He had thought that this incident wouldn’t be turned over so easily, but Lucci’s attitude unexpectedly made Dante’s heart race with some anxiety.
Nevertheless, he continued the conversation, “Senior official, you’re too kind! Duty can’t be avoided without dishonor!”
“Please follow me, I have prepared dinner for you all. It’s late in the day, and there’s plenty of time for the investigation tomorrow…”
After speaking, Dante blinked, waiting for Lucci’s response.
According to logic, Lucci and his team, who arrived in the afternoon, would immediately begin their investigation, even if they were a bit late, their mission must take priority.
However, Dante didn’t know that Lucci was currently fearful. Since joining CP0, his strength had grown rapidly, but the Thunder-Lightning Stimulation Device he used was merely a simplified version of Rowen’s original Thunder-Lightning Stimulation Method!
With such a miraculous training effect from a simplified version, one could only wonder at the speed at which Rowen is growing stronger as the creator of the original technique.
Lucci had no intention of tangling with Rowen now… unless he had also found some leverage on Rowen.
Therefore, at this moment, Lucci decisively nodded and said, “We accept your hospitality…”
He hadn’t even asked about Rowen, yet things were progressing eerily smoothly!
Watching Lucci, accompanied by the soldiers, heading towards their accommodations, Henry approached and whispered, “Colonel, what’s the situation now?”
Why did it seem like the dignified senior official of CP0 was actually afraid of them, a bunch of ordinary soldiers? Henry knew that being scared off by a couple of cannonballs wouldn’t shake the likes of Lucci.
The aura he emanated was like a deep abyss, and even with Henry’s basic Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), a mere glance felt like being thrown into an ice cave. So, the remaining possibility was only one!
“Don’t concern yourself with the matters related to Vice Admiral…”
Dante casually chimed in, then added, “By the way, Henry, do you know how many floors the main body of the fortress has?”
“Excluding the underground base and hidden storage, there are 13 floors on the surface!”
Henry answered instinctively, then looked puzzled, “Is there a problem, Colonel?”
“These 13 floors and the toilet hygiene until the end of next month, are your responsibility…”
Henry: “…”
Subsequently, wearing a mournful expression, he nodded and saluted.
“Yes, sir!”
…
Buru Buru… Buru Buru…
Ka Cha!
Picking up the receiver, Rowen rubbed his tired eyes and sneezed, “Who’s there? What are you doing awake in the middle of the night?!”
Ding…
A clear buzz! began to sound continuous, like the ringing of tuning forks. Issho’s hands moved like shadows, crossing and recrossing the coin with astonishing speed. Finally, with a “thud,” he slapped his palm onto the upturned barrel bottom, revealing a sinister gambler’s grin to Rowen.
“I guess tails!”
“Vice Admiral, when do you plan on returning? The inspectors from the Marine Headquarters and the government-appointed official have arrived. I delayed them for a day, so the inspection won’t begin until tomorrow.”
“Oh? They let you delay them for a day?”
Rowen was quite surprised when he heard that. He thought for a moment, then extended a finger and playfully formed a killing intent around it, as if he was mimicking the shape of a “1.” At the same time, he placed a palm-sized cup heavily in the middle of the table.
“In reality, they miscalculated their schedule. They only arrived in the evening. They had dinner and went straight to their lodgings… Our people are currently monitoring the perimeter to prevent any disturbances during the night.” Dante shamelessly stated.
Being a part of the Marines, he understood the typical practice of the higher-ups: saying one thing and doing another. Therefore, even with Lucci’s declaration, he wouldn’t completely let his guard down.
“I see… Well then, who’s leading them?”
Rowen tried to push away Issho’s hand but was surprised when Issho firmly held it down, shaking his head with a sardonic smile.
No matter how perceptive his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) was, it couldn’t compete with the blatant cheating method of someone using the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder-Thunder Fruit) Ability to manipulate a coin!
Ah, the science of the pirate world! It was well known that metal smelted with the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder-Thunder Fruit) could rapidly solidify and take shape, barely retaining any heat.
This method had once tricked Issho until he had a few drinks.
And now the one flipping the coin was Issho.
Seeing this, Rowen clicked his tongue and let go.
Afterward, Issho confidently moved his hand away, then suddenly widened his eyes that couldn’t actually see anything.
“Heads! I win!”
Rowen burst into laughter, pushing the cup towards Issho with an enigmatic smile on his face.
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Dante rolled his eyes and said, “You might not believe this, but the Chief Inspector Shepherd from the Headquarter was arrested for dereliction of duty before even setting foot on land. Now, there’s only the government-appointed official, Rob·Lucci…”
Pfft!!
Rowen was suddenly taken aback, staring blankly as he asked, “Who did you say?”
“Rob·Lucci… the same person we met in Water 7?”
“Yes!”
“I see… I’ll be right back.”
Rowen rubbed his chin thoughtfully. After hanging up the call, he turned to Issho and said, “It looks like we need to pause our gambling session for today… The government’s investigating official is currently at G-10 Marine Branch. It won’t be easy if they can’t find me tomorrow.”
“Vice Admiral Rowen, please take your time…”
Issho, who had made a big gamble, didn’t seem to be annoyed by losing. He nodded and then added, “By the way, if this old man becomes a Shichibukai, may I establish a legal casino business here on this island?”
This island wasn’t on any of the Seven Routes and Merchant ships rarely passed by. But if there was a very attractive business, the island would soon become bustling, it was just a matter of time.
The residents’ lives would improve significantly, no longer relying on the unpredictable weather for food, escaping from living meal to meal, or day to day.
Tsk! As expected!
“Of course, this place isn’t an Allied Kingdom member. For a Shichibukai, it’s an entirely lawless land…”
Rowen said, then waved his hand, turning into a bolt of lightning that shot into the sky, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Back at the same spot, Issho touched the still-warm coin, lost in thought.
“A lawless land, huh?”
Tick-tock…
A drop of molten iron trickled from a metal band on the wooden barrel to the ground, leaving a nail-sized black mark where it landed. Curiously, Issho reached down to touch it. He continued until he felt a pile of coins that had fused together, forming twisted and irregular metal columns within the barrel. The blind man smiled quietly.
“So that’s how it is…”
(End of this chapter)
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