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The Strongest Frost Loli (129)
🕑 Added 2024-09-23 17:00:19 +0000 UTCChapter 129 - Fisher Tiger
A year had passed since they began treating the Amber Lead Syndrome.
They had used Germa’s mobile territory to transport the Flevance patients, but they were still struggling to find a suitable relocation site. The patients remained on Germa's ships for the time being.
The latest medical equipment had been brought in, and numerous medical personnel were working tirelessly, but they had yet to make any significant progress.
Judge seemed to have some ideas, but judging by his frustrated expression, they hadn't worked out.
There was no progress beyond providing palliative care while traveling around the North Blue. The medical team was stretched thin, and Twilight's resources were being depleted.
They had minimized their manpower requirements by utilizing Germa's soldiers, but that, in turn, was putting a strain on their finances.
– Then, Kanata received a piece of good news.
“Did you find the Ope Ope no Mi?”
‘Yes.’
Kanata sighed in relief at Teach’s report. It had been a risky gamble, but her brute-force search had finally paid off. It must have been hidden in a remote location.
“Who found it? I’ll give them a reward.”
‘Barrels. It was a coincidence… What kind of reward? Money?’
“Yes – 5 billion berries.”
A loud sputtering sound came from the other end of the line.
Teach seemed shocked, and Kanata frowned at the noise.
‘5 billion?! Are you serious?!’
“It’s worth that much. Don’t lose it.”
‘Y-yes… Damn, I should have said I found it.’
“I’ll knock you out if you lie to me.”
He would have been caught instantly if he had tried to lie to her. In a way, it was good that he knew that.
Besides, she would reward everyone who had participated in the search. The amount would be lower, but she had enough savings.
Twilight's shipping business was extremely profitable.
“Head to Germa. We’re giving the Ope Ope no Mi to Sukura.”
‘Leave it to me. I’ll sink anyone who tries to take it! Zehahahaha!!’
His words were crude, but Kanata acknowledged his strength. He was rough around the edges, but he was one of their strongest executives.
He was overconfident and reckless, but… She couldn't change his personality. It was her job to compensate for his flaws by assigning him competent subordinates.
Kanata leaned back in her chair, relieved that the operation was finally coming to an end.
She was also glad to finally have some good news for Dragon.
“…Now, about Germa.”
She had heard about Vinsmoke Sora’s condition.
According to the medical records sent by Sukura, she was suffering from various side effects from consuming a powerful drug… But the Ope Ope no Mi had the potential to cure her.
Their objective was to conquer the North Blue – or rather, to take control of every country in the North Blue. Considering Dragon’s objective, it seemed they were planning to replace the Celestial Dragons. They weren’t the kind of people she wanted as enemies.
But even then, utilizing Germa was the best option for this operation.
…Besides, Germa’s military strength was formidable. They were known as “Warmongers” for a reason. If their interests aligned, they could be valuable allies against Linlin and Kaido’s alliance.
Even if they didn't become allies, preventing them from becoming enemies was crucial. It was a necessary precaution.
“…Hm?”
A Den Den Mushi rang.
She had delegated most of her work to her subordinates and rarely received calls these days.
It wasn’t Kaie or Sukura. It wasn’t time for their reports.
“….”
A sense of foreboding washed over her as she answered the call.
“It’s me.”
“The Five Elders? It’s unusual for you to contact me directly.”
Kanata put down her pen and sat up straight. She couldn't afford to be careless with her words.
The Five Elders, however, seemed grim.
“Did you have anything to do with this incident?”
“Incident?”
‘Don’t play dumb.’
“I’ve been involved in countless incidents without informing you. Which one are you referring to?”
“Fisher Tiger! Attacking Mary Geoise… It’s unheard of!”
They were being surprisingly rational. Kanata wouldn’t have been surprised if they had exploded in anger.
She twirled her pen in her hand, feigning disinterest, then gave them the answer they already knew.
“I had nothing to do with it.”
“You…!”
They seemed to think she was still trying to deceive them. Their tone was harsh.
Kanata suppressed a sigh. The incident hadn’t even been reported in the newspapers yet, but she never underestimated the power of information. Her network of informants kept her updated on current events.
She knew the details.
“I know about Tiger’s incident. I heard he rampaged through Mary Geoise, freed numerous slaves, and escaped.”
“He was once a member of your crew. Did you order him to do this?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. He left my crew a long time ago. We went our separate ways, and I haven’t had any contact with him for years.”
“We know how sentimental you are, and how much you despise the Celestial Dragons. We can’t simply believe your words.”
“Then I’ll ask you this – Do you truly believe that if I had been involved, the damage would have been this minimal?”
