<div>
<div>
The plan was discussed for several days, but before everyone could fully prepare, the Heavenly Tribute fleet arrived as scheduled.
<div>
<div>
This wasn''t a performance, after all. They couldn''t expect the Government to cooperate with a dress rehearsal.
<div>
<div>
In the designated area, a massive fleet appeared on the horizon, sailing majestically towards them.
<div>
<div>
Each ship was heavily guarded, with half of the security detail comprised of Government agents and Marines, and the other half consisting of guards from the contributing nations.
<div>
<div>
One ship in the fleet was laden with vast amounts of money and resources. Government agents stood vigilantly on deck, alert to any movement on the surrounding waters.
<div>
<div>
On the sunny bow of the ship, Cretin emerged with a confident stride.
<div>
<div>
She wore a magnificent white and gold knight''s uniform, a longsword hanging from her slender waist. Her elegant silver hair shimmered in the bright sunlight.
<div>
<div>
The Government agents couldn''t help but steal glances at her.
<div>
<div>
Cretin, the leader of the Knights, was an ally of the contributing nation whose Heavenly Tribute was on this ship. She had been specifically invited to assist with the escort.
<div>
<div>
Aside from the Government personnel, almost everyone on board was a member of her Knight Order.
<div>
<div>
The Government''s senior agents looked down upon the hired help, which worked to Cretin''s advantage.
<div>
<div>
A man of average height with a stern face followed Cretin.
<div>
<div>
It was Noir, disguised using his Devil Fruit ability.
<div>
<div>
He had settled Robin and the others, leaving Enel and Wyper to recuperate from their injuries.
<div>
<div>
Noir had only brought Lucci and Blueno with him, as their abilities and experience would be invaluable.
<div>
<div>
Blueno''s Door-Door Fruit, in particular, would allow the Revolutionary Army soldiers to appear on the ships and in various locations without a trace.
<div>
<div>
Hidden behind his borrowed face, Noir discreetly assessed the ship''s security personnel.
<div>
<div>
Their chests puffed out, suggesting mastery of Tekkai and Soru. Their limbs were muscular, indicating impressive physical strength.
<div>
<div>
Almost everyone on board was proficient in Rokushiki, a stark contrast to the average Marine soldiers Noir had encountered before.
<div>
<div>
Moreover, each ship carrying the Heavenly Tribute was closely guarded by a Marine warship, providing an extra layer of protection.
<div>
<div>
With such tight security, it was no wonder the Revolutionary Army had to go to such lengths.
<div>
<div>
Even the Revolutionary soldiers chosen for this infiltration mission were among the elite.
<div>
<div>
The plan had undergone several revisions, and Noir''s objective had become quite simple.
<div>
<div>
Each ship in the Heavenly Tribute fleet was equipped with a Den Den Mushi. The infiltrating soldiers had to sever all communication lines to the outside world.
<div>
<div>
However, both the transport ships and the Marine escorts had a lead ship equipped with a Visual Den Den Mushi for surveillance. Every ship''s movements were constantly monitored.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
<div>
<div>
This world had its version of "security cameras." Even with Blueno''s Door-Door Fruit, the moment they were spotted, the other ships would send out distress signals.
<div>
<div>
The two lead ships were heavily guarded, and they were Noir''s primary targets.
<div>
<div>
A completely silent takeover of the fleet was impossible. The goal was to maximize the effectiveness of the infiltration team''s actions.
<div>
<div>
If the fleet''s distress signals could be cut off, it would buy the external forces more time.
<div>
<div>
Therefore, Noir''s role was crucial. He was essentially the trigger for the entire Revolutionary Army operation.
<div>
<div>
Noir followed Cretin, blending in with a small squad of knights as they patrolled the ship.
<div>
<div>
Lucci, seemingly focused on the path ahead, was secretly observing the positions of the surrounding Marine ships.
<div>
<div>
The blind spots were minimal. Every ship''s movements were visible from almost every angle. Apart from the cabins, there were hardly any hidden areas.
