Chapter 597 - 800 – Waiting for the CP9 Agents’ Gathering

"All right. Then we'll proceed according to your plan, Arton."

Iceburg spoke to Arton.

After witnessing Conis's abilities, he had become confident in her as well.

How could a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user like Conis possibly lose to a few CP9 agents?

If the opponent had been a CP0 agent, perhaps things would have been different.

However, Iceburg also knew that under normal circumstances, CP0 agents would never appear during the first half of the Grand Line.

Compared with the first half, the second half of the Grand Line contained far more important matters requiring CP0's attention.

Still, if possible, Iceburg hoped Kalifa and the others were not actually CP9 agents.

They had worked together for such a long time that Iceburg had already developed genuine feelings toward Kalifa, Rob Lucci, Kaku, and the others.

If all of that had merely been an act, he would feel deeply disappointed.

"Since you agree, all that's left is to wait for Kalifa, Rob Lucci, Kaku, and the others to gather."

"Once they're together, I'll have Conis make her move."

Arton said.

"No problem. But I'm curious—why do you specifically want Conis to do it?"

"Don't misunderstand me. I'm not looking down on Miss Conis's abilities."

"What I mean is that you could easily do it yourself."

"You could even have one of your other famous companions take action."

"All it would take is for them to stand in front of Kalifa and the others, and Kalifa's group would probably reveal themselves immediately."

Iceburg asked.

There was truth in his words.

Arton, Nami, Carina, and several of the others were already quite famous throughout the world.

Hardly anyone would consider Arton or his companions weak.

Iceburg believed the same applied to Kalifa, Rob Lucci, and Kaku.

If Arton—or someone like Nami—simply appeared before them, they might reveal their identities without a fight.

There was no real need to make Conis fight and go through all that trouble.

"Zephyr is still on this island."

"I don't want him to know I'm here yet."

"It would interfere with my shipbuilding plans."

Arton explained.

"I see. I understand."

Iceburg suddenly realized what Arton meant.

If Arton personally went to cause trouble for Kalifa and the others—or if Nami or another well-known crewmate did so—word that the Flameblade Pirates had arrived in Water 7 might quickly reach Zephyr, perhaps even Marine Headquarters.

Building a ship would take a considerable amount of time.

If Zephyr and reinforcements from Marine Headquarters came after them later, Arton would hardly be able to peacefully wait for the ship to be completed.

Iceburg himself might also have difficulty building Arton's ship smoothly because of pressure from the Marines.

Conis, however, was not famous.

Even if she caused trouble for Kalifa and the others, Kalifa would have no way of knowing who exactly had come after them.

That meant Zephyr and Marine Headquarters naturally would not learn that Arton was already in Water 7.

By the time Arton replaced his ship—or Iceburg and the others finished building his new one—they could avoid a great deal of trouble.

"Good. Now that you understand, we'll quietly wait for Kalifa and the others to hold their gathering."

Arton patted Iceburg on the shoulder.

...

"That makes sense, but will Kalifa, Rob Lucci, and the others really hold a gathering?"

"Even if they truly are agents, wouldn't they avoid meeting frequently in order to preserve their cover?"

A sharp gleam flashed through Iceburg's eyes.

After all, the more often they met, the greater the chances of exposing some weakness.

People as capable as Kalifa, Rob Lucci, and Kaku should surely understand that.

"Under normal circumstances, perhaps they really wouldn't gather."

"But I'm here now."

Arton smiled and pointed at himself.

"You?"

Iceburg froze for a moment before quickly realizing what he meant.

"You mean they'll gather to discuss you because you've arrived?"

"Don't tell me I'm not worth discussing?"

Arton asked with a smile.

Iceburg nodded firmly.

If Kalifa, Rob Lucci, and Kaku were CP9 agents, then even if Arton was not their mission target, merely hearing their conversation and seeing them use CP9 techniques in front of Conis would prove that Arton had not lied.

Arton patted Iceburg's shoulder confidently.

"All right."

Iceburg sighed.

Deep down, he had already accepted Arton's proposal.

Under those circumstances, no matter how much he hoped Kalifa and the others were not CP9 agents, he could only act for the time being.

"Conis, Raki, you two come with me."

Arton turned toward the two women.

"No problem."

Raki patted her chest. Naturally, Arton's words carried no objection for her.

"Same here."

Conis took a deep breath and answered seriously.

They would soon need to display their strength. Although the mission itself was not particularly difficult, Conis did not want to disappoint Arton.

This time, she intended to give it everything she had and face the situation properly.

If she messed things up, she did not know whether she would still have the face to see Arton afterward.