"So, what’s the deadline for the mission?"Rob Lucciasked, after confirming that torture was off-limits.

"The term?"Spandamlooked at the fourCP9agents before him. "There is no deadline until the task is completed!"

"No deadline?"Kalifa, in her black suit and glasses, pushed them up, her disdain for Spandam clear.She suspected this was just Spandam’s way of suppressing them, given his reliance on family connections for his position, despite their superior abilities and achievements. It was like the previous North Sea mission—long, drawn-out, and pointless.

"That’s why I asked you four to take action. After all, you are the elite in CP9!" Spandam said, eyeing the group. They were the best in CP9:Rob Lucci, the strongest in 800 years, master ofSix Powers;Kaku, the second-best dual-sword master;Kalifa, skilled in espionage; andBruno, with theDoor-Door Fruit.They were difficult to discipline, but sending them on this mission would keep them out of his hair. And if they foundPluto’sblueprints, he’d get a promotion.

"Understood, we will complete the mission."Hattori, the pigeon on Rob Lucci’s shoulder, spoke for the group. "When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow, a merchant ship will pass by here. You can take the ship and leave. The rest will be up to you." Spandam picked up aTesoro-gifted, high-end cigar from the table, trimmed it, and lit it.

Spandam’s Ambition: The Seven Warlords of the Sea

"But before that, don’t we have to worry about the island’s affairs?" Kaku stood, looking towards the northwest, where the colossalGolden Gianthad just caused a massive commotion.

"That kind of thing doesn’t matter." Spandam subconsciously patted his pocket, where another gift from Tesoro lay: a card exchangeable for 200 million Baileys in chips. "Maybe some pirates are causing trouble over there again. They should have been dealt with by now."Despite his weakness, Spandam knew Tesoro was the new king of the underworld. No one from the first half of theGrand Linecould threaten him.

"What a shame. I thought I could get to know that guy namedRhodesa little better." Kaku commented, pressing his hat. "During the last mission, I heard a lot of rumors about him."

"Rhodes?" Spandam’s ears perked up. "Is it Rhodes from theRhodes Pirates?"

"Yes, they landed on the island today, and among all the people currently on the island, he is probably the only one who could cause such a big commotion."

Spandam’s eyes gleamed. He knew from his father’s connections that the World Government was urgently seeking newSeven Warlords of the Sea. It had been over a decade since the policy began, yet the ranks weren’t full. And with theRed-Haired Shanksnow aFour Emperor, the urgency had only increased.Though not a direct assignment, successfully recruiting a new Warlord would be a massive achievement.

The Rhodes Pirates were a rising force. Captain Rhodes had a bounty of 210 million Baileys, the strongest rookie of the year. His crew also boasted impressive bounties. And...

"I remember that the Rhodes Pirates seemed to have caused quite a stir some time ago, right?" Spandam stroked his cigar.

"He defeated the former Marine Headquarters admiral,Black Arm Zephyr, and brought out theGiant Warrior Pirateswho had been silent for a hundred years," Kalifa reminded him, her tone tinged with contempt for his ignorance.

"Zephyr!" Spandam paused, then a brilliant idea flashed in his eyes.They could invite this guy to become one of theSeven Warlords of the Sea!

"Do you have detailed information about them? I want to take a look."

Bruno, silent as usual, handed Spandam a notebook.He might be quiet, but his observation skills and intelligence-gathering were top-notch.

"They’ve defeated theGhost Spider(Vice Admiral Onigumo)?" Spandam was initially shocked by Rhodes’s record but quickly grew more excited.The more brilliant Rhodes’s record, the more likely the World Government would recognize him.Spandam recalled hearing that Vice Admiral Ghost Spider had been tasked with recruiting a Warlord but failed, likely due to his defeat by Rhodes. Now, with the World Government reiterating the need for Warlord candidates, it seemed the Navy hadn’t found anyone else, or their attempts had failed.

Inviting Rhodes to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea seemed incredibly promising!Spandam could almost see the promotion beckoning.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Spandamoutlines theCP9’s mission toRob Lucci,Kalifa,Kaku, andBruno: to infiltrateWater 7and covertly locate the blueprints for the ancient weaponPluto, believed to be held byIceberg. He sets no deadline and warns against direct confrontation due to Iceberg’s political connections. As the CP9 agents prepare to depart,Kakupoints out the massive commotion caused by theRhodes Pirateson the island. Spandam, initially dismissive, quickly realizes the strategic potential ofRhodes, especially given his impressive record of defeating powerful figures likeZephyrandVice Admiral Onigumo. Seeing an opportunity to gain favor with theWorld Government, Spandam begins to consider recruiting Rhodes as a newSeven Warlord of the Sea.

With CP9 now focused on the Pluto blueprints and Spandam actively contemplating Rhodes as a potential Warlord, how might these two separate, yet significant, plotlines converge? Will Rhodes’s path to "hegemony" lead him directly into conflict with CP9 in Water 7, or will Spandam’s audacious plan to recruit him lead to an unexpected proposition from the World Government?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com