Capturing Peslo

Stay calm.

He didn't look like he'd done it on purpose.

The mission came first.

Peslo hesitated, then couldn't help lowering his voice to demand, "Why would she attack you for no reason?!"

Figo said, "Never mind. I'll be straight with you. I have my own reason for coming here. A Great Pirate in Impel Down gave up the location of some treasure to avoid further punishment. It's on Huoyu Island.

"I came to retrieve the treasure. Who knew that Nun would be blinded by greed? When she couldn't trick me, she attacked me instead."

So that was it? Knowing Yamauba's money-grubbing nature, Peslo wasn't surprised she'd done something like that. Damn it, they were at a crucial point in their cooperation. Of all people, why did she have to provoke this guy?

Still, Figo's explanation eased Peslo's mind a little. The World Government hadn't informed the Navy of the details of their cooperation this time because they were worried that some Marines, stubbornly devoted to justice, would object to working with Yamauba, a human trafficker... The World Government didn't need to consider the Navy's opinions, but the fewer complications, the better.

Figo's actions amounted to using his position for personal gain. He didn't seem like someone who believed in Absolute Justice, so he should be easier to talk to.

"I understand, Warden Figo. I'll deal with Nun. Please head to the island now. The Giant Warrior Pirates will be here soon!"

Figo paused, then asked, "I have one more question. I sensed the stench of a villain on Nun. She was like some of the Great Pirates on Impel Down's fifth and sixth levels, giving off a disgusting odor. Where did you find her? Didn't you investigate her?"

Peslo frowned. "That's none of your business, Warden Figo!" It seemed that woman Yamauba would have to be executed in secret. She couldn't be allowed to live.

Figo looked a little disappointed. Then, without warning, he undid his collar and pulled a Den Den Mushi from inside his clothes.

"Mosimosi, mosimosi. Fleet Admiral, things have suddenly taken this turn. What should I do now?" he asked.

Peslo: ??!

The Den Den Mushi that could contact Marine Headquarters? When had he—

Why? Was he trying to get me to talk?!

"The seven pirates from the Giant Warrior Pirates were captured at the cost of over a hundred elite Marines from Marine Headquarters," the stern voice of the Fleet Admiral came through the Den Den Mushi. "We can't just let them go!"

Peslo hurriedly said, "Fleet Admiral, this operation was personally ordered by the Five Elders!"

"I'll explain things to the Five Elders myself. Figo, you did nothing wrong. Now go and recapture all seven escaped members of the Giant race. Gather the Marines and escort them back the way they came," the Fleet Admiral said.

"Understood," Figo replied. "What about the three CP9 agents?"

"Hmph. Let them enjoy their vacation on the island!"

"Marshal O?!"

"If this were merely an operation like that, there'd be no need for such secrecy. What exactly is the identity of the captured Nun, and what are you really here to do? Do I need to ask?"

Peslo's face turned pale. He had no strength left to argue.

Figo smiled. "All right, I understand. I'll hang up now, Fleet Admiral."

"Sorry, Peslo, but you'll have to leave the ship voluntarily now," Figo said. Then he lowered his head and slipped the Den Den Mushi back inside his clothes.

Peslo's body trembled slightly.

Damn it, how had things turned out like this?!

Sacrifices? What did a few sacrifices matter if they helped preserve the World Government's rule for longer? Weren't they worried that the Giant race might cause even greater chaos and bring about more sacrifices?

The mission couldn't fail like this!

Rage welled up in him, and desperation drove him to act.

He looked at Figo, standing in front of him with his head lowered as he put away the Den Den Mushi, and abruptly raised his right arm!

Thud!

His hand chop struck Figo hard on the right temple, a sneak attack as sharp as a blade!

It hit!

Go on, have a nice little nap!

The scene froze for two seconds.

Figo frowned and raised his head slightly, still looking down at Peslo. "What are you doing?"

Peslo: ???

He looked at his hand, which had definitely struck home.

Then he looked at Figo, who was still perfectly conscious.

What was wrong with this guy...?

Figo lowered his head again and took out the Den Den Mushi. "Mosimosi, Fleet Admiral, are you still there? Peslo just hit me."

Y-you son of a bitch, hadn't you hung up?!

Cold sweat instantly drenched Peslo from head to toe. The other end of the line fell silent for two seconds before the Fleet Admiral answered in a voice that sounded a little weary.

"Bring them all back. Don't let the details of the operation get out."

"Understood." Figo looked up.

Peslo's heart instantly chilled. He hurriedly sprang backward, but Figo's hand reached him first and pressed against his face—BOOM!

The overwhelming force sent Peslo crashing sideways into the deck, slamming him into the planks with a thunderous boom!

All the Marines on the ship were startled.

"What's going on?"

"What happened?!"

"Who's there?!"

"Warden Figo, is there an intruder?"

They hurried over.

Since the three CP9 agents had stayed in their rooms ever since boarding, and Xiao had personally delivered their meals, the Marines had only vaguely known there were three men aboard during the voyage. They'd never seen their faces. Now Peslo had changed clothes and was pinned into the deck by Figo, making him even harder to recognize.

So Figo said, "Yeah, probably an accomplice of the Nun I captured. Bring another set of chains and tie up this intruder."

Under Figo's hand, Peslo clenched his fists in anger, then let them fall in defeat and gave up resisting.

Soon, Peslo was shackled and sent by Figo to the same cell as Nun. After giving the Marines a few instructions, Figo headed off to meet the Giant race fugitives.

At the same time, a new page opened in his Prison Archives, stamped with Peslo's image!

[Prisoner: Peslo]

[Level: SR2]

[Status: Incarcerated]

[Crime Index: 11]

[Capture Participation: 100%]

[Available Rewards: Shave, Stealth, Assassination]

[Character Event: Can be activated]

"Crime Index of 11?"

If they'd been in Impel Down, Figo would have whipped Peslo twice for a Crime Index like that. But Peslo wasn't a pirate; he was with CP9.

The World Government's intelligence agents were already in the business of dirty work. It would be strange if they had no Crime Index at all. For someone with Peslo's status, 11 wasn't high. At the very least, Rob Lucci, his descendant by who knew how many generations, definitely had a much higher score!

Figo was concerned about something else.

With only 11 points, he probably had nothing to do with Giant Kevin's daughter's death, right?

So he really only knew the lead?

As he wondered, Figo activated Peslo's Character Event to make sure.

Several images appeared, looking oddly familiar.

'Figo pointed toward the cells, saying Nun was locked up in one of them...'

'Figo took out the Den Den Mushi twice...'

'Figo slammed him into the deck...'

[Character Event (Activated): Having had his missions thwarted time and again, Peslo was furious. He swore to take revenge on Figo.

Event Requirement: Get Peslo, or someone acting on his behalf, to accuse Figo before the Five Elders.]

"...Damn it, I should've hit him harder."