The Pluton Blueprints

Water 7 - Harbor

"ROOM."

With a slight tremor in space, a blue-white ring spread out above the Harbor.

Several figures leaped out instantly, landing at the Water 7 dock where the sun was shining brightly.

A sea breeze caressed our faces, carrying a faint scent of sea salt. In the distance, the clanging of hammers echoed as the shipyard's craftsmen worked diligently at their tasks.

The canals unique to this water city flow gently beneath your feet, with floating bridges and arched bridges interspersed, and the streets are lined with a mix of classical and modern architectural styles, creating a colorful and dreamlike floating metropolis.

"Wow..."

Binz was the first to exclaim in surprise, "Is this the legendary Water 7? Even the air is as fresh as if it has been polished."

"I heard that even the World Government's Warships are built here," Ain said softly, a hint of respect in his eyes.

Luo, who was standing in front, withdrew his hand, slightly lowered the brim of his hat, and said calmly, "Let's go, let's go to the arranged place first."

The group nodded and began walking along the main bridge street deeper into the city.

The shimmering water reflects on the stone-paved streets, creating a captivating scene where the daytime hustle and bustle of the Water 7 intertwines with the sound of water.

However, as they walked on...

"Um?"

Zoro, who was at the end, suddenly stopped, frowned, looked up, and found that Law, Kuina, Ain, and Binz, who were ahead of him, had all disappeared.

"... ha?"

He stood at a fork in the road beneath an arched bridge, surrounded by people coming and going, with no familiar faces in sight.

"This road... were we just walking in a straight line?"

He scratched his head, looking puzzled. "Is it because the city itself is too convoluted?"

So he decisively chose a direction that "looked like the right way" and strode off resolutely.

--Chosen the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the alley

Kuina stopped in her tracks, her eyes suddenly twitching.

She slowly turned around, her brow furrowing. "... Wait, where's Zoro?"

Binz looked around in surprise. "They were just in the back a moment ago?"

Ain frowned as well. "Could it be... again?"

Law had already closed his eyes, Observation Haki instantly spread out.

In less than two seconds, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"He's gone the wrong way again," Luo said calmly, "And he's heading towards the shipyard."

"Huh?!" Kuina's forehead veins bulged, and before Law could speak, she had already rushed in the direction Zoro had left.

"That directionally challenged idiot—!"

Near the shipyard, Zoro stood blankly beside a pile of wrecked ship hulls, staring down at the wet pavement, trying to find a glimmer of "logic".

"Strange... I feel like I just saw this bridge before?"

"Where are they? I remember they were this way..."

The next second, a strong and familiar killing intent rushed towards me from behind.

"Bang!!"

"Ouch, it hurts--!"

A powerful Iron Fist slammed into his head, instantly raising a large bump that made him crouch down in pain.

"How could you get lost even with someone leading the way?! Are you cursed with a poor sense of direction?!"

Kuina roared and grabbed his ear, forcibly pulling him back.

"How should I know! The path itself kept changing!" Zoro cried out, clutching his head in grievance.

Luo approached from a distance with Ain, Binz, and a few others, their expressions varied.

Binz asked Ain in a low voice, "Colonel Zoro... is he directionally challenged?"

Ain nodded with a complicated expression. "Being directionally challenged is one thing, but she always seems so confident when she goes anywhere..."

Kuina was still angry, and Zoro tried to break free, but was pulled back to the group even more forcefully.

"... If you run around again, next time I'll nail you to the bridge," she said coldly.

Luo patted his forehead and sighed helplessly, "This mission is truly testing my composure..."

Ten minutes later, in Water 7, temporary Residence.

A three-story wooden hotel sits quietly on the riverbank, with exquisitely carved windows and shipbuilding tarpaulins hanging to dry on the eaves.

Luo pushed open the door and said calmly, "Let's stay here for now. I'll explain the mission briefing later."

Ain and Binz began setting up the equipment in the room, while Kuina glared at Zoro was still covering his head, with a warning look.

"If you dare to run around like that again... just you wait."

"I already said I didn't wander around, it's just this city—"

"Shut up."

"... yes."

Binz murmured to himself, "They don't seem like a couple... but how come they act more like a married couple than a married couple themselves?"

