Chapter 28: Agents of Darkness
Mary Geoise- Cipher Pol Barracks
Dodgeson Darwin arrived at the CP0 Base. He is a bald elderly obese man who has a very large white mustache as well as birthmark spots on his forehead and right cheek. He wears a black suit over a black tie and a white buttoned shirt, as well as black pants. He is the Warrior God of Justice and the commander over Cipher Pol with Kong commanding it in more regular commanding duties under normal circumstances.
He remembered Imu's words-
"This Nidavell would cause a rise from his kingdom and his information would devastate us. So he needs to be unnamed from this current era. Understand?"
Darwin agreed- desperate times called for desperate measures. He knew that Nidavell's information could lead to the unraveling of the World Government's most tightly guarded secrets. As he stepped into the bustling command center, he felt the weight of his mission. The room was dimly lit, with the glow of monitors and screens reflecting off the stern faces of the elite agents who operated the most covert missions known to the World Government.
He saw several obscured figures in white suits currently obscured recovering from the energy surge just moments before.
"That damn...Nidavell...," spoke one of the men.
They then noticed a man who was tall and slim. He wore a white/yellow-themed mask with round red eyes, a cylindrical red mouthpiece that sticks out, a high hat, and a long holding stick that he grasps with both hands in front of himself. His hair is green and wild. Like most CP0 members, he wears a white suit and cape.
"Maha!," shouted one of them.
He was heavily bruised and bleeding from his journey back. He then collapsed just a few feet from Cortez who was unaffected.
"I managed to reduce the Whitebeard Pirate remnants by one...," spoke the man.
"But you failed to back up Guernika and now we have a more troublesome Emperor as a result," spoke the dreadlocks warrior. "But more importantly...you directly insulted the organization you're supposed to protect."
Maha was confused at first, but the gravity of the situation began to dawn on him as the other agents turned their backs on him.
"You said as I quote- "The World Government are like pirates" for our plan to annex Wano as a means of protecting it from dangers like Kaido. That was the plan before that boy took the territory for his own. You're in the presence of one of those Elders whom you compared to that.," Cortez noted as he clenched his fist as it glowed with a dark purple aura as nearby plants began to rot.
"I-I spoke out of turn, Elder Darwin," Maha stammered, his voice trembling with fear. "I didn't mean to question the righteousness of the World Government."
"I have to set an example to the men. About those who dare to not only fail their duties but show ungratefulness to how we took you in to make you better than what you would've been on your own.," the CP0 Supreme Commander explained.
Maha in a fit of self-preservation dashed via Shave and dropped his mask, showing a nondescript face as he attempted to flee now that he had truly earned their wrath. He was sliced by an odd sensation as if dimensional space was being cut as he fell into two pieces diagonally. His eyes rolled in the back of his head before he rotted away into a skeleton.
Darwin despite being seemingly a man of centuries with a detached attitude towards Marines and people as mere insects, closed his eyes out of some respect.
Darwin despite being seemingly a man of centuries with a detached attitude towards Marines and people as mere insects, closed his eyes out of some respect for him at least eliminating a Whitebeard Commander.
"Let that be a lesson to the rest of you. Even if you fail, you can just work up to improve on your losses. Just don't say something that truly puts the World Government in a negative light deliberately or not. We'll even welcome you with open arms if you realize you made a mistake by turning on us...or trying to leave." the dreadlocks man spoke as he turned to the CP0 Agents that were formerly CP9.
Lucci, Kaku, Jabra, Blueno, Kumadori, Fukurou, but especially Spandam were chained up and beaten in appearance.
"W-why am I getting beat up? I-I am a descendant of one of the 20 families though I usually hide 'cause you know- others try to kill me on the spot.," spoke the heavily masked man with shaggy purple hair.
"Your father, Spandine, managed to get you promoted to being chief of CP0. Following this, Spandine worked with former Level 6 prisoners of Impel Down and certain parties of the Underworld to plot a crime of aggression against the World Government despite his decision to place the blame of Ohara on Nico Robin. The plot was foiled by the former members of CP9, who had been training following their expulsion from the organization. He lost his authority and you became a lackey. That's not good enough. I've been away for too long along with certain parties...There's another thing we don't tolerate- working with criminals not for the sake of the World Government but for your own ambitions. He might be a bedridden coot...," Cortez spoke as space began to crack as it broke as a half-rotten head fell on Spandam's lap.
