Chapter 328: Chapter 29: The Power of Intelligence
Iceberg was pressed to the ground by Kaku, and the first thought in his mind was that Luffy and the others had been bribed by hostile forces, thereby betraying him.
"What are you doing?"
Being pressed by Kaku explained everything; these people might no longer be his subordinates.
"It seems you’re still in a fog, Mr. Iceberg."
Luffy adjusted his top hat, looking at Iceberg indifferently.
"Was it the Ocean Shipping Company that bought you out, or some large Pirate group? I haven’t offended anyone. If there’s a hostile force, it can only be these two."
After the initial confusion, Iceberg began to contemplate what was really happening.
"Pirates? We can’t possibly serve pirates. Time is short; let’s get to the point."
Luffy signaled Kaku to release Iceberg. Iceberg sat on the ground without getting up. Among the five people in the room, three were his confidants, but all three had betrayed him, making Iceberg very disheartened.
"Mr. Iceberg, hand over the design blueprint of the Ancient Weapon Pluto. For the sake of our five years together, I will let you die painlessly."
Luffy stated his goal. Upon hearing Luffy mention the design of the ancient Pluto, Iceberg’s pupils contracted sharply, and his mouth opened slightly.
"You weren’t bought by other companies or a Pirate group."
Iceberg clenched his fists, his hands trembling.
"Of course, seeing that you are about to die, let me tell you our background."
Luffy paused for a moment and continued:
"We know you are somewhat discouraged now, but the mission deadline is imminent. To complete the mission, we can only do our best. It’s better for you not to make pointless resistance."
Iceberg’s face looked even more unpleasant. He had already guessed the origin of Luffy and the others.
"You should have heard of the Cipher Pol organization, which is simply CP1 to CP8. These eight departments are responsible for helping the World Government collect intelligence."
Luffy wasn’t talking nonsense. He was gradually breaking down Iceberg’s psychological defense.
"I’ve heard of them, CP1 to CP8, some people who stop at nothing for intelligence."
Iceberg lowered his head; he already knew whose side Luffy and the others were on.
"Well, that’s easier, but we are from CP9, the 9th CP department that technically shouldn’t exist. Because of certain privileges, our identities cannot be revealed."
"Privileges?"
"Yes, no matter what, we come in the name of Justice, with the right to execute uncooperative citizens on the spot."
Iceberg’s face suddenly looked very ugly.
"Acting recklessly, who would accept you going around killing in the name of justice?"
Luffy ignored Iceberg’s words and continued: "You have only one choice, hand over the design blueprint of Pluto. Some people in the World Government have already changed their minds. Rather than fearing the resurrection of Weapons every day, it might be better to awaken the Weapon and put an end to this Age of Seafaring."
Iceberg sneered.
"Impossible, if the Weapon is resurrected, the world will constantly vie for its power, and the damage will only keep expanding."
"It seems you don’t trust the World Government, Mr. Iceberg."
"I just understand human nature, kid."
Luffy’s face turned cold as he walked slowly to stand in front of Iceberg.
"Do you still think we are your subordinates?"
Iceberg was just about to speak when Luffy directly side-kicked him, hitting Iceberg’s side face hard.
Bang.
Iceberg crashed into a nearby bookshelf, with various books and blueprints scattering down.
"Watch your mouth, still thinking you’re our superior?"
Luffy’s tone was icy, as if intending to kick again.
"Luffy, there are 16 minutes left. If your method doesn’t work, then we’ll try mine."
Su Xiao spoke. He had an agreement with Luffy that after meeting Iceberg, Luffy had 20 minutes. If Luffy didn’t find out anything, it would be Su Xiao’s turn to interrogate.
The CP9 members shivered silently, recalling Su Xiao’s suggested method.
"Okay," Luffy replied, then looked at Iceberg.
"Iceberg, for the safety of your friends and family, you should reveal the whereabouts of the Netherworld blueprints. In 16 minutes, your Hell will arrive."
Blood flowed from Iceberg’s mouth and nose. It seemed Luffy’s kick was quite heavy.
"Ha~, using the people around me to threaten me? You’re too naive. Do you really think I’m just a shipwright? To ensure the Weapon doesn’t fall into the hands of those with ulterior motives, even if everyone related to me dies, it wouldn’t matter."
Iceberg gasped for breath, holding a determination to die in his heart.
At this moment, the door was pushed open, and Kalifa walked into the room in a black tight-fitting dress, fishnet stockings wrapped around her beautiful legs.
Kalifa held some documents and old design blueprints, nodded to Luffy after she closed the door.
"The assumption was correct, Cutty Flam should be the leader of the Backstreet Gang Organization, Franky."
After Kalifa confirmed this information, Luffy nodded, making things much simpler.
Iceberg’s head hung low, and there was a bit of panic in his eyes; the design blueprints of the Netherworld King were in Franky’s hands.
"Kaku, test his heartbeat speed."
Kaku held down Iceberg, kneeing his back, and placed his index and middle fingers on Iceberg’s wrist to sense his heartbeat. In Kaku’s hands, Iceberg had no power to resist.
"Iceberg, there’s no need for you to speak. We won’t interrogate you either. To interrogate you would be to insult the results of our five-year effort."
Luffy took a moment to sort out his thoughts, glanced at the clock on the wall, still having 11 minutes, but it was already enough.
"Iceberg, you were a disciple of Fishman Tom, the legendary shipwright Fishman Tom had two disciples. One was you, the other was a man named Caddy Flam.
Caddy Flam died in the accident eight years ago; this has been confirmed by the government, which ended our clues.
But after infiltrating the City of Water for three years, I suddenly felt Caddy Flam’s name was very familiar, as if I had heard it somewhere before but couldn’t recall where.
Until one day, Kalifa conveyed a message to us. Caddy Flam came to find you. How could a dead person suddenly appear? If Kalifa hadn’t personally told me this information, even I would find it hard to believe.
Your reaction at that time ruled out the possibility of someone impersonating him, which meant Caddy Flam wasn’t dead. After investigating, we found that Caddy Flam had renamed himself Franky and now lives in the City of Seven Seas.
If I wanted to hide the Netherworld King’s design blueprints, what would I do? Hide it at home? Too risky. A secret room? Also unsafe.
But if I entrusted the blueprints to someone already ’dead’ and that person was once as close as a brother, and now completely unrelated, it would be the perfect choice.
So, the design blueprints of the Netherworld King aren’t on you; you entrusted them to Caddy Flam, no, now he should be called Franky."
Luffy’s hypothesis concluded here. Iceberg was already sweating, his heartbeat uncontrollably speeding up.
With five years of infiltration, the CP9 members had thoroughly investigated Iceberg, knowing even the age when he was weaned.