"Huh? Is that you, Ye Chen?"
Blueno was pouring a drink for a customer when he spotted Ye Chen. Startled, he rubbed his eyes, hurried away from the customer, and greeted him warmly.
"It really is you, Blueno. What's going on?"
Ye Chen picked up a glass of Rum from the bar and drained it in one go. He set the glass down with a heavy thud and looked at Blueno in puzzlement.
Blueno scratched his head and gave him an apologetic look. Ye Chen understood at once. It had to have something to do with a mission.
"All right, then. Since we're old friends, I won't stand on ceremony."
With that, Ye Chen waved Stone over. Each of them picked up a barrel of liquor, and they sat down by the window. Blueno's heart sank. There was no chance Ye Chen would pay for any of it.
A little while later, Blueno left things to an employee and came over with a smile. He leaned close and whispered a few words to Ye Chen.
Only then did Ye Chen understand. After he and Lucci had caused havoc on Enies Lobby, Blueno and the other reserve members had joined CP9. This time, they had been sent undercover to Water 7 to obtain information about Pluton.
"Blueno, that must be important intelligence. Are you sure it's all right to tell me?"
Ye Chen looked at him in surprise. Blueno looked honest and solid, and his personality matched. In every way, he was like a steady, good-natured ox.
"Even if I didn't tell you, you'd go to the Galley-La Company later and meet Kaku and Kalifa. They'd both be falling over themselves to tell you."
Ye Chen nodded. Blueno was right. Kalifa and Kaku had been like his little followers ever since