The mist peeled away like a curtain drawn by fate.
Out of the haze emerged a sleek black ship, slicing through the calm waters of Laboon's stomach like a predator in its den. Its sails hung low, wet and still, but every cannon along the side was already extended—twelve gleaming barrels aimed directly at the Going Merry.
Zoro's hand hovered near his blade.
Sanji squinted into the fog. "That's a battle formation."
"Cannon ports are open," Nami said, eyes sharp.
A voice called out, cutting through the silence.
"Halt your ship! You're surrounded!"
The speaker stood near the front of the enemy deck—a tall, lanky man with orange hair jutting in all directions like coral. He wore goggles on his head and a green cloak with the wind billowing just enough to add flair.
"I am Mr. 9!" he declared with a flourish, striking a pose that suggested theater more than threat.
Beside him stood a girl—young, sharp-eyed, with light blue hair tied into two side buns. Her gaze was calculating, and though her tone was commanding, her hands were clenched just a bit too tightly.
"And I'm Miss Wednesday," she said coldly. "Turn around, or we fire."
The fog closed in again behind them.
No escape.
Crocus stepped forward onto the pier, harpoon still in hand.
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "You know these guys?"
"They're part of something worse than pirates," Crocus replied. "Baroque Works."
Sanji lit a cigarette, shielding the flame with his palm. "Never heard of them."
"You're not supposed to."
Luffy watched them both. He didn't speak. He didn't blink. His eyes studied the two strangers—and the crates stacked behind them. Ropes. Fuses. Sealed barrels marked with red paint.
His system blinked.
[Surveillance Active – Target Analysis: Baroque Agents]
[Cargo Detected: Explosives – Confirmed]
[Mission Projection: Whale Elimination]
"They're here to kill Laboon," Luffy said.
Miss Wednesday's expression froze.
Mr. 9 shuffled awkwardly. "W-well, not kill exactly! Just... subdue!"
"With cannons?" Zoro said dryly.
"With that many barrels?" Nami added.
"And powder crates," Usopp chimed in, pointing with one shaky finger.
Sanji stepped forward. "So, what's the goal here? Score points with some secret boss?"
Mr. 9 waved his arms defensively. "It's a contract! Nothing personal!"
Miss Wednesday looked away.
She wasn't speaking now.
But her silence was louder than Mr. 9's excuses.
The system pulsed again.
[Intent to Harm Confirmed – Shadow Arsenal Armed]
[Distance: 32 meters – Boarding Range Approaching]
[Warning: Unknown Entity Detected – Power Signature Masked]
Luffy lowered his voice. "Something else is here."
The fog behind the black ship shifted unnaturally—rising instead of settling.
From it, a third figure stepped onto the deck. Hooded. Shorter than Mr. 9. Built heavier. Their face hidden by a half-mask made of dark metal.
They didn't speak.
They didn't need to.
Their presence said everything.
Even Mr. 9 turned around in surprise. "W-wait, who are you—?"
Miss Wednesday's breath caught. "That's not one of ours."
Crocus's eyes narrowed. "They brought a third."
"No," Luffy muttered. "That one wasn't supposed to be here."
The masked figure stepped to the edge of the deck.
Paused.
And then jumped.
A shadow blur against the fog, they landed in a crouch on the pier—just meters from the Merry.
Zoro drew his sword in an instant.
Sanji moved into a guard stance.
Nami's hand went to her staff.
Usopp took two full steps back.
Luffy simply raised his hand.
The shadows coiled in response, like serpents woken from stillness.
The figure rose slowly.
Red eyes glowed behind the mask.
Then—without a word—they lunged straight toward Luffy.
[End of Chapter 98]
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