Sea Star.
Somewhere in the first half of the Grand Line.
There was a secret island called Guanhao Island.
It was a place thick with vegetation that appeared completely uninhabited from the outside.
At the same time, it was also a base used by CIPHER POL-No.2 to cultivate core members.
Its current supervisor was Melard, the captain of No. 2, who came from the Teigu World.
As the former head of Oarburgh, the Qin Empire's intelligence agency, she could be said to have returned to her old line of work.
Of course, a certain Empress had also played a part in her attaining this position.
At the center of the island stood a thirty-meter-tall stone tower, divided into seven floors and resembling ancient ruins.
Yet beneath it lay an enormous underground complex.
The space was layered one level atop another, each floor fully equipped with numerous rooms and ample lighting.
But the black-clad men passing through from time to time kept the atmosphere oppressive.
Second underground level.
A mixed group of boys and girls, neither too large nor too small in number, gathered in the hall in matching black training uniforms, chatting among themselves.
Most of their gazes were focused on three people standing in a row.
"Seriously, why does it have to be fourteen? Wouldn't ten and up be fine? We're clearly different from kids our age outside!" Kaku complained.
"Even if they changed it to ten, you still wouldn't qualify. If I remember correctly, you're only nine this year, right?"
Nicole Robin, standing beside Rob Lucci, replied with a smile.
"No way. According to my hometown's customs, I'm already ten."
However, no one really cared about Kaku's explanation.
"I'm already eleven, and I really want to take part in this mission too, but the regulations require us to