Galette Comes Looking

"This is so frustrating." Smoker stomped his foot angrily, unable to vent his pent-up anger.

But he knew better than anyone that this was the only way to completely destroy the Shichibukai. Yet, watching evildoers run rampant still left him feeling resentful.

"It's better to feel aggrieved than to have countless Dressrosa appear in the future," Fujitora said calmly. "This is also for the sake of justice."

If things go smoothly today, the possibility of abolishing the Shichibukai will be even greater.

"I understand." Smoker looked up, his gaze complex, and said, "I'll play along. It's just acting; I can manage that."

As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately switched gears, his face once again contorted with rage, and shouted, "Damn rules! Are we just going to let that guy continue to do whatever he wants?!"

These words were half true and half false; they were both an act for others to see and a reflection of his true resentment.

The navy officers standing at a distance exchanged bewildered glances, increasingly convinced that their two superiors were bound by their status as Shichibukai and their background as Celestial Dragons.

Then, anger appeared on their faces.

But it's hard to say who this anger is directed at.

"As for external relations, we'll maintain the status quo." Smoker walked to Fujitora's side and said in a very low voice, "We'll intervene symbolically when necessary, but we'll never truly hinder the Straw Hat crew, right?"

Although he really wanted to capture the Straw Hat Pirates right now, he knew that Fujitora was right, so he could only hold back this once.

For the sake of justice, he wouldn't mind enduring it once.

"That's right." Fujitora nodded and said, "Once Straw Hat Luffy has decided the winner, we can take over the situation openly and fairly."

"By then, all the evidence and all the public opinion will be on our side."

"Hopefully this time, we can completely tear apart the fig leaf of the Shichibukai."

Finally, Fujitora opened his eyes, which were filled with the whites of his eyes, but Smoker saw something indescribable in them.

After a moment of silence, Smoker turned to look in the direction of the Royal Palace, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Temporary forbearance is not a retreat, but rather a means to allow true justice to prevail across the entire ocean.

Smoker then turned his gaze back to the direction where Xi Yan had left earlier.

'That guy... he seems kind of familiar... is it just my imagination?'

"It really is you."

Xi Yan, who had appeared on the roof, looked at Galette, who was searching for something below, with some surprise, and said, "Why did you come here by yourself?"

"Xi Yan!"

Upon hearing the voice, Galette looked up sharply into the sky, simultaneously using her Observation Haki to sense Xi Yan's presence once more. After confirming that the person was indeed Xi Yan, a look of surprise immediately appeared in her eyes.

This man is really still alive!!

"Xi Yan!"

Then, Galette took long strides and rushed to Xi Yan, who was falling down, and pounced on him.

Xi Yan was startled, but instinctively caught the other person to prevent them from falling.

"You're really alive! That's wonderful!"

With tears streaming down her face, Galette said, "I suspected two years ago that you might not be dead, but no one else believed me."

Xi Yan opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Finally, he sighed silently and stood there stiffly.

As if sensing some of Xi Yan's emotions, Galette took the initiative to let go of his hand.

"Yes, you haven't agreed to marry me yet." Galette wiped away her tears and said, "So I can't hug you yet."

Upon hearing this, Xi Yan sighed again, then said, "I did not die two years ago, but for some reasons, I had to hide my identity."

"Yes, I understand."

A smile returned to Galette's face as she said, "After all, you're the great hero who single-handedly stormed into Mary Geoise!"

As she spoke, a hint of pride appeared in Galette's eyes.

He looked as if he were the one who had stormed Mary Geoise.

Then Galette continued, "You know, in the New World, many people idolize you."

This is the truth.

Although Xi Yan died in battle on the surface, he was the only human who had dared to do such a thing over the years.

Therefore, Xi Yan's reputation in the New World is quite high.

It's safe to say that if he were to take the initiative and raise his arms, a large number of people would be willing to follow him.

"Am I that famous?" Xi Yan touched his nose and said, "You talk like you're a celebrity."

As Xi Yan spoke of this, the face of Cavendish involuntarily appeared in his mind.

If that guy knew who I was, wouldn't he just draw his sword and try to kill me?

