The Old Fox's Scheme

Uh... who?

That idiot Rosinante?

I had just barely managed to secretly let him go yesterday...

And today, you announced to the world that he'd been captured?

Doflamingo's most trusted and only surviving brother, no less?!

And worth ten billion Beli!

A massive sense of absurdity washed over Kane's mind. The information Sengoku had released had far too many glaring holes, and he couldn't help wanting to laugh.

Rosinante had spoken with Kane in secret the night before, so Kane didn't believe he'd been caught.

But the very fact that Rosinante's name had appeared in the information Sengoku released revealed something worth pondering.

Kane was certain that Rosinante had contacted Sengoku after escaping, which was why Sengoku had used this news to provide him with cover.

After all, Sengoku had adopted Rosinante when he had been utterly alone and helpless. The two were as close as father and son; that much affection still existed between them.

As for whether Rosinante had told Sengoku that Law had eaten the Op-Op Fruit, or about Kane secretly letting him go, Kane believed he hadn't.

After all, Kane had not only shown him a clear path, but had also created the image of a Revolutionary Army agent infiltrating the Marines in his mind.

Since Rosinante intended to join the Revolutionary Army, he had no reason to betray Kane, much less when he was such an exceptionally kind and gentle person.

Still, Kane had never expected Sengoku and Tsuru to use this sort of news as bait!

Just thinking about who else might be lured out by this news later on made Kane feel exhilarated.

Compared to that, the Black Crow Pirates and Kudo, commander of the North Blue's 73rd Marine branch base, were probably nothing more than garnish on an appetizer.

All he could say was that the old foxes really knew how to play. With just one piece of information, they could toy with every force lurking in the shadows.

As Kane was quietly sighing to himself, Tsuru suddenly spoke and interrupted his thoughts.

"Sengoku and I both believe that the road to Impel Down won't be an easy one. So, Kane, you'd better be careful on the journey ahead."

"Me, be careful?"

Kane pointed at himself in confusion. When Tsuru nodded as though it were only natural, he immediately understood.

Tsuru's reputation was too great. If she appeared during the escort, those dark forces would be scared into hiding like quails—aside from the Ship King, of course.

So, the best bait would be an unknown Marine officer who had accidentally captured Doflamingo's most important relative, then headed proudly for Impel Down in a fit of overconfidence.

And Kane, the commander of some obscure Marine branch base in the West Blue, was precisely the best candidate.

The Black Crow Pirates, who had supposedly happened to be sailing nearby, had probably charged over in such a hurry for this very reason. In the end, they had stepped in a massive pile of shit.

After sorting out the whole matter, Kane swallowed nervously and carefully asked,

"I want to know... under what circumstances will you make a move?"

Tsuru took a light sip of tea and smiled.

"When you're about to die."

"...Heh heh. That's not funny at all."

Kane was speechless. He slapped his forehead with a loud smack, feeling as if all the strength had drained from his body.

A bunch of shameless old geezers!

A moment later, images of the women trafficked aboard the Black Crow and Lisanna's hatred-filled, despairing eyes suddenly flashed through Kane's mind. He looked at Tsuru expressionlessly.

"What arrangements will be made for those people the Black Crow Pirates trafficked?"

Tsuru's eyes suddenly lit up. Her fingers unconsciously traced the rim of her teacup.

"After Gion deals with Kudo, she'll pick them up in the Calm Belt. If you have any ideas, you can discuss them with her. I believe she'll consider them seriously."

Seeing that Kane seemed hesitant to speak, Tsuru nodded.

"I know what you're worried about. Pick anyone from among them and bring her here. I'll show you something."

Without another word, Kane brought Lisanna before Tsuru. Go on, then. Put on your show.

"Poor little girl."

Tsuru looked at Lisanna's delicate, lovely face, which was filled with lifeless despair. She shook her head with a sigh, removed her gloves, and reached for Lisanna's clothes.

Kane's eyes instantly widened in disbelief.

Wait, what the hell?!

What are you going to show me?!

I'm not ready yet!

Do you want me to shout my loyalty or something?!

Before Kane could recover from his shock, Tsuru had already lifted the hem of the stunned Lisanna's clothes, revealing the Celestial Dragon's Hoof on her back.

Then she swiftly reached out, her thin, warm palm gently brushing across Lisanna's back.

In the blink of an eye, the Celestial Dragon's Hoof on Lisanna's back vanished, replaced by smooth, tender skin!

This was...

Tattoo removal?!

The Wash-Wash Fruit could be used like this?!

Kane's feelings could no longer be described as mere shock. His gaze was fixed on Lisanna's flawless skin, and he couldn't look away until Cuckoo kicked him.

