One Piece: Fist of the World

Someone's behind me!?

When?!

The smile on Shoji's face froze instantly.

One must understand that although he was currently only a Millionaire Agent, having recently joined Baroque Works, his strength was comparable to that of a Billionaire Agent. All he lacked was significant merit to climb the ranks.

For someone to appear behind him without his slightest awareness... didn't this imply that had the person harbored any ill intentions, he would be dead by now?

Shoji turned around stiffly, his gaze landing on the two red-haired teenagers standing behind him.

Those unmistakable faces were precisely the targets he had intended to report: "Mad Blade" Rhodes and "Black Gun" Neru!

His heart skipped a beat, yet a forced smile plastered itself onto Shoji's face.

"Tell me, what is your identity?"

Rhodes picked up the intelligence booklet that the other man had dropped on the ground, flipping through it casually as he spoke.

"We are members of the Baroque Works. We've been stationed on Tiger Shark Island, partly to gather intelligence and partly to seek out suitable bounties."

Knowing that the person before him was an opponent far beyond his capabilities, Shoji revealed his affiliation with utmost honesty.

"Baroque Works?"

Hearing the familiar name escape the other man's lips, Rhodes was slightly taken aback, his gaze intensifying as he looked at the pair again.

The characteristic male-female agent teams, along with the subtly placed Baroque Works logo on their attire, all seemed to fit.

"Our company's headquarters are on the Grand Line..."

Thinking that Rhodes might be unaware of their organization's scope, Shoji began to elaborate, hoping to instill some apprehension and dissuade them from immediate violence.

"I know. It's a criminal organization founded by Crocodile, headquartered in Alabasta."

"What?! Crocodile!!"

Upon hearing Rhodes' words, Shoji and Margaret's pupils dilated in shock, their jaws practically hitting the ground, much to Rhodes' and Neru's amusement.

"Oh, that's right. It seems everyone in your company goes by code names, and their true identities are kept secret."

As if suddenly recalling something, Rhodes lightly tapped his forehead, looking at the two before him without a hint of apology.

"My bad, I might have just put you in danger. I heard that Crocodile wants to keep his role as the boss of Baroque Works a secret, so anyone who learns the truth ends up... dealt with."

"It's over!!"

Shoji and Margaret felt a wave of despair wash over them. Knowing such a secret meant they would likely be hunted down.

They couldn't fathom surviving the pursuit of a Shichibukai.

"Who did you just contact?"

"Mr. 11. He happened to be on the island because he was trying to recruit a strong individual."

"Mr. 11?"

Rhodes pondered for a moment, but no recollection of such a figure surfaced.

The serial numbers are too high; no impression at all!

"Do you honestly believe Mr. 11 has the strength to defeat us?"

A look of genuine bewilderment spread across Rhodes' face.

After all, he was now a pirate with a 71 million Berry bounty. Even in the Grand Line, that wasn't an insignificant figure.

What gave these two the confidence to think they could be taken down by some low-ranking officer from Baroque Works?

"We initially thought your high bounty was due to some... unusual deeds..."

Shoji was still reeling from the fear of being hunted by a Shichibukai. His future seemed bleak, and he inadvertently blurted out more information about Rhodes' situation.

"Because Mr. 11 has been struggling to deal with this monster for a long time, I heard that headquarters has dispatched a Chief Executive to take over the task."

"Chief Executive?"

"Yes, Mr. 5, and the higher-ranking cadres."

Could it be the third brother?

When the top echelons of Baroque Works were mentioned, the first person to flash through Rhodes' mind was a man with the number "3" emblazoned on his head, elegantly holding a teacup.

If it truly was him, Rhodes was eager to gauge the strength of this so-called "strongest subordinate."

"I don't know specifically who it is."

Noticing the thoughtful expression on Rhodes' face, Shoji quickly added.

As Rhodes' gaze shifted back to him, Shoji adopted a fawning demeanor, speaking with utmost caution.

"Out of the kindness of your hearts, could the two esteemed brothers keep today's matter a secret?"

Having plunged into the abyss of fear at the thought of being pursued by a Shichibukai and imagining countless terrifying scenarios, Shoji suddenly had an epiphany.

They were just insignificant cogs in the vast machine of Baroque Works. Although they had inadvertently stumbled upon the secret of their boss's true identity, as long as they kept their mouths shut, no one would ever know. After all, even the Chief Executives were likely in the dark about the President's true identity.

As long as these two menacing figures before him didn't reveal anything, they might just survive this ordeal.

However, since he couldn't possibly defeat them, he had no choice but to beg for their discretion.

"Not bad, your mind works quickly."

Rhodes looked at the unremarkable man before him with a hint of surprise.

In a world where most people were straightforward and blunt, it was a curious coincidence to encounter so many quick-witted individuals.

"Don't worry, I'm not one for unnecessary trouble."

Rhodes nodded amiably, then waved the intelligence booklet he had taken from Shoji in front of his eyes.

"Answer these last three questions honestly, and I'll let you both go."

"First, are there any good chefs on this island?"

"Chef?"

Shoji and Margaret exchanged a glance, hesitated for a moment, and then Shoji spoke.

"The northern part of the island is the business district. There are several reputable restaurants there. Perhaps their chefs are exceptional..."

"Well, it was a long shot anyway."

The other man's description clearly didn't fill Rhodes with confidence, but it was a casual inquiry, and he hadn't held high expectations. He would head over there and investigate later.

"Second question, where is the Mr. 11 you just contacted?"

Since this Mr. 11 had decided to target him, Rhodes figured he might as well go and find him directly, saving the other party the trouble of a potentially large-scale search.

"Also in the North District. Mr. 11 enjoys fine wine and beautiful women. Since arriving on the island, he's been frequenting the 'North Sea Style' bar."

Coincidentally, the people I'm looking for are all in the North District.

"The third question is, who is this 'monster' you mentioned that your company is trying to recruit?"

Hearing Rhodes' question, a flicker of fear crossed Shoji's face, while Margaret blushed slightly, a hint of longing in her eyes.

"That's a real monster, an unkillable one!"

Seeing the skeptical looks on Rhodes' and Neru's faces, Shoji quickly elaborated.

"It's true! I saw it with my own eyes! Neither fists nor swords can kill him. Even if his chest is pierced and his arms are broken, he will continue to fight, eliminating all enemies!"

Why is he getting more and more dramatic? Rhodes glanced at Neru, who shook his head subtly, indicating that the other man wasn't lying.

"We all call him Zombie Man Genos!"

How does that sound? Ready for the next Chapter whenever you are!