No matter if they were adults or children, she greeted everyone with a bright smile. Occasionally, she would even bend down to pat children on the head, exuding warmth and friendliness that masked her true intentions.
"As an outsider, gaining the recognition and favor of the residents of Wano Country so quickly… It seems he's more than just a reckless brute relying on strength alone," the woman thought as she observed her surroundings carefully.
Every so often, passersby would glance curiously at her and Darius, who was walking beside her. Some even greeted them politely. Though she didn't care much for these rural folk, her training as an agent compelled her to maintain her flawless facade.
"Sister, you're so beautiful!" A little girl in a light blue kimono, her face sticky from the candy apple she was holding, beamed up at her with innocent admiration.
The woman squatted down gracefully, her fingers gently brushing the girl's cheek. "Little one, you're the cute one. When you grow up, you'll be even more beautiful than me," she said with a smile that sparkled like sunshine.
"Really? Hehe, thank you, sister!" The little girl giggled, her joy radiating through her cheerful expression.
For a moment, the woman—whose heart had long been shadowed by darkness after years of service to the government—felt a flicker of warmth. It was brief, almost fleeting, but undeniable. Looking at the child's untainted smile, a glimmer of light seemed to pierce through the walls she had built around herself.
But just as quickly as it came, the light faded. The world was cruel, and such purity wouldn't last. She rose to her feet, brushing off the lingering sentiment.
"Goodbye, little one," she said, waving as she turned to leave. "Take care."
"Goodbye, sister!" The girl waved back enthusiastically, her smile undiminished.
Darius, who had paused a short distance ahead, watched silently as the woman caught up to him. There was something contemplative in his gaze, but he said nothing, merely quickening his pace as they approached their destination.
The woman noticed his change in demeanor but chose not to comment. She adjusted her stride to match his, silently following him to the gates of the Marine base.
At the gates of the base, the old signage had been replaced with a new Marine plaque, proudly marking the transition of authority. Marines stood in two neat rows on either side of the entrance, awaiting the arrival of government officials.
In front of the assembled soldiers, Khalifa stood impatiently, glancing at her wristwatch. Her brows were furrowed in frustration as she muttered complaints under her breath.
"Ugh, this pompous jerk! When I was sent on missions before, he never put on such a grand show. Making me wait here like an idiot… Just wait until I see him, I'll teach him a lesson!"
Beside her, a tall female soldier, standing over three meters in height, leaned down to whisper, "Big sister Khalifa, I think the government representatives have arrived."
"Don't call me big sister!" Khalifa snapped reflexively before her head turned sharply in the direction the soldier had indicated.
Her gaze first landed on Darius, whom she vaguely recognized, and then shifted to the woman walking behind him. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the woman's confident stride and the way she casually scanned the Marines on either side of the gate.
The moment their eyes met, something seemed to click. The CP woman, noticing Khalifa's piercing stare, turned her head abruptly, locking eyes with her.
Both women froze for a second. Then, as if on cue, they adjusted their glasses simultaneously in a synchronized motion. The tension between them crackled like a taut wire, and in the next moment, Khalifa's expression darkened.
"It's you, Alpha!" she barked, her voice dripping with venom. "What the hell is the government thinking? Sending a CP8 failure like you to the New World? Are they blind, or just desperate?"
Alpha's lips curled into a mocking smile as she shot back, "Oh, please. Look who's talking! A disgraced CP agent who ran crying to the Marines to avoid punishment. Tell me, how does it feel to switch sides so shamelessly?"
Khalifa's face flushed with anger. Pushing her glasses up with trembling fingers, she snarled, "You—! Don't you dare lecture me! Unlike you, I'm not a waste of space."
Alpha's smirk deepened. "Waste? Says the coward who defected after failing a mission. Do you know how furious Father was when he found out? I'm here on his behalf to reprimand you for being such a disgrace."
The word Father made several heads turn among the gathered Marines. Darius, who had been watching the scene unfold with growing confusion, suddenly felt a realization dawn on him.
He glanced at Alpha, then at Khalifa, comparing their features. Though subtle, there was an undeniable resemblance between the two women. Their shared sharpness of expression and similar mannerisms hinted at a connection.
"Wait a second," Darius murmured under his breath, his eyes widening. "Are they… sisters?"
Darius's guess wasn't far off. Although most CP agents were orphans raised by the government, exceptions did exist. Khalifa and Alpha were among those exceptions.
Their father, once a distinguished member of CP9, had chosen to send both daughters into government service for training. Raised separately, they were conditioned to view emotions like family loyalty as unnecessary and irrelevant.
Despite their shared parentage, the sisters had only met a handful of times, usually under strained circumstances. Each meeting inevitably descended into heated arguments, driven by their clashing personalities and the competitive nature ingrained in them by their upbringing.
As the quarrel escalated, the Marines and Darius exchanged bewildered glances. It was clear that this wasn't just a professional rivalry; there was deeply personal history fueling the animosity between the two women.
Alpha folded her arms across her chest, her smug expression unwavering as Khalifa continued to fume. "What's the matter, Khalifa? You seem upset. Could it be that you're embarrassed to see me?"
Khalifa gritted her teeth, her fists clenched at her sides. "Don't push me, Alpha. I won't hesitate to put you in your place, sister or not."
Alpha chuckled. "Oh, I'd love to see you try. Let's settle this later, shall we? I'm sure Vice Admiral Luffy would appreciate seeing how 'competent' his new Marine recruit really is."
Her taunt drew a ripple of murmurs from the Marines, who now watched with growing interest. The tension between the sisters was palpable, and everyone seemed eager to see how it would unfold.
Darius, sensing the situation spiraling out of control, stepped forward, raising his voice. "Ladies, we're here for a mission, not a family reunion. Save your squabbles for later."
Both women turned their sharp gazes on him, but his firm tone managed to momentarily defuse the argument. Khalifa huffed and adjusted her glasses again, muttering something under her breath as she stepped back into line.
Alpha smirked, clearly enjoying the last word, but she too refrained from pushing further. For now.
As the group prepared to proceed into the base, Darius couldn't help but wonder what other surprises these sisters would bring. One thing was certain—the tension between Alpha and Khalifa wasn't going to disappear anytime soon.
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