Lisanna saw her own back in the mirror as well. Overwhelmed by immense joy, she collapsed to her knees and burst into tears.

Once the Celestial Dragon's Hoof had been branded onto someone, they could never escape their identity as a slave until death. What Tsuru had done was equivalent to giving her a new life.

"Poor child, do you need me to wash away those painful memories for you?"

Kane's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

She could erase memories too?!

Was this Fruit power conceptual or something?!

Tsuru seemed to notice Kane's thoughts. She turned back to look at him.

"Only those willing to open their hearts to me can have selected memories washed away.

"As for the filthy, messy things in your head, there's no way for me to wash those clean."

"Hey, weren't you insulting me just now?"

After the shock passed, Kane felt that it was only natural for Tsuru to possess such abilities. After all, her 97% Fruit development level was no joke.

In the end, Lisanna chose not to erase her memories. Instead, she planned to go somewhere else and live together with the companions who had also been sold.

Her home had been destroyed by the Black Crow Pirates. Going back would only bring more sorrow.

Tsuru arranged for them to stay aboard another escort warship, with Cuckoo temporarily looking after them.

After everything had been arranged, Tsuru stopped Kane as he prepared to leave and said meaningfully,

"On the road to Impel Down, grow stronger quickly. The New World isn't as simple as you think."

Tsuru's rare seriousness made Kane somewhat uncomfortable, and he hurriedly pleaded,

"You didn't arrange another huge job for me, did you? You can't keep shearing the same sheep! I'm already under enough pressure..."

Tsuru shook her head with a laugh, clearly unable to sense any pressure from Kane.

After returning to the warship, Kane lay in his cabin. He frowned in thought for a moment before opening his panel.

[Douglas Kane]

[Copied abilities:]

[Bat-Bat Fruit (development level: 61%)]

[Paramecia · Flower-Flower Fruit (development level: 83%)]

[Paramecia · Barrier-Barrier Fruit (development level: 47%)]

[Paramecia · Arms-Arms Fruit (development level: 61%)]

[Paramecia · Wash-Wash Fruit (development level: 37%)]

[Six Powers (perfect)]

[Armament Haki (proficient)]

[Observation Haki (proficient)]

[Giant Strength]

The proficient Armament Haki had just been copied from Cuckoo, and the improvement of his Haki and Six Powers had also slightly increased the development levels of some Fruits.

Feeling the abundant power within his body, Kane felt a trace of security rise in his heart.

Kane knew well that in the pirate world, strength was the foundation for survival. The only thing ordinary people without the ability to protect themselves could do was pray.

Pray that pirates would not set their sights on their homes.

Pray that those above them would stop demanding Heavenly Tribute.

Pray that the Celestial Dragons would never appear near them.

And if disaster came, they would pray for it to pass quickly.

Would that help?

No. So what could they do?

They could only pray that their prayers would be heard by the gods.

Absurd, yet that was the true state of this world.

"This goddamn world is fucking disgusting."

Kane cursed. Robin, who was removing her disguise in the washroom, poked her head out curiously.

When she got intimate with Kane, she didn't like having anything extra on her body—not even on her face—so she had to spend a great deal of time removing her disguise every day.

Seeing Robin's concerned gaze, Kane's mood immediately improved. Then a flash of inspiration suddenly struck him.

Since the old foxes were willing to give him opportunities and cover his back, and he had the ability, why not just make a huge mess of things!

If this world's bastards could disgust him, why couldn't he disgust them right back?!

With that thought, Kane grinned, suddenly feeling completely at ease.

With a thought, he activated the Wash-Wash Fruit. Starry ripples emerged from his palm and gently swept over Robin.

The next second, the disguise on Robin's face vanished instantly. Her smooth skin glowed with a hydrated sheen, her fresh, silky hair fell over her shoulders, and her exquisite collarbones were faintly visible.

"Huh? Is this... the ability of the Fruit you just copied?"

Robin looked at herself in the mirror in surprise. She even felt that she was much prettier than before, and she happily leaped onto Kane.

Kane opened his arms and gently caught her. His hands supported full, rounded softness, and he gave it a light squeeze, finding it soft, tender, springy, and wonderfully smooth.

"The Wash-Wash Fruit can wash a lot of things."

"It can wash a lot of things?"

Robin's eyes sparkled as countless ideas seemed to whirl through her mind.

However, Kane had no intention of giving her time to think. Supporting her in his arms, he suddenly stood up and headed toward the bathroom.

"From your tone, it sounds like you don't believe me! Come on, I'll demonstrate it for you."

"W-Wait! I believe you, I believe you!"

"No, you don't."

"You, I... mmph!"