He was numb to the revelation at first, but he quickly realized it was the head of Spandine, his father. He screamed and cried in despair at the revelation.
"FYI. I'm also a World Noble descendant but you haven't been aware of the original code- you have to have raw power to back up political power. Isn't that right father?," asked Cortez as a figure emerged-
A round, elderly man with white hair and a long beard that extended down to his chest that extended outside his head bubble. He sported a near-constant grin with yellow canines. He wore a dark blue coat with dark fur trimmings with a fur collar over a black suit with a blue tie. He had a red royal coat with white trimmings draped over his shoulders. In addition to his teeth, his most striking feature was his black sclera eyes with red eyes that made him appear monstrous. He wore black shoes. He walked with a bejeweled cane with a golden human skull on tone. He wore golden rings on his fingers. He wore a golden crown and the top of his hair was styled in the usual tail manner that World Nobles would wear it.
Maxamillion Midas- Warrior God of Politics.
His demeanor was very much unlike the dimwitted Charlos, who was more of a brat unaware of his malice. Midas reveled in the fear and despair he could sow with a mere flick of his wrist. He had a way with words, wrapping his vile intentions in a velvet of charm that only the truly perceptive could see through. His smile never wavered as he stepped closer to the trembling Spandam, the stench of decay and power radiating from him.
"Yes, yes. Of course son. Otherwise, you'd be one of the constant undesirables. Beririririririri," Midas acknowledged. Darwin clearly didn't like his company.
Blueno took a step forward, his chains clanking heavily. His stoic stare looked at Midas, looking for some semblance of humanity in the Elder's gaze. "We've been only made aware of St. Saturn, Ju Peter, Mars, Warcury, and Nusjuro- I mean St. Ezekiel, Germain, Abraham, Darwin, and Byakuo. As well as references to Imu, the Figarland ancestor, Nefertari Lili, and the Donquixote ancestor. Are you of the Manmayer family?"
Blueno took a step forward, his chains clanking heavily. His stoic stare looked at Midas, looking for some semblance of humanity in the Elder's gaze. "We've been only made aware of St. Saturn, Ju Peter, Mars, Warcury, and Nusjuro- I mean St. Ezekiel, Germain, Abraham, Darwin, and Byakuo. As well as references to Imu, the Figarland ancestor, Nefertari Lili, and the Donquixote ancestor. Are you of the Manmayer family?"
"No, they're one of the vassal families we took...from our homelands.," spoke the Elder, clearly annoyed by the implication.
"Then we're SUPPPPOSSSEDD to accept YOUUU are of the 20 Kings that created the World Government based on Vegapunk's message and the Elder in charge of this division's announcement? The Maxamillion HAVEN'T Been INNNNN THE HISSTORRYY Boooooks we've read.," Kumadori noted.
"Yes," Midas spoke bluntly. "I have no clue as to why they even go as far to cover up our existence."
"Wait, I've read this recently. Charlos is of your family. It must be a shame to associate with that...kind of fellow.," Jabra spoke.
It was clear they were trying to take the blame so the other person who spoke previously wouldn't take the brunt of the wrath building up.
"It is irritating that he's painted such a disgraceful picture of our family as of late.," Midas spoke.
"Father, don't have meetings to make?," asked Cortez to break the tension. Midas stopped to look at Darwin before passing by.
The other Elder then walked in front of the former CP9 Agents with Spandam having fainted from the revelation of his father's passing.
"Did you ever come to understand Stussy's possible hidden agendas? Any places or groups she would like?," asked the mustache Elder.
"She is an Emperor of the Underworld.," spoke Blueno much to Kaku's intense shock.
"So she must be with the Devil. That's all the more reason not to pursue her, " said the Elder.
"Who is DEVIL?," asked Fukurou.
"He was the preceding lynchpin of the Underworld before JOKER.