The Five Elders fell silent.
The woman who had once killed a Celestial Dragon wouldn't stop at simply freeing slaves. It was a twisted form of trust, but Tiger’s actions proved Kanata wasn’t involved.
If she had been involved, Mary Geoise would be in ruins, and they would be at war with the Marines.
“…Are you asking us to believe you? You, who could be the mastermind behind this incident?”
“Believe what you will. You’re the only ones who will suffer if you expel me from the Seven Warlords.”
The privileges granted to the Seven Warlords were valuable, but they weren’t essential. The right to passage through Mary Geoise was almost meaningless now that she had the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi.
She would lose the official trade agreements with the World Government, but those would continue unofficially. There was no other shipping network that could rival Twilight’s.
Kanata’s words put the Five Elders in a difficult position.
But then –
Kanata stopped twirling her pen.
“Tiger might have gone his own way, but he was once my comrade. You’re trying to use this incident to weaken me… aren’t you?”
“…What if we are?”
“I don’t care if you weaken me. The right to passage through Mary Geoise is meaningless now. You know that, don’t you? Especially with all the rats running around these days.”
Twilight’s security was strict compared to other pirate crews, but they couldn’t completely eliminate the Cipher Pol agents.
They were doing their best to counter espionage, but Kanata and Feiyun were busy. They couldn’t constantly monitor their crew.
They had managed to eliminate most of them, but it was because of their Observation Haki.
…As a side note, crew members occasionally got knocked out by Feiyun or captured by Kanata for seemingly no reason, so it had become a sort of ghost story among the crew.
“I don’t mind. I’m an unnecessary burden anyway.”
It would be foolish to antagonize the Marines with Linlin and Kaido allied, but a distrustful ally was more dangerous than an enemy.
Pirates and Marines were natural enemies. Their temporary alliance wouldn’t last forever.
If she resigned from the Seven Warlords, she could openly work to overthrow the World Government. It didn't matter either way.
The Five Elders pondered the situation, then replied, “We’re not planning to go that far yet.”
“We acknowledge your contributions, and there are still powerful pirate crews like Whitebeard, Big Mom, and the Beasts Pirates. We want you as an ally, at least until they’re defeated.”
“I see. Then I’ll be careful not to get stabbed in the back.”
The conversation ended, and Kanata pondered the future.
Losing some of her privileges wouldn’t change her plans. She could continue as usual, as long as she remained a Warlord.
She was still in the preparation stage.
She had recently received a report about Tiger’s attack on Mary Geoise and had instructed her crew to send ships to both sides of the Red Line. She wanted to help the former slaves escape.
She had received the report after the incident, and it would take a few days to reach Mary Geoise from Hachinosu. Many of the former slaves had probably already escaped.
She had sent Gloriosa and George, but she didn't know how many they would be able to bring back.
It was a losing battle, both in the short term and long term, but pirates did as they pleased.
She could only hope that they would find valuable personnel.
***
Gloriosa had crossed the Red Line with George's help and was now searching for the escaped slaves in Sabaody Archipelago. George was on the New World side, while Gloriosa was on the Paradise side.
They weren’t trying to return them to the Celestial Dragons. They were trying to help them escape.
They could offer them work and shelter, but from their perspective, Kanata and the Twilight Pirates were government dogs. She had anticipated their distrust.
The other pirates on the island quickly hid themselves, avoiding her gaze. She couldn't question everyone. It would take too long.
This is troublesome, she thought, as she sent her subordinates to search. She decided to visit someone who might have information.
Shakky’s Rip-off Bar.
She wondered if she was still overcharging her customers. Gloriosa opened the door and entered.
“I’m coming in. Are you here, Shakky?”
“Welcome… Oh, Gloriosa! It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has. Who’s the man over there? Is he a customer?”
“No, he’s been staying here for a few years. He disappears every now and then.”
A middle-aged man with graying hair was slumped over a table, fast asleep. He seemed to be drunk.
Shakky, who hadn't changed much, chuckled and said, “You know him,” as she served Gloriosa some tea.
Gloriosa looked at the man, but she could only see the back of his head. She couldn’t tell who he was.
“Hm… I’m curious, but I can ask later. I have a question for you.”
“If you’re here, it must be related to the Twilight Pirates, right? Let’s see… the biggest incident recently was Fisher Tiger’s attack on Mary Geoise. Is that why you’re here?”
“Yes, you’re quick. I’m here to help the escaped slaves, but it’s not going well.”
“I see. Kanata’s a Warlord, so they’re probably assuming you’re here to capture them on the government’s orders.”
“I was afraid of that.”
