As the saying goes, two threads unfold at once.
That sharp-tongued bitch Maffey was currently chatting with Sommers, discussing whether Valthior's sudden, inexplicable decision to become a pirate had been influenced by the Donquixote Family's hereditary insanity.
Meanwhile, the two CP-9 agents had already been brought in to meet Saint Saturn.
As an intelligence organization, CP agencies and Marine Headquarters were, in fact, parallel and equal entities within the World Government's administrative system.
The Director of CP agencies was typically stationed in Mary Geoise, holding a status no less than that of the Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters.
Likewise, the commander of CP-0 held a position equivalent to a Marine Admiral.
As for the position of Commander-in-Chief of the World Government's entire military, it was often rotated between CP and Marine Headquarters to maintain balance.
At the same time, the World Government constantly stirred conflict between CP and the Marines, ensuring their relationship remained competitive and adversarial—yet overall stable.
This was perfectly normal. After all, if the world's largest intelligence agency and its greatest military force got along too well, the nobles in Mary Geoise wouldn't be able to sleep at night.
That said, the Marines had a bit more backbone. Though they were also under the Celestial Dragons, they still retained some qualities of a true military force.
The CP agencies, on the other hand, had far fewer scruples.
...
As soon as Bazar and Spandine saw Saint Saturn, they didn't hesitate in the slightest—both immediately dropped to their knees before him.
They didn't even dare look upon Saturn's face.
Without waiting for them to introduce themselves, Saturn spoke directly, "Bazar, regarding the covert investigation I assigned you into the Roger Pirates—what progress has been made?"
Clearly, as the Warrior God of Science and Defense, Saturn was quite familiar with the head of CP-9.
"Reporting to Saint Saturn, over the past two years, we have continuously intensified our investigations into the Roger Pirates and have indeed made significant progress," Bazar said in a steady voice.
This demeanor was completely different from the trembling fear he had shown earlier in front of Garling.
In truth, Bazar didn't feel much pressure from Garling's demands. After all, in a sense, he was now handling a "private matter" for one of the Five Elders.
That's right—a private matter.
None of his investigations into the Roger Pirates had ever been entered into CP headquarters' official records. Even today's meeting with Saturn wasn't taking place in Pangaea Castle, but within the God's Domain—inside Saturn's personal quarters.
This made Bazar feel as though he had become one of Saturn's trusted confidants. As long as he maintained that status, how could Garling truly dare to kill him?
Saturn remained silent, and Bazar didn't dare delay, quickly continuing his report:
"Since the God Valley Incident, the Roger Pirates have been active in the West Blue and South Blue. According to our latest intelligence, they have already re-entered the Grand Line. Not long ago, they were sighted at Nanohana Port in the Kingdom of Alabasta."
"We conducted an in-depth analysis of their movements and discovered that, starting from the West Blue, they have consistently been searching for ancient ruins, ancient scripts, and Poneglyphs. In the West Blue's Kano Country, they obtained information on at least two Poneglyphs. However, when we arrived there, the Poneglyphs had already disappeared. We suspect the Roger Pirates are deliberately concealing them."
"Similarly, at the ruins of the South Blue's Binella Kingdom, there are signs that a Poneglyph may have been relocated and subsequently vanished."
"As for Ohara in the West Blue, one of their crew members, 'Jaygar Valthior,' participated as a scholar in an archaeological symposium that lasted nearly a month. Although there are no records of him speaking, eyewitness accounts suggest that this 'scholar' who suddenly appeared after God Valley possesses an exceptional mastery of ancient linguistics and history—so much so that many renowned scholars greatly admired him." Bazar spoke in a deep, measured tone as he detailed their findings.
Upon hearing the name "Jaygar Valthior," Saint Saturn's brow furrowed slightly. He looked at Bazar, who was kneeling and reporting with his head down, feeling a sense of doubt.
Valthior's identity wasn't something that needed strict secrecy. After all, he had lived in Mary Geoise for eighteen years and had appeared in public frequently. People in the Holy Land even spread rumors that he was Saturn's most favored descendant.
Moreover, Valthior had previously cooperated with CP agencies in the capture of Professor Clover.
Logically speaking, even if he had used a pseudonym—merely shortening his surname—someone of Bazar's position as CP-9 Commander shouldn't fail to recognize him.
As for Bazar deliberately pretending not to know?
Impossible—unless he had a death wish.
Which meant the most likely explanation was…
Bazar genuinely had no idea who Valthior really was.
That realization made Saturn feel slightly intrigued. He then shifted his gaze, thoughtfully, toward the deputy commander kneeling beside Bazar.
Afterward, Bazar went on to describe in great detail many of the Roger Pirates' movements. His report was, for the most part, highly accurate. Aside from a few particularly hidden ancient sites, CP had essentially retraced the Roger Pirates' journey step by step.
It was a testament to the terrifying capabilities of the world's largest intelligence agency.
"Based on this information," Bazar concluded, "I suspect the Roger Pirates are attempting to investigate the Void Century. Their motive may stem from the immense pressure caused by the chaotic pirate conflicts in the New World. As a result, they may be seeking an alternative path—searching ancient legends for clues to the Ancient Weapons capable of destroying the world."
Saturn did not inquire about the Ancient Weapons. Instead, his tone sharpened as he asked, "Do you believe their scholar possesses the ability to decipher ancient scripts? Can he read the Poneglyphs?"
Bazar paused briefly in thought before answering, "He likely does."
There was nothing exaggerated or unbelievable about this.
In fact, in this era—and even in the centuries before—individuals capable of deciphering Poneglyphs occasionally emerged across the world.
Just as Dragon would later form the Revolutionary Army, rebellions of a similar nature had occurred more than once over the past centuries.
Saturn had repeatedly captured and released Professor Clover, partially as a means of fishing for information. Whether Clover was foolish or simply desperate, over the decades, his experiences had gradually shaped him into a "leader" within the archaeological community.
Eventually, he settled in Ohara—the cultural holy land of the West Blue—and, leveraging his reputation, began attracting large numbers of archaeologists from around the world.
Over time, he built a strong network, turning Ohara into a true "sanctuary of archaeology."
It could be said that the World Government's repeated "leniency" toward him led many to believe he had powerful backing. This, in turn, drew out numerous hidden individuals across the world who possessed the ability to decipher ancient scripts, gathering them all in Ohara.
Only a very small number of truly clever people remained hidden—such as the Kozuki Family.
Later, when the World Government completely destroyed Ohara, it effectively wiped out these scattered individuals who were otherwise difficult to track, leading to the near-total extinction of Poneglyph deciphering in the original timeline.
Those who revealed themselves were eliminated, while the clever ones wisely stayed hidden.
"Is that so? So Valthior has already mastered such an ability…" Saturn suddenly murmured to himself.
Those words caused Bazar's heart to jolt—he seemed to realize something.
Why did Saturn's tone sound so familiar when referring to that scholar?
Compared to Bazar's reaction, Spandine remained completely calm—and that contrast told Saturn everything he needed to know.
Saturn let out a faint sigh. "Used as a specimen to display one's abilities, yet completely unaware… What a fool. And fools have no value to me."
The moment those words fell—
Bazar suddenly lifted his head, about to say something.
But before he could, his head exploded into a cloud of blood.
Red and white splattered everywhere, staining the luxurious hall with filth.
"What is your name?" Saturn asked calmly.
Blood and fragments of flesh slid down from his hairline.
Spandine remained kneeling, his head still lowered, as he replied, "Reporting to you, my lord—I am CP-9 Deputy Commander, Spandine."
"Very good. From today onward, you are the Commander of CP-9," Saturn said flatly.