Conditions

"This is that man's heart." Luo handed Akainu the cube. He felt an odd unease, but his years at sea had taught him to keep it from showing.

"This is his heart?" Akainu toyed with the cube, an unreadable smile on his face.

"Why not test it and find out?" Luo shrugged and sat down, showing Akainu no deference at all.

"Hmph." Akainu gave a displeased snort. "Come in." A Marine entered, carrying a file.

"Want to take a look?" Akainu tipped his chin toward Luo.

"Hm?" Luo picked up the file. It detailed Lu Xian's birthplace, family, and how he had lost his arm. According to the file, slavers had captured him, and he had escaped amid the chaos caused by Celestial Dragon Charlos's death and the explosion. It even contained a photograph of Lu Xian, identical to the man he was today. As for his arm, Lu Xian had cut off his own right hand because it bore a Celestial Dragon's Hoof Mark.

"What does this have to do with me?" Luo raised an eyebrow, though understanding suddenly dawned on him. No wonder Li Ziming had been so calm when Luo went in. He had planned it all.

"Nothing. I'm just glad you're sincerely joining the Marines." Whether Akainu meant a word of it was anyone's guess. "Congratulations on becoming one of the Shichibukai."

"Heh." Luo sat on the sofa and held up his middle finger. "Well, if there's nothing else, I'm leaving." He rose and walked out of Akainu's office.

"Hmph. The Shichibukai?" Akainu looked disdainful. "One day, I'll kill every last one of them."

"For justice!" The Sea Chrysanthemum soldiers in Akainu's office gazed at him with fervor.

"Enough. Bring Lu Xian here." Akainu rubbed his brow. The file had been verified, but years of experience