Moya spread his hands.
"El Drago, leave the rest to me. We can't let you kill them all."
Silent Instant Slide
To everyone's astonishment, Moya's body became a blur, then slowly faded from sight.
By then, Moya had already appeared before King Bear. He landed a punch wreathed in Haki, and King Bear's eyes rolled back.
"All right, let's clean up. Everyone, get to it."
"Yahoo! Buggy, come help me loot the treasure!" Nami immediately perked up.
El Drago and the squad leaders went to capture the Playing Card Pirates who had fled or gone into hiding. They were all very enthusiastic.
Kaya, Maddie, Rika, Rim, and Nojiko stayed on the top deck, gazing out at the vast ocean and enjoying the cool breeze. They felt refreshed and at ease.
It was the first time any of them had been somewhere so high up. No wonder sailing the seas had become so many people's dream in this era. Every island had its own unique scenery, full of novelty and wonder.
"You managed to become a captain, which means you weren't willing to submit. Well, don't mind if I take a look at what I can find in your memories."
Moya came up with a self-serving excuse and got to work.
If nothing unexpected happened, he was sure to find something unexpected.
"So he's connected to some of the men working for the King of Deep Storage, 'Deep Ocean Current' Umit. The weapons made on Clockwork Island are shipped out through him."
"Interesting. Looks like it's time to get in touch with some big shots."
···
"Moshi moshi~ Is that Mr. Ubilis? Could you put me in touch with King of Deep Storage Umit? I've got a major business deal to discuss with him."
"Who the hell are you, you little punk? What makes you think you can speak to Lord Umit?"
"I suggest you calm down before you speak. I imagine Umit would kill anyone who stood in the way of his profits, wouldn't you say, Mr. Ubilis?"
Moya's sinister laughter carried through the Den Den Mushi and into Ubilis's ears. The head of the King of Deep Storage's East Blue branch couldn't help shivering.
"Speaking so disrespectfully to someone who possesses Conqueror's Haki, Mr. Ubilis? I think I'll be keeping a close eye on you from now on."
Ubilis's pupils quivered at those words. A bead of cold sweat ran down his face. Anyone who knew about Conqueror's Haki and possessed it was no ordinary person.
"May I ask how to address you, sir? I'll contact Lord Umit right away. Please forgive my disrespect. I'll come to you in person afterward and beg your pardon."
Ubilis suppressed his shock and spoke calmly, but his words were also an attempt to find out Moya's name and location. As expected, people like him were no pushovers.
"There's no need to pry. I'll speak with your boss, Umit, myself. Don't waste my time."
Moya continued to pressure him, as though the head of the East Blue branch were beneath his notice.
"My deepest apologies. I'm not with Lord Umit at the moment. Please allow me to report to him. If he gives his approval, I'll pass along Lord Umit's Den Den Mushi number. Please wait. Thank you."
Ubilis sounded quite respectful.
"Understood, but hurry. Something that concerns Umit's life is at stake, and I'd rather not have to find a new business partner."
Moya's casual remark startled Ubilis. Who could threaten the life of Umit, the Underworld Emperor known as the King of Deep Storage?
Puzzled, Ubilis hung up the Den Den Mushi and immediately called headquarters.
He reported the entire conversation without leaving out a single detail.
"Someone with Conqueror's Haki? My life is at stake? What punk is trying to scare me? Does he think I was born yesterday?"
Umit stroked his beard and rolled his small eyes. There was no harm in meeting the man. They were both businessmen, after all; more friends meant more opportunities.
He then instructed Ubilis to give Moya Umit's personal Den Den Mushi number.
He wanted Moya to call him. Anyone who needed something should make the first move. Umit was the Underworld's dark emperor, after all. He had his dignity to maintain.
"Moshi moshi~ Is that Umit?"
"Kid, show some respect. Is this how you ask to speak to your elders?"
"No, no, Mr. Umit. I'm proposing a deal. My forces may not be as powerful as yours yet, but who knows what things will look like in a year or two? Hahaha!"
"You... Heh. You're that confident, kid? You should know that countless pirates sink to the bottom of the sea in the New World every day. Will you be next?"
"Umit, you can barely protect yourself right now. Don't waste your time threatening me."
"What do you mean, kid? Give me your name. I want to know which organization you belong to, if you're bold enough to run your mouth like that."
"Umit, a deal has to be fair. I'll be blunt. I need access to your shipping routes in the East Blue and the Grand Line. I want to work with you, and I expect a discount.
"I also want the Den Den Mushi numbers of the other five Underworld Emperors."
"Hmph. So you're a rookie. That's all small stuff. Let's see what valuable information and goods you can offer me."
"Heh. Every piece of information I have could shock the world. It's powerful enough to turn the world upside down."
"Quit trying to fool me, punk. Spit it out!"
"I'd love to hold a meeting with all six of you Emperors and watch those old geezers tremble as I shock you with the news. Morgans would be over the moon, especially.
"Unfortunately, I can't. There's a mole among the six of you, so I'll have to bottle up my excitement."
"So what's this information of yours?"
"Don't forget your promise, Umit. The first piece of news is what I just mentioned: one of the six Emperors is a CP0 agent working for the World Government."
"What!!! Punk, do you have any proof?"
"I don't have proof, but I know that within the next two or three years, one of you Emperors will be set up and brought down, while another will be sent to the great prison, Impel Down."
"What!!!"
"Surprised? Shocked? Heh heh heh~"
Umit's expression shifted unpredictably. He clenched his fists, his thoughts in turmoil. At the same time, he began preparing to guard himself against the other Underworld Emperors.
"I need proof, or for you to tell me exactly who the mole is."
"Umit, this is information that could save your life. You can't expect to get it just by agreeing to work with me and giving me a discount."
"I want an Eternal Pose to the Grand Line that you can get your hands on, and the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia you know about. Can you do that?"
"No. Those are far too valuable. You'll have to offer me something just as valuable that can tempt me."
"Umit, then congratulations. We've formed the closest of alliances."
"What do you mean?"
"If you agree to the friendliest terms of cooperation with me, I'll give you a Pure Gold Ring within three years."
"What! Pure Gold that can make people immortal? Hahaha! My friend, you've certainly surprised me. But do you know what happens if you deceive me?"
"Relax, relax. I swear on my Conqueror's Haki that I'm not lying. And I've got news even more shocking than this. Don't you want to hear it?"
"Oh, my dear ally, tell me your name. And can you share a little more about this world-shaking news?"
"Umit, I don't want to reveal my identity just yet. But to keep you old foxes in line, I'll tell you a few more things.
"Pirate King Roger's legacy, Ancient Weapon Pluton, and... I'm not telling you. The secrets should be revealed one at a time. That's what makes it fun. Hahaha."
"You... You little fox. Can you tell me who the mole is now?"
"Get everything ready first, then we'll talk. All right, that's enough for today. Stay in touch. Goodbye."
Watching the Den Den Mushi retract into its shell, Umit felt deeply unsettled.
Who was that kid? Who was the mole? Pirate King Roger's legacy—was it One Piece? It had to be more than that. And then there was the Ancient Weapon...
His thoughts were a mess. To avoid alerting the mole from CP0, he'd better not make any big moves. For now, he would stay on his guard in secret.
He had no idea whether that kid was lying!
Before you continue