Inside Dock No. 1 of the Galley-La Company—
As usual, Kaku and Lucci were repairing a variety of damaged ships, blending in with the daily hustle of Water Seven's bustling dockyard.
"I received the final order from HQ. We must return with the blueprints within a month," Kaku said, glancing sideways at Lucci while typing rapidly on a typewriter.
The dock was noisy and crowded, but the space around them remained curiously vacant—no one dared approach.
What troubled Kaku most was the dire consequence of failure. If they didn't complete the mission in time, punishment would be inevitable.
"Don't worry. We'll definitely—"
"I've been undercover for five years and found nothing. And now you think we'll accomplish the mission in a month? Ridiculous!"
Who goes there?!
In an instant, the atmosphere shifted.
Kaku and Lucci spun around with the instincts of wild beasts, their piercing eyes locking onto the source of the voice. Casually approaching with two women at his side was none other than Renault—sauntering as if he were out for a leisurely stroll in the garden.
Kaku narrowed his eyes, a glint of danger flickering within. Anyone who learns our true identities… must die.
"Wait… Renault?!" Kaku's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Renault?" Lucci frowned in confusion. "Who the hell is that?"
Kaku shot him a sharp look. "I told you to pay more attention to the world's happenings, didn't I?"
"Wha—?!" Kaku's face stiffened. His guard was fully raised now.
He might not know Renault, but he certainly knew Crocodile—and anyone strong enough to kill him wasn't someone to underestimate.
"Renault, we agreed not to interfere with each other. You know who we are, so don't cause trouble here," Lucci said coldly, his voice laced with implied threat. Sometimes, a man's backing was more influential than his strength.
Renault simply smiled. "I didn't see Kalifa anywhere nearby. Mind telling me where she is?"
That question sent shockwaves through Kaku and Lucci.
He's looking for Kalifa?! But why?!
"What do you want with Kalifa?" Lucci asked warily.
Renault's intent was clear. Even if they knew where Kalifa was, they wouldn't tell him.
"I've had enough of this." Renault's eyes narrowed dangerously. With a sharp metallic sound, Wado Ichimonji slid from its sheath, and his entire body was cloaked in Armament Haki.
Lucci barely opened his mouth when—
"Attack!"
Without hesitation, Kaku and Lucci moved in perfect sync. Years of partnership made their coordination flawless—like two minds in one body.
They knew Renault was strong, but failure meant not just defeat—it meant death at the hands of the World Government. There was no room for hesitation.
"Six Powers Ultimate Style—Six King Spear Slash!"
"Tempest Kick!"
Both agents launched their attacks simultaneously, charging Renault from both flanks.
But it was already too late.
Slash—
Before they realized it, intense pain bloomed across their chests. Blood burst forth, dyeing the ground crimson. As they collapsed in disbelief, their bodies quickly drained of life.
No delays. Just instant execution.
Bzzz... bzzz...
Lucci hadn't even hit the ground when the Den Den Mushi in his pocket began to ring. Renault picked it up and connected the call.
"Lucci! I found Nico Robin at XX Bookstore! Hurry over!" a woman's excited voice came through.
"If we capture her, our mission will be complete!"
"Lucci?! Did you hear me?!"
Silence.
The only sound was the gentle thud of the Den Den Mushi falling to the ground.
Not far from XX Bookstore, behind a large rock—
Kalifa, dressed sharply in her usual secretary outfit, slammed the Den Den Mushi in frustration. Its cheeks puffed up from the beating. Did it break?
There's no way Lucci would ignore a chance to capture Robin... unless something went terribly wrong.
Her intuition screamed—something had happened.
Then she heard it.
"You're Renault, aren't you?!" Kalifa shouted, trembling in shock as Renault emerged.
Renault gave a satisfied nod. Her size—yes, that was just right.
Boom!
"Seriously?! I finally get a moment to relax, and I still have to deal with this crap?" Nami sighed, placing her hands on her hips.
