In the summer of Sea Circle Calendar 1514, with Guo Jia successfully obtaining the power of [Uxie], Peach Blossom Spring's intelligence and strategic capabilities rose to an entirely new level. Almost simultaneously, a sinister offensive from the Flower Country's Chancellor and an unexpected incident within the Happo Navy, like two intertwining undercurrents, brought the quiet period of lying low toward its end.
Shadow Fox's shadow, moving through the night
"Shadow Fox" was a code name that struck fear throughout the West Blue's Underworld. No one knew his true appearance; they knew only that he excelled at plotting assassinations, inciting rebellions, spreading rumors, and sowing chaos-a typical schemer. This time, the Flower Country's Chancellor had spared no expense in hiring "Shadow Fox," with a clear objective: dismantle Peach Blossom Spring from within, or create a "serious incident" sufficient to give the Marines ample grounds to intervene.
After obtaining Uxie's power, Guo Jia's sensitivity to information and analytical ability reached an inconceivable level. He swiftly mobilized every intelligence network and, for the first time, took the initiative to use his new abilities.
Knowledge Detection·Information Retrospection: Guo Jia personally visited several border outposts where minor clashes or unusual personnel activity had recently occurred. He touched damaged fences, footprints left behind, and even traces of lingering presence in the air as Uxie's power quietly stirred. In an instant, fragmented images and hazy scraps of information flooded his mind: several agile, secretive figures dressed in black, snatches of their conversations ("The Chancellor has ordered...," "Create panic...," "Find weak points..."), and a lingering sense of cold cunning. Though incomplete, this information was enough to outline the attackers' characteristics and intentions.
Memory Weaving·Psychological Suggestion: Guo Jia secretly approached several border villagers and low-ranking soldiers whom those black-clad figures had briefly contacted or beguiled. Using his faint memory-weaving ability, he did not forcibly alter their memories. Instead, he guided them like a psychologist, helping them recall more details they had overlooked or that fear had suppressed, and implanted a faint subconscious suggestion to "report suspicious individuals immediately and remain vigilant."
Information Barrier·Counter-Peeping: Guo Jia placed faint information barriers in Longwei City's core district and around the residences of several key generals. These were not physical defenses, but a layer of interference that greatly reduced the effectiveness of outside surveillance methods-such as certain Devil Fruit abilities, advanced Observation Haki, or specialized instruments-making clear, accurate intelligence difficult to obtain.
Through this series of measures, Guo Jia soon identified several key characteristics of "Shadow Fox's" operations:
His operations primarily involved infiltration by small elite groups skilled in disguise, concealment, and staging accidents. Their targets were key facilities such as Peach Blossom Spring's administrative center, granaries, and armories, along with attempts to bribe or coerce middle- and lower-ranking officials.
The core of his tactics was to create panic and suspicion, drive wedges within Peach Blossom Spring, and seek an opportunity to fabricate a scene of "Peach Blossom Spring troops massacring civilians" or "an attack on a World Government institution."
His weakness was that "Shadow Fox" depended heavily on the accuracy and secrecy of information, while his own ability in direct combat might not be top-tier.
With these facts in hand, Guo Jia had a plan firmly in mind. Rather than rush to alert the enemy, he laid a countertrap. He deliberately allowed several pieces of information exposing "weaknesses"-"lax security at a certain granary" and "a certain general's dissatisfaction with allocations"-to leak "inadvertently" through specific channels. Meanwhile, he laid multiple ambushes at those locations and had Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and other generals remain secretly on guard, spreading the net and waiting.
Chinjao lost his way, a pearl overlooked in the vast sea
While Guo Jia was fully occupied with countering "Shadow Fox," the sudden disappearance of Chinjao, the Happo Navy's old Pillar, also set nerves on edge on all sides.
Ever since Garp had dented his Drill Head, Chinjao had been despondent, drowning his sorrows in alcohol year after year. This time, no one knew what had provoked him, but after getting drunk, he roared, "My Drill Head... Garp! Give me back my Drill Head!" Then he took a small boat and charged alone into the vast West Blue, disappearing without a trace. His son Sai and grandson Abu were frantic with worry. On the one hand, they dared not publicize it for fear of shaking morale; on the other, they sent trusted teams searching everywhere, but it was like looking for a needle in the ocean.
The news reached Longwei City almost simultaneously through Qi Ming's channels and Guo Jia's own intelligence network.
Upon hearing the news, Chen Yu pondered for a moment, then looked at Guo Jia. "Fengxiao, what do you make of Chinjao's situation?"
Uxie's light shimmered in Guo Jia's eyes as he said slowly, "My lord, Pillar Chinjao carries deeply rooted anguish. He went to sea not to pick a fight, but to vent his pent-up misery and search for... perhaps even he does not know what he is searching for. His movements are unpredictable and his emotions unstable. There is danger, but a tragedy is more likely. Still, a crisis also holds opportunity."
"Where does the opportunity lie?"
"If we can find Chinjao and offer precisely the right assistance or... guidance when he is at his most vulnerable and most lost," Guo Jia said, his gaze profound, "we may be able to reach his deepest obsession and plant a seed. Even if we cannot immediately restore his former vigor, we can greatly improve relations between Peach Blossom Spring and the Happo Navy, especially with Sai and Abu. That would be of great significance for the future."
Chen Yu nodded. "But the West Blue is vast. Finding one man would be extraordinarily difficult."
"I already have a plan," Guo Jia said. "Pillar Chinjao is preoccupied with his Drill Head and Garp. The course he takes subconsciously is very likely connected to 'powerful fighters,' 'the place of his humiliation,' or 'memories.' General Zhao Yun can be ordered to dispatch several fast boats to search in two directions: first, toward the waters near where he might have fought Garp all those years ago; second, toward the entrance to the Grand Line, where powerful fighters gather, which may draw him there. The search party must be small and capable, led by someone levelheaded and sufficiently strong to handle unforeseen circumstances. They must also be instructed that, should they encounter Chinjao, they must not confront him by force. They should show goodwill and act as circumstances dictate."
Chen Yu accepted his advice and immediately summoned Zhao Yun.
Zhao Yun accepted the order, fully aware of the matter's importance and the need to face a former Admiral Candidate-level fighter who might lose control of his emotions, and dared not take it lightly. He personally selected the five fastest speedboats, assigning each ten elite sailors and five soldiers skilled in grappling and medical care, with an experienced, steady deputy general leading the party. Before their departure, Zhao Yun repeatedly instructed them, "Your priorities are to find him and show goodwill. If you encounter Pillar Chinjao, under no circumstances are you to resort lightly to violence. Even if he attacks, focus on holding him off and defending yourselves. Send a signal immediately, and I will arrive as quickly as possible."
The search fleet quietly left Dragon Spring Harbor and vanished into the vast sea along the two directions Guo Jia had identified through his analysis.
Hidden pieces placed, quietly awaiting the storm
Within Longwei City, Guo Jia directed operations from the center, calmly coordinating responses to possible attacks by "Shadow Fox" while closely following news from Zhao Yun's search party. Chen Yu, meanwhile, handled government affairs, inspected military camps, and steadied people's hearts as usual, as though everything remained unchanged.
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