After sailing for a while, the fleet finally docked at an island called Gures, which was also where the trade fair would be held.
According to the maps Xie Wen had collected, Gures was one of the larger islands in the entire West Blue. A country had even been established here under the Gangs' control. Although its origins had kept it from becoming an affiliated nation, with several Gangs backing it, few pirates were foolish enough to come here and cause trouble.
Although the trade fair was still several days away, the merchants who had arrived early had already begun selling some of their less important goods around the city. Even though Cody had been forced to attend, he had still brought some merchandise and sent his subordinates out to sell it.
As for Cody himself, he checked into an inn in the city with Bax, Xie Wen, and several other skilled fighters.
"Uncle Cody, can I take Klee and Sanji out for a look around?" After settling into the inn, Xie Wen approached his employer with a helpless expression and two excited cats in tow.
He really did want to fulfill his duties as a bodyguard, but the two cats-or, more precisely, Klee Meow-had pestered him until he had no choice but to make a token request to his employer. As far as Xie Wen was concerned, Uncle Cody would never agree to such an unreasonable request anyway.
Sure enough, before Cody could refuse, Bax barked from beside him, "Young Xie Wen, you're currently employed as Mr. Cody's bodyguard!"
Although he got along well with Xie Wen, Bax was first and foremost a capable butler. The moment he heard what Xie Wen wanted, his earlier warmth vanished, replaced by sternness. "What kind of bodyguard abandons his employer to go sightseeing?"
After saying that, Bax glanced at Klee Meow beside Xie Wen. He said nothing more, but Xie Wen understood what that look meant-
Not only was he neglecting to stay by Mr. Cody's side and protect him, but he also wanted to wander around with cats who were extremely likely to attract the Gangs' attention. Xie Wen was being a thoroughly irresponsible bodyguard.
"See? I told you we couldn't." Xie Wen spread his hands at Klee Meow beside him.
He had never actually intended to take the cats out, but he hadn't wanted to upset Klee Meow either. Now that Uncle Bax had stepped up to take the blame, he had an excuse to keep her from running all over the place.
"Aww..."
Klee Meow's ears immediately drooped, making her little furry face look utterly pitiful. Although she was disappointed, she stopped pestering him to go out.
Seeing Little Plushie like that almost shook Xie Wen's resolve. Fortunately, he still valued professional ethics, so he could only coax her gently. "How about we go play after the trade fair is over?"
"I don't think that's a good idea." Surprisingly, it was Cody who answered. Smiling, he said, "Since Klee wants to go out and play, why don't you take her for a look around, Xie Wen?"
"Mr. Cody?" Bax looked at him in surprise.
Cody waved a hand. "It's fine. This inn belongs to the Buono Family. They wouldn't ruin their own reputation. Besides, even if those Gangs are plotting something, the trade fair hasn't started yet, and not everyone they invited has arrived. They wouldn't tip their hand at a time like this."
"But..." Bax hesitated and left the rest unsaid, though his eyes flicked toward Klee Meow again.
Even Xie Wen wore an expression that said, "Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"
Uncle Cody's reasoning did make sense, but all of it hinged on Xie Wen and the cats not provoking the Gangs that controlled the island once they went outside. That assumption was practically impossible. In those Gangs' eyes, Klee Meow and Sanji Meow were walking piles of Beli. A clash would be inevitable.
"You don't need to worry too much about that either." Naturally, Cody had already considered what Xie Wen and Bax were thinking, but he looked entirely unconcerned. "The Gangs want this trade fair to run smoothly, so they're bound to keep themselves in check before it officially begins. Besides..."
He paused, his smile deepening. "I'd also like you to test their true attitude and intentions."
Even without Xie Wen and the cats, Cody would have found a way to have someone else sound them out. He might have been a kindly man, but he could never have built such a large business without some skill at maneuvering.
And among everyone in the caravan, Xie Wen and his cats were the best candidates, both in their ability to draw people into taking the bait and in their own strength.
After Uncle Cody's explanation, Xie Wen and Bax understood his intentions. Bax was still somewhat worried, but Xie Wen had no such reservations. After all, this was a request from Cody, his employer. As a bodyguard, all he had to do was follow it...
He could also take the opportunity to see whether he could buy a good blade to unlock the weapon catalog.
Just as Xie Wen was making those plans, Uncle Cody offered another timely helping hand... He paid Xie Wen the remaining half of his fee.
"If you're taking Klee and Sanji out to play, it's always better to bring a little extra money," Cody told Xie Wen, watching the already cheering Klee Meow with a kindly expression.
Ahem... Well-behaved little Klee Meow wouldn't cost much anyway.
"There are three powers controlling this country from behind the scenes. Besides the Buono Family Mr. Cody mentioned earlier, there are also the Capone Family and the Shimento Family." Before Xie Wen and the cats left the inn, Bax instructed them earnestly, "There are other Gangs in the city, but those three are the ones you least want to cross. Try not to get into a conflict with them."
Hearing a familiar name out of the blue, Xie Wen instinctively raised an eyebrow.
So that Supernova, Capone Whatshisname, really was from the West Blue.
Since he had already suspected as much, Xie Wen wasn't particularly surprised. Raising an eyebrow was enough respect to pay a character from the original story.
Bax glanced again at Little Plushie beside Xie Wen, who was already itching to dash off. He sighed helplessly and continued, "Even if you do end up fighting, try to show some restraint. At least leave room to negotiate afterward."
He knew that keeping Klee Meow completely under control was unrealistic, so all he could do was helplessly stress the point once more...
"At the very least, don't blow up an entire street like you did back in Paper Lantern Town."
"Did you hear that, Klee?" Xie Wen lightly tapped Klee Meow's little head.
"I knooow." Little Plushie drew out her answer and wrinkled her nose impatiently. "Klee knows she can't set off bombs in the city, meow."
"Then why did you do it last time?" Xie Wen turned toward her, his eyes wide.
Klee Meow stared back at him in equal surprise. "You were the one who told Klee to attack, Big Brother Xie Wen, meow!"
The corner of Xie Wen's mouth twitched. His brain really must have short-circuited back then. Why had he told Klee Meow to attack? Even if taking out White Calm had been inconvenient at the time, with his strength, he could easily have grabbed a weapon from someone...
It was all because the cats were so cute that they blinded me.
Xie Wen sighed and forced out an excuse for his mistake. "You could have done it without bombs... Besides, I did tell you to hold back."
"You said it too late! Klee had already thrown the bombs by then, meow!" Klee Meow countered with perfectly sound reasoning. "And you never said I couldn't use bombs, meow!"
"That's right, meow! None of this was little Klee's fault. It's all because that idiot Xie Wen didn't explain himself properly, meow!"
As usual, Sanji Meow sided with Klee Meow without the slightest hesitation.
Tch...
Kitties might be adorable, but they were pretty infuriating when they acted up...
Hopefully, I could summon a more mature Palico next time. Then I could leave disciplining these little troublemakers to that one.
A certain unscrupulous monster hunter rubbed his chin and cast a sidelong glance at Sanji Meow, who was still shouting beside his legs.
Before you continue