"Rob Luigi, you're too young and an orphan—that narrows your perspective," his boss sneered, radiating arrogance. The constant bragging about his family background made Rob Lucci almost want to crush the phone bug. But the next sentence stunned him.
"There've been rumors about Captain John's treasure recently. It's very interesting."
The strongest CP9 agent in 800 years visibly shifted. He paused, thinking, "That's just pirate treasure… should we interfere?"
"Hmph, what do you know! It's not just a simple treasure. Do you know about the historical texts?"
Nonsense. Rob Lucci didn't want to waste breath on such stupidity.
He stayed silent a moment, then his boss continued, "The last CP9 officer—hahaha—that was my father. He believed that besides the historical texts, there are several red historical texts in this world. He saw one with his own eyes. He suspects Captain John's treasure holds a red historical text."
"Go. Take your men to Alabasta. Three missions: investigate Crocodile, investigate Baroque Studio, and seize Captain John's treasure before the pirates do."
Formal orders like this left Rob Lucci no choice. Despite his displeasure, he obeyed.
He didn't ask about the red historical text's purpose. His boss didn't explain. Rob knew only this: find the treasure, deliver everything—including the red historical text—to CP9 and dedicate it to the World Government. Then the mission would be complete.
Four wasted years lurking in the Carrera Company. Those years taught him carpentry, but nothing else. Because of the undercover work, he couldn't train properly, and his strength growth stalled.
He knew his boss's real thoughts clearly. CP9 headquarters was on Judiciary Island, close to Seven Waters' capital. His exile to Alabasta was obvious—a way to keep the strongest CP9 agent out of sight.
Despite his frustration, Rob Lucci called his three subordinates: blonde assistant Kalifa, boatman Kaku, and tavern owner Bruno. The four officially resigned from the Carrera Company. After Gu's failed stay, they boarded a ship to Alabasta—posing as carpenters.
"What? Those guys went to Alabasta?" Weiwei was puzzled when Lao Fan told her the news. She'd been inactive at dinner, doing nothing else. How were these CP9 agents so skilled at lurking in their own backyard?
These World Government agents were beyond her control—maybe they'd uncover something.
Still, Baroque Studio's secrecy remained solid. Even if exposed, what did it have to do with her?
Esbagu had been successfully elected mayor of Seven Waters. The Randoluff Theatre Company got their new boat and even made some money this month.
Bucky the Clown quietly left the troupe. Old man Randoluff never believed the Judiciary Island trial's outcome. Besides, when Bucky escaped, he talked with Vivi, thinking they were acquaintances, which lessened his interest in the troupe. He pretended ignorance and didn't ask questions.
Bello Betty still performed with the troupe, trying hard to win them over and recruit them for the Revolutionary Army.
The troupe left Seven Waters City, bidding farewell to the Carrera Company and many enthusiastic citizens.
Pirates wanting to reach the New World had to go through the underwater Fish-Man Island. Ordinary people had their own routes.
The Randoluff Theatre Company first applied to the World Government, deposited their boat, disembarked, crossed the Red Earth Continent on foot, then boarded their old boat stored at the continent's far end and set sail again.
They'd traveled this route many times and knew it well. Weiwei followed the troupe with no worries. Aside from slower speed and more formalities, no major problems arose. She just wanted to take it easy.
Crossing the Red Earth Continent and entering the New World, an achievement popped up on Duck Karoo.
"Carew's journey around the world is halfway through. He realizes that to be the King of Ducks in Shanghai (this sentence is crossed out), he must conquer the seas and recruit a little brother, Rabu the whale. Let's congratulate him!"
Weiwei looked at Karoo strangely. Did he still think about being the King of Sea Ducks? Karoo gave her a dazed look. Together, they stared at the sky—no whale fell to feed them. Like with puppies, they had to find whales themselves.
Now in the New World, Weiwei definitely couldn't turn back to Whiskey Mountain for Rabu the Whale. It hadn't been easy getting Rabu to follow her happily. She still had to find the key person, Brook. For a long time, she had studied and made notes, preparing for the return trip.
Putting aside the whale issue, Weiwei practiced "Domineering" whenever she had time—speed, coverage, hardness. Without a pet pickup attribute, she relied on stubborn effort. Her armament color Domineering reached level 3, but her domineering arrogance still showed no sign of awakening. She planned to ask old man Zefa.
Her research on "The Spear of Elbaf. Dominance" remained at zero. She was sure this move wasn't for humans. She wanted to simplify and improve it, but her level limited her. That had to be Zefa's task.
...
Two months after entering the New World, Weiwei began preparing her farewell performance.
Called a farewell, but except for creditor Randoluff, no one took it seriously. Weiwei herself stayed low-key, deliberately reducing her presence. During the performance, she kept her princess guise with a veil. She barely had two lines. The troupe with or without her made little difference.
Weiwei's last performance was just like any other. Riding a duck disguised as a camel on the stage's right, following familiar flows and lines. Center stage featured old man Randoluff's performance.
"You pirates who've turned this world to **** are unforgivable! I will never forgive you! As long as I live, I'll fight until all pirates are wiped out!"
Randoluff repeated his famous lines. The stage play ended.
Only, he omitted the part about "representing the navy to destroy evil pirates" after the Judiciary Island incident—either intentionally or not.