This world seemed to be in the midst of a transition from spring to summer, with an average temperature stabilizing between 21 and 22 degrees Celsius. Everywhere, lush trees, grassy fields, and rolling hills flourished.
To the east, about three hundred meters from the Stargate, lay a vast ocean. It was unclear whether this was the coastline of a continent or if it was a small island itself. At this moment, after conducting tests, it was confirmed that they could breathe normally here. Caesar and the others removed their heavy, stifling protective suits and began collecting samples of the soil, plants, insects, and even seawater.
Meanwhile, the members of CP7 donned their black uniforms again, leaving three to protect the testing personnel while the remaining three quickly spread out to the north, south, and west, each carrying a Den Den Mushi.
However, they did not plan to venture too far, stopping after nearly a kilometer.
The black-clad individuals exploring the west and south discovered yet another endless expanse of ocean, while the northern team still faced uneven hills and woodlands.
All of this was transmitted through the Den Den Mushi signals to the monitors or projection screens back in their home world.
"Surrounded by the sea on three sides, this should be a peninsula, but why is there not a single person around?" Shepherd Ju Peter Saint relayed his question through the Chamber of Authority.
In truth, he could have avoided coming here altogether; as the highest leader of Cipher Pol, he felt that standing in this command center during their first contact with another world added to the atmosphere.
"Not a single person in sight. Based on my observations, aside from the birds flying by, even larger animals are nowhere to be found," remarked Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro Saint, adjusting his glasses.
"Could it be that the location is too remote? But that's good for us; it gives us more preparation time!" Topman Warcury Saint said in a low voice.
"Then let's set up surveillance Den Den Mushi around the area. Once the tests from the Biochemical Research Institute are complete, we'll send in some army personnel and Construction Division members to establish a solid defensive base centered around the Stargate. Then, in three days, we'll dispatch CP9 to scout further regions as originally planned."
At this moment, Marcus Mars smiled and said, "I don't know why, but I feel a bit disappointed. This other world looks too normal, just like any ordinary island in the seas."
"Indeed. If it weren't for my absolute trust in Lord Imu, I might have begun to harbor doubts," Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro Saint nodded in agreement.
In fact, it wasn't just them; even Imu, within the Chamber of the Moon, felt quite bored, so much so that he wanted to go out and play tennis with Stussy and the others.
After all, who would have expected that after all the anticipation and tension, and being fully prepared, the first experience of entering the Stargate would be so utterly mundane?
There were no two suns in the sky, a common sight in other worlds, nor was the sky a crimson hue. Even the occasional small creatures they encountered were not bizarre or peculiar but rather ordinary rabbits and foxes.
"If I didn't firmly believe in the authenticity of this golden finger, I might suspect that the Stargate doesn't connect to another world but rather opens somewhere in this world."
Imu grumbled in dissatisfaction, then took a sip of the red wine in his cup. He then picked up a document from the table, which contained the list of CP9 members who would conduct an in-depth investigation in three days.
Among the nine individuals, there was nothing particularly noteworthy; although they were all elite among elites, they were still just strangers to him.
Only one person, named Laskey, caught his attention.
Silver hair, silver beard, handsome features, a sharp nose, piercing gaze, dark red square sunglasses, paired with a sharp black suit and a pair of blue diamond earrings.
To be honest, just based on his high score in looks and aloof demeanor, it was clear that this person was not an ordinary character.
Looking at his file, the lines detailing his completed tasks were densely packed, but the most interesting part was the information regarding his family.
Daughter, Kalifa, currently training on Guanhao!
"No wonder he's so handsome; how could the father of a beautiful woman not be good-looking?"
Imu was very familiar with Kalifa. Back when he watched the Water Seven and Enies Lobby arcs, he would carefully observe every scene featuring Kalifa.
At that time, he even thought that in terms of charm, Kalifa in her black dress and stockings surpassed Nami, while only Robin, also in a black dress, could stand on equal footing.
Speaking of which, both Kalifa and Nico Robin could serve as secretaries. "And she's the current captain of CP9, with considerable strength. I could try to cultivate her."
After all, Rob Lucci, Kalifa, and the others were still too young. Imu felt he couldn't just wait for them to grow up; he needed to identify and cultivate a few promising talents from the current crop.
So, who would be the key targets?
Well, of course, it would be those who caught his attention!
[Bururu bururu, bururu bururu]
At that moment, the Den Den Mushi rang, and Imu picked up the receiver.
"Lord Imu, the Figarland Shanks you were concerned about has escaped from the Land of Gods and has taken down four patrolling God's Knights."
Upon hearing this, Imu raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, as expected of Shanks; he certainly wouldn't stay put.
Just as he was about to respond, a report came faintly from the other end of the line, followed by Topman Warcury Saint hurriedly saying, "Lord Imu, we just received news that Figarland Shanks encountered Mihawk and Gion during his escape, and he has now been sent back to the Figarland estate in the Land of Gods by Mihawk!"
"…"
For a moment, Imu didn't know what to say, feeling that this twist of fate was truly remarkable. He hadn't even instructed Mihawk to have a chat with Shanks, and the two had already met on their own.
"Understood."
With nothing more to say, he hung up the call and placed the receiver back on the Den Den Mushi's back.
"Ah, I really want to see what those two will say during their first meeting." At that moment, he envied the 'telescope technique' of the other world immensely.
"Although I can't see, I can still listen."
With Imu's current range of Observation Haki and various special abilities, as long as he wished, he could eavesdrop on any sound throughout Mary Geoise, a technique he referred to as 'Observation Haki.'
In the Land of Gods, at the Figarland estate.
"Who the hell are you?"
Shanks glared angrily at Mihawk, who had brought him back, his expression dark. Gion had left first since she couldn't enter.
"Dracule Mihawk, like you, is a Celestial Dragon," Mihawk said, casually sitting down in a wide chair, crossing his legs as he calmly looked at Shanks.
"Don't joke around; there's no way a Celestial Dragon could be this strong! And I don't acknowledge myself as a Celestial Dragon!"
"You're not weak either; I can see that those God's Knights were no match for you. But you're still quite far from leaving here. You only managed to run two hundred meters at most before you would have been caught again."
With that, Mihawk pointed to the chair across from him. "Why don't you sit down? Let's have a chat."
"You—"
Seeing Mihawk's casual demeanor, Shanks gritted his teeth in frustration but had no choice but to sit down, knowing he was completely outmatched in their earlier encounter.
There was nothing he could do; he was fifteen this year, while Mihawk was nearly twenty. The five-year gap between a minor and an adult was entirely different from that between two adults.
"Hey, what do you want to talk about? After we chat, can you take me away from here?"
Mihawk replied softly, "Let's talk about the stories of your Roger Pirates, mainly about that Gol D. Roger and 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh, like their swordsmanship styles."
"If I tell you, will you take me away from here?"
"Not possible."
"Then why should I tell you?"
"I can come here often to spar with you, or do you prefer being alone or mingling with other Celestial Dragons?"
"Uh—fine."
That day, the friendship and bond between 'Hawkeye' and 'Red-Haired' began to take root.