Evening.
In a secluded patch of jungle outside Cookawa City, Alfred, his blond hair swept back at an angle and his bearing composed, took out a pocket watch, snapped it open, checked the time, and closed it again.
"They haven't forgotten the time for the operation, have they?" Paroni, who had black hair and brown eyes, felt an inexplicable subconscious aversion to that Black Sails lieutenant colonel. It showed plainly in his tone and movements.
Alfred glanced at his subordinate and smiled faintly. "Black Sails is the counterpart of MI9. They wouldn't promote someone mediocre. I have some confidence in that."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a rustling came from nearby, followed by one figure after another emerging from the trees.
Paroni's eyebrows rose slightly as he looked over. The first person he spotted was the Black Sails lieutenant colonel. Tonight, the man had changed into a hunting outfit that allowed easy movement. His black hair fluttered in the forest breeze, and a smile lingered in his dark green, almost black eyes. Handsome, yet somehow always making Paroni want to punch him in the face, the lieutenant colonel gave a small wave.
Then Paroni noticed a macaw perched on the fellow's shoulder. If he picked up a hunting rifle, he would look exactly like a nobleman heading into the jungle to hunt.
Seeing how casual he looked, bringing a pet along and showing no sign of being about to launch a military operation, Paroni felt his blood pressure shoot up. He cleared his throat. "Lieutenant Colonel, we're carrying out a military operation tonight, not going on an aristocratic hunting excursion."
"I know."
Sifa spread his hands. "Do I look like I'm playing at hunting?"
Paroni pointed at the parrot on his shoulder. "In that case, you shouldn't have