Sister Galmero

"The stench of a villain."

In eight years stationed at Impel Down, Figo had trained himself to keenly discern malice. This wasn't within the scope of Observation Haki—it was a kind of smell. The moment the Nun resolved to snatch by force, he sensed it.

He could even feel that her hands bore more than one innocent life.

Definitely no proper nun.

Crack—

In the sky, within the dark clouds, thunder flashed again.

The air was thick with terrifying rumbles.

The rain fell harder.

Patter, patter—raindrops hammered against Figo's body, blurring his vision, disrupting his perception... and then—BOOM!

The thunder's sound changed!

A thick bolt of lightning dropped straight from the sky, radiating heat that seemed capable of evaporating the sea, casting the gloomy heavens in a ghastly pale white, arcing directly toward Figo!

Figo didn't look up, but Observation Haki helped him 'see' the lightning's trajectory and sense the power within it.

Just that.

Nowhere near a natural thunderbolt.

One hand carrying the treasure.

The other drew his blade from its sheath!

As the steel gleamed, a Flying Slash shot from his sword tip—like a crescent moon, rising into the sky. It clashed with the lightning, yielding not an inch, and burst into even more dazzling light!

Hmph? The Nun raised an arm slightly to shield her eyes from the glare, only now feeling a hint of unease.

Figo was utterly different from the others she had tricked and robbed. When had a fighter like this—a swordsman—appeared on the sea, on Huoyu Island?

The next moment, her Observation Haki caught Figo's movement.

Fast. In almost an instant, the dozens of meters between them were crossed. Figo didn't use his sword; he swung the wet, treasure-stuffed bundle at her head with brute force!

The bag of riches howled through the air, like a cannonball under Figo's arm strength.

Hmph... The Nun flicked her fingers, and a wisp of ash and sparks fell from the cigarette she held.

Those sparks seemed alive, swelling abruptly as they drifted, turning into a blazing fireball that roared toward Figo!

Thud! Thud!!

Two dull impacts rang out in succession!

The first was Figo being struck by the fireball—his body from the neck down instantly becoming a man of flame!

The second was the treasure bag, breaking free from the fire, smashing into the Nun's head!

The Nun's delicate face first showed shock and disbelief, then rapidly twisted and deformed—saliva and broken teeth spilling from her mouth! Her slender body was hurled high, flying dozens of meters before crashing heavily to the ground. She twitched twice and fell unconscious.

The dark clouds in the sky dispersed.

Figo took a deep breath, lowered his head, and blew.

Fwooo—

The blazing flames vanished, leaving only two holes in his clothes and pants. The exposed parts of Figo's body bore no burn wounds at all!

Iron Body—Figo had long mastered that too. And even without it, his physique was already like steel. This little fire couldn't even break his defense. Why would anyone naively think Figo would dodge?

"First-rate fruit."

"Third-rate everything else."

Only fit for confinement on Impel Down's fifth floor, you little darling. You really don't know how many eyes your master Figo has!

Figo slung the bag over one shoulder, then walked over and hoisted the Nun onto the other. One arm full of treasure, one arm full of woman—he headed back toward the warship, carrying the air of a man returning with a full haul.

On the warship, the remaining seven or eight sailors on watch duty saw him. After days aboard, even the ordinary soldiers knew Figo's identity—the former Warden of Impel Down, a big shot likely to be promoted to Vice Admiral. Seeing him return in disheveled clothes with a Nun slung over his shoulder after just over an hour, they exchanged bewildered glances. The leading lieutenant stepped forward and asked, "Lord Figo, this is..."

"Caught a fraud. Find me a coat and bring a pair of Seastone handcuffs."

A fraud? Seastone? The lieutenant stole a glance at the pretty Nun, hesitated for two seconds, then replied:

"Yes sir!"

A simp, no doubt.

The Nun's looks were indeed striking—even covered in blood, she was beautiful. So Figo gently helped her into a pair of silver bracelets and gave her a new home.

[Prisoner: Carmel] [Level: SR3] [Status: Incarcerated] [Crime Index: 91] [Capture Participation: 100%]

[Optional Rewards: Devil Fruit Development (Not Yet Activated), Disguise, Commerce]

[Character Event: Can Be Activated]

Huh, a Crime Index of 91—that's among the highest even among the scum on Impel Down's fifth and sixth floors. Sure enough, an angel's skin hides a demon, not just some cultist con artist.

But that name, Galmero... why does it sound familiar?

Figo sank into thought: "Come to think of it... she looks a bit like a female version of Sanji. Could she be some great-grandmother of his?"

Let's activate the Character Event and take a look.

"Yamauba, you notorious human trafficker, daring to approach the World Government on your own? Do you think we don't know your background?!"

As the image surfaced, Figo was taken aback.

Based on his eight years of experience, the Crime Index in the Prison Archives was calibrated to his own values. So she was a human trafficker—no wonder the index was so high.

But in the scene... the one barking the question was CP9's Peslo again?!

Why is it always him!

Galmero and Peslo sat facing each other in a private room. At Peslo's interrogation, she calmly took a drag of her cigarette and said, "No need to put on that act. If you didn't want to cooperate with me, today's meeting wouldn't be happening."

Peslo was silent for a moment, then said, "Spit it out. What's the plan you mentioned? How does it work?"

"Heh heh, let's put on a joint performance. My Soul-Soul Fruit lets me disguise myself as a messenger of the gods. When you execute the Giant pirates, I'll pretend to be a divine guide and save them, earning the Giants' trust!"

"...And then?"

Galmero spread her hands: "After that, I'll infiltrate Elbaf and establish an orphanage—call it the 'Home of Lambs.' No distinction of race, no distinction of allegiance—I'll take in all orphans!

Of course, the main target is the Giant race!

I'll act as a bridge between you, the World Government, and the Giants. Through my operations, I'll raise the Giant orphans for a while, then secretly sell them to you, the World Government, and the Marines!

Think about it—then you'll easily obtain the power of the Giants, with invincible Giant Marine soldiers!"

Peslo fell silent again.

Galmero put on a greedy expression, licking her fingers: "As for me, I just need some money—very little, very little."

The Character Event scene ended.

[Event Requirement: Have Galmero or help Sister Galmero establish the Home of Lambs, take in orphans of all races, and sell them to the World Government.]

A lot of information—Figo struggled to digest it.

So this was CP9's plan.

The Soul-Soul Fruit—the future Four Emperor Big Mom's Soul-Soul Fruit—could grant life to inanimate objects. No wonder there was lightning and fire, giving Figo a familiar feeling, and no wonder the name Galmero rang a bell.

Wasn't this the old nun from the highlights—the one who took in the Four Emperor Big Mom, got eaten by her, and still had her portrait on the table?!