Upon hearing Roy's words, everyone's expression changed.
Bullet jumped to his feet. " The Holy Knights?!"
"Those Celestial Dragons ' lackeys are here too?!"
Kaido frowned. " Saint Garling... that old guy, he's not dead yet?"
Roy nodded. "Not only did he survive, but he also led the team himself."
"It seems the World Government is determined to obtain Pure Gold."
Crocodile exhaled a smoke ring. "This is going to be interesting."
"The four great emperors besiege the island, the navy is eyeing it covetously, and the Holy Knights lurk in the shadows..."
"Plus, those guys in the Underworld definitely won't sit still either."
Roy glanced at him. "That's right."
Crocodile, any news from your end?
Crocodile nodded. "Just received it--"
The Six Kings of the Underworld have secretly formed an alliance.
"Six businesses— Pleasure District, Big News Morgans, Shipping King, Warehousing, Loan Sharking, Funeral Services...—have joined forces, planning to seize the Pure Gold once it appears."
"They don't engage in direct combat; they're just waiting for an opportunity."
Tesoro sneered, "A bunch of hyenas."
They dared not confront us directly, only stealthily from the shadows.
Roy waved his hand, "Don't underestimate them."
"These guys may not be strong, but they have a lot of influence."
"Intelligence, transportation, concealment... these are all their strengths."
"If they succeed, getting it back won't be easy."
Kaido grinned. "What are you afraid of?"
"Once I catch them, I'll smash them all to death with one blow!"
Roy glanced at him. "Can you catch it?"
"They won't fight you, they'll just grab it and run."
"The ocean is so vast, where do we even begin to search?"
Kaido snorted and said nothing more.
Red Count spoke slowly, " Roy, the most important thing now is—"
What do we do next?
" Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Golden Lion, the three families are surrounding them."
"The Navy and the Holy Knights are lurking in the shadows."
"Those guys in the Underworld are watching us too."
"Surrounded on all sides."
Bullet slammed his fist on the table. "What are you afraid of! Just shoot!"
"Let's get rid of Whitebeard and his gang first, then deal with the Marines!"
Crocodile sneered, "And then?"
"Fight until they're exhausted, only to let the Golden Lion and Big Mom reap the benefits?"
"Let the Holy Knights reap the benefits?"
Bullet roared, "Then what do you suggest we do?!"
Crocodile exhaled a smoke ring. "Wait."
"We'll talk about it after Fisher Tiger and the others find the lanternfish."
"Fighting now would be a complete waste of energy."
Bullet gritted his teeth, "When will we get here?!"
"What if they can't find it?"
The argument continued.
That's enough.
Roy tapped the table lightly.
The sound wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap, exploding in everyone's ears.
Everyone fell silent instantly, turning to look at him.
Roy slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the distant sea.
There was a few seconds of silence.
Then, he turned around and looked at a figure standing in the corner.
" Dr. Gracia."
Dr. Gracia emerged from the shadows and bowed respectfully. "Yes, Captain."
Roy looked at him, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.
"Doctor, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."
Dr. Gracia was taken aback. "Captain, please speak."
Roy said, "Could you make one—"
"A ' Pure Gold ' replica that emits a golden glow?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.
Counterfeit?!
Kaido suddenly stood up. " Roy! What do you mean?!"
"Using fakes to deceive people?!"
Roy glanced at him. "What, you have a problem with that?"
Kaido opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word.
Fake...
Counterfeit products...
Will this... will this work?
Dr. Gracia's eyes lit up. "Captain, you mean—"
"Using fake Pure Gold to lure those people in?"
Roy shook his head. "It's not that simple."
"Now, everyone is watching us."
"Once Fisher Tiger finds the lanternfish, they'll definitely try to steal it."
"Rather than besieged, let's put on a good show for them."
"Acting?"
"That's right!"
Roy looked at Kaido.
"With my Devil Fruit ability, diving into the deep sea is no problem at all."
We can take out the Pure Gold beforehand, replace it with a replica, and then throw the replica away, letting them fight over it!
"Let them kill each other?" Red Count's eyes flickered slightly. "That might not be easy!"
"Of course it won't be easy, provided we create the illusion that we're determined to seize the Pure Gold at all costs."
A flicker of excitement crossed Dr. Gracia's eyes. "Brilliant!"
"The captain's move was brilliant!"
The others, having heard Roy's plan, seemed thoughtful.
Dr. Gracia stroked his chin, pondered for a few seconds, and looked at Roy.
"Captain, Pure Gold replica... not difficult."
"By using a special gold alloy and adding a luminescent coating, we can simulate the luster of Pure Gold."
"From the outside, the average person would absolutely not be able to tell the difference."
As for the effects... well, nobody knows what real Pure Gold looks like anyway.
"As long as it's bright enough and flashy enough, it can fool most people."
Roy nodded in satisfaction. "How long will it take?"
Dr. Gracia thought for a moment, "Three days."
"It's guaranteed to be finished within three days."
Roy said, "Okay."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Doctor."
Dr. Gracia bowed slightly, "Yes!"
He turned and left, his steps light and quick.
In the conference room, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
Bullet scratched his head. " Roy, will this... work?"
Roy smiled slightly, "You'll know once you try."
"Anyway, we're not losing out."
Kaido grinned, "Hehehehe! Interesting!"
" Roy, you're really smart!"
"Use fake news to deceive people and let them fight amongst themselves!"
I like it!
Roy looked at Crocodile, " Crocodile, there's something I need you to do next."
Crocodile stood up. "Captain, please speak."
A cold glint flashed in Roy's eyes. "Recently, quite a few spies have infiltrated Hachinosu."
" Whitebeard's, Big Mom's, Golden Lion's, the Navy's, the World Government's, the Underworld's..."
"There's so much of it, we could almost throw a party."
"Since we have to wait three days, we can't just sit idly by during these three days."
"Find all those spies."
A glint of light flashed in Crocodile's eyes. "Understood."
"I've been analyzing the intelligence network."
"We've made progress."
Roy nodded. "Very good."
He looked at Red Count, " Mr. Red, could you please help me?"
"Your abilities are best suited for finding those hidden individuals."
Red Count smiled slightly, "It's my pleasure."
That afternoon.
Hachinosu, in a secluded alley.
A man dressed in ordinary fisherman's clothes was squatting in a corner, pretending to mend a fishing net.
But his eyes kept glancing towards the distant port.
Several patrol boats were moored there.
A barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of the man's mouth.
Just then--
A hand rested on his shoulder.