Chapter 617 - 840 – Raki’s Idea

"All in all, I need a very large ship."

"Since the price we offered is more than generous, Mayor Iceburg said he'd put his utmost effort into building it for us."

"You'll receive the details later, and I hope you'll put your hearts into the work as well."

Raki planted her hands on her hips as she addressed Rob Lucci, Kaku, and the others.

"No problem. We'll definitely do a good job."

For Kaku, shipbuilding had already become something he genuinely enjoyed.

Compared to his former life as an agent, working as a shipwright had its own unique charm.

And since Raki wanted them to build such an impressive ship, it would undoubtedly be a challenge.

Kaku could already feel his passion for shipbuilding rising.

"If Mayor Iceburg gives the order, I'll naturally do my job properly."

Rob Lucci had no objections either.

Raki stretched lazily and yawned. "Man, I didn't even get a proper rest last night, and now I have to go negotiate with Iceburg again. I'll have to find some time to get a good rest afterward."

"Speaking of which, it's almost time for you guys to start work, isn't it? Want to come with me to see Iceburg?"

Lucci and Kaku immediately shook their heads.

"We need to go back and change first."

They were still wearing their black suits—the uniforms of CP9 agents.

Of course, not everyone wearing a black suit was necessarily an agent, but someone like Iceburg would undoubtedly become suspicious if he saw them dressed like this.

After all, Iceburg had encountered CP9 agents before. Even his mentor had been taken away by CP9.

After Iceburg's mentor, Tom, was taken away, he never returned.

Under those circumstances, both Lucci and Kaku believed that appearing before Iceburg dressed like this would inevitably make him suspicious.

What they didn't know was that Iceburg was already aware of their identities.

However, because Arton needed them to build his ship, Iceburg had no intention of exposing them. Even if they appeared before him in black suits right now, he wouldn't say anything and would simply treat them as usual while assigning them work.

...

Raki knew this too, but she had no intention of stopping them from going back to change.

"All right." Raki nodded to Kaku and Lucci, then looked at Kalifa. "Then come with me."

Lucci and Kaku, who had only just relaxed, immediately tensed again.

"Uh, I need to go back and change too."

Kalifa scratched her cheek awkwardly.

She knew Raki only wanted her to come along because of the mission Arton had given her.

From Lucci and Kaku's perspective, however, they were probably worried that Raki would interfere with Kalifa changing clothes.

What they didn't know was that Raki wouldn't interfere with that at all.

Still, to reassure them—and to keep Kalifa's cover from being exposed—Kalifa could only phrase it differently.

"Don't worry. We're both girls. Just let me go back with you."

"I happened to put down a large deposit with Iceburg, so I don't have enough money to rent a place for the time being."

"Miss Kalifa, how about letting me stay at your place for a while?"

Raki gave Kalifa a familiar pat on the shoulder.

...

"Uh... wouldn't that be a little inconvenient?"

Kaku immediately spoke up when he heard that Raki intended to stay with Kalifa for a while.

Kalifa was an agent, and they might still need to meet up later.

Having a stranger like Raki staying in Kalifa's room would be inconvenient for both Kalifa and the rest of them.

What Kaku didn't know was that if Raki really stayed in Kalifa's room, she wouldn't cause Kalifa any inconvenience whatsoever.

After all, Kalifa already considered herself one of Arton's people.

"How would it be inconvenient? Conis and I are both girls, aren't we?"

Raki waved dismissively and casually draped an arm around Kalifa's shoulders.

"That's not what I mean."

Kaku's mouth twitched as sweat formed on his forehead.

He wanted to persuade Raki otherwise, but he couldn't come up with anything he could say without revealing something, leaving him completely conflicted.

"You already paid Mayor Iceburg a large sum to build your ship. I imagine he'd be willing to provide you with free accommodations."

Rob Lucci stepped forward.

"Exactly! That's what I meant."

Kaku gave Lucci an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Kalifa couldn't help feeling impressed. Lucci truly was CP9's ace.

Not only was he strong, he was quick-witted as well.

Kaku had thought Lucci's suggestion was perfect and that Raki would surely agree.

Raki's answer, however, nearly made his glasses slip off his face.

She shook her head. "That won't work. Kalifa and I hit it off the moment we met. She's like a little sister to me, so I want to spend some time talking with her."

"Even that?!"

Rob Lucci frowned.

Both he and Kaku wondered whether Raki had discovered something, which was why she refused to let Kalifa out of her sight.

They even considered making a move.

But then they remembered what Kalifa had told them earlier about Raki's strength.

Starting a fight would be fine if they could win.

If they couldn't, however, things would only become more complicated.

Besides, they were all still weak from their earlier defeat and nowhere near ready for another battle.

"If Miss Raki wants to stay at my place that badly, then let her."

Kalifa smiled faintly and nodded.

"Huh? Are you sure?"

Kaku tilted his head.

Rob Lucci remained silent, but his eyes stayed fixed on Kalifa.

Clearly, he was also very concerned about her situation.

"It's fine. Like Raki said, she's a girl."

"Anyway, just leave everything to me."

Kalifa gave Lucci and the others a reassuring look.

Although Kaku, Lucci, and Blueno were still worried, Kalifa's demeanor eventually put them at ease.

They quietly watched as Kalifa and Raki walked away together, disappearing from sight while they finally had time to discuss their own situation.

"Lucci, what do we do next?"

Kaku's expression turned serious. "What about that woman who defeated us earlier?"

Blueno asked as well.