Chapter 20: Testing Their Strength

"Apart from the Navy, ordinary people won't know our identities."

"Perhaps you're simply too attractive, so that man took a second look at you."

Kaku shrugged and spoke with casual dismissal.

After all, the opponent's impression didn't appear particularly intimidating or great.

Even within the Navy, such individuals would be considered weaklings.

Kaku felt no concern about potential threats.

Kalifa remained silent but continued watching until Yami and Shisui disappeared from view.

After returning to her residence, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had been off about those two.

****

"Was there something unusual about those two people?" Shisui asked once they reached a more secluded location.

"I encountered targets suitable for testing our combat effectiveness. I'm considering whether we should use them for practice first."

Yami spoke with characteristic directness.

After all, everything he said before, remained theoretical at this point.

He possessed no accurate data and had never fought against anyone from this world.

Testing their abilities against ordinary civilians would prove meaningless.

However, the current CP9 members represented valuable opponents.

Rob Lucci's strength should approximate Vice Admiral level, while Kaku, as the second-strongest member, also approached Vice Admiral capabilities.

"Those two from earlier?"

"They did seem quite sharp to me."

Shisui nodded in agreement.

Unlike Kaku and others who judged strength based on physical appearance, the Uchiha clan possessed exceptional eyesight.

Combined with years of ninja training, Shisui remained highly professional in assessing whether targets possessed genuine combat capabilities.

"We'll handle this tomorrow. Today confirmed the basic situation. Next, we need to focus on supply procurement."

Yami concluded their reconnaissance.

The two men then dispersed to different locations, awaiting the return of their scattered team members.

At three o'clock in the morning, everyone had regrouped.

Simultaneously, Izumi sent messengers to notify the other ships of their arrival.

Together, they returned to the stronghold hidden beneath the cliff face.

"Clan Leader, the total collected amounts to approximately 35 million berries."

Itachi presented the count of cash everyone had acquired.

They had avoided taking treasures or other valuables since converting them to currency would waste precious time.

This first expedition focused primarily on gathering material supplies.

Later operations would employ alternative funding methods, including the precious metals the Uchiha clan still possessed in their reserves.

"This amount will suffice. Tomorrow we'll purchase supplies and head directly to the port to acquire new vessels."

"After supplies are secured, Tetsuhuo, Inari, and Izumi will take sixty people back to base, while Yashiro and the remaining personnel will accompany us."

Yami issued his arrangements without hesitation.

Their upcoming maritime operations didn't require such large numbers.

After all, they weren't planning to destroy entire nations.

The primary objectives involved targeting pirates for bounty collection while simultaneously completing Yami's personal mission requirements.

Bringing elite operatives would prove sufficient.

Regular ninjas could handle cargo transport duties.

Once the situation stabilized, they could expand the number of personnel involved in external operations.

Everyone accepted Yami's directives without question or objection.

At 4:30 in the morning, Yami ventured out alone to conduct reconnaissance at the Navy base stationed within this country.

However, the items he appropriated were inconspicuous enough that their absence would be difficult to detect without careful inspection.

The stolen materials included Seastone handcuffs, restraints designed specifically for imprisoning Devil Fruit users, along with numerous bounty posters that were readily available throughout the Navy facilities.

He also acquired several Eternal Poses, which were essential navigation tools for this world.

Both Seastone handcuffs and Eternal Poses represented troublesome items to obtain through legitimate channels.

"There seem to be many strangers around today."

Kalifa ventured out to purchase food supplies.

During her market visit, she observed significantly more people than she'd seen during previous days.

Most possessed black hair and dark eyes, making them somewhat conspicuous within the crowd.

Their behavior suggested large-scale supply procurement operations.

"They maintain heavy security and feel like members of an intelligence organization, though they haven't shown any interest in us."

Rob Lucci frowned slightly, sensing familiar operational patterns.

He detected a similar professional aura from these newcomers.

However, the surrounding Uchiha clan members ignored the CP9 agents entirely, concentrating on their purchasing activities.

Their primary acquisitions included spices, fabric, medicines, and similar necessities.

For protein sources, seafood could address most requirements.

They also purchased citrus fruits and alcoholic beverages.

This initial procurement focused on immediate needs, with subsequent purchases planned based on developing circumstances.

"They don't appear to be pirates. Forget it, we're currently fugitives ourselves, so we shouldn't create unnecessary complications. Let's focus on acquiring our own supplies first."

Kalifa decided to avoid potential conflicts.

She found these people intriguingly mysterious, but she preferred not to initiate confrontations given their current fugitive status.

After all, they remained wanted by the World Government.

Rob Lucci scanned the area, memorizing the locations of these individuals, then followed Kalifa as she departed.

"These are Den-Den Mushi, though only basic two-way communication models are available here. More advanced versions aren't sold in this location."

"However, these will suffice for our needs. I'll use one pair to communicate with Fugaku-san, while you can keep the spare set for your own contact purposes."

Yami had also been shopping, focusing on acquiring communication devices.

Itachi and Izumi examined the creatures with obvious fascination, unable to comprehend how such beings could facilitate communication across thousands of miles.

"When making contact, utilize coded messages whenever possible. The World Government can monitor these Den-Den Mushi communications. Except for certain specialized encrypted models that resist surveillance, virtually all standard snails’ signals can be intercepted by the World Government's specialized monitoring equipment."

"Izumi, summon Yashiro and the others. We have an opportunity for real combat. You can observe and assess the strength levels of humans in this world."

Yami continued his briefing.

Izumi nodded and quickly departed to locate Yashiro and the other team members.

Within a short time, Yashiro's group had assembled.

Yami led them directly toward CP9's current location.

This was the hideout Yami had tracked the previous night using his Sharingan to control a local mouse, easily following them to their base of operations.

Yami's group approached openly, and Kaku and the other CP9 members remaining in the house immediately detected several figures standing outside their door.

"Are they world Government pursuers?"

"Not Navy personnel?"

"Or intelligence organization members?"

"However, such an obvious approach seems rather foolish!"

Kaku, Jabra, Fukurou, and the others showed little concern for the group of Uchiha positioned outside.

After all, their opponents carried no firearms, and only a few possessed daggers strapped to their backs.

What possible threat could they represent?

"Allow me to take them down."

Jabra grinned with anticipation.

He'd been feeling restless recently.

Performing street entertainment for survival had made him feel disconnected from his combat skills.

After speaking, he climbed through the window and leaped to ground level.

"The World Government shouldn't give up on us so easily."

"But you're all quite young, haven't you heard our names before?"

Jabra spoke with casual haughtiness.

He appeared ready to teach these newcomers a harsh lesson about underestimating CP9.

But immediately, every hair on his body stood on end.

Because he suddenly realized that all seven people facing him had eyes that blazed crimson red, staring directly at him with predatory intensity.