The Undying Monster

Someone behind me!?

When did that happen!

Shu Ji's smile froze instantly.

He knew that although he had only recently joined Baroque Works and was currently only a Million Envoy, his strength was comparable to that of a Billion Envoy. All he lacked was merit.

To have someone appear behind him without him noticing meant that if the other party had any ill intentions, he would already be dead.

Shu Ji stiffly turned around and looked at the two Red-haired Youths standing behind him.

Those familiar faces were the merit he wanted to report: the Mad Blade Rod and Black Spear Nerl!

His heart trembled slightly, and Shu Ji forced a smile onto his face.

"Tell me, what's your identity?"

Rod picked up the intelligence booklet the other party had dropped on the ground, flipped through it casually, and said.

"We are members of Baroque Works. We've been on Tiger Shark Island, gathering intelligence on one hand and searching for suitable prey to earn bounties on the other."

Knowing that the opponents standing before him were beyond his ability to resist, Shu Ji honestly revealed his identity.

"Baroque Works?"

Hearing the familiar name from the other party's mouth, Rod was slightly stunned and re-examined the two people in front of him.

A familiar male-female operative team, and the inconspicuous Baroque Works logo on their clothes.

It should be them.

"Our company's headquarters is on the Grand Line..."

Thinking Rod was unfamiliar with their company's situation, Shu Ji was about to introduce their company in detail, preferably making the other party hesitant and not kill them directly.

"I know, it's a criminal organization headquartered in Alabasta, founded by Crocodile."

"What!! Crocodile!!"

Hearing what Rod said, Shu Ji and Margery's pupils constricted, their jaws hitting the floor as they put on a great performance of facial expressions for Rod and Nerl.

"Oh, I remember now. Your company members seem to use codenames internally, and their identities are kept secret."

Rod seemed to suddenly remember something, patted his head, and looked at the two people in front of him without apology.

"I'm sorry, I think I've gotten you into trouble. I heard Crocodile doesn't want his identity as the boss of Baroque Works exposed, so anyone who knows this secret will be eliminated by him."

"We're finished!!"

Shu Ji and Margery felt their lives turn bleak. They had learned such a secret and would definitely be hunted.

They didn't think they could survive the pursuit of the Shichibukai.

"Who did you call just now?"

"Mr. 11. He was on the island because he was trying to recruit a powerful individual."

"Mr. 11?"

Rod thought for a long time but couldn't recall anything about him.

His number was too far down the list; he had no impression!

"Do you think Mr. 11 has the strength to defeat us?"

Rod looked puzzled.

After all, he was now a pirate with a bounty of 71 million. Even on the Grand Line, he was by no means an insignificant nobody.

What gave them the confidence to think that someone so far down the Baroque Works roster could defeat him?

"We originally thought you had done something special to have such a high bounty..."

Shu Ji was still immersed in the fear of being hunted by the Shichibukai, feeling his life was hopeless. He answered Rod's question almost without reservation.

"Because Mr. 11 was taking too long to deal with that monster, I heard the headquarters reassigned a Chief Executive to take over the mission."

"Chief Executive?"

"That is, Mr. 5, and executives ranked even higher."

Could it be Third Brother?

When it came to the higher-ranked members of Baroque Works, the first person that came to Rod's mind was a man with a "3" on his head, gracefully holding a teacup.

If it really was him, he really wanted to gauge the level of the so-called "Strongest First Mate."

"I don't know who it is specifically."

Noticing Rod's thoughtful expression, Shu Ji quickly added.

When Rod's gaze fell upon him, Shu Ji showed a fawning expression and spoke cautiously.

"Given how sensible I'm being, can you two big brothers keep today's events a secret?"

After falling into the panic of being hunted by the Shichibukai and imagining countless terrible futures, Shu Ji suddenly had a realization.

They were just insignificant pawns in Baroque Works. Although they had unintentionally learned the secret of their boss's true identity, as long as they didn't speak of it, no one would know the secret they knew. After all, even the Chief Executives didn't know the President's true identity.

As long as these two troublemakers don't say anything to anyone, it should be fine.

However, there's no way he could win a fight against them, so he could only beg them to keep it a secret.

"You're thinking pretty fast, aren't you?"

Rod looked at the unassuming man before him in surprise.

He hadn't expected to encounter one of the few quick-witted individuals in this world, where almost everyone else was rather dense.

"Don't worry, I'm not that kind of boring person."

Rod nodded with satisfaction and then waved the intelligence booklet he'd taken from the man in front of him.

"Last three questions. Answer them honestly, and I'll let you go."

"First, are there any excellent chefs on this island?"

"Chefs?"

Shuji and Margery exchanged glances, then hesitated before answering.

"The northern part of this island is the commercial district. There are a few decent restaurants there. Perhaps their chefs could be considered excellent..."

"Alright, I knew it wouldn't be that easy."

The description clearly didn't satisfy Rod, but he had only asked casually and hadn't held out much hope. He'd check that area later.

"Second question, where is Mr. 11, the person you were looking for earlier?"

Since they had decided to cause trouble for him, Rod figured he might as well go find them himself, saving them the effort of a large-scale search for him.

"He's also in the northern district. Mr. 11 likes fine wine and beauties. Ever since he arrived on the island, he's been at the 'North Blue Scenery' bar in the northern district."

What a coincidence, everyone he wanted to find was in the northern district.

"Third question, who is the monster your company was trying to recruit?"

Hearing Rod's question, a flicker of fear crossed Shuji's face, while Margery blushed slightly, her eyes showing a hint of admiration.

"He's a true monster, an unkillable monster!"

Seeing the doubt on Rod's face, Shuji quickly added.

"It's true! I saw it with my own eyes! Neither fists nor swords can kill him. Even if his chest is pierced or his arm is broken, he'll keep fighting and eliminate all his enemies!"

This is getting more and more exaggerated, Rod glanced at Nerl. Nerl subtly shook his head, indicating that the man wasn't lying.

"We all call him the Zombie Man, Genos!"