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The plan was discussed for several days, but before everyone could fully prepare, the Heavenly Tribute fleet arrived as scheduled.
This wasn't a performance, after all. They couldn't expect the Government to cooperate with a dress rehearsal.
In the designated area, a massive fleet appeared on the horizon, sailing majestically towards them.
Each ship was heavily guarded, with half of the security detail comprised of Government agents and Marines, and the other half consisting of guards from the contributing nations.
One ship in the fleet was laden with vast amounts of money and resources. Government agents stood vigilantly on deck, alert to any movement on the surrounding waters.
On the sunny bow of the ship, Cretin emerged with a confident stride.
She wore a magnificent white and gold knight's uniform, a longsword hanging from her slender waist. Her elegant silver hair shimmered in the bright sunlight.
The Government agents couldn't help but steal glances at her.
Cretin, the leader of the Knights, was an ally of the contributing nation whose Heavenly Tribute was on this ship. She had been specifically invited to assist with the escort.
Aside from the Government personnel, almost everyone on board was a member of her Knight Order.
The Government's senior agents looked down upon the hired help, which worked to Cretin's advantage.
A man of average height with a stern face followed Cretin.
It was Noir, disguised using his Devil Fruit ability.
He had settled Robin and the others, leaving Enel and Wyper to recuperate from their injuries.
Noir had only brought Lucci and Blueno with him, as their abilities and experience would be invaluable.
Blueno's Door-Door Fruit, in particular, would allow the Revolutionary Army soldiers to appear on the ships and in various locations without a trace.
Hidden behind his borrowed face, Noir discreetly assessed the ship's security personnel.
Their chests puffed out, suggesting mastery of Tekkai and Soru. Their limbs were muscular, indicating impressive physical strength.
Almost everyone on board was proficient in Rokushiki, a stark contrast to the average Marine soldiers Noir had encountered before.
Moreover, each ship carrying the Heavenly Tribute was closely guarded by a Marine warship, providing an extra layer of protection.
With such tight security, it was no wonder the Revolutionary Army had to go to such lengths.
Even the Revolutionary soldiers chosen for this infiltration mission were among the elite.
The plan had undergone several revisions, and Noir's objective had become quite simple.
Each ship in the Heavenly Tribute fleet was equipped with a Den Den Mushi. The infiltrating soldiers had to sever all communication lines to the outside world.
However, both the transport ships and the Marine escorts had a lead ship equipped with a Visual Den Den Mushi for surveillance. Every ship's movements were constantly monitored.
This world had its version of "security cameras." Even with Blueno's Door-Door Fruit, the moment they were spotted, the other ships would send out distress signals.
The two lead ships were heavily guarded, and they were Noir's primary targets.
A completely silent takeover of the fleet was impossible. The goal was to maximize the effectiveness of the infiltration team's actions.
If the fleet's distress signals could be cut off, it would buy the external forces more time.
Therefore, Noir's role was crucial. He was essentially the trigger for the entire Revolutionary Army operation.
Noir followed Cretin, blending in with a small squad of knights as they patrolled the ship.
Lucci, seemingly focused on the path ahead, was secretly observing the positions of the surrounding Marine ships.
The blind spots were minimal. Every ship's movements were visible from almost every angle. Apart from the cabins, there were hardly any hidden areas.
As Cretin led the patrol, a petite young woman approached them.
She wore a Government uniform and had a subordinate trailing behind her.
This girl, barely reaching five feet tall, had a grown man as her underling.
Seeing Cretin, she raised her hand to stop them. "Captain Cretin, please refrain from wandering around the ship unnecessarily."
Cretin narrowed her eyes, offering a gentle smile. "Protecting the Heavenly Tribute from our allied nation is also our duty."
The man behind the girl frowned. "Just follow the officer's orders. Don't be so difficult."
Cretin was about to retort when Noir scoffed. "Such a young child, yet you've managed to train a good dog."
The man bristled at the provocation and grabbed Noir by the collar. "What did you say?"
The girl's expression remained impassive. "Captain Cretin, your subordinate has a loose tongue."
The girl gave a subtle signal, and the man understood immediately. He dragged Noir away, a sinister grin on his face. "You little punk! Let's find a quiet spot and teach you a lesson about the harsh realities of the world!"
Cretin's face darkened as she watched them leave, but she forced herself to swallow her anger. "My apologies for my subordinate's insolence. I leave his punishment to your discretion."
The girl nodded coldly and followed the man without a word.
Cretin smirked inwardly, exchanging a glance with Lucci and Blueno. It was time to act.
Noir was dragged away by the man and thrown into a storage room in the ship's hold.
The other guards who had witnessed the scene watched with amusement.
Someone wants to anger a Government agent? He probably wouldn't make it out alive.
Soon, the girl entered the storage room, her hands clasped behind her back, and silently observed.
After a while, the man lay motionless on the floor, his eyes wide open. He wasn't breathing.
Another man, identical in appearance, walked over. However, his demeanor had subtly changed.
Noir, having transformed into the man, adjusted his voice and greeted the girl. "What's your name?"
"Momomi. You can call me Officer Momomi," the girl replied, her petite frame radiating a chilling aura.
Noir, acting as if they were close acquaintances, raised his hand and affectionately ruffled her hair. "A little girl shouldn't have such a cold expression. It's not cute."
Momomi felt the warmth of his hand on her head. She looked up at Noir, her voice icy. "Shut up and take your hand off me."
"I don't want to…"
Noir teased, but he immediately sensed something was wrong.
He had spoken, but no sound had come out.
Noir stared at Momomi in shock, his mind reeling.
The Silent-Silent Fruit? That was Corazon's ability!
Right, Corazon was dead. The Devil Fruit must have reappeared.
It seemed Momomi, a Revolutionary undercover within the Government, had inherited the power of the Silent-Silent Fruit.
No wonder Cretin had asked her to cooperate with him.
Momomi, seeing Noir's silence, spoke matter-of-factly. "Don't let my height fool you. I'm 27 years old. Show some respect."
Huh?
Noir stared at the lolita with even greater astonishment. She didn't look her age at all.
A woman nearing thirty, with her short stature, flat chest, and childish voice and appearance… it was quite bizarre.
They were the same age, yet look at Robin.
In the name of scientific research, Noir had once risked his life to measure Robin's bust. One meter, no mistake.
Those magnificent melons were almost as big as his head!
The 2D world was the best...
Of course, he'd almost been buried alive by Robin afterward…
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