CP9

Water 7 - Hidden Stronghold

Hidden in an inconspicuous warehouse in the Galley-La Company's downtown area, the air was filled with the mixed smells of old wood and oil stains.

In the dim light, several figures sat around a worn-out round table; the entire CP9 group had quietly gathered.

Spandam, dressed in a black uniform with part of his face covered by a leather hood, stood with one foot on a chair, smugly waving a encrypted intelligence document, his eyes filled with arrogance and a sense of control.

"Listen carefully!! This is the latest intelligence report that my father personally brought for me from the Intelligence Division today!!"

He raised the documents in his hand, his voice booming, "A man with half-body modifications has had secret contact with Iceburg... His identity is highly suspicious!"

"Based on our deductions, it is very likely related to the Pluton Blueprints!"

He slammed his hand on the table as soon as he finished speaking, "Tonight, we must capture him! Alive! I want to interrogate him myself!!"

Rob Lucci, leaning against the wall, gave him a cold glance, while Hattori, the white dove on his shoulder, tilted its head slightly.

"... Is the source of this intelligence reliable?"

"Hmph! You doubt me?!"

Spandam raised an eyebrow, his tone full of disdain, "That was something my father got directly from the deputy head of intelligence! Are you questioning your superior's judgment?!"

Kaku sat back in his chair, his hands clasped in front of his chest, his tone calm. "But if it's a cyborg, their mobility could be formidable. Wouldn't acting rashly alert them?"

"Stirring up the enemy?" Spandam scoffed, tapping his finger on the table. "I've said it before—I'm your boss! How the mission is carried out is up to me!"

"Task priority has been raised to S level. Execute immediately without error!"

Kalifa adjusted her round-framed Glasses and calmly added, "The target's activity is concentrated in the backstreet area. Intelligence indicates that he has taken in many outlaws and unemployed workers at the Abandoned Shipyard, forming an organization called 'The Franky Family.'"

"He is over two meters tall, with obvious signs of physical alteration, making him highly recognizable."

Blueno, sitting to the side, spoke softly, slowly wiping his wine glass as he said, "... The Abandoned Shipyard has a complex terrain, making it easy to ambush and suitable for encirclement from multiple points. We need to plan ahead."

"Yo-yo~ The Justice are never afraid of the dark!" Kumadori his long cane, twirling it, and gave an exaggerated street performer's bow. "Tonight, let them experience 'comedy hell'!"

Click.

The Fukurou beside him unzipped its beak. "Cyborg, male, just tie him up, okay? Chirp chirp chirp."

Spandam waved his hand to interrupt the discussion, a smug smile playing on his lips, "Enough! What's all the fuss about? I've already drawn up the action plan—"

"All personnel are to be deployed tonight. The target must be captured alive, the sooner the better!"

"Anyone who messes up—I'll make them a test subject!"

He surveyed the crowd with an arrogant expression, seemingly unconcerned about their dissatisfaction with him.

Lucci narrowed his eyes and whispered, "... A foolish order."

He slowly rose from the wall, straightened his collar, and turned to walk towards the door.

But a mission is a mission.

I will finish it.

The other members silently stood up, their expressions varying.

Some were indifferent, some were annoyed, and some were eager to try.

Water 7: Abandoned Shipyard at Night

The hot pot boiled, the broth bubbled and hissed, and the aroma of oil and meat wafted and diffused in the air.

The dilapidated shipyard Flame, and the Franky Family sat around a round table made from scrap metal, drinking and eating heartily, their laughter deafening.

Franky laughed loudly, "SUPER~", and the Coca-Cola Core in his chest made a "buzz--" sound, the mechanical arms closed and raised high, the lights shining on his metal face.

A joyful atmosphere filled the room, and the campfire glowed everyone's faces with a rosy hue.

However, the next moment...

"Bang!!"

The heavy door was kicked open in the night wind, scattering wood chips everywhere, smashing two chandeliers, and causing the flames to flicker violently.

The air suddenly turned cold, and the laughter abruptly stopped.

Squeak--Squeak--

Seven figures walked slowly in, their dark shadows trailing across the scrap metal ground, their footsteps sounding like Razor scraping against steel plates.

The leader, Spandam, had an arrogant face that made you want to punch him. He had his hands in his pockets, a haughty expression, and a cold smile on his lips.

"Wow, you're having quite a lively meal!"

Franky's expression changed drastically when he saw who it was, but he still tried to remain calm, waving his mechanical arm. "Hey! We're closed today. If you want to dismantle the ship, come back tomorrow to register!"

"Stop pretending." Spandam chuckled and stepped forward.

"You met with Iceburg a while ago, didn't you, you cyborg...?"

Franky's face darkened, his pupils contracted, and he asked in a deep voice, "What... are you talking about?"

Spandam's eyes were cold, his nostrils flared. "A piece of trash like you doesn't need to know anything."

He waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Take him away."

Rob Lucci, standing behind him, stepped forward slowly, without uttering a word, his killing intent as solid as a blade;

Kaku swiftly drew his twin swords, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

Kalifa pushed up her Glasses, gave a cold laugh, and remained silent.

Blueno twisted his neck expressionlessly, his knuckles cracking.

Kumadori, twirling his cane, looking completely insane.

The Fukurou unzipped its beak. "'Cyborg Franky,' Combat Rating: Medium Danger. Chirp chirp~"

At that moment, the air seemed to freeze, as if the heat from the hot pot had been frozen solid.

The thugs behind Franky were pale-faced; some gripped their wrenches tightly, others trembled, but not one of them ran away.

"Boss, boss..."

Zanbai swallowed hard, his voice trembling, "You run... we'll hold them off..."

"Who's trying to escape?!"

Kopu slammed his glass down, gritted his teeth, and stood up. "Yeah, we're the Franky Family! What are we afraid of!"

"That's right!! We're not cowardly trash!!"

Franky looked around at his brothers, who had once struggled to even get enough to eat but now stood voluntarily before him. His eyes welled up with tears, and he burst into laughter.

"Hahaha--!"

"Alright!! Then follow me and come at me!!"

"Today we'll show them our ship-breaking firepower!! SUPER!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Franky slammed the button down, "Click--!"

The mechanical armor unfolded, the steel arms exploded, cannon muzzles popped out from both sides of the shoulders, and four tubular conduits rotated out from inside the arms!

"Bean's left fist!!"

"Chug--!"

A barrage of bullets swept out like meteors, aimed directly at Spandam's face!

"Aaaaah!! Stop hitting my face!!" Spandam screamed as he stumbled backward, scrambling and rolling, snot flying everywhere!

At the critical moment, Lucci appeared in front of him like a ghost, and with a single palm strike, the bullet shattered and scattered instantly!

"Do it," he commanded coldly.

CP9 mobilized!

Abandoned Shipyard, war breaks out instantly!

Splintered wood flew everywhere, the fire reignited, and the entire Franky Family grabbed their homemade weapons—wrenches, chainsaws, welding torches, and steel forks—and got to work!

A fierce battle between a group of cyborgs and workers and six top agents has begun!