"He was the preceding lynchpin of the Underworld before JOKER. He disappeared just as the Heavenly Demon began to rise- it was around 20 years ago. But now he's back...and he is someone not to be easily trifled with. And unlike, with Kaido or Big Mom, he is more level-headed and likely to be as protective of his connections like the late Whitebeard," spoke Darwin.
Kaku has a sigh of relief when he hears this.
"I want to ask you, something Mr. Superstar out of nowhere. Where were you when everything was going to shit? Guernika was the top boss of CP0 yet you claim otherwise. Are you just stepping in?," asked Jabra.
"You got me. I am the Commander, but I was in the OLD WORLD dealing with potential threats on the command of the Elders. We planned to annex them into our territory to allow more resources to fight the enemy. But they had powerful natives so we haven't made much progress. Also, I was called in to clean up after everyone.," answered Cortez.
"Why do you have two powers when a Devil Fruit explodes if one has more than one Devil Fruit? Teach being the notable exception to the norm.," Jabra inquired.
"Because it's technically not a Fruit, but a Vegetable. I also have a Tomato. In that way, I'm not breaking the rules.," replied Cortez.
"Could you be more specific?," asked Jabra.
"Enough. We want you to be the assistant of the top CP0 Agents. Lucci. You're ranked 7th so you'll be able to lead your party with the other 7 ith Cortez included.," Darwin explained.
Talos appeared from the side as she was dragging a man on a chain-
A tall, lanky agent. He appears to have double-jointed elbows, making him part of the Longarm Tribe. He wears a white mask with dark streaks running down its right side, darkened lips and nose, and framed with petal-like adornments. He also sports a vertically striped red and white top hat. Like most CP0 members, he wears a white suit and cape (a frilly one in his case).
"Joseph. CP0 Agent. Reason for Return: Inconclusive. Fight with Big Mom Pirates: Inconclusive. Interrogation: Imminent.," she spoke.
The man on the chain looked at them with a mix of defiance and fear. His eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape or a friendly face. But all he found was the cold, unyielding stare of the agents who had once been his comrades.
Kalifa notes as she sees Talos, "Should she be in school? This isn't a place for mere youths but professionals. Also, her outfit is sexual harassment."
"Kalifa. Talos is ranked no. 5 above Lucci who was no. 7 and Stussy who was ranked no. 6. I would tread carefully.," spoke Darwin. Kalifa was surprised the cyan-haired girl outranked the most powerful CP9 Agent ever.
"Intel: Told Smoothie about Linlin's parentage in addition to other details that could jeopardize World Government. Joseph retains no injuries. Traitor. Also not concealing the White Form carefully enough. Death- Sole Option.," spoke the girl as she leaped into the air and transformed into an utterly alien form by the world's standards. However, if this shape appeared in a more realistic world, it would be an artificial satellite weapon with a built-in laser.
"The Satellite-Satellite Fruit. Talos is a Satellite Human. Commence firing.," spoke the satellite as it bombarded Joseph with condensed blue lasers faster than he could use Moon Walk and Shave. The other agents glared in horror at the burnt spot covered in blood.
The former CP9 Agents looked at the machine transformation as if seeing an unfeeling angel of death before their very eyes. The room was silent except for the whirring of the lasers and the smell of burning flesh and hair.
"She was modified to not have troubling emotions such as personal pride, bloodlust, ego, guilt, etc. to interfere with the mission by Ezekiel's...experimentations...,While she can't handle Red Hair, she'll be more than enough for anyone else. 4 through 0...are more than capable of the task.," spoke Darwin.
As if on cue, appeared Mugen- the pink-haired, tall man with a blindfold covering his eyes and three others- a stout elderly man and a thin man with a very long beard both dressed in white suits. And the third was a youth with shaggy black hair, round glasses that obscured his eyes, and dressed in a white suit. His most striking features were his snow-white skin and ethereal white wings that emitted ice.
Mugen greeted Darwin with his usual personality- laidback and playful. "Yo. So we're erasin' remnants of the Void Century. Sure thing.," he drawled, a smirk playing on his lips.