She'd been shopping happily, only to get flagged by the local navy officers before visiting even a few stores.
"Nami, let's just go back…" Nojiko rubbed her temples helplessly.
"Fine, whatever." Nami pouted. Her mood was ruined anyway.
Moments later, some enthusiastic locals contacted the navy. The report made its way up the chain.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! We've spotted the Renault Pirates in Water Seven. Please advise!" a panicked voice rang out over the Den Den Mushi.
"…Understood." Sengoku frowned and hung up.
So, Renault had resurfaced—in Water Seven of all places.
"Admiral Sengoku, allow me to go after him!" Vice Admiral Doberman volunteered.
But Sengoku shook his head slowly. "You're not his match."
Someone at least on Admiral level would be needed.
Hearing this, Admiral Kizaru subtly shifted his gaze away, pretending to look out the window. Please don't pick me… please don't pick me…
"I'll go!" Garp declared, placing down his dog-shaped rice crackers. His usual grin was gone—this was personal.
Sengoku knew Garp's true motive: revenge.
Meanwhile, far away on a frozen plain—
Aokiji received the call. Renault? Seriously?!
He sighed and mounted his bicycle. There was no time to waste.
Just give me ten minutes… no, five!
Back in Water Seven, Robin and Kaya exited the bookstore, hand-in-hand.
"That's Kalifa, isn't it?!" Robin gasped upon seeing the struggling blonde woman pinned beneath Renault.
Long legs, flawless curves, massive—yeah, no wonder he likes her.
"You pervert! This is sexual harassment!" Kalifa glared at Renault furiously.
Once she was restrained, Renault turned to the others. "Alright, I've got more to handle. Head back to the rendezvous point."
He turned to Tashigi and Doll. "You two, go ahead as well."
The girls nodded obediently and departed.
After asking a few locals, Renault headed straight for Franky's house.
He had two goals in Water Seven: capture Kalifa… and get the blueprints hidden inside Franky.
He didn't care about Pluton itself, but some things needed to be in his control—even if left forgotten in the system's warehouse.
Inside Franky's home—
Franky had just finished his daily bizarre dance routine. Renault approached silently, knocked him out with a flick, and located the switch hidden in his body.
Like stuffing an elephant into a fridge—just a few simple steps.
After tossing the Pluton blueprints into the system's inventory, Renault teleported away.
...
Back at the harbor—
Everyone except Renault had returned to the ship. The girls carried bags filled with supplies, books, and odd trinkets.
The air was light with laughter—until Vivi sneezed.
"Is it just me, or did the temperature drop?" she asked, rubbing her nose.
"Yeah, I feel cold too," Kaya said, hugging herself.
It had been warm moments ago—why the sudden chill?
"Huh?!" Nami's eyes narrowed as she stared toward the sea.
A white fog crept across the water, rapidly freezing into an ice path that stretched all the way to the shore.
"There's someone walking on the sea!" Conis gasped, covering her mouth.
Robin and Doll's eyes widened in shock and panic.
It couldn't be…
"Everyone, stay alert!" Nami and Tashigi stepped forward, shielding the others.
Aside from Renault, they were the strongest in the crew.
"Ahhh, what a treat—to be greeted by such a lovely crowd," a familiar voice rang out as Admiral Aokiji skidded to a stop, dismounting his bicycle.
He grinned, waving with exaggerated flair.
"Nami, Kaya, Makino, Nojiko… navigators of the Renault Pirates… wait—who are you girls?"
He eyed Conis and the others curiously.
"Robin, mind telling me why you joined the Renault Pirates?"
Robin bit her lip, expression complicated.
"I…"
"Fwahahaha! I can't believe it—Admiral Aokiji himself?! What a festive day in Water Seven!" A familiar laugh rang out as Renault appeared.
Everyone knew.
They couldn't win against an Admiral.
Not yet.