"Caution" Could Also Become a Weakness

Black Cat Pirates, one of their hideouts.

As time passed, the scouts sent out by the Black Cat Pirates returned one after another and waited quietly inside the hideout.

On the appointed day, a small guide boat appeared at the coast to ferry the scouts back to the Hundred Plans Buraku.

This was one of the Black Cat Pirates' usual methods. It effectively prevented Navy ambushes, and even if the Navy tailed the small boat, escaping pursuit on the open sea would be much easier.

Besides, the Black Cat Pirates were not afraid of clashing with a Navy Branch.

Half a day later, the small boat rendezvoused with the main ship.

The scouts gathered on deck.

Compared with when they had left, their numbers had dwindled by a third.

Some had been killed by other pirates, some had betrayed them, some had missed the return time—there were many reasons, and it counted as normal attrition.

Pirates constantly slaughtered one another over territory, growing stronger by devouring their rivals.

A minor loss of manpower meant nothing to the Black Cat Pirates. They could quickly replenish their numbers by absorbing other pirate crews.

On deck, Kuro sat in the captain's seat and pushed his glasses up with his palm. His gaze behind the lenses was incomparably cold.

"Tell me. What did you find?"

The pirates' palms sweated nervously.

Their Captain Kuro was a ruthless, merciless man. If they came back empty-handed, they would definitely be killed.

Captain Kuro hated useless trash!

"Captain, in Orange Town—"

"Captain—"

The pirates reported the intelligence they had gathered in trembling voices. It was mostly information on the wealth of various villages and towns, along with details about some local rich people.

By custom, the captain would choose one as their raiding target.

It was not enough for a target to be wealthy; they also had to consider the difficulty and efficiency of the raid. If it dragged on too long, it would easily draw the Navy.

Though they were not afraid of the Navy, clashing with them brought no benefits at all. It would not only weaken their fighting strength, but also hinder their plundering of treasure.

Once the reports were over, the deck fell so silent that a pin could have been heard dropping.

Kuro lowered his head slightly, resting his chin on his hands without saying a word. Those familiar with him knew this was a sign of dissatisfaction.

The pirates held their breath.

The Black Cat Pirates' territory was limited. There were only a handful of towns that were both wealthy and suitable for raiding. Unless they expanded outward, there were not many targets to choose from in the first place.

But expanding outward meant clashing with other powerful pirate crews, and their captain was rather cautious and disliked taking risks.

It was not like they had any choice!

Kuro took off his glasses and wiped the lenses with a silk cloth, growing even more dissatisfied with the current situation—almost disgusted.

These subordinates were all useless trash!

Pirates were all useless trash too!

Holding the brim of his hat, Jango performed a backward Glide Step and arrived beside Kuro. A confident smile curled across his lips.

It was time for the finale to take the stage!

"Captain Kuro, I found some very interesting information. Perhaps you'll be interested."

"..."

Kuro's hand paused slightly as he wiped his glasses, then he rose to his feet.

"Come with me."

The two entered the Captain's Room.

Jango briefly described what had happened on Glass Bead Island. Naturally, he did not mention the dancing. Instead, he focused on the wealthy family he had discovered.

The Syrup Family!

Not only had they sponsored the Funky Dance Contest, they also owned a private luxury ship and had been personally received by the mayor of Glass Bead Island.

Such a wealthy family actually lived in an ordinary village, and Syrup Village happened to lie within the Black Cat Pirates' territory.

There could be no more suitable target.

After this job, they could live in luxury for at least a whole year.

"How pitiful. They clearly possess inexhaustible wealth, yet both husband and wife are sickly and look like they won't survive for many more years. Their only daughter is thin and frail as well."

"If someone could marry their daughter, wouldn't they rise straight to the top?"

"Unfortunately, they're finished."

Jango went on and on, as though he could already see the Syrup Family being trampled flat by the Black Cat Pirates.

The speaker had no such intention, but the listener did.

Kuro's pupils contracted as endless delight surged through his heart. Wasn't this exactly the path to legitimacy he had been dreaming of?

