Kham's Backer? Germa 66?

The three of them truly had not expected that—if Aeneas had not reminded them, they might have already misjudged the enemy's forces!

However, the relationships involved in this plan were extremely complicated. Once Scusen began to act, there would be no turning back. At this point, any accident could cause the entire plan to fail!

That was why Aeneas had warned them!

"Lord Aeneas is right. Those people have gone this far already, so why would they care about their reputation? Forget the Navy—pirates might even be involved," Obi-Wan said gravely.

If things were really as he imagined, then the situation would be terrifying.

Pirate hunters and pirates joining forces?

It sounded a little unbelievable, but having already suffered because of them, Obi-Wan would rather believe it was true than overlook any possible accident.

"We must make preparations in advance!" Scusen agreed. "Next, Emondi, explain the details of the Round Street Slaughter to Aeneas. The overall plan remains unchanged."

"Understood!" Emondi nodded, then led Aeneas out of the room.

"Uncle, you have to come back alive!" Aeneas said to Obi-Wan as he looked back from the doorway.

"Trust me!" Obi-Wan smiled. "I'm not that fragile."

Then Aeneas left the room with Emondi and headed elsewhere.

"Now I'll take you to meet everyone from District Three who will be participating in the Round Street Slaughter. Of course, it's impossible to remember what everyone looks like, so we've made marks. There's a 'grass leaf' pattern on each person's exposed ankle."

Emondi spoke as he walked slightly ahead and to the side of Aeneas.

"What exactly is your objective?" Aeneas's tone sank as he coldly addressed Emondi. "Are you planning to use me in the Round Street Slaughter to seize more businesses and benefits for yourselves?"

During the Round Street Slaughter, all Three Districts would send people to fight over business territory, expanding their spheres of influence.

Aeneas had not placed complete trust in Scusen and Emondi—and Obi-Wan had already experienced betrayal once. He needed to confirm whether this, too, would be another betrayal!

"Huh?" Emondi was stunned. Seeing Aeneas's wary expression, he became even more afraid of him. "How terrifying. You still refuse to trust me?"

What kind of experiences could make an eleven-year-old child so meticulous?

Emondi let out a breath and explained things to Aeneas.

"We would never use someone else as a weapon to kill," Emondi promised. "You can rest assured of that. Lord Obi-Wan is our boss's brother-in-law. No matter what, we won't allow betrayal to happen again!"

Aeneas narrowed his eyes slightly and examined Emondi.

"Words alone prove nothing. I don't believe your one-sided claims, but I believe Uncle Obi-Wan's judgment. I'm warning you: if Uncle is set up by his own people again, I'll send every last one of you to hell!" Aeneas was openly threatening him. "Don't doubt it. I have that strength. Even if I can't do it now, what about a few years from now?"

Emondi was intimidated by Aeneas's presence. Fine beads of sweat had already formed on his forehead.

Thinking about it carefully, that was indeed the case. Aeneas's talent was unlike anything Emondi had ever heard of, and that unknown, intimidating aura that made people submit was equally mysterious and terrifying.

"If he is really given time, he might actually be able to do it." Emondi only briefly considered how feasible Aeneas's words were before realizing that it was highly possible.

"Of course, but for now, we can only act if we trust each other!" Emondi had been completely won over by Aeneas. He no longer dared treat him as an ordinary brat.

They did have a little selfish motive. Since Aeneas was so powerful, couldn't they borrow that strength to seize more territory?

In any case, the conflict would eventually be drawn to Hunter Base. As long as they achieved their ultimate objective, what was wrong with taking a little advantage along the way?

But Emondi had underestimated Aeneas.

Aeneas would never allow himself to be placed in a passive position—having others make all the plans for him? What kind of nonsense was that?

My fate is mine to control! Aeneas thought silently. I don't need anyone else to tell me what I should do!

That day, Krachio Emondi had truly learned a lesson.

He no longer dared harbor any improper thoughts toward Aeneas during the coming operation. Instead, every action would have to be led by Aeneas.

Only then could they demonstrate their loyalty.

"Alright, since we've reached an understanding, there's no need to be so tense. We'll proceed according to the original plan, but I hope we can make a bigger spectacle of it and buy time for Uncle and your boss!"

Aeneas returned to his usual calm expression, and the imposing aura that had radiated from him vanished in an instant.

"Everything will be done according to your command." Emondi was quick to adapt, immediately addressing him respectfully without caring about their age difference.

"Still, why a grass leaf pattern?" Aeneas looked at the green markings on these people's ankles, somewhat puzzled. "Does it have some special meaning?"

"Oh, that's because the grass leaf emblem represents the real boss behind the scenes of our group, 'Herb' Stephanie!" Emondi explained to Aeneas. "In fact, all three groups in Tinos have other forces at sea backing them, and they are basically pirates."

"Our District Three group was able to grow to its current scale precisely because of the relationship between Boss Scusen and Stephanie." Emondi spoke respectfully, as though he had already taken on the role of an assistant.

"Do you know who backs the Orton Group and the Kam Group?"

Aeneas cared more about this. Perhaps he could learn more useful intelligence from it.

"The Orton Group seems to be backed by a major pirate, but that person basically ignores Tinos, so the Orton Group has the smallest territory," Emondi answered truthfully. "As for the Kam Group's backer, that's more interesting."

Emondi wore an inscrutable expression.

"What is it?" Aeneas looked up at Emondi.

"Have you heard of Germa 66?" Emondi's words piqued Aeneas's interest again.

"The Evil Army?" Aeneas ventured. He did not know what stage Germa 66 had reached by now, but judging by Sanji's age, the sons and daughters of the Vinsmoke Family had not yet gained notoriety in North Blue.

Germa 66 was a powerful military organization in North Blue, a scientific combat force led by the Vinsmoke Family. By making use of the Lineage Factor, it mass-produced outstanding soldiers who were absolutely loyal and highly capable.

The most famous were the five red, blue, green, yellow, and pink children of the Vinsmoke Family—aside from Sanji, the other four had all been transformed into super soldiers through the Lineage Factor, possessing superhuman constitutions and formidable strength.

However, what spread more widely through North Blue now were stories about Germa 66's cloned soldiers—the "Evil Legion."

So how could the Kam Group be connected to such a powerful Germa 66?