Kham's Backer? Germa 66?

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

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

That was why Aeneas had warned them!

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

If things were truly as he imagined, then this was terrifying.

Pirate hunters joining forces with pirates?

It sounded somewhat unbelievable, but Obi-Wan, who had already suffered from them once, would rather believe it was possible than overlook any accident that might happen.

"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 turned around at the door.

"Believe in me!" Obi-Wan said with a smile. "I'm not that fragile."

Then Aeneas left the room with Emondi and headed elsewhere.

"I'm taking you to meet everyone from District Three who will participate in the Round Street Slaughter. Of course, it's impossible to remember what everyone looks like. We've prepared markings—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 are you trying to achieve?" 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?"

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

Aeneas did not fully trust Scusen and Emondi—and Obi-Wan had already been betrayed once. He needed to confirm whether this time would also be a betrayal!

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

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

Emondi let out a breath and explained to Aeneas.

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

Aeneas narrowed his eyes slightly and scrutinized Emondi.

"Words alone prove nothing. I don't believe your one-sided claims, but I trust Uncle Obi-Wan's judgment. I'm warning you: if Uncle is framed 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 ability. 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 appeared on his forehead.

Thinking it over carefully, it was indeed true. Aeneas's talent was unlike anything Emondi had ever heard of, and that unknown aura that compelled people to submit was equally mysterious and terrifying.

"If he were truly given time, he might really be able to do it." Emondi only briefly considered the feasibility of Aeneas's words before realizing that they were highly feasible.

"Of course. But for now, we can only act if we trust each other!" Emondi had been thoroughly convinced by Aeneas. He no longer dared to treat Aeneas as an ordinary brat.

They did have a little selfish desire. Since Aeneas was so powerful, why couldn't they borrow his strength to occupy a few more businesses?

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

But Emondi had underestimated Aeneas.

Aeneas would never allow himself to fall into a passive position—letting others formulate the entire plan? What kind of nonsense was that?

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

That day, Krachio Emondi truly had his eyes opened.

He absolutely would not dare 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.

"Fine. 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 he had shown just moments ago vanished instantly.

"Everything will be carried out according to your command." Emondi was quick to adapt. He immediately began addressing Aeneas respectfully, no longer caring about his age.

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

"Oh, the grass leaf symbol represents the true hidden boss behind our group, 'Herb' Stephanie!" Emondi explained to Aeneas. "In fact, each of Tinos's three groups has other powers at sea backing them. Basically, they're all pirates."

"Our District Three group was only able to develop to its current scale 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 Kham Group?"

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

"The Orton Group appears to be backed by a great pirate, but that person largely ignores Tinos, so the Orton Group has the smallest sphere of influence," Emondi answered truthfully. "As for the Kham Group's hidden backer, that's more interesting."

Emondi revealed an inscrutable expression.

"What?" Aeneas looked up at Emondi.

"Do you know 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 Vinsmoke Family's sons and daughters had not yet gained notoriety in North Blue.

Germa 66 was a powerful military organization in North Blue, a scientific combat force commanded by the Vinsmoke Family. It used the Lineage Factor to mass-produce exceptional soldiers who were absolutely loyal and highly capable.

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

However, what spread more widely through North Blue now was news of Germa 66's clone soldiers—the Evil Legion.

Then how could the Kham Group be connected to such a powerful Germa 66?