The World Government had received an invitation to a grand gala hosted by a high-ranking noble family — a politically strategic event teeming with nobles, royals, and underworld elites. Spandam, in all his flamboyant idiocy, decided CP9 should attend… "for PR reasons."

Despite the team's reluctance, they were ordered to blend in and observe, not assassinate or intimidate.

Lucci stood near the back wall, arms crossed, leopard-like eyes narrowed in disgust. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, but his tie was slightly loose—on purpose. “...I’m not socializing with drunk nobles,” he muttered. Hattori wore a tiny bowtie and was sipping champagne from a thimble.

Kaku was enthusiastically chatting with an old lady about giraffes. “It’s actually a common misconception that giraffes can’t swim, haha!” He was the only one trying to be normal.

Blueno stationed himself near the snack table like it was a sacred duty. Every few minutes, he’d open a Door Door portal to snag fresh hors d'oeuvres from other parts of the mansion. “This cheese tray’s from the VIP section,” he told Jabra smugly.

Jabra, in a cheap tux that didn’t fit, tried to impress a cluster of noblewomen by flexing and bragging: “I’m basically the strongest member of CP9.” He tripped over a waiter mid-sentence and got champagne up his nose. The ladies fled.

Kumadori entered dramatically late with roses in his hair, twirling and shouting, “YOYOOOI! This party is a battlefield of elegance and debauchery!!” He then got tangled in the drapes and had to be rescued by Fukurou.

Fukurou (in a sparkly bowtie): “CHAPAPA! Kumadori has -8 stealth points!” He zip-zipped around the party, spying on everyone and blurting out people’s secrets at the worst moments. “CHAPAPA! That noble’s toupee is crooked!”

Kalifa, wearing a shimmering gown and fake smile, was barely holding it together. She mistook the women’s powder room for an interrogation chamber. “You will tell me who smuggled those fake jewels into the ballroom, Miss Jéssique.” The lady fled in tears.

Spandam was already drunk. He forced the band to play his “entrance theme” four times, then challenged a nobleman to a fencing duel with breadsticks. He lost. Dramatically.