Hmm, it seems quite likely.

"Isn't it just like being a celebrity?" Galette laughed. "A big celebrity, no less!"

"By the way, if my Big Mom knew you were still alive, she..."

At this point, Galette paused, because she suddenly remembered something.

Since Xi Yan didn't want others to know that he was still alive, he naturally didn't want his own mother to know either.

So...

"Let's not," Xi Yan said, spreading his hands. "Otherwise, she'll come and drag me back to be her son-in-law."

Of course, whether the other party can actually do it is another matter entirely.

Upon hearing this, Galette rolled her eyes at Xi Yan, wondering what he meant.

"By the way, why are you here alone?" Xi Yan asked. "Where are the others?"

Where's your brother?

Could it be that Katakuri has already settled his score with Ace and brought his men here?

That can't be right... Ace was someone who could fight Blackbeard to the death and still survive, how could he be defeated so quickly?

But the fact that Galette herself is here means that such a possibility exists.

Thinking of this, Xi Yan looked around. Could that guy be hiding there watching him right now?

"Stop watching, the battle between Katakuri-gege and Fire Fist Ace isn't over yet," Galette said. "As for why I came here alone..."

"Yes, I did bring some people with me, but I sent them all away after sensing your presence."

She had sensed that this person's aura belonged to the Xi Yan, so to avoid any unnecessary trouble, she sent him away.

Fortunately, she was not mistaken; this person really was Xi Yan!

Xi Yan felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this; this little devilish older sister was quite considerate of him.

The other party did a good job; after all, it's not convenient for him to reveal his identity right now.

"Thanks," Xi Yan said.

"Don't be so polite with me."

Galette rolled her eyes at Xi Yan; why did this guy always have to be so polite?

"So you brought your own people here to find the Diamond Fruit?" Xi Yan asked.

That's part of the reason.

Galette thought for a moment and said, "My Big Mom really wants this Devil Fruit, so I took advantage of Katakuri-gege fighting Fire Fist Ace and came here with my own people."

Aren't you afraid something will happen?

Xi Yan was somewhat helpless; this little devil was truly fearless in the face of trouble.

You have to understand, that's the Diamond Fruit that even the Four Emperors are interested in!

In this situation, she still dared to bring her own people to rob it... I have to say, she's incredibly bold.

"Do you think Doflamingo would dare to attack me?" Galette retorted.

The Charlotte Family's Information System is quite sophisticated, so they naturally know what kind of person Doflamingo is.

It's fair to say that compared to the Four Emperors Crew, this guy is just a little lamb.

So Galette wasn't afraid at all.

"But what if your existence disappeared?"

"What's the meaning?"

Galette looked at Xi Yan with a face full of questions. What did she mean by "her existence has disappeared"?

Devil Fruit powers?

"The Donquixote Family has a very special Devil Fruit User..."

As he spoke, Xi Yan explained Sugar's Devil Fruit ability to Galette, making her understand just how dangerous her actions were.

"Wow, she had such terrifying abilities!" Galette said, still somewhat shaken. "Thank goodness you defeated her."

Xi Yan is right. If her existence is truly erased, then no one will come to save her.

Thinking about it that way, Doflamingo might actually dare to attack her.

"Now you know fear, huh?"

"Anyway, you're here," Galette said in a slightly coquettish tone.

"You didn't know before you came."

Xi Yan rolled her eyes at Galette, thinking, "Why does this idiot always pick the nicest things to say?"

Galette chuckled but didn't respond. After all, things were going well, weren't they?

"By the way, you just said that's only part of the reason..." Xi Yan said, "What's the other part?"

"Based on our intelligence analysis, we've determined that the Straw Hat Pirates are also here," Galette said. "That's why I decided to come here to find Straw Hat and ask him about your situation in person."

After speaking, Galette paused for a moment, then continued, "That Pirate Hunter knows me, so I think he should be able to tell me the truth."

Although her status as his fiancée wasn't officially confirmed, she was still considered one of their own.

So she figured the other person was probably willing to tell her the situation.

What if the other party refuses to tell?

