Chapter 146
The most frustrating thing for Rosinante was that shortly after joining the SWORD Classified Special Forces under his adopted brother Michael, he was sent to infiltrate his actual older brother's organization as a spy.
Being a spy was one thing—despite knowing his brother was rotten to the core, the last remnants of brotherly affection made him want to try and save him.
But now, what the hell was this!?
Being sent to infiltrate the Alabasta Marine branch!?
Was this some kind of joke!?
A double spy mission?
And before Rosinante left, Doflamingo had even spoken to him frankly—
"This infiltration mission was personally requested by the Five Elders. They want you to enlist in the Alabasta Marine branch and monitor Michael's every move."
"Although we're actually working for Michael now, we still have to keep up appearances with the Five Elders and the Celestial Dragons... so I'm sorry to put you in this position."
"Your enlistment information has already been arranged by the Five Elders."
"Just send back some irrelevant intelligence when you have time."
"Most importantly... Michael has met you before, so don't push your luck. If you anger him, neither of us will get out unscathed."
After Doflamingo said this, he was sent on a ship bound for Alabasta.
Then came the reunion with the SWORD Classified Special Forces and Michael.
Now, Rosinante was sitting in the office of the Alabasta branch base commander, staring wide-eyed at Michael.
After a long silence, Michael sighed.
"Sometimes I really can't tell whether those five senile old man are smart or stupid."
"Call them stupid? They know when they can't solve something head-on, so they send a spy to gather intelligence."
"But call them smart? They actually sent my own spy to spy on me!"
"The only reason the World Government hasn't collapsed under these idiots all these years is because the foundation of the World Government and the Marines was strong enough!"
Michael had always looked down on the Five Elders.
If its on another story, the longer one lives, the stronger they become and their wisdom accumulates layer by layer.
But in the One piece World...
These Five Elders, who gained immortality through Imu's power, not only lack the expected strength but have also failed to accumulate even a shred of wisdom.
To put it bluntly, even a few UN leaders from his old world could do a better job than them.
The sad part is, some people are too foolish to realize their own stupidity.
"Did the Five Elders give you any mandatory tasks? Like digging up secrets about the SWORD or me?"
"They did... but do you really think I'd carry them out, Aniki?" Rosinante shook his head, his lips curling in disdain.
"The Five Elders already told me—four CP0 agents tried to ambush you, and you wiped them all out effortlessly. So as a new recruit in the Alabasta branch, isn't it perfectly normal that I can't get close to the core team?"
Setting aside all these troubles, Rosinante was actually quite happy.
At least he could see Michael and the rest of his teammates again.
And it seemed Michael's faction had gained quite a few new members...
Like the Boa sisters and Bellemere, or Crocodile and Hawkeye...
Especially Crocodile and Hawkeye.
Although Crocodile hadn't yet made a name for herself before Michael forced her into a sex change, as a well-informed member of the Donquixote Family, Rosinante was familiar with Crocodile's reputation.
But he couldn't possibly connect that tall, sexy, blue-haired beauty with the slick-haired man from before.
If even he struggled with the association, outsiders would be completely clueless.
As for Hawkeye...
Rosinante never expected to see him again here.
The man who had once sliced their standard-issue warship in half with a single slash was now one of Michael's subordinates.
At this thought, Rosinante couldn't help but turn his head and steal several glances at Hawkeye through the door crack.
Just how vast was the gap between him now... and this terrifying swordsman?
"Alright, since the Five Elders sent you back as their mole, I'll prepare the information for you to feed back to them when the time comes... After all, it was their own miscalculation to hand the reins over to me. Adding an eternally unreachable carrot for them seems perfectly reasonable, doesn't it?"
Michael genuinely revealed a vicious—no, a righteous and principled smile.
"Enough talk. Since things are settled, report on the Donquixote Family's situation during this period... I've placed high hopes on them."
Rosinante nodded.
He then began reporting the overall current status of the Donquixote Family.
"The Donquixote Family has now essentially gained control over the underworld across the Four Seas and Paradise."
"Most were subjugated, though some remain cooperative partners, like the West Sea mafia and the former underworld emperors."
"The current challenge lies in lacking a suitable opportunity to truly intervene and enter the New World."
"Although the underworld emperors maintain cooperative relations, they've been rigorously blocking the Donquixote Family's entry into the New World..."
"However, recently, Kaido, captain of the Beasts Pirates in the New World, contacted Doflamingo. But before I could obtain specific details, I was recalled for this undercover mission."
Rosinante's report was precise, outlining the Donquixote Family's sphere of influence clearly in just a few sentences.
This progress actually exceeded Michael's expectations.
Initially, he thought that in such a short time, they might at best unify the underworld across the Four Seas.
He hadn't anticipated they were already on the verge of entering the New World.
But without external assistance, this final step might take many years—until they've accumulated sufficient strength and capital to reclaim Dressrosa.
Yet... Kaido has already reached out to Doflamingo now?
Logically, this should be over a decade before Caesar begins researching SMILE artificial Devil Fruits.
Currently, Caesar is still working under Vegapunk.
"No matter. Regarding Kaido, I'll call Sakazuki and have him keep a close eye on Kaido's movements."
Michael had always been highly satisfied with Rosinante's work.
After all, within the entire SWORD Special Forces, there weren't many who genuinely used their brains—Rosinante was one of them.
Truth be told, if not for Rosinante's inherent background advantage for infiltrating the Donquixote Family, Michael would have been reluctant to let him leave his side.
"Alright, go meet your 'new' colleagues now."
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