Chapter 14: Explosive Shock
The lanterns had just been lit as night descended.
Inside a tavern in Water Seven, this time of day would normally be filled with drunkards, but today the tavern was empty, appearing somewhat desolate.
A burly bartender stood behind the counter. His features were rugged, his height at least two meters, and on his head were a pair of pitch-black horns, making him look like a wild bull. These weren't actually horns, just a peculiar hairstyle. This bartender was none other than Blueno.
Blueno wiped the glass in his hand, his gaze fixed straight ahead as if lost in thought.
Jingle.
The tavern door was pushed open, the bell letting out a crisp ring. The sound of high heels tapping against the wooden floor echoed.
Blueno didn't look up; he already knew who had arrived.
"You've slipped, Kalifa."
Blueno's voice was full and deep, his breathing powerful—a sign of a skilled martial artist.
"An accident."
Kalifa offered no further explanation. After all, having a bomb planted inside her body was an undeniable fact.
"Lock the door."
Kalifa stopped, turned back to secure the lock, and then sat down on a round chair.
"Where exactly is the bomb?"
"In my stomach, right here."
Looking at where Kalifa pointed, Blueno nodded.
"Door-Human."
Blueno pressed his finger against Kalifa's abdomen, and a strange transformation occurred.
Creak~.
A small door opened on Kalifa's stomach. No blood appeared; using the Door-Door Fruit on a human body didn't harm it.
Kalifa's stomach came into Blueno's view. He picked up a bottle of alcohol, poured it over his right hand, and touched his finger to her stomach.
Another creak, like an old door swinging open, as a small door appeared on Kalifa's stomach.
Blueno focused, peering inside. After seeing the situation, his pupils contracted sharply.
"Can you take it out?"
Kalifa's voice was urgent.
"It's very difficult... very difficult..."
"What's wrong?"
Kalifa looked down at her own stomach. The scene before her left her stunned.
A small door had opened at the top of her stomach, revealing everything inside clearly.
Two white gelatinous masses were visible inside her stomach. These masses had grown many soft 'tentacles,' like tree roots clinging to the lining of her stomach.
Blueno picked up a pair of tweezers and tried to touch the tentacles of the gelatinous mass. At the slightest contact, the white tentacles began to redden, their temperature rising rapidly. Kalifa's face twisted in pain.
"These tentacles are attached to your stomach lining. Even the slightest touch could trigger an explosion. Who exactly did you run into?"
Blueno's expression darkened. The unknown enemy was not only cunning but also meticulous, having placed the two bombs flawlessly.
After a moment of thought, Blueno spoke, "If we risk removing the bombs, the chance of success is less than 10%, maybe even lower."
Kalifa slumped in her chair, as if making some kind of decision.
"Do it!"
Kalifa's face hardened. She didn't want to be controlled.
"Then I'll do it."
Blueno took a few deep breaths, slowly extending the tweezers into Kalifa's stomach. The tweezers touched the alchemy bomb, and its surface immediately began to redden. Blueno stopped, waiting for the bomb to settle.
After a long while, the bomb returned to its original color. Blueno applied gentle pressure.
Snap~. One of the bomb's tentacles snapped off. This startled both of them badly, and Kalifa's life began to flash before her eyes.
"Iron Body."
Blueno immediately used one of the Six Powers, his body turning as hard as iron. Kalifa's face showed despair, knowing it was over.
But the expected explosion didn't happen. The severed tentacle gradually turned white again.
"It doesn't seem as sensitive as I thought."
Blueno gently placed the tentacle on a wooden table nearby. At that moment, something unexpected occurred.
Boom!
The tentacle suddenly exploded. The wooden table shattered instantly, splinters flying everywhere. Blueno shielded Kalifa without hesitation.
Bang, bang, bang...
Wood splinters shot toward Blueno like bullets. Using Iron Body, he remained unharmed, though a bit dusty.
The explosion subsided. Kalifa was drenched in cold sweat, her clothes soaked through, feeling utterly drained.
"What is this..."
Blueno was baffled. The bomb had shown no sign of exploding earlier.
"We've been discovered. This bomb can be controlled remotely."
"Controlled remotely?" Blueno was stunned.
"Yes."
The bomb removal had failed. Blueno deactivated his Door-Door Fruit ability, and Kalifa's body returned to normal.
"You'll have to deal with this bomb yourself."
Blueno brushed the wood dust off himself, walked to the counter, picked up a bottle of liquor, and tossed it to Kalifa.
Kalifa caught it, opened it with her bare hands, and took a big gulp. The liquor dripped from her red lips onto her chest.
"If I die, don't bother avenging me. It's pointless."
Leaving that remark, Kalifa left the tavern. After confirming no one was following her, she slipped into a secluded alley and pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
"Poru, poru, poru..."
The snail-like Den Den Mushi made strange sounds. This snail was a communication tool in the One Piece world, somewhat like a walkie-talkie. Two Den Den Mushi emitted special wavelengths to establish a call.
"This is Jabra. Kalifa? Aren't you on a mission?"
A somewhat cunning voice came through, with a slyness reminiscent of a jackal. The Den Den Mushi's simulated expression also resembled a wolf.
"It's me. I need something from you."
"What is it?"
"If I remember correctly, in a mission six years ago, you obtained a Skillful Grade Sword, one of the Fifty Works, right?"
Kalifa's question made the other end pause.
"Bullshit. When did I ever get a Skillful Grade Sword?"
"Don't lie. I saw it with my own eyes."
Kalifa rolled her eyes. She knew his personality all too well.
"So what if you saw it? I already turned it in to the higher-ups."
"Oh~? Really?"
"Of course. If you have something to say, say it. If not, don't waste my time."
The man on the other end was clearly growing impatient.
"Three thousand Berries. I'll buy that sword."
"I told you—"
"Do you want me to go ask the higher-ups right now?"
"Deal, deal. Are you coming to pick it up, or should I send someone? When did you start using a sword? Don't you use a whip?"
The voice on the Den Den Mushi grew even more sly.
"Send someone to deliver it. It must arrive tomorrow."
"This..."
The man on the other end seemed hesitant.
"Take the Sea Train. I'll cover the fare!"
Kalifa was exasperated with the miser on the other end.
"Let's get this straight. This must not be reported to the higher-ups."
"No problem." Kalifa agreed without hesitation.
Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Kalifa leaned against the corner of the wall. There was no frustration on her face.
"Just wait. Whether it's the Six Powers or the Skillful Grade Sword, it'll all come back to me. And along with it, your life, Bai Ye!"
Kalifa wasn't giving up easily. She had faced far worse situations than this many times before.
Kalifa wasn't the strongest member of CP9, but she had the greatest endurance. As the only female combat member of CP9, she naturally had her own exceptional qualities.