Lunarian

Aside from Nereus, Hermes was the only creature capable of flying freely—if Homies even counted as creatures.

Because of this ability, Hermes was also responsible for aerial reconnaissance. Just now, Hermes had discovered something unusual.

"What's wrong, Hermes? Why are you in such a hurry? What happened?"

"It's a World Government ship, and there are Cipher Pol agents aboard. If neither side changes course, we should encounter them within twenty minutes.

Lord Nereus, their appearance is far too convenient. I think this may be a conspiracy targeting us."

"Don't worry. Tell me what those agents are doing first."

Hermes had a rather strange personality. It could be called cautious, or it could be called persecution paranoia. It hated unexpected situations.

Retreat first and observe, then set out after confirming the situation—that was what Hermes was used to doing.

"Hmm... those agents are chasing a strange person. Black wings, brown skin, white hair... Oh, and there are flames burning on that person's back!"

"A Lunarian?"

White hair, brown skin, black wings, and flames burning from the body—when all those traits appeared on the same person, there was only one possible identity: a member of the Lunarian Tribe.

"Lunarian? I've never heard of that race, Dad. What is it?"

"A very rare... no, I should say a race that is rare nowadays. It is said that there was once a Land of Gods atop the Red Line, and Lunarians were the inhabitants of that land.

Because of their racial talents, Lunarians can survive almost anywhere and possess extremely strong adaptability."

After arriving in this world, Nereus had also tried to search for Lunarians, but without much result. There was pitifully little information about this race, and almost no news about them had leaked out.

Nereus did not find it strange. After all, according to the original timeline, Lunarians were nearly extinct. Only King under Kaido, namely Alber, was clearly known to be a member of that race.

"The Red Line? Isn't that where the World Government is now?"

"That's right, and that is also why this race is so rare. Over the years, the World Government has never stopped hunting them down.

The Lunarian Tribe is also considered a priority target. As long as someone can provide information, the World Government offers a Bounty of one hundred million Beli."

"One hundred million Beli..."

One hundred million Beli was no small sum. People with Bounties like that were not easy to deal with, and ordinary guns and cannons could not do much against them.

Compared to those high-risk targets, the Bounty on Lunarians became a delicious piece of cake, driving many bounty hunters madly searching for any trace of them.

If they were to be ranked, Joy Boy and Davy D. Jones, the two figures connected to the history of the Void Century, would be T0-level targets in the World Government's hierarchy.

The Lunarian Tribe and the Buccaneer Tribe belonged to the T1 tier right behind them. Under the World Government's pursuit, their populations had dwindled, and they were also nearing extinction.

Compared to those races, the Fishman Race and the Giant Race were actually doing relatively well.

"Sebastian, arrange for the Sea Beasts to prepare to enter the Calm Belt. I'll go take a look over there and be back soon."

"Wait, Lord Nereus. I believe this may be a trap. We should be more cautious..."

"Hermes, you're being too careful. Even if someone really wanted to target me, they would need bait guaranteed to make me go. A Lunarian isn't enough.

By the way, what are those World Government people wearing? Are any of them in white suits and masks?"

Hermes's advice could not be followed completely. By its standards, even a ninety-eight percent certainty had to become 0.98. Sending it out to scout could indeed avoid danger.

But when it came to action, Nereus and the others usually only needed Hermes's intelligence, not its analysis.

"No, Lord Nereus. They're all dressed in black suits, but there should be a Devil Fruit user among them. Several of them can fly.

They aren't using Geppo to stay airborne. They can genuinely fly."

"Mm, I understand."

Cipher Pol referred to the World Government's directly controlled secret intelligence agencies.

In the public eye, Cipher Pol had only eight departments, whose agents handled all sorts of secret work for the World Government.

Their direct combat ability was inferior to the Navy's, but these departments were more trusted by the World Government than the Navy was.

In addition, there were two special departments: CP9 and CP0.

CP9 was stronger than the other eight departments, but still inferior to CP0.

CP0 was known as "the Celestial Dragons' strongest shield" and "the world's strongest intelligence agency." Its agents all served the Celestial Dragons.

Their signature attire consisted of white suits paired with all kinds of masks. If a ship full of CP0 scattered and fled, they could still delay Nereus for a while. The other CP departments were not even worthy of buying time.

Meanwhile, east of Nereus's group, a ship flying the World Government's cross flag was adjusting its course.

"If this continues, we'll chase her into the Calm Belt. Our ship can't withstand an attack from Sea Kings."

"We've pursued her for half a month. Even a Lunarian should be at the limit of her stamina by now, right?"

"We'll know when those few return. This is a target the World Government has been hunting for all along. If we capture this Lunarian alive and bring her back, we might even be promoted to CP0."

On the deck, several CP9 agents sharpened the blades in their hands. The leading man observed the Vivre Card in his hand and adjusted their course accordingly.

"They're back."

As soon as he spoke, two agents dressed in black suits returned to the deck. Both were gasping heavily, and one of them had suffered serious injuries.

"How is the target doing?"

The CP9 leader ignored his subordinate's injuries and instead asked about the Lunarian's condition.

"That woman is injured too. If we do this a few more times, she definitely won't be able to hold on."

"Very good. Next group, move out!"

At his words, the CP9 members who had just been sharpening their weapons stepped before their leader and handed over their Vivre Cards.

The CP9 leader then grabbed his subordinates and threw them out one after another.

Yet the agents who were thrown did not fall midway. Instead, they flew toward the distance at a relatively steady speed.

"A Devil Fruit ability really is convenient. Without this fruit, catching up to that woman wouldn't have been easy. So what if she can fly? Since I've run into her, she can forget about escaping."

The intelligence Hermes had observed was correct. These CP9 members did indeed have a Devil Fruit user among them, and it was through that fruit's ability that they achieved an effect similar to flight.