Surely... it couldn't be that much of a coincidence?
Xie Wen watched the Den Den Mushi going "purupuru" in front of him, the corners of his mouth twitching twice.
But when he thought of Klee Meow's consistently good luck...
It was most likely Uncle Cody, all right.
Sighing with rather mixed feelings, Xie Wen reached out and picked up the receiver.
Sure enough, two familiar little tufts of mustache quickly sprouted on the Den Den Mushi's face, and its two tall eyestalks took on the look of a "nice guy" who seemed easy to talk to.
"Xie Wen, you've left the Calm Belt by now, haven't you?"
Cody skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. Although it was a question, his tone was certain.
Xie Wen had expected this. After all, his first order of business upon landing hadn't been to buy an Eternal Pose, but to take the Babulin Pirates-who could now only babble "aba, aba" after Ai Haibara Meow's potions had put them through the wringer-to the island's Marine Base to collect their bounties.
So it was perfectly normal for the Marines and Cipher Pol to know their current location.
"Yep. Did you call to settle the payment for my last mission, Uncle?"
"..."
Cody fell silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh. "Never mind. Just wait on Chain Island for now. Our people will deliver the Dyna Stones to you as soon as possible."
Chain Island was the name of the island where Xie Wen and the others were currently staying. It was somewhat similar to Long Ring Long Land, also consisting of several smaller islands linked together. However, they didn't form a neat circle like Long Ring Long Land, nor were their connecting roads cut off by the tides. As a