The Blood Hand Pirates returned to the Golden Lion Pirates' base. Once again, under Golden Lion's control, they rode a huge elevator up to the floating island, where a grand banquet awaited them.
War was imminent, and Golden Lion urgently needed a banquet to boost morale and make his subordinates more willing to lay down their lives for him.
This banquet was far more extravagant than the last one. For Louis, it was the first time in either of his lives that he had enjoyed a banquet of such a high standard. Though he was extremely anxious, every spy had to report to their superior at fixed intervals, updating them on the progress of their mission. More importantly, they had to let their superior know they were still alive and hadn't betrayed them.
Generally speaking, the interval between reports couldn't exceed half a month. Certain special missions might allow it to be extended to a month.
Louis was running out of time. Although CP9 was no longer Skello's domain alone, and all his methods had followed the proper procedures, that also meant that if Louis broke the rules, there might be no way for him to save himself.
But he couldn't rush. The more anxious he was, the easier it would be to make a mistake.
Louis thoroughly enjoyed the banquet, eating and drinking his fill. There was fine food from the Four Blues and all over the Grand Line, along with mellow liquor. The royal families of various countries probably couldn't have assembled such a luxurious spread for a single banquet. Perhaps only the Celestial Dragons could afford to surpass it.
Thousands of pirates from dozens of crews partied on a massive platform that Golden Lion had conjured out of thin air in a minute. The stars filled the sky above them as they celebrated to their hearts' content.
"Hahahaha, you're like a pack of stray dogs fighting over food."
Swirling his glass, Flog, who had somehow ended up sitting beside him again, sneered. "Little brother, haven't you ever had anything good to eat?"
"Ah."
Louis didn't look at him. He kept stuffing food into his mouth. The rapid growth artificially induced by Life Return required him to replenish his body with a great deal of food. "It's easier to get things done on a full stomach."
"Heh."
Flog chuckled. "You're learning, aren't you? That's right. That's how you should be. Kid, you can't get by in the pirate world on enthusiasm alone. Isn't it better to keep your head down and your tail tucked between your legs?"
He reached out and patted Louis on the head. Louis didn't react.
"Hahahaha!"
Flog shot Rhode a smug glance, then finally fell quiet.
Once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill and enjoyed themselves, the lion-like man rose into the sky. He didn't need to do anything else. Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing, almost in unison.
"Jiehahahaha! The moment has finally arrived! We've found Roger's whereabouts!"
Golden Lion's voice shook the land. Though he had only one mouth, his booming words seemed loud enough to be heard in the heavens above. "You understand, boys! The war that will decide the New World—no, the war that will decide who rules this world—is about to begin!!!"
"As long as we take out that bastard Roger, we'll be the greatest pirate crew in the world! We'll be the one and only kings of the New World! We'll be—"
"The Pirate King? No! The King of the World!!!"
Golden Lion threw up his arms, his arrogant laughter shaking the heavens and the earth.
"King of the World!"
Sitting in front of Louis, Captain Rhode jumped to his feet, his fist clenched as he waved his arm wildly. "King of the World!!!"
The cheers surged like a wave, piercing the sky.
"Fight, you scum! Jiehahahaha! Let the world tremble and wail in fear of us!"
Golden Lion laughed triumphantly. These men were all weak, but together, they were already a fearsome fighting force.
"Right. After the banquet, all the captains come over with your officers. We'll hold a meeting to discuss our strategy."
Golden Lion was a conceited man, but he also understood that Roger was no one he could afford to underestimate. That man had been his archenemy for decades.
"A meeting with Admiral Golden Lion? Does that mean I can get close to him?"
Louis instinctively felt this was a good opportunity. If he learned the Golden Lion Pirates' strategic plans, he'd have a much better chance in the battles to come. "Captain, take me along too."
"What? Mario, you're interested as well?"
Captain Rhode turned to him.
"No, Captain, I think—"
The First Mate glanced at Louis with a smile. "Mario, aren't you a little too young? You just joined the crew. If you go along, will Admiral Golden Lion be unhappy? He might think you're bringing any new recruit along."
"Is that so? Would it make the Admiral unhappy?"
Captain Rhode was taken aback. "Then forget it. Mario, maybe next time, if there's another chance. This time, Baro and I will go."
"...I see. All right."
Louis could only nod helplessly.
"Then I'll go with you."
First Mate Baro smiled at Louis.
Louis sighed inwardly. Some things had to be done.
"Captain, I'm going to the bathroom."
Louis said it plainly.
"Hahaha, can't handle any more drinks?" Rhode laughed and waved him away. "Go on, go on. You'll have to keep working on your drinking, Mario!"
"Mm."
Louis nodded and left his seat. He took a pre-made passage off the platform, turned this way and that, and found a secluded corner. He opened his communicator. Although he couldn't accompany Rhode to meet Golden Lion, everyone on the island was taking part in the banquet, so this was indeed a good opportunity to contact his superior.
After the usual coded exchange, Louis spoke in a quiet but firm voice. "Mission complete. Awaiting further instructions."
"Please explain why you didn't accept contact three days ago."
The man on the other end spoke in a low voice.
"That's what I wanted to ask you," Louis said coolly. "Is there a traitor? I nearly blew my cover because of that contact. I'm going to file a complaint."
"..."
After a moment of silence, the man replied, "Do as you like, but your mission isn't over yet."
"I've already learned Golden Lion's movements. He's found Roger and decided to go to war," Louis said. "My mission is complete."
"That's an order from above."
The man on the other end didn't bother with pleasantries. "You're to cooperate with the Navy during the war between Golden Lion and Roger. You understand the significance of this operation. I'll give you a channel. Memorize it. It's the Navy's contact frequency."
"..."
Louis understood. He was already caught in the whirlpool, with no way out. Roger and Golden Lion were both undoubtedly grave threats to the World Government. Their war was the perfect opportunity for the government. Louis didn't have to guess: it wasn't just the Navy. CP0 had probably been deployed too, lurking somewhere beyond his sight.
"Are you planning to disobey?"
The man's voice turned stern.
"No. I understand."
Louis closed the cover of the communicator. The hand gripping his heart still held on tight, not loosening its grasp in the slightest.
"Did I hear wrong just now, Mario?"
It was a man's voice.
"Or were you talking to someone?"
"Ha."
Louis turned around and let out a long breath.
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