“But I have a lead.”
The sleeping man suddenly stirred. He slowly sat up and ran a hand through his graying blond hair, revealing his face.
Gloriosa gasped in recognition.
“Rayleigh?! What are you doing here?!”
“Oh, you’re awake? Ray,” Shakky said casually.
“Yes… I heard a familiar name. Could I have a glass of water, please?”
He had either been drinking since morning or had passed out after drinking all night. He had a red mark on his cheek.
Shakky chuckled and handed him a glass of water. He took a large gulp, then turned towards Gloriosa.
“…Oh?! Gloriosa! It’s been a while! How have you been?”
“You’re too slow!”
Rayleigh grabbed a bottle of sake. Had he been drinking so much that he hadn’t even noticed her? Or was he still planning to drink?
Shakky frowned, and Rayleigh sheepishly ordered some tea.
“Haha, it’s been a while. How’s Kanata?”
“She’s doing well, as are the others.”
“I heard she’s become a Warlord and is involved in all sorts of businesses. She defeated Shiki and even clashed with Big Mom. She’s become quite a woman. How’s Kaie? I saw her wanted poster years ago. She must be all grown up now.”
“She’s working in the North right now. She’s grown taller and quite beautiful.”
“I see… She might not remember me, but bring her over sometime. I’d love to see how she’s grown.”
“I will, once her mission is over.”
They were reminiscing when they heard a noise coming from the back of the bar.
This used to be Shakky’s place. Rayleigh was just staying here. Was there someone else?
Shakky, hearing the noise, smiled and said, “Oh, let me introduce you,” as she went to the back of the bar.
She returned with three young girls.
“These are the ones you’re looking for.”
“You mean… they escaped from Mary Geoise?”
“Yes, I found them wandering around. Ray helped them.”
“Haha, I couldn’t just let them die. They’ll be beautiful women someday.”
Rayleigh’s fondness for women had paid off.
The girls seemed wary, but Rayleigh’s kindness, or perhaps Shakky’s motherly nature, had put them somewhat at ease.
They introduced themselves as Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold.
Gloriosa, sensing something familiar about their names, asked them where they were from.
“…Where are you girls from?”
“…Amazon Lily.”
“The Island of Women?! What a coincidence… I never thought I’d hear my homeland mentioned here.”
“You’re from Amazon Lily too?”
“Yes, I left the island under certain circumstances, but it’s still my home. Would you girls like to return?”
The three of them nodded.
They had been kidnapped by slave traders, sold, and forced to live as slaves to the Celestial Dragons. Their longing for home must have been unbearable.
Gloriosa sighed and pondered the situation.
She had anticipated this, but there were those who wished to return to their homeland. Kanata had planned to employ them as laborers on one of her islands, but considering their shared origin, Gloriosa had a different idea.
They would be working to earn money to return home, but if it was her home island, she could send a ship.
But…
“Will the current empress accept them?”
Amazon Lily was a country where strength and beauty were absolute. It was a gamble whether they would accept Hancock and her sisters, who had been reduced to slaves.
Gloriosa, who had left the island, had assumed she would never return. But they were different. She had to appeal to the empress’s compassion.
Then, she realized.
She could simply have Kanata annex Amazon Lily.
“…Yes, I think I can work something out.”
Amazon Lily was an island of women, where the strong ruled. They would likely resist being annexed by an outsider, but Kanata was different.
She was the strongest and most beautiful woman Gloriosa knew. All she had to do was convince her to accept Hancock and her sisters.
“I’ll need to speak to Kanata about this.”
“Oh, are you leaving already?”
“Sorry, Shakky. I have a personal stake in this. I want to help these girls return home.”
“Fufu, I see. You’re always helping others. You did the same for Kaie.”
Shakky chuckled and lit a cigarette.
“That’s what I like about you.”
Gloriosa asked Hancock and her sisters if they knew where the other escaped slaves had gone, but they had fled separately to avoid being captured. They didn't know.
She would continue searching for a few days, but after that, she would return to Hachinosu and inform Kanata about Hancock and her sisters. She would then suggest annexing Amazon Lily.
If it worked out, Hancock and her sisters would be able to return home soon.
“Would you like to come with me? If you want to return to Amazon Lily, I’ll make it happen.”
“I… want to go home.”
“Then come with me.”
It wouldn’t be a bad idea for Kanata to annex Amazon Lily. They would likely accept her.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Shakky, Rayleigh.”
“Come again, Gloriosa. I’m looking forward to meeting Kaie.”
“Give my regards to Kanata.”
Gloriosa and the three girls bid farewell to Shakky and Rayleigh and returned to their ship.
