Bon Clay's Trip to the East Blue

Inside the Spider-Man coffee shop.

While drinking whiskey, Bon Clay performed his face-changing skills for Nami and Vivi.

Suddenly, something occurred to him, and with a strikingly beautiful face reminiscent of Nami, he turned and asked:

"Ma Qiao, boy, did you come to Alabasta to catch pirates? Crocodile, that guy, he probably caught all the pirates in this area, didn't he? What an arrogant bastard!"

In order to cultivate his image as Alabasta hero, Crocodile has spared no effort over the years in killing pirates who approach Alabasta.

This has made Alabasta a no-go zone for pirates.

The ordinary people of Alabasta were naturally grateful to this powerful Shichibukai, but for the Baroque Works employees who were unaware of their boss's identity, this was not a good thing.

Pirates are everyone's bread and butter, their source of income!

Without pirates, what will Pirate Hunters eat and drink?

On the bar counter.

Looking at von Clay, who had transformed back into Vivi, Miss Doublefinger again, speechless.

Only an idiot like that would reveal their most secret weapon to others like that.

And...

Asking about other agents' missions is a major taboo in the organization!

However, Miss Doublefinger was too lazy to meddle in other people's business. This damn transvestite was exceptionally strong; his transvestite leg techniques were rarely matched.

As for that useless Ma Qiao...

He was indeed a highly popular senior student back in the day, but ever since he was ambushed by Galdino and had his Devil Fruit switched, he has long been a has-been.

Miss Doublefinger has absolutely no interest in such losers.

As expected, Ma Qiao's statement was exactly what she had anticipated.

"I don't know yet, probably just some kind of errand-running task..."

Ma Qiao casually replied, "Bon Clay, what about you this time? Going to be a mercenary again?"

"Hey, how dare you, a lowly member, inquire about the tasks of high-ranking cadres!"

Miss Doublefinger and loudly accused him, but was ignored by both Ma Qiao and von Klay.

The two drank and chatted.

Compared to the lower-ranking members of Whiskey Peak, the main job of high-ranking agents like Bon Clay is no longer hunting pirates, but making money as mercenaries.

Mercenaries are certainly a destabilizing factor in a society governed by law, and are lawless criminals who disregard human life. However, in the world of One Piece, the social foundation is completely different.

To be honest, moral standards shouldn't be set too high for the world of One Piece.

Compared to pirates who rob and plunder merchant ships and constantly treat people to noodles or wontons, mercenaries are relatively neutral.

However, for obvious reasons, Bon Clay's performance as a mercenary was very poor, and he was incomparable to Mr. 1.

After all, any employer who isn't blind knows who they should hire.

"Nobody wants to hire me! My performance this quarter fell short of expectations again, I'm really afraid of being fired! Oh!"

Although Bon Clay said that, Ma Qiao didn't sense his nervousness at all.

Performance appraisals and bottom-ranking elimination are, frankly speaking, only for lower-level employees. For senior management, it's a completely different set of standards for selecting and appointing people.

"Aren't you a mercenary? Then what mission did you take?" Ma Qiao asked, puzzled.

"I've received an interesting assignment; I'm going on a business trip to the East Blue ~ Oh~"

Von Clay stood up happily and started spinning around in circles.

"East Blue?"

Ma Qiao was quite surprised. "Isn't a place like the East Blue only frequented by mid-level officers with codenames below 6?"

"You don't know this, Ma Qiao boy!"

Bon Clay abandoned his 'graceful' dance moves, revealing a serious expression. "The East Blue is different now. According to the organization's intelligence, a large number of powerful Supernovas have recently emerged in the East Blue, including Fire Fist Ace, Roger's orphan Kuro, the Six-Sword Style swordsman Hachi, and the entrusted minister Buggy..."

As Ma Qiao listened to von Clay's eloquent introduction, annoyance creased his forehead.

Was I the culprit behind my emotional turmoil?

Due to Ma Qiao's series of questionable actions, the assessment of the danger level in the East Blue Sea has been significantly raised.

Today, the East Blue, like the North Blue Sea where the Germa 66 is located and the West China West Blue where the Happo Navy is located, has been included in the task jurisdiction of senior officers.

But...

"Bon Clay, if you weren't a mercenary, what would you be doing in the East Blue? Performing?" Ma Qiao asked.

"My performance?"

Bon Clay looked on expectantly. "Ma Qiao boy, do you think I'm ready to perform? I was originally planning to go to the Kamabakka Kingdom for some time to further my studies..."

"Let's get down to business. What exactly are you going to the East Blue for?"

Ma Qiao quickly interrupted von Clay: "I have some very reliable friends in the East Blue. You can ask them for help if you have any difficulties!"

With that, Ma Qiao pulled out a Big Bird Den Den Mushi and began explaining its functions to von Clay.

"Wow, that's great!"

Bon Clay happily resumed his ballet dance, "With my friends' help, we'll definitely take down that Zoro kid quickly this time! Yo!"

Pfft--

Ma Qiao sprayed his drink halfway through onto Miss Doublefinger.

Ignoring the need to apologize to the boss lady who was on the verge of exploding, Ma Qiao jumped up and asked, "Who? Who are you going to kill?"

"A Pirate Hunter, I think his name is..."

Bon Clay pulled a mission notice from his pocket and examined it carefully. "His name is Roronoa Zoro. He's only 17 years old, and he's already incredibly arrogant..."

"Could it be...?"

Ma Qiao suddenly remembered a scene from the story.

In the Alabasta arc of the original manga, Zoro's rampage at Whiskey Peak was not due to his caution or his resistance to the temptation of alcohol, but rather because he had some knowledge of Baroque Works and the naming conventions of agents with the 'Mr+number' designation, and had made a prediction.

All of this stemmed from an offer made by Baroque Works to Roronoa Zoro, Pirate Hunter was already quite famous, several years ago.

As a result, Zoro refused the invitation without saying a word and even killed Mr. 7, who had come to coerce him into joining the crew...

If this were the original story, Baroque Works would probably have sent some random guys to retaliate after that, only to have them either get killed by Zoro again, or they simply couldn't find Zoro was probably just drifting along at sea...

In the end, the matter was simply dropped.

But this time...

Because of a series of actions by a certain unscrupulous businessman, things have changed completely...

Watching Bon Clay energetically stretching his big, hairy legs, Ma Qiao was worried sick about Suo Da's mental and physical health.

"Um... Bon Clay, once you get to East Blue, keep in touch by phone... My friends will definitely be able to help..."

Ma Qiao made one last attempt, hoping to mitigate some of the butterfly effect he had created...

Let's hope so...