"CP9 is targeting ? I'm a bounty hunter certified by the Marines, with a license."
Caelan was a little surprised to hear Kalifa's explanation.
From what she was saying, the mission to find Robin was just a side task. The real objective was to monitor him!
"That's the Marines' business. Several of our CP9 superiors and higher-ups believe you're a potentially dangerous elent."
"They think a powerful man like you, who acts freely and likes to ddle in others' affairs, will eventually beco an enemy of the World Governnt."
Kalifa looked at Caelan seriously as she spoke.
"That's true. They know well."
Caelan stroked his chin, gaining so insight.
To put it bluntly, those in power within the World Governnt believed he was not one of them and that a falling out was only a matter of ti.
They weren't wrong. Caelan would never align himself with the Celestial Dragons.
Looks like it's ti to make so early preparations. Otherwise, it could get ssy if things suddenly take a turn.
"You really do have a rebellious heart!"
Kalifa looked at Caelan in astonishnt, her expression turning slightly grim.
She was now his prisoner and had just learned such a major secret. It felt like her fate was sealed.
"It's still early. You can help feed them so false information for now, just to buy so ti."
Caelan smiled calmly, his tone unhurried.
He wasn't afraid of the World Governnt anymore when it ca to his personal strength. But his current forces were lacking, so it wasn't ti for open conflict yet.
Over the coming period, he'd need to expand his power rapidly while gathering more Berries.
"I'm a mber of CP9. I can't help you."
Kalifa lowered her head, making her expression unreadable.
She wasn't that loyal to CP9—especially not to Spandam, whom she despised.
Still, Caelan hadn't threatened her yet. She wanted to see if there was room to maneuver.
Maybe he'd let her go, considering what happened last night?
"If you don't agree, you might be spending the rest of your life in this room, handcuffed."
Caelan pinched Kalifa's legs and sighed.
If she refused, The Investigator's Secret Files could turn from a one-off into an entire series.
Sure, getting her to pass false intel to the World Governnt was helpful, but if she didn't cooperate, it wouldn't be a huge loss—just less ti to develop his forces.
"No need to say more. I agree!"
Kalifa gritted her teeth and finally gave in. Still, she figured she might be able to walk both sides, playing the double agent without offending either.
Caelan nodded with satisfaction and pressed down on her head.
"What are you doing? I already agreed!"
Kalifa looked at Caelan, confused by his actions.
"Just checking your sincerity."
Caelan's tone wasn't harsh, but it left no room for refusal.
He knew this woman wouldn't be tad easily, but with the right timing, anything could change.
Helpless, Kalifa stared at him with resentnt, but eventually bent down.
…
The night passed quickly.
Morning ca aboard the Wind Rider.
Kalifa was still handcuffed, trailing behind Caelan like soone carrying a grudge.
Until she gained enough of his trust, the handcuffs would remain.
"From today on, Kalifa is our spy. She'll be feeding our intel to CP9."
Caelan introduced the unwilling Kalifa to the won.
"She gave in after just one night?"
Robin looked at Kalifa with a hint of disappointnt. She had thought Kalifa was tougher and could hold out a few more days.
Nami and the others were also surprised. Caelan had managed to win her over in just one night—it was shockingly fast.
"You!"
Kalifa glared at Robin but had nothing to say in return.
Under Caelan's blend of threat and persuasion, she had utterly caved.
"Don't be like that. Aside from feeding them false intel, she's also going to be your instructor."
Caelan pointed at Kalifa and spoke seriously.
Over the past ten days, they had completed an intensive Haki crash course. The won had successfully awakened both Observation and Armant Haki.
Although it was just the initial stage, only E-rank, according to the system's assessnt, it still significantly boosted their strength.
While they were nowhere near as strong as Smoker during his ti in the New World, they could probably hold their own in a fight against him now.
"Instructor? Her!?"
Nami and the others looked at Kalifa in disbelief. What could she possibly teach?
Spy skills? They didn't need that.
"She'll be teaching you the Navy's Rokushiki. It'll greatly enhance your physical ability and help strengthen your Haki."
Caelan nodded firmly.
After their Haki awakening, there wasn't much more he could directly help with. From here on, their growth would rely on personal training.
The Rokushiki, as a systematic Marine combat technique, was perfect for this.
The girls didn't fully understand the value of the yet. Even Tashigi, who had been in the Navy, had only ever seen them from afar.
Still, because they trusted Caelan, they were eager to learn.
Soon, the handcuffed Kalifa began her first day as their instructor.
"The Navy's Rokushiki is a collective term for six advanced physical techniques: Shave, Moon Step, Paper Art, Iron Body, Finger Pistol, and Tempest Kick. It's the most practical physical combat system in the seas…"
The prisoner Kalifa didn't hold anything back. She explained the essence of the Rokushiki and demonstrated their effects.
"This is Tempest Kick. By kicking at high speed, a vacuum is created, launching an air blade. It's extrely powerful."
She lifted her left leg and kicked sharply. A massive air slash burst forward with a sonic boom.
Then, Kalifa rapidly stepped through the air, floating upward.
"This is Moon Step. By stepping on the air at high speed, you can walk through the sky."
Determined to prove her worth and improve her circumstances, she was giving it her all.
"Whoa! That's incredible!"
Watching Moonwalk and Tempest Kick, the won's eyes sparkled. These abilities were impressive.
The teaching wasn't bad at all!
Caelan nodded slightly, pleased with Kalifa's performance.
Noticing Caelan's quiet approval, Kalifa felt encouraged and decided to go all in.
"Next is Iron Body. By increasing blood flow and accelerating muscle movent, your muscles beco as hard as iron—an unbreakable wall!"
"Though you can't move while using it, the defense is incredible."
Kalifa looked quite proud, clearly confident in the Iron Body's effectiveness.
"Everything else is fine, but forget the Iron Body."
Caelan coughed and interrupted her.
That move wasn't very useful. It might boost defense by 1, but confidence by 999. And once used, no one would say anything flattering about it.
"Why? It's a powerful skill!"
Kalifa was stunned and looked at Caelan in confusion.
She didn't use Iron Body often herself, but her CP9 colleagues, especially Kaku and Blueno used it frequently. Even Lucci, CP9's strongest, valued it highly.
Even Nami and the others were puzzled. Based on her explanation, it seed like a great move.
"I can just throw a punch. Want to try it?"
Caelan raised his fist and asked Kalifa calmly.
If she kept pushing, he wouldn't mind proving his point physically.
No way was he letting Nami and the others beco reckless at shields.
"Forget it, forget it!"
Kalifa gave an awkward smile and quickly backed off.
After what she experienced during their fight last night, she knew she couldn't take a single one of his punches.
She also realized that the so-called CP9 elites would probably be one-shot by Caelan. Iron Body, in the face of his strength, wasn't worth anything.
"So basically, if you use Iron Body against soone strong, you're asking to die."
Nami and the others imdiately understood what Caelan ant.
They rembered the fight between Caelan and the two giants in Little Garden. His strength was like a natural disaster.
Even diamond wouldn't stand a chance against that.
"Good. As long as you get the point, keep learning."
"The Rokushiki are all very practical techniques. But forget about Iron Body."
Caelan waved his hand and stood aside.
Though a bit disappointed, Kalifa adjusted her attitude and continued teaching the others seriously.
Caelan observed from the side, correcting a few mistakes with his own martial arts experience.
Just like that, the day passed in training.
That night, Kalifa ca to Caelan's room again.
She would only be given her own room once she earned enough trust.
Until then, she had to remain under his supervision.
(To be continued.)
***
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