" World Government CP0! Ordered to inspect for contraband! Everyone stay put and submit to inspection!"
The chilling announcement, like a bomb dropped into water, ignited immense panic within the " Feast of the Void " auction house! The guests, all wealthy and powerful or desperate criminals, now resembled frightened birds, screaming and shoving as they tried to escape. The black market guards maintaining order attempted to stop them, but were swiftly and decisively struck down by CP0 agents, demonstrating overwhelming strength and ruthless resolve.
Their target was clear: the auction platform—more precisely, the ancient animal hide scroll that was about to be hammered down and suspected to be related to the Poneglyph! However, the box where Allen, Robin, and Tesoro were located blocked the fastest path, and the faint aura of power emanating from the three of them (albeit disguised) immediately alerted CP0.
"Everyone in the private room, come out immediately! Submit for questioning!" a CP0 squad leader shouted sternly, his hand already on the hilt of his knife. The other agents quickly spread out, forming an encirclement.
"This is a huge problem," Tesoro whispered, gold silently flowing beneath his sleeve. "Should we force our way in or..."
"We can't expose ourselves here," Allen said calmly, his deep purple vertical pupils scanning the scene. "CP0 came prepared; continuing this entanglement will only attract more enemies. Robin, the scroll?"
"We must get it!" Robin's eyes were resolute. "The information on it might be crucial."
In a flash, Allen made his decision. " Tesoro, create chaos, target the scroll. Robin, prepare to take over. I'll cover the rear."
"Understood!" A golden light flashed in Tesoro's eyes.
Just as CP0 agents were about to force their way into the private room--
" Golden Hellfire - Frenzy!"
Tesoro slammed his hands to the ground! Instantly, countless streams of scorching, liquid gold erupted from the floor, walls, and even ceiling of the private box like a volcanic eruption! They didn't attack CP0 directly, but instead surged wildly towards the auction stage, instantly engulfing the display stand along with the animal hide scroll! At the same time, the torrent of blazing gold spread in all directions, forcing back the approaching CP0, and more importantly—devouring and melting the contraband being auctioned around them!
"Damn it! They're destroying evidence!" The CP0 squad leader was both shocked and furious, trying to bypass the torrent of gold and get straight for the scroll, but the liquid gold formed a huge obstacle.
"Now!" A glint flashed in Allen's eyes, " Time Fold - Slowing Field!" An invisible force enveloped the CP0 agents rushing towards them, instantly slowing their movements as if in slow motion!
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Tesoro precisely manipulated a stream of gold, enveloping the animal hide scroll, which slithered back into the compartment like a serpent and landed steadily in Robin's hands! Robin quickly placed it into a specially made isolation box.
"Got it! Let's get out of here!" Tesoro growled.
"Trying to leave?!" The CP0 squad leader was incredibly strong. He forcefully unleashed a powerful Haki, which partially countered the time delay. He cleaved through the gold with a single slash and pounced forward!
Allen stepped forward, not using a powerful move, but instead making a gesture with both hands. "Light and Darkness Separation - Sensory Confusion!" With subtle manipulation of the Power of Zhulong, the CP0 squad leader felt a sudden black and bright flash before his eyes, his hearing, smell, and even his sense of direction were instantly confused, and his attack was deformed, his slash hitting empty air!
"Let's go!" Allen hissed.
Without hesitation, the three smashed through the back wall of the private room and rushed into the auction house's complex back-of-house corridors. Behind them came the roar of CP0 and the sound of gold cooling and solidifying.
Around the same time, other members scattered in different locations also encountered trouble.
Sabo and Koala were in the middle of a deal with an information broker in Whisper Alley when CP0 agents suddenly appeared and began clearing the area. A brief conflict broke out, and Sabo, using his newly mastered " Dragon's Breath," instantly pierced through an agent's defenses and quickly escaped with Koala using the terrain.
Ace and Jinbe heard the commotion at the bar and were about to leave when they were blocked at the door by a team of CP0 agents. Without saying a word, Ace fired a highly concentrated " Plasma Fire Line," instantly melting the enemy's weapon, causing an explosion and chaos. The two took the opportunity to escape through the back window.
Luffy was even more perilous. He was carrying a huge pile of meat (paid for by Sanji ) and running wildly, almost crashing into CP0's arms. Fortunately, Sanji kicked him into a nearby alley in time, Chopper used a smoke bomb to cover his escape.
"Everyone! Retreat Pluton! Immediately! CP0 has a major operation!" Sabo's order was transmitted to everyone via encrypted communication.
The Shattered Star Port, where Pluton ( Golden Deer ) is located, has also fallen into chaos. The port authorities (with a black market background) attempted to prevent CP0 ships from making a forced landing for inspection, and a firefight ensued.
Franky, Usopp, and Brook were already prepared. Pluton's engines started ahead of schedule, the camouflage gold armor plates fell off, revealing the true hull beneath, and some weapon systems began to charge.
"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!" Usopp yelled in fright as he watched his companions running back from all directions on the monitor screen, along with the CP0 agents chasing closely behind and the CP0 warships closing in.
Luffy stretched out his rubber arm, grabbed the ship's side, and was the first to swing back. Next came Sabo, Koala, Ace, Jinbe... Sanji, carrying Chopper, sprinted at high speed and was the last to sprint onto the ship.
"Where are Allen and the others?!" Luffy asked anxiously.
Just then, a building on one side of the port suddenly exploded! Allen, Robin, and Tesoro rushed out, followed by several CP0 elites in hot pursuit! Allen continuously used small-scale time delay and light-dark interference to hinder the pursuers, while Tesoro manipulated the metal scraps scattered throughout the port to form obstacles.
"Fire! Cover them!" Sabo ordered.
The Pluton's broadside cannons roared, accurately bombarding the CP0 pursuers in front of them, kicking up clouds of smoke and fire that temporarily obscured their vision.
The three seized the opportunity and sprinted at full speed, finally stepping onto Pluton ' deck!
"Everyone here! Close the door! Maximum speed! Get out of here!" Sabo roared.
The Pluton hatch slammed shut, engines spewed out dazzling blue light, and the massive hull slammed through some fragile extension structures in the harbor, about to plunge into space!
"Don't even think about escaping!" The main cannon of the CP0's black warship lit up, and a dark red energy beam shot towards Pluton!
"Hmph! Golden Barrier - Reflection!" Tesoro stood on the deck, waved his hands, and the gold that had previously covered Pluton' surface, which had not yet completely fallen off, instantly condensed into a huge, perfectly smooth golden mirror!
Zzzzt! The dark red energy beam struck the mirror, but was dramatically deflected towards a distant abandoned satellite, blasting it to pieces!
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Pluton increased his speed significantly and plunged headlong into the vast expanse of space!
"Chase!" The CP0 warship immediately followed, while simultaneously sending the highest priority interception order to the airspace surrounding Planet Faras.
Pluton has just escaped the jaws of death, and a new chase has already begun! What they obtained from Planet Faras, besides the necessary supplies, was the mysterious animal hide scroll that sparked the conflict, as well as new clues about the Imu Project that might be hidden behind CP0's unusual actions.