<div>
<div>
As Cretin led the patrol, a petite young woman approached them.
<div>
<div>
She wore a Government uniform and had a subordinate trailing behind her.
<div>
<div>
This girl, barely reaching five feet tall, had a grown man as her underling.
<div>
<div>
Seeing Cretin, she raised her hand to stop them. "Captain Cretin, please refrain from wandering around the ship unnecessarily."
<div>
<div>
Cretin narrowed her eyes, offering a gentle smile. "Protecting the Heavenly Tribute from our allied nation is also our duty."
<div>
<div>
The man behind the girl frowned. "Just follow the officer''s orders. Don''t be so difficult."
<div>
<div>
Cretin was about to retort when Noir scoffed. "Such a young child, yet you''ve managed to train a good dog."
<div>
<div>
The man bristled at the provocation and grabbed Noir by the collar. "What did you say?"
<div>
<div>
The girl''s expression remained impassive. "Captain Cretin, your subordinate has a loose tongue."
<div>
<div>
The girl gave a subtle signal, and the man understood immediately. He dragged Noir away, a sinister grin on his face. "You little punk! Let''s find a quiet spot and teach you a lesson about the harsh realities of the world!"
<div>
<div>
Cretin''s face darkened as she watched them leave, but she forced herself to swallow her anger. "My apologies for my subordinate''s insolence. I leave his punishment to your discretion."
<div>
<div>
The girl nodded coldly and followed the man without a word.
<div>
<div>
Cretin smirked inwardly, exchanging a glance with Lucci and Blueno. It was time to act.
<div>
<div>
Noir was dragged away by the man and thrown into a storage room in the ship''s hold.
<div>
<div>
The other guards who had witnessed the scene watched with amusement.
<div>
<div>
Someone wants to anger a Government agent? He probably wouldn''t make it out alive.
<div>
<div>
Soon, the girl entered the storage room, her hands clasped behind her back, and silently observed.
<div>
<div>
After a while, the man lay motionless on the floor, his eyes wide open. He wasn''t breathing.
<div>
<div>
Another man, identical in appearance, walked over. However, his demeanor had subtly changed.
<div>
<div>
Noir, having transformed into the man, adjusted his voice and greeted the girl. "What''s your name?"
<div>
<div>
"Momomi. You can call me Officer Momomi," the girl replied, her petite frame radiating a chilling aura.
<div>
<div>
Noir, acting as if they were close acquaintances, raised his hand and affectionately ruffled her hair. "A little girl shouldn''t have such a cold expression. It''s not cute."
<div>
<div>
Momomi felt the warmth of his hand on her head. She looked up at Noir, her voice icy. "Shut up and take your hand off me."
<div>
<div>
"I don''t want to…"
<div>
<div>
Noir teased, but he immediately sensed something was wrong.
<div>
<div>
He had spoken, but no sound had come out.
<div>
<div>
Noir stared at Momomi in shock, his mind reeling.
<div>
<div>
The Silent-Silent Fruit? That was Corazon''s ability!
<div>
<div>
Right, Corazon was dead. The Devil Fruit must have reappeared.
<div>
<div>
It seemed Momomi, a Revolutionary undercover within the Government, had inherited the power of the Silent-Silent Fruit.
<div>
<div>
No wonder Cretin had asked her to cooperate with him.
<div>
<div>
Momomi, seeing Noir''s silence, spoke matter-of-factly. "Don''t let my height fool you. I''m 27 years old. Show some respect."
<div>
<div>
Huh?
<div>
<div>
Noir stared at the lolita with even greater astonishment. She didn''t look her age at all.
<div>
<div>
A woman nearing thirty, with her short stature, flat chest, and childish voice and appearance… it was quite bizarre.
<div>
<div>
They were the same age, yet look at Robin.
<div>
<div>
In the name of scientific research, Noir had once risked his life to measure Robin''s bust. One meter, no mistake.
<div>
<div>
Those magnificent melons were almost as big as his head!
<div>
<div>
The 2D world was the best...
<div>
Of course, he''d almost been buried alive by Robin afterward…