!"

Spandam suddenly panicked, speaking in a flurry.

If Lucci and the others turned traitor, how would a weakling with only 9 Doriki like him survive?

"Relax. I'm not changing sides."

Lucci glanced at the terrified Spandam, but even he felt a twinge of doubt.

Being around this spineless worm was killing his motivation.

"That's right, Lucci! There's no need to fear Caelan. He must have been seriously injured in his fight with Admiral Aokiji!"

Spandam's voice rose with excitement as he stepped slightly out from behind Lucci, trying to act brave.

Even now, he stubbornly believed Caelan was badly injured.

As for Caelan's healthy complexion and calm presence?

Obviously faking it!

There was no way someone could injure an admiral without taking damage themselves.

Someone that strong shouldn't exist in this world!

"Believe whatever you want."

"But right now, you'd better start thinking about how you want to die."

Caelan spoke with an uninterested tone and a curled lip, not even bothering to explain himself to the idiot.

"Lucci, Kaku, Blueno—he's definitely injured! Go! Kill him!"

Spandam shouted in panic, pushing the order.

"Shut up."

Lucci scowled and threw Spandam aside onto the deck like trash.

He was getting sick of this guy.

"You..."

Spandam opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but seeing Lucci's glare, he shut it.

But deep down, he silently added Lucci and the others to his mental blacklist. Once this was over, they'd pay.

"Caelan. Whether you're injured or not, I'm taking you down today!"

"A man recognized as being on par with the Four Emperors… killing you would be an honor!"

Lucci raised his fist toward Caelan, his fighting spirit erupting.

He was the strongest genius CP9 had produced in 800 years.

He wouldn't be intimidated by someone who had only recently become famous!

"Wow, Lucci is fired up."

Kaku and Blueno twitched their mouths, feeling like they were watching someone walk toward their own funeral.

They couldn't understand where Lucci got the courage to say something like that to Caelan.

This was a man who had defeated an admiral and now stood among the top powers in the world.

Truthfully, they were ready to surrender.

"That's it, Lucci! Go knock him down!"

Spandam's eyes lit up with hope, cheering from the sidelines.

Lucci's Doriki surpassed 4,000. He was the strongest among them, and Spandam was clinging to him like a life raft.

"Come on then, CP9's strongest genius. Let me see how much you weigh."

Caelan casually beckoned Lucci with one hand, looking almost bored.

To him, someone like Lucci wasn't even worth thinking about anymore.

"Damn it! Don't look down on me!"

Caelan's calm arrogance pushed Lucci over the edge. He felt completely humiliated.

"Roar!"

Lucci transformed into his leopard-human hybrid form, muscles bulging and coiled like a predator ready to strike.

In this state, his Doriki soared. A single punch from him could generate shockwaves akin to sword slashes.

"Come on."

Caelan rolled his neck and lightly stretched, completely unfazed.

Kaku and Blueno watched tensely from the side. This was the first time they had seen Lucci so serious. On the other hand, Caelan exuded overwhelming presence.

Injury or not, this was going to be an intense battle.

"Shave!"

Lucci vanished with a burst of Soru, his already frightening speed multiplied several times. Like a missile, he dashed toward Caelan in a straight line, Rokushiki skills and bestial aura erupting in full force.

"Finger Pistol!"

As he closed the gap, Lucci bent his index finger and launched a flurry of Shigan strikes, each aimed with deadly precision at Caelan's head and chest.

The speed and volume of attacks were blinding—an instant flurry impossible to follow.

Caelan chuckled softly, amused by the flurry like a boxer watching a rookie.

He tilted his head, leaned back, shifted his stance—dodging everything with fluid, effortless grace before Lucci even made contact.

Caelan's playful attitude only enraged Lucci further.

Lucci roared, both fists crashing toward Caelan like cannonballs, backed by the explosive force of Rokuogan.

It was a move capable of pulverizing monsters.

But it did nothing.

The barrage of strikes all missed. Caelan easily weaved and slipped past them, casually shaking his head as he did.

At one point, Lucci even saw Caelan yawn.

The mockery was unbearable.

Huff, huff…

Lucci panted heavily, glaring at Caelan in disbelief.

In front of him, he felt completely exposed.

The advanced Rokushiki techniques he had trained for years were useless. Caelan saw through them all like child's play.

But Lucci's pride wouldn't allow him to admit defeat.

"As expected of a Four Emperors–level fighter. I acknowledge you!"

"But is this all you can do? Just dodging?"

Lucci forced a grim smile, trying to provoke Caelan.

As CP9's greatest genius in 800 years, he would never yield so easily.

At the very least, he wanted to see Caelan's real power.

(To be continued.)