Ain sighed softly, "Yes, but Colonel Zoro... he's really in a tough spot."

Sunlight streamed in through the window, filtering through the steam, as a group of people busily and intently began their mission in Water 7.

Water 7 - Temporary Residence - Night

The interior was dimly lit, and the canal outside reflected the streetlights, with the faint sounds of boatmen finishing their work drifting in.

Luo stood in front of the table, an intelligence document spread out in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the four people, his expression calm and cold.

The task is very simple--

His voice was low, and his fingertips tapped the table, making a regular "thump-thump" sound.

"Vice Admiral Roy's orders: Protect a shipbuilding engineer named Franky, and repel CP9."

"Huh?" Binz blinked, looking completely bewildered. "Who's Franky? Is he... important?"

Zoro frowned and said, "CP9? What the hell is that?"

Luo glanced at them, sighed slightly, and pulled out several photos and documents with government serial numbers from the folder, placing them on the table.

"CP9, short for Cipher Pol No. 9, is a special intelligence and assassination organization under the World Government."

His tone remained calm as always, but a sharp, cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"Their main task is to eliminate any 'destabilizing factors' that threaten the World Government's ruling structure—including the Revolutionary Army, illegal science, and clues to Ancient Weapons."

Kuina's eyes sharpened. "If their target is the Revolutionary Army, why would they suddenly appear in Water 7?"

Luo turned a page of the intelligence file and tapped it with his fingertip. "Because— the Pluton Blueprints."

A brief silence fell over the air.

"... Pluton?" Kuina whispered, her tone unusually tinged with shock.

Ain and Binz immediately sat up straight, their eyes clearly showing tension.

"You mean... one of those legendary 'Ancient Weapons'?!"

Luo nodded slowly. "The specifics are still unclear, but Vice Admiral Roy indicated that Franky may possess the original design blueprints. That's CP9's target."

"Intelligence indicates that they have infiltrated Water 7, and may even be posing as municipal staff or shipyard workers within the Galley-La Company."

Zoro frowned and asked impatiently, "So what we need to do is kill all those agents?"

Luo smiled noncommittally and tossed an encrypted letter onto the table.

Vice Admiral Roy's exact words were. "If CP9 makes a move, you should strike back without holding back."

He paused, a slight smile even appearing on his lips, "He specifically instructed that the one named Spandam... could be killed, it wouldn't matter."

"..."

Ain was stunned. "Kill... kill? People from the World Government?"

Binz's pupils contracted, and he muttered to himself, "This is the first time since I joined the military... I've heard anyone say that about the World Government..."

"As expected of Vice Admiral Roy..."

In contrast, Kuina's gaze became increasingly calm and sharp.

"Since Brother Roy says he can help, there's no need to hesitate."

She drew her longsword from her waist, gave it a light twist, and with Flash of light, the blade disappeared. Her gaze fixed on Luo: "Who is the target? Where is he located?"

Zoro grinned, stood up, and placed his hands on the hilt of his sword. "Perfect... my hands' been itching these past couple of days."

"Just cut it down, no need to be polite, right?"

Luo looked at the group of people in front of him— Ain and Binz were shocked, but their expressions remained calm, while Kuina and Zoro were full of fighting spirit and did not hesitate.

He nodded slightly, his tone softening. "Very good, no one acted impulsively, and no one was afraid."

"The next task is to find Franky, and if CP9 makes a move, execute the elimination order."

He spread out the map and pointed his finger at an industrial wasteland.

"According to reliable intelligence, Franky frequently appears at the abandoned shipyard on the back street."

Every day, he would gather an organization called 'The Franky Family' there to dismantle the ships.

"We need to hurry, or CP9 might find him first."

Everyone stood up, their expressions solemn.

Kuina deftly sheathed her sword, her tone crisp. "Let's go."

Zoro shrugged, a smile playing on his lips. "This warm-up... looks like it won't be easy."

Ain followed behind, whispering to Binz, "... Traveling with this group doesn't feel like we're on a protection mission at all."

Binz gave a wry smile, "It's like... preparing for a battle."

At the doorway, Luo put on his polka-dot hat, his voice calm and steady. "Then let's begin—the blueprints for Pluton must not fall into the wrong hands."