Late at night.
Water Seven City.
At the docks of this water city, a group of figures was lurking in the shadows; they were the members of the CP9 division, here to welcome their new superior.
Just as these CP Agents were casually chatting, a tall figure slowly approached them, his footsteps somewhat disturbing in the dead of night.
The CP Agents were instantly alerted.
Rob Lucci and the others' expressions immediately turned vigilant, watching the tall man approaching in the distance. Soon, they saw who it was.
"Admiral Aokiji!"
Kalifa, one of the CP Agents, slightly frowned, her face showing a hint of doubt: "Admiral Aokiji, what are you doing in Water Seven City?"
"Well, just came to see your new superior..."
Aokiji scratched his head, lowered his head to glance at the agents present, and muttered at the corner of his mouth: "You guys are here too, is he not here yet?"
"Yes, we probably need to wait a little longer."
Rob Lucci checked his watch and replied softly: "The last time we contacted them, they were not far from Water Seven City..."
A wave sound interrupted Rob Lucci's words.
As the tide rolled, a merchant ship suddenly emerged slowly from the mist of the night, gradually docking at the port terminal.
A group of young men in suits disembarked in threes and fives. Strangely, their posture was peculiar, as if ready to burst into attack at any moment. These suit-clad men quickly dispersed, cautiously surveying the dock's situation.
The suit-clad men soon noticed Rob Lucci and his gang in the corner and the tall Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, Aokiji, and they immediately surrounded them.
A white-haired young man emerged from the group of suit-clad men. He looked up at Aokiji, then at the CP9 agents, and said with a smile: "Excuse me, do any of you know the way to Carrera Shipbuilding Company?"
"Just follow us."
Rob Lucci extended his hand to the white-haired young man: "I am Rob Lucci, the captain of CP9 and the current highest officer."
"Hmm... I'm Kakashi Hatake."
The white-haired young man slowly shook his hand, then turned to extend his hand to Aokiji: "Speaking of which, why is Admiral Aokiji of the Navy Headquarters here?
It feels like the Chakra of the Three-tailed Isobu on you is about to leak out, didn't Yakushi Kabuto help you apply a seal?"
Honestly...
Kakashi Hatake had a good impression of Aokiji, because the actions of this Admiral of the Navy Headquarters always seemed as if he might fall asleep at any moment.
Hmm, this admiral is a lazy guy.
In this regard, Kakashi felt they were of a similar kind.
"Well, there's no need for a seal."
Aokiji extended his hand to shake Kakashi's, his gaze somewhat wandering: "I heard your name from Robin..."
"Ha, is that so?"
Kakashi Hatake patted his forehead, loosened his suit collar, and slowly turned to instruct: "Hey, it's safe over here, go call Miss Robin off the ship!"
"Yes, Captain Kakashi!"
An Anbu Ninja in a suit hopped back onto the merchant ship a few times.
Seeing this scene, Aokiji couldn't help but twitch his eyebrows: "Why does this feel a bit like the demeanor of a noble... Did something happen that I'm not aware of?"
"It's also something we can't help..."
Kakashi Hatake rubbed his forehead and said softly: "After all, we're new here, and we're not too familiar with the situation in the First Half of the Grand Line. Our first mission is to ensure her safety..."
"..."
Aokiji's eyebrows twitched again.
The entire First Half of the Grand Line is called Paradise, where there aren't many strong pirate groups, with the only active ones being the Art Pirates and the Kakuzu, Hidan group, plus himself, who occasionally patrols the first half as an Admiral of the Navy Headquarters...
For the Akatsuki...
The First Half of the Grand Line can probably be considered their backyard!
Just at this moment, the sound of high heels clicking reached their ears, and a woman wearing a top hat slowly stepped out of the merchant ship.
The woman reached out her hand to lower her hat brim, a charming soft smile spreading on her lips as she spoke lightly: "Actually, there's no need to be so tense. In the First Half of the Grand Line, we shouldn't encounter any danger, Mr. Kakashi..."
"Of course, we don't have to worry about danger from enemies."
Kakashi Hatake rubbed his forehead, somewhat helplessly responding: "But the danger from our own side is more troublesome... Miss Robin, you probably wouldn't want to see that guy Kakuzu come over now and then to invite you to cooperate, right?"
"..."
Nico Robin was immediately at a loss for words.
The guy Kakuzu, speaking of him, is really hard to describe in one word.
Nico Robin shook her head, sighed once, then slowly walked over to them and looked up at Admiral Aokiji, a smile irresistibly spreading across her face.
"Long time no see, Aokiji."
Nico Robin looked at Admiral Aokiji, tilted her head, and continued with a smile: "This year I have fulfilled our promise, I've been living well in the Wano Country, found many new companions, and what about you, Aokiji?"
"Hmm..."
Aokiji's expression became subtle, seemingly reminded of something, and he couldn't help but support his forehead: "Me... Perhaps my relations with colleagues have improved a lot..."