Here he comes, wearing orange and blue overalls, with a white peaked cap perched on his head.
The most striking feature is the long, squared nose—strikingly similar to that of Usopp.
"Kaku…"
Bai Yu narrowed his eyes, identifying the man silently.
The person before him was none other than Kaku, one of the CP9 agents covertly infiltrating the Galley-La Company, the premier shipbuilding firm in Water 7.
A user of the Ushi Ushi no Mi, Model: Giraffe, Kaku possessed powers of the cow-cow fruit's giraffe model—an unusual Zoan-type Devil Fruit.
Bai Yu's first instinct was to steer clear of any deep involvement.
The CP9's long-term undercover mission in Water 7 had one goal—the blueprints of Pluton, the ancient weapon.
Coincidentally, that was also Bai Yu's target in this covert visit.
If possible, he wanted to avoid crossing paths with unnecessary people.
The Pluton blueprints were a time bomb—whoever held them became a target. The more people who got involved, the worse the situation would be.
"No need. The Navy has its own dedicated shipwrights,"
Bai Yu replied with a calm demeanor, betraying nothing.
He acted as if Kaku was just a stranger.
"That's a pity," Kaku responded with an exaggerated shrug.
"Naval warships are rare sights. This old man had hoped to take a closer look."
With a courteous nod, Kaku politely turned away.
Then, with a powerful leap, his figure soared into the air and vanished across the rooftops.
Watching Kaku's swift and silent departure, Bai Yu shook his head.
Let them come. The storm has already begun.
Just don't block my way.
He muttered silently.
Then, he led Koby and Helmeppo to a nearby dock, where the trio rented three blue bulls, the local aquatic transportation mounts.
After acquiring temporary travel permits, they set off toward the central district of Water 7.
From the original series' timeline, Bai Yu knew the Pluton blueprints were currently in Franky's possession.
Franky, the eccentric cyborg and ship dismantler, had gone into hiding in the backstreets, running a scrapyard and ship-breaking company. He had also formed a gang of outcasts known as the Franky Family.
Since this was Bai Yu's first visit to Water 7, he needed directions from the locals in the central zone.
Soon, with the help of their speedy Blue Bulls, the trio arrived at the central district of Water 7.
"Huh?"
As they reached the heart of the city, Bai Yu suddenly sensed a prying gaze hidden in the shadows.
"Someone's watching?"
Bai Yu's brows furrowed slightly.
He hadn't interacted with anyone in Water 7 before—his arrival should have been anonymous.
"Could it be remnants of Baroque Works?"
"Or CP9 agents monitoring ship traffic?"
He mentally calculated possibilities.
"Koby, Helmeppo," he turned to the two behind him, "search the surrounding area."
"There's a ship dismantling yard in the back alleys—get the exact location."
"Return here in thirty minutes."
"Yes, sir!" Koby and Helmeppo nodded before splitting off in opposite directions.
Once alone, Bai Yu strode deeper into the city.
Kenbunshoku Haki—Observation!
Hummm—
Mid-step, Bai Yu activated his Kenbunshoku Haki, also known as Observation Haki.
Invisible waves of spiritual perception spread from his body in all directions, forming a circular domain.
"There you are."
Almost instantly, Bai Yu sensed a presence lurking in a quiet alley behind a stack of crates.
Each time he moved, the figure mirrored him.
When Bai Yu paused, so did they.
No doubt—they were tailing him.
Eyes narrowing, Bai Yu suddenly accelerated.
He slipped into a winding alley, like a dragon snaking through shadows.
After only a few steps, he halted.
"Come out. How long are you going to follow me?"
His voice echoed sharply through the still alley.
Silence.
Not a single footstep answered.
Frowning, Bai Yu bent down and picked up a thumb-sized stone.
With a flick of his wrist, he hurled it in the sensed direction.
Whoosh—!
Don't underestimate a stone in Bai Yu's hands.
With his explosive strength, it flew like a bullet.
Boom—!
The stone smashed into the alley wall with thunderous force, blowing apart the corner and sending dust flying.
Startled by the impact, a round-shaped figure leaped into view.
"Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding! I just wanted to chat, that's all!"
The man looked like a ball—green-haired, with a scruffy chin beard and a comically zipped-up mouth.
Bai Yu recognized him immediately—CP9's Otona Owl.
Apparently, trying to stay incognito, Owl hadn't revealed his identity straight away.
"Tch."
Bai Yu snorted.
His right hand dropped to the hilt of Ryūen Tachi, his blazing katana.
Shing—!
Without warning, Bai Yu swung a single slash through the air.
The blade's arc shimmered—a half-moon-shaped slash launched forth with biting wind and violent speed.
A long, clean cut followed the blade's path, carving the alley wall with surgical precision.
"Misunderstanding…Chatter chatter…!" Owl babbled as if complaining.
But the moment the slash neared, Owl's expression sharpened.
His beady eyes locked onto the attack, and a flicker of cold light danced within them.
"Kami-e: Slime!"
(Paper Drawing: Slime)
Suddenly, Owl's body warped unnaturally.
His flesh twisted and contorted like soft clay.
His torso compressed and elongated, folding inward at the center.
His whole figure shifted into a bizarre, fluid form—slipping right through the space between the slash.
Boom—!
The slash flew past, crashing into the ground behind him with immense force.
Chunks of earth exploded into the air.
At the last second, Otona Owl had used an advanced form of Kami-e, the Six Powers paper art—"Slime Kami-e"—to change his body shape and avoid the slash.
"Phew…that was dangerous…chatter chatter…"
As soon as the attack passed, Owl reverted to his usual eccentric tone, looking at Bai Yu with playful eyes.
"Now where'd he go…?"
But something felt off.
Bai Yu, who had just attacked, was gone.
Owl blinked, glancing around.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a wind-tearing sound echoed above.
He instinctively looked up.
Bai Yu descended from above, both hands gripping his katana in a powerful two-handed strike.
"Ittō-Ryū: Falling Mountain Slash!"
Caught off guard, Owl barely had time to think.
"Tekkai!"
(Iron Body!)
Panicking, he activated Tekkai, one of the Rokushiki defensive techniques, hardening his body like steel.
With a roar, Bai Yu's blade came crashing down.