The battle—or more accurately, the one-sided massacre—ended even faster than Who's-Who had anticipated. His agents might have been able to show off their skills against ordinary pirates, but they were like paper toys in front of the Red Hair Pirates. These were ruthless individuals, as fierce as wolves and tigers, and the government agents couldn't even organize a decent resistance before being swiftly disarmed, knocked out, and tied up in a heap.+4
As for Who's-Who himself, he barely managed to hold on for a few moves by relying on the powerful physique of his Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit, the Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Saber-Toothed Tiger. He combined this strength with his mastery of Rokushiki techniques, but it wasn't enough. Under the overwhelming pressure of Shanks' seemingly casual yet terrifying Haki-infused slashes and the constant threat of Benn Beckman's gun, he was a marked man. Yasopp ended the struggle by firing a precisely aimed bullet imbued with Armament Haki directly into Who's-Who's knee. The former agent cried out in pain and fell to his knees, where he was quickly and securely bound with thick iron chains by Lucky Roux.+4
Throughout the entire process, the Red Hair Pirates barely seemed to exert themselves. It was as if they were just casually cleaning up trash on the deck.+1
Shanks strolled over to Who's-Who, who was now tied up like a bundle and looking as pale as a sheet. The pirate captain looked down at him with a cheerful smile, though his eyes remained as sharp as knives.+4
"Alright, now we can have a good chat," Shanks said, lightly kicking Who's-Who with his foot. "Who are you exactly? Why is a World Government ship running around in a 'small pond' like the East Blue?" +4
Who's-Who endured the severe pain and humiliation radiating from his knee. He gritted his teeth and answered, "I... I am Who's-Who of CP9..." +3
"CP9?" Shanks raised an eyebrow, interrupting him with a playful tone. "The World Government is practically dead and Mary Geoise is a ruin. Why are you still talking about CP9?" +2
The words caught in Who's-Who's throat, his face turning from green to pale. His proud identity had become a complete joke in an instant. He mumbled, forced to change his story, his voice dropping to a low hum. "...I'm just a commoner..." +1
"A commoner?" The crew members behind Shanks burst into laughter at the clumsy lie.+1
Shanks didn't bother dwelling on the falsehood. "So, 'commoner,' what are you doing in the East Blue piloting a World Government ship?" +4
At this point, Who's-Who realized that concealment was meaningless. He answered dejectedly, "...I was escorting this ship back to Mary Geoise." +4
"Oh? Escorting it?" Shanks asked, his interest piqued. "What's on this ship that's worth you traveling so far?" +1
"I... I don't know," Who's-Who replied honestly. Seeing Shanks frown slightly, he panicked, afraid the pirate wouldn't believe him. He quickly added, "I really don't know! I only received the mission a little over a month ago. I'm only responsible for the escort and ensuring the ship arrives safely. What's loaded inside is top secret. I have no right to check it, and I wouldn't dare try! But... according to internal rumors, it's supposed to be something very valuable." +1
Shanks stared into his eyes for several seconds, his gaze appearing to penetrate Who's-Who's very soul. The former agent was so nervous his heart felt like it might leap out of his chest, fearing Shanks would think he was playing tricks.+1
After a moment, Shanks seemed to believe him and nodded. "Alright, I don't suppose you'd dare to lie to me now," he said before turning to wave to his crew. "Brothers, it's time to work! Move everything that looks valuable or strange onto our ship—inside and out!" +4
"Oh!!!" The Red Hair Pirates cheered loudly, rushing toward the cargo like bears smelling honey, gleefully beginning to "receive" their spoils of war.+1
After giving the order, Shanks turned back to the man on the ground with a smile. "By the way, we're taking the things you're escorting. You don't mind, do you?" +4
Who's-Who looked at the "kind" smile and the pirates around him who were rubbing their fists. He didn't dare say no. Squeezing out a smile that looked uglier than crying, he shook his head quickly. "No... no objection! Please, take whatever you want! Anyway... the World Government is gone, so the safety of this ship has nothing to do with me anymore..." +4
All he wanted now was to save his life.+1
"Very good," Shanks nodded in satisfaction, patting Who's-Who's shoulder with enough force to make him wince. "A wise man submits to circumstances. You're a smart person." +4
Shanks ignored him after that, turning to join his crew in the scavenging, seemingly very interested in the "valuable items".+1
It took some time, but once the Red Hair Pirates had moved everything of value back to the Red Force, they sailed away with the captured transport ship in tow. As they disappeared into the horizon, Who's-Who collapsed onto the cold deck. He panted heavily, his back drenched in cold sweat.+4
Beyond the relief of surviving, he felt an endless confusion and a lingering fear. First, his mission's destination—the World Government—had vanished, and then he was nearly wiped out by the Red Hair Pirates. This series of blows made him realize that this ocean was far more dangerous and insane than he had ever imagined.+4
His old dreams of returning to the core of CP9, earning promotions and wealth, or getting revenge against Takuro seemed ridiculous now. In the face of absolute power and these chaotic times, those thoughts were unrealistic.+4
"Forget it..." Who's-Who looked at the empty, plundered wreck of his ship. He was alone with a group of unconscious subordinates. He let out a long sigh, a hint of dejection and resolve flashing in his eyes. "To hell with power, and to hell with ambition!" +1
He struggled to untie his remaining bonds and looked out into the distance. "I'm not playing this game anymore... I'll find a small island where no one knows me and live a peaceful life under a new name. This world is too damn dangerous!" +1
The grand ambitions of the former CP9 agent were completely crushed by reality. His only wish now was to escape the sea of trouble, find a safe corner, and survive the chaos. As for the "valuable items" that had been on the ship or the turmoil they might cause in the future, it no longer concerned him.
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