After infiltrating the Syrup Family and gaining Mr. and Mrs. Syrup's trust, he could make them "accidentally die of illness." He might not even need to do it himself.

With only a helpless young girl left, wouldn't she be his to manipulate as he pleased?

Of course, he had no interest in becoming a wealthy man's son-in-law. All he cared about was their status and wealth.

The girl had to die too!

The more Jango spoke, the more excited he became. He impatiently urged, "Captain, let's move already!"

"No rush."

Kuro raised a hand and adjusted his glasses.

What he wanted was not merely wealth, but something even more important: stability. If he let these idiot subordinates run wild, they would only ruin his plan.

Not only could they not raid the Syrup Family, they also had to prevent other pirate crews from making a move.

Moreover, before carrying out the Whitewashing Plan, he had to personally verify whether it was true. Only then could he rest easy!

"Jango, sail the ship to the waters near Syrup Village!"

"Understood!"

Elsewhere, on Glass Bead Island.

After having a wonderful time for half a month, Kaya felt thoroughly satisfied, but also deeply exhausted. Compared to the excitement of the outside world, she preferred a quieter life.

She missed home.

The Syrup Go began its return journey.

Inside the cabin, Luo Ya hung up the Den Den Mushi used to contact the branch and let out a long breath. The anxiety he had carried for half a month finally lifted.

Fullbody immediately leaned over.

"How did it go?"

"It's settled!"

Luo Ya broke into a smile.

"By the way, Fullbody, how did you convince Colonel Rhode before?"

"Hehe."

Fullbody looked rather proud.

"I stood on the rooftop for an entire day!"

"..."

Luo Ya fell silent for a long while, then quietly gave him a thumbs-up.

153rd Branch, operations meeting room.

All the branch captains had gathered.

A nautical chart hung on the wall. Centered around the island where Syrup Village was located, more than a dozen surveillance points had been marked on nearby islands.

"Lieutenant Li Pa, you will be responsible for guarding the eastern coast of Syrup Village!"

"Sergeant Morgue, you will be responsible for..."

Colonel Rhode assigned the tasks.

Previously, Fullbody had brought back three members of the Black Cat Pirates. From them, they had learned of the Black Cat Pirates' rendezvous point.

Although that was not enough to launch an attack on Kuro, it was not useless. The surveillance ships they dispatched tracked the small boats headed to the rendezvous point and ultimately confirmed the direction in which the Black Cat Pirates had departed.

Based on their route, it was highly likely that the Black Cat Pirates were headed for Syrup Village. This gave Colonel Rhode even greater confidence in Luo Ya's plan.

"Listen carefully. Keep the waters around Syrup Village under surveillance twenty-four hours a day. The moment you spot the Black Cat Pirates, report to me immediately!"

"Understood!"

The captains' eyes gleamed fiercely.

This was not merely a campaign against pirates. The Black Cat Pirates had also slaughtered many Branch Marines of the 153rd Branch. It was a blood-soaked grudge.

No one had forgotten the crushing defeat from half a year ago!

The meeting ended.

Colonel Rhode came to the rooftop and gazed in the direction of Syrup Village.

"That kid should be arriving soon too, right?"

A smile rose on Rhode's face.

At first, when he learned from Fullbody about Luo Ya's "plan to eliminate the Black Cat Pirates," he had been thoroughly shocked.

Calling it wishful thinking would not even begin to describe it.

It was pure recklessness.

He could not stake the safety of the entire branch on a single plan. Even if it ultimately turned out to be nothing more than a farce, the manpower and resources the branch had invested would be a price difficult to bear.

However, under Fullbody's "threat," he reluctantly agreed to wait and see. He also made some preliminary preparations, thinking they might come in useful when they eventually moved against Kuro.

It was only after Luo Ya and Fullbody truly captured Hypnotist Jango that he began taking Luo Ya's plan seriously.

And Luo Ya's destruction of the Tulip Pirates all by himself was like a shot of adrenaline. That kid had more promise than he did. In the future, he would definitely become a pillar of the 153rd Branch—and perhaps go even further!

He decided to go "crazy" with Luo Ya just this once!