Chapter 596 - 798 – Oh, So This Is Conis

Although turning a ship the size of a Marine battleship into something that could be freely operated by only a handful of people would be somewhat difficult, Arton believed that with Iceburg's abilities, he could definitely pull it off.

After all, Iceburg was a disciple of the legendary shipwright Tom.

If necessary, he could even bring Franky in to help.

With both of Tom's finest disciples working together, they should be able to build Arton a pirate ship comparable in size to a Marine battleship.

And if he really had a pirate ship as large as a battleship, Arton could even fit the Going Merry inside its hull.

That thought alone made Kaya much happier.

After all, the Going Merry had been a ship she had commissioned herself. Although Kaya had said nothing when Arton mentioned replacing their ship, he could tell that she still felt reluctant to part with the Going Merry.

That was only natural. Even Arton himself had grown attached to it.

If he did not genuinely need a larger ship now, Arton would not have wanted to replace the Going Merry either.

"I'm glad to hear that answer. So how do you plan to find proof that Rob Lucci and the others are agents?"

Iceburg asked Arton.

"That isn't particularly difficult. Once Rob Lucci, Kalifa, and the others are forced to display CP9's techniques, I think you'll completely believe what I told you, Iceburg."

Arton replied.

"Indeed."

Iceburg unconsciously nodded.

Kalifa, Rob Lucci, Kaku, and the others had all demonstrated a certain degree of combat ability before.

However, that did not mean ordinary workers like them should be capable of using CP9's special techniques.

If they could use those techniques, it would prove one thing: Kalifa, Rob Lucci, Kaku, and the others truly were CP9 agents.

At this point, Iceburg already found Arton's explanation quite convincing.

"That method is indeed a good one, but how exactly do you intend to carry it out?"

"Since they're pretending to be ordinary workers, they certainly wouldn't willingly display their abilities as agents."

Iceburg carefully searched through his memories.

He truly could not recall ever seeing Rob Lucci or the others display overwhelming strength.

Not only had he never seen it himself, but he had never heard anything like that mentioned in reports from his subordinates either.

Of course, perhaps Kalifa and the others had simply concealed themselves well enough to avoid such incidents.

"Normally, they definitely wouldn't reveal their abilities easily."

"But if they're forced into a corner, they'll have no choice but to show what they can do."

Arton spoke confidently.

"Oh? How are you planning to force them?"

Iceburg asked curiously.

"I'm going to have one of my companions, Conis, go cause them some trouble."

"As long as Conis shows enough strength to threaten their lives, they'll definitely reveal their own abilities to protect themselves."

Arton explained.

"Conis?"

Iceburg frowned, a thoughtful gleam flashing through his eyes.

"You have a companion named Conis?"

His confusion was understandable. After all, Conis had not received a Marine bounty.

It was perfectly normal for Iceburg not to know her.

"Oh, this is Conis."

Arton pulled the gentle blonde woman over in front of him and introduced her with a smile.

...

"Hello, Miss Conis."

Iceburg nodded and greeted the woman before him.

Although he had never met Conis before, he still intended to treat her cordially like a gentleman.

"Hello, Mr. Iceburg."

Conis responded just as gently.

"This may sound somewhat rude, but Miss Conis, are you confident you can force Kalifa and the others to reveal their abilities as agents?"

"If you go looking for trouble with them, do you possess enough strength to protect yourself?"

Iceburg asked solemnly.

He did not know how such a remarkably gentle-looking woman had become Arton's companion and chosen to become a pirate.

However, precisely because Conis seemed so gentle, Iceburg wanted to properly confirm how strong she really was.

If Conis made some mistake while probing Kalifa and the others and ended up injured, Iceburg would feel extremely uneasy about it.

"Since Captain believes I have enough strength to force Kalifa and the others to use their abilities, I think I'll be safe."

Conis replied with a smile.

Iceburg was momentarily speechless.

Who judged their own strength using someone else's standards like that?

For a moment, Iceburg could only twitch the corner of his mouth while looking toward Arton, hoping he would give him a more satisfactory answer.

"Trust me—and trust Conis."

Arton patted Iceburg on the shoulder.

"To tell you the truth, Conis is a natural Rumble-Rumble Fruit user."

"If someone who doesn't know Haki fights her, they'll only become lambs waiting to be slaughtered."

"When Kalifa, Rob Lucci, Kaku, and the others face Conis, they probably won't even dare to touch her body."

Both Iceburg and Jabra immediately revealed stunned expressions.

What had they just heard?

The Conis standing before them was actually a natural Rumble-Rumble Fruit user—and an exceptionally powerful one at that?

Arton's companions were seriously far too lucky.

"If she really is a natural Rumble-Rumble Fruit user, then Kalifa and the others definitely won't be able to handle her."

Jabra swallowed and spoke almost involuntarily.

Even the weakest natural Devil Fruit user would still be extremely troublesome for Kalifa and the others if they lacked Haki.

Conis smiled. In a flash, her body transformed into lightning and vanished from where she stood.

When she appeared again, she was already more than ten meters away.

Then, just as Iceburg and Jabra raised their eyes toward her, Conis instantly moved back in front of them.

...

After witnessing that scene, neither Iceburg nor Jabra had any remaining doubts about Conis.

Even though the two of them were not natural Devil Fruit users themselves, they had both heard of such abilities.

After all, three of the Marines' strongest admirals possessed the powers of the Magma-Magma Fruit, Ice-Ice Fruit, and Glint-Glint Fruit.

Thinking about those three admirals, Iceburg and Jabra could not help turning their thoughts toward Conis's Rumble-Rumble Fruit.

Clearly, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's inherent potential could not possibly be inferior to the Magma-Magma Fruit, Ice-Ice Fruit, or Glint-Glint Fruit.

Could Conis eventually grow to the level of a Marine admiral?

The mere thought of that possibility made Iceburg and Jabra's hearts beat faster.