If she doesn't want to say, then she doesn't have to. Anyway, she's not going to skip coming because of this.

We should always have some hope, shouldn't we?

As for danger?

She's the daughter of a pirate; how could she possibly give up her dreams just because of danger?

"I see."

When Xi Yan uttered those three words, his feelings were quite complicated.

Who would have thought that this girl persisted for over two years without giving up?

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore."

Galette noticed Xi Yan's hesitation and changed the subject, asking, "Do you know the whereabouts of the Diamond Fruit?"

"I'm sorry, I really can't give this to you," Xi Yan said. "Our captain has already promised to give the Diamond Fruit to Ace, which is one of the reasons we came to Dressrosa."

After saying that, Xi Yan paused for a moment, then continued, "Moreover... I don't know where the Diamond Fruit is now."

Sabo did agree to steal the Diamond Fruit, but he didn't know where the Diamond Fruit had been taken by the other party.

"Fine."

Galette waved her hand and said, "Since you need it, I won't take it."

Anyway, Big Mom doesn't need another Devil Fruit, so she might as well give it to her.

As for the excuse to go back and report...

Yes, she's thought it all out.

There were Marine Admiral and Admiral Candidate, and Doflamingo wasn't afraid of them either, so she failed to steal the Diamond Fruit.

Yes, that makes sense.

Big Mom probably won't cause her any trouble then, since Big Mom knows how capable she is, doesn't she?

"Forehead..."

Xi Yan was somewhat stunned. Was he really giving up so easily?

Wouldn't Katakuri have fought for nothing?

"Oh, right."

Galette seemed to remember something and said, "I've been searching for the Magnet-Magnet Fruit for the past two years, but unfortunately I haven't found it yet. Sorry..."

"Why should I apologize?" Xi Yan said, "You remember this, I should be thanking you."

He really didn't expect that something he casually mentioned two years ago would be taken to heart by the other party, and that even after he was 'dead,' they would still be concerned about the whereabouts of the Magnet-Magnet Fruit.

This is really...

"Thanking me is nothing; it's what I should do."

Xi Yan paused for a moment upon hearing this, wondering... where did this place her?

"I'll keep looking," Galette continued. "If I find it, I'll contact you."

"By the way, can you give me the Den Den Mushi number this time? I can contact you immediately."

As she spoke, Galette blinked her big eyes, full of anticipation.

Since things had come to this point, Xi Yan didn't say much more, but readily gave Galette the Den Den Mushi number.

Galette happily put it away, looking just like a little girl who had received a beloved toy, which made Xi Yan chuckle.

"By the way, my subordinates should be coming to see me soon," Galette said. "So, should I change how I address them?"

Call me Sunglasses Brother.

Xi Yan pointed to his Sunglasses and said, "A title given by the Navy."

"What a terrible name."

Galette pouted in dissatisfaction. Why give someone as handsome as Xi Yan the nickname "Sunglasses Man"?

Seriously, those damn navy bastards really don't know how to come up with names.

"How apt!" Xi Yan laughed. "Everyone will recognize him at first glance, just like Luffy."

Galette rolled her eyes at that comment; it was indeed quite apt.

Alright, let's use this name for now.

"Let's go then, Sunglasses Brother," Galette said. "You must have something to do, I can help you."

Since the Straw Hat Pirates came here to cause trouble for Doflamingo, Xi Yan couldn't just wander around aimlessly by himself.

Therefore, she felt she should help Xi Yan.

"I do have something to do," Xi Yan said. "Our Straw Hat Pirates have already started a war with the Donquixote Family, and my mission is to keep an eye on that Marine Admiral."

At this point, Xi Yan paused slightly before continuing, "Well, now we have another Admiral Candidate, but I wonder if that guy recognizes me."

Two years ago, I gave that guy a good beating during the Marineford War.

If that guy had mastered Observation Haki back then, he would definitely have known who I was.

However, Xi Yan felt that the chances of that guy Awakening Haki at that time were slim, since he hadn't seen Smoker use Haki back then.

Therefore, Xi Yan believed that Smoker at that time should not have been able to remember his scent.

Yes, the risk of exposure is very low.