Meeting

The Blood Hand Pirates returned to the Golden Lion Pirates' base. Under the Golden Lion's manipulation, they once again boarded the giant elevator and ascended to the floating island. A grand banquet awaited them.

War was imminent, and the Golden Lion urgently needed a banquet to boost morale, inspiring his subordinates to fight and die for him.

This banquet was far grander than the last. Louis, in both his lives, was experiencing such a high-profile feast for the first time. Though anxious, every spy had to report to their superior at fixed intervals, updating on their mission progress. More importantly, it let the superior know they were still alive and hadn't betrayed them.

The interval between two contacts generally did not exceed half a month, though some special missions might extend to a month.

Louis didn't have much time left. Although CP9 was no longer solely controlled by Skello, and all his methods followed proper procedures, this also meant that once Louis broke the rules, he would likely have no chance of saving himself.

But he couldn't rush; the more anxious he was, the more mistakes he'd make.

Louis thoroughly enjoyed the banquet, savoring exquisite food and fine wine from the Four Seas and the Grand Line. This banquet alone was likely more luxurious than what the royal families of various kingdoms could muster. Perhaps only the Celestial Dragons were qualified to surpass it.

Thousands of pirates, dozens of pirate crews, reveled on a giant platform conjured out of thin air by the Golden Lion on the island. Above them, the sky was filled with stars, while below, they indulged in revelry.

"Hahahaha, like wild dogs fighting over scraps," Flog sneered, swirling his wine glass. He had inexplicably ended up sitting next to Louis again. "Little brother, haven't you had good food before?"

"Ah," Louis replied, not looking at him, stuffing food into his mouth. His artificially accelerated growth via Life Return required him to consume large amounts of food. "It's better to be full before getting things done."

"Heh heh." Flog chuckled. "Learned your lesson, have you? That's right, that's how it should be. Kid, the pirate world isn't just about spirit; you can't get by on that alone. Isn't it better to keep your tail between your legs?"

He reached out and patted Louis's head. Louis didn't react.

"Hahahaha!"

Flog shot Rhode a smug glance and finally quieted down.

Sated and fully entertained, the lion-like man soared into the sky. Without any further action, everyone's movements ceased, almost simultaneously.

"Jie-hahahaha! The moment has finally arrived! That bastard Roger's whereabouts have been discovered!" The Golden Lion's voice boomed, shaking the surroundings. Though he only had one mouth, his voice seemed loud enough to be heard in heaven. "Do you understand, my subordinates! The war that will decide the New World, no, the hegemony of this world, is about to begin!!!"

"As long as we eliminate that guy Roger! We will be the world's number one pirate crew! We will be the sole king of the New World! We will be..."

"The Pirate King! No, the King of the World!!!"

The Golden Lion raised his arms, his arrogant laughter echoing through the heavens.

"King of the World!" Rhode, Louis's captain, stood up ecstatically, clenching his fist and waving it wildly. "King of the World!!!"

The cheers surged like a tide, piercing the sky.

"Fight, you scum! Jie-hahahaha!! Let the world tremble and wail because of us!!" The Golden Lion laughed heartily, filled with self-satisfaction. Though these individuals were weak, their combined strength was already a terrifying force.

"Alright, after the banquet, all captains come over with your executives. We'll hold a meeting to discuss our strategy." The Golden Lion was arrogant, but he also understood that Roger was not someone he could afford to be arrogant about. That man had been his mortal enemy for decades.

"Admiral Golden Lion's meeting? Does that mean I can get close to that lord?" Louis instinctively felt this was a good opportunity to learn the Golden Lion Pirates' strategic deployment, which would make future battles more assured. "Captain, take me too."

"What? Mario, you're interested too?" Captain Rhode turned his head.

"No, Captain, I think..." The First Mate glanced at Louis with a smile. "Mario, you're still too young, aren't you? If you bring you along right after joining the pirate crew, won't Admiral Golden Lion be displeased? He might think the captain casually brings a newcomer."

"Is that so? It would displease the Admiral?" Captain Rhode exclaimed. "Then let's forget it, Mario. Next time, we'll go next time there's an opportunity. This time, Baro will accompany me."

"...I see. Alright." Louis could only nod helplessly.

"Then I'll go." First Mate Baro smiled at Louis.

Louis sighed inwardly. Some things had to be done.

"Captain, I'm going to the restroom." Louis said.

"Hahaha, can't hold your liquor already?" Rhode laughed and waved his hand. "Go on, go on. You'll have to train your drinking capacity more in the future, Mario!"

"En." Louis nodded and left his seat. He exited the platform via a pre-built passage and, after taking several turns, found a corner. He opened his Log Pose. Although he couldn't accompany Rhode to see the Golden Lion, everyone on the island was participating in the banquet at this moment. It was indeed a good opportunity to contact his superior.

After the customary code, Louis's voice was very quiet, but still firm and decisive. "Mission complete. Subsequent orders?"

"Explain why you were unreachable three days ago."

On the other end, the man's voice was quite deep.

"That's what I want to ask,"

Louis said indifferently, "Is there a traitor? I was almost exposed because of that contact. I'm going to file a complaint."

"..."

After a moment of silence on the other side, "As you wish, but your mission isn't over yet."

"I've found out the Golden Lion's movements. He's discovered Roger and decided to initiate a fight,"

Louis said, "I've completed my mission."

"These are instructions from above,"

The person on the other side meant business. "Cooperate with the Navy during the war between the Golden Lion and Roger. You understand the significance of this operation. I'll give you a channel, remember it, this is the Navy's communication channel."

"..."

Louis understood. He was already caught in a vortex and couldn't escape. Roger and the Golden Lion were undoubtedly major threats to the Government. The war between the two was indeed the Government's best opportunity. Louis didn't need to guess; not only the Navy, but likely CP0 had also been dispatched, lurking in corners he couldn't see.

"Do you intend to disobey orders?"

The man said sternly.

"No, I understand."

Louis closed the lid of the compass, his hand, which held his heart, still clenched tightly, not loosening at all.

"Did I mishear just now? Mario?"

The man's voice, "Or were you talking to someone else?"

"Ha."

Louis turned his head and let out a long sigh.

I was so foolish, truly. I only knew readers wouldn't give rewards, but I never expected not even recommendations.