Since they were about to leave Water 7, Xie Wen and Sanji Meow both planned to stock up on local specialty ingredients such as Water Water Meat and Water Water Vegetables.
Also, in the original story, Usopp had traded rubber bands to the Skypieans for quite a few Dials. Xie Wen naturally would not pass up a bargain like that, so he also bought a huge pile of rubber products, including rubber bands, rubber gloves, inflatable boats, and tires.
Besides that, Klee Meow also needed to replenish her stock of bomb-making materials.
Just as Xie Wen was taking the two cats on a shopping spree in the commercial district, someone in a black suit and a strange mask walked brazenly up to them.
It was not Lucci or his companions.
Xie Wen probed with his Observation Haki. The presence did not belong to any of the Cipher Pol No. 9 agents who had been undercover in Water 7, but it did give him a vague sense of familiarity.
"It really has been a long time, Xie Wen, my boy. I never imagined you would come this far in less than two years."
As the newcomer spoke, he removed his mask, revealing a kindly face with a little Kogoro Mouri-style mustache.
"Uncle Cody?!"
Xie Wen truly had not expected to run into Cody, the Cipher Pol member who had helped him so much before, at this time and in this place.
Still, Cody's appearance also brought Xie Wen some relief. Since Cipher Pol had sent a familiar face to contact him, it meant they did not intend to turn openly hostile. They might not even have discovered that Robin had joined the Palico Research Commission.
Various thoughts ran through Xie Wen's mind, but he showed none of them, greeting him enthusiastically