Awakening (Two Chapters Combined)

The Marines and Cipher Pol had never gotten along.

Cipher Pol took pride in being the Celestial Dragons' lackeys, but the Marines still held justice in their hearts. Naturally, they looked down on them.

"What do you want?"

The Marine colonel on duty spoke curtly.

There were seven of them. Unlike the Cipher Pol agents who usually came to Marine Headquarters, these people were... CP0!

Cipher Pol's highest division, serving only the Celestial Dragons.

The colonel was puzzled. Why had they suddenly appeared at Marine Headquarters?

"By order of the Celestial Dragons, we're here to pick out some interesting Devil Fruits from the Marine warehouse for their amusement."

The CP0 agent in front stepped forward. His voice was calm, without the slightest irritation at the colonel's attitude.

Even their emotions no longer belonged to them. They existed entirely to serve the Celestial Dragons.

"Wait here. I'll report this to Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

With that cold remark, the colonel walked away at an unhurried pace.

Once he disappeared from view,

the lead CP0 agent turned toward one of the masked men. His eyes behind the mask were like a snake's as he whispered, "Remember our mission. The Five Elders won't tolerate failure. And..."

He paused, made sure no one was eavesdropping, then continued, "I hope your ability doesn't disappoint me. I chose you specifically for this. Remember, not a sound. No one can find out."

The masked man did not move. Strangely, though, the shadow beneath his feet gave an almost imperceptible nod.

The agent had never been speaking to the masked man at all!

He had been speaking to the shadow hiding beneath the man's feet!

With permission granted, the shadow twisted and writhed into a thin black line, then slipped into a gap between the floor tiles.

Sengoku's office.