Sabo and Koala

"No! We must finish our business first, as planned."

Just as Sabo stood up, ready to rush out to support Chen Qiang, the woman sitting on his other side reached out and pressed him back into his seat, her face stern as she issued her refusal.

"But—" Sabo tried to argue, but was immediately cut off by her.

"No 'buts.' I know you want to help Chen Qiang, the benefactor who saved your brother, but now is not the time. Besides, if our intelligence is accurate, given his strength, he doesn't need our help at all!"

"Koala!" Hearing her say this, Sabo knew he had no rebuttal, so he could only look at her with a pitiful expression.

"Alright, I know what you want to say. Our mission this time is a rescue operation. Chen Qiang's appearance was indeed outside our plans, but it actually does us a favor by drawing the attention of Toby's forces, which will only increase our chances of success!"

"Fine! Then we'll save the people first, and then go support Chen Qiang!"

Seeing that she completely ignored his gaze and remained resolute, Sabo knew she wouldn't agree to him going to support Chen Qiang first. He also realized that he had been acting a bit unreasonable just now, so he had no choice but to agree to her plan.

"In that case, since Chen Qiang's appearance has already thrown Copperfield into chaos, let's move up our schedule!"

Having regained his composure, Sabo adjusted his expression to look formal before giving orders to the others in the room.

"Yes!" As his subordinates, they were well-acquainted with his personality and the way he could shift gears so quickly. They completely ignored his previous antics, stood up in unison, and gave their firm response.

After acknowledging the order, the others in the room exited in an orderly fashion to carry out their respective tasks.

"Koala, let's go too!" Seeing that everyone else had left, Sabo stood up again and said to Koala beside him.

"Right!"

Following their plan, they soon left the small house and headed toward a courtyard near the city gate of Copperfield. Whether by coincidence or not, the place they arrived at was exactly where Chen Qiang had previously purchased his intelligence.

"What? The Revolutionary Army?"

The leader of the men in black felt his entire world collapse the moment he saw Sabo and Koala. He nearly jumped out of his seat to run, but managed to restrain himself. He knew that the moment he stood up, Koala had already positioned herself beside him; if he made any sudden move, he was certain he would be the one to suffer.

"I'm telling you, can't you pick someone else? There are over a hundred places in this city that sell intelligence—why do you always have to find me?" The leader sighed, sitting back down with a look of resignation as he stared at Sabo.

"Before we came, we did our research. Although there are over a hundred intelligence brokers in Copperfield, yours is the only one that doesn't touch the slave trade. That's why I believe you are a man who still has a conscience."

"I'm just afraid of dying! Some of those slaves are quite strong; if you aren't careful, you'll be killed by your own merchandise. I have no interest in doing anything that dangerous."

"Mr. Matthew, you're being modest. With your strength, it shouldn't be an issue!"

Sabo just smiled and shook his head at the leader's words.

"You... I... fine! What do you want to know?"

Hearing the man call him by his name, Matthew wanted to flip the table and roar, "How dare you investigate me! Do you think I'm a pushover?" and start a fight. However, considering the two people in front of him, he knew that even if he unleashed his full power, he might not be able to defeat either one of them, so he swallowed his pride.

After a brief internal struggle, he sighed helplessly and conceded.

"We need you to tell us where this person has been taken!"

Seeing that he had agreed, Sabo didn't waste time. He cut straight to the point, pulled a photograph from his pocket, and placed it in front of Matthew.

Matthew picked up the photo. It showed an old man with a white beard. His features were plain and unremarkable, save for the fact that he looked a bit more spirited than most.

"Hardy Norton, that guy who used to be Vegapunk's assistant? You're looking for him?"

As an intelligence broker, he had an impression of anyone who had ever made a name for themselves. With just one glance, Matthew recognized the man in the photo.

"Yes! That's him. Ten days ago, we received news that he was captured as a slave five years ago and brought here, and has been kept in Toby's Playground ever since. We need you to tell us his exact location."

"Someone captured five years ago? If you asked anyone else, they might not know, but I do have information on this guy. However, what are you willing to pay for it?"

"Since we came to see Mr. Matthew, we naturally came prepared. As long as you help us find him, we can tell you where the person you've been searching for is!"

"What? You know where she is? Quick! Tell me!"

Matthew, who had been maintaining a calm, merchant-like facade, lost all composure upon hearing Sabo's words. He sprang from his seat, grabbed Sabo by the collar, and asked with intense agitation.

"Rest assured, Mr. Matthew. We will certainly give you the information. Even if you didn't help us, I would have told you. Take this—the person you are looking for has been waiting on the other end of this Den Den Mushi!"

Facing Matthew's excitement, Sabo didn't dally. He reached into his pocket and handed a Den Den Mushi to Matthew.

"Moshi! Moshi!"

"Is... is that Sera?"

When the call connected, Matthew's voice trembled, terrified that the person on the other end might not be who he was looking for.

"It's me! Is that you, brother?"

Upon hearing that voice, Matthew could no longer hold back. Tears streamed down his face, and his body shook with overwhelming emotion.

"You two talk. We'll wait outside!"

Seeing Matthew in this state, Sabo knew it wasn't appropriate for him and Koala to stay, so he took the initiative to stand up and lead Koala out of the room.

Matthew was so preoccupied with talking to the girl on the other end of the Den Den Mushi that he didn't even notice them leave.

Sabo and Koala waited outside for less than five minutes before the door opened again. Matthew was no longer crying; his face was filled with an irrepressible smile. As soon as the door opened, he knelt directly in front of them.

"Thank you for saving my sister! From now on, my life is yours. If there is anything you need, just give the order!"

After kneeling, Matthew put away his smile, his expression turning solemn. Once he finished speaking, he bowed his head and knocked it against the floor three times in front of them.