Fukurou, the big, round, oddly shaped man with a yellow zipper across his mouth used an advanced form of his "Match" ability, which normally required being kicked around, but then was heavily disturbed.
"E-everyone. I re-estimated your Power Levels...Lucci went from 4000 to 1.44 Billion with Stussy being 1.48 Billion...Talos is 2.2 Billion...the youth is 6 Billion! Mugen is 10 Billion...the elders there are 20 Billion and 21 Billion respectively...and Cortez...Sir Cortez is 616 Googolplex!," shouted the man.
The room was in shock at the revelation. The numbers were so high it was incomprehensible.
"What does having a goggle mean?," asked Jabra.
"If it makes you feel easier, Darwin has a Power Level of 854 Aaenexplex. And he's not even the top dog of the Elders. It's more about fuel and how you use it rather than a stock raw power output, but it helps in a fight. You have the highest power level, but it means jackshit if you can't use it properly," spoke Mugen.
"Enough.," spoke the stout man as they bowed to Darwin.
"We failed to assassinate THEM. Let us make it up to you by delivering the death of that figure.," spoke the thinner of the old men.
"Yes, Yoru. Madara. Make sure to keep the others in line. Cortez...is smart enough to balance doing what he wants and the objective.," Darwin spoke.
A figure walked forward, having a brush-like, bluish-gray beard. He wore a long white robe that covered his whole body and a white beaded necklace with a light blue bead in the middle. His mask is dark red and has an angry expression, with black hair that is flat and dreadlock-like.
"Gismonda. Good work on getting the Pure Gold and its owner even if it meant Mad Treasure got away. And being tight-lipped about any intel, remaining resolute in your loyalty, and managing to place a tracker on him. Teach being in Wano is irritating, especially since Byakuo was forced out when his attempt to annex Wano...for us...failed. Don't worry, another division is getting it for us. Before you leave, there's a secret about Haki you must all know in the coming battle with the OLD WORLD...and techniques to learn.," Darwin spoke.
Lucci then spoke, "Our failure at Egghead is inexcusable. Allowing Vivi to escape into the dangers of the world with Arabasta's current crisis is also unforgivable. Punish me. Kaku and Jabra can pick up where I left off," he offered.
"Oi, Lucci!," shouted Jabra. "Don't try and be a martyr! We're all in this mess together. Besides, we've got more pressing issues than our bruised pride."
"At the very least, you've understood your place as our subordinates.," Yoru spoke. "And gave up that notion of leaving us."
"Of course...," spoke Lucci. "It was perfectly clear when you all came after us. We're all just pawns in your grand game."
Kaku, Kalifa, and the others gave him a concerned look- he used to not openly show any compassion. Luffy's defeat of him despite being an enemy they still intend to defeat, liberated him from his notions of apathy and callousness towards them to an extent.
"So admirable that you're playing to protect your buddies.," spoke Cortez. "Just don't forget, the objective is the priority. Sacrificing the unneeded is what we strive for in the end."
"Those demonstrations weren't just to punish traitors...but to show what happens if you start acting unprofessional. If we don't maintain our strength and unity, we're no better than the scum we claim to be above," Cortez added sternly, his voice echoing through the room. The gravity of his words weighed heavily on the remaining agents.
Blueno nodded as did the others outside of the unconscious Spandam, understanding innately they were on very thin ice.
"We won't fail again, sir," Kumadori assured, his voice firm, which was alarmingly uncharacteristic of his bombastic usual behavior, showing the severity of the situation.
Cortez then looked at them as their cuffs became split perfectly in half with no imperfect edges. They got up and bowed before their superiors.
Darwin then transformed into an alternative to his boar form as he turned into an obscured Zoan of unknown nature at that moment.
"To learn this Haki, requires trial by battle. I'll beat it into you.," he spoke as Lucci nodded with a sweat bead down his brow.
Next Chapter: Six Prayers
Author Notes: Now that we've explored CP0, we'll explore how the Oracion Seis are currently doing- I intend to prolong the revelations that Durinn will reveal as much as possible for dramatic impact as well as just showing how everything in the world is going