On Peace Island, Gion had already told Rebecca and Wendy that Vic had gone to Gia Island. When she left, her face was still a little red, and she looked at Rebecca with a strange gaze.
" Rebecca, Rear Admiral Gion seems a bit different today. He doesn't seem as carefree as before!" Wendy said to Rebecca, watching Gion's retreating figure.
"Maybe he's just not feeling well these past few days, nothing strange about it!" Rebecca said nonchalantly; she didn't have that many ulterior motives.
"But I noticed that the way Rear Admiral Gion looks at you is different now."
Furthermore, it was she who informed us of Vic's departure, which indicates that Vic ultimately ended up with Rear Admiral Gion.
"You think Rear Admiral Gion wouldn't try to steal your Vic?" Wendy asked, her eyes wide with analysis.
"Impossible! Rear Admiral Gion Vic is several years older than Viktor, and she's currently a Rear Admiral at headquarters, while Vic is just a recruit. The age gap is huge, and the difference in their status is huge too. It's impossible, impossible..."
Rebecca shared her thoughts, then murmured with some difficulty in accepting it.
"But Vic has acted very maturely, not at all like a teenager, and we've all witnessed Vic growing strength during this time."
Rear Admiral Gion saw it too, and he's even stronger than her. It's quite possible she'd fall for him.
Status is no longer an issue; Vic is already this strong, and he'll be promoted very quickly after graduation. He'll probably catch up to Rear Admiral Gion very soon.
Also, during our time on the ship, Vic would talk to Rear Admiral Gion about everything; you've practically become his little follower!
Wendy continued to stab Rebecca in the back, one wound after another, shattering all her illusions.
"No, it's because I'm too weak. I'm not strong enough. I need to become stronger..."
Rebecca was somewhat apprehensive. Rear Admiral Gion was truly perfect: powerful, with a great figure, beautiful, and powerful, and she could even spar with Vic in swordsmanship.
Vic kept hitting her butt with a knife; I really can't think about it anymore, the more I think about it, the more dangerous I feel.
Rebecca looked down and saw her toes. She felt even more frustrated. She couldn't compare to anyone else! Waaah!
"So Rebecca, you should tell Vic what's on your mind too. He won't know if you keep it to yourself, and don't let Rear Admiral Gion surpass you!"
"This..."
"Hehehe!" Wendy let out a smile of success in her prank.
Under the clear moonlight, Vic finally set foot on the land of Gia Island.
Instead of immediately going to find someone, Vic sat down cross-legged on the beach to recover his Observation Haki and stamina.
That Pet Pirates has been at sea for several years, or even longer, and it's hard to say what their current strength is. Just in case, we must be in the best possible condition to deal with them.
The next morning, Vic set off for the capital. Intelligence indicated that this pirate crew was eyeing someone else's treasure vault again, so there was a high possibility that they were lurking in the capital.
Instead of traveling at high speed, Vic found a caravan heading to the capital, paid them some money, and rode in their carriage.
Vic like an ordinary person; he ate when others ate, but he didn't eat much.
He goes to the toilet when others do, and he still produces waste. He sleeps when it's time to sleep, just like an ordinary person.
After a day's journey, the caravan arrived in the capital, and Vic bid farewell to them.
He found the very center of the capital and settled into an inn there.
Vic discovers that the people on this island have a peculiar hobby.
The weather on this island isn't cold, but a lot of people are wearing large scarves; it's quite a strange hobby.
Vic marveled at the vast differences in customs and traditions across the world.
Vic, positioned in the heart of the royal capital, unleashed his Observation Haki, covering the entire capital.
Vic planned to use his Observation Haki to gather some useful information and find the pirate crew's hiding place.
Vic's Observation Haki can now be released continuously for half a day, so he needs to plan the timing of the coverage, deciding which time points are most likely to yield useful information, and distribute his use accordingly.
Vic stayed in his room and didn't step out of the hotel. He could go a month without eating anyway, and one meal would last him a month.
His Observation Haki swept outwards, and a great deal of information flooded into his mind.
"Your Majesty, this year's tax revenue has reached a new high, and the pressure on the Heavenly Tribute is much less!"
"A new pub opened on Long Forest Street, and the drinks there are really good. I recommend you guys try it!"
" Megan is so lucky! She found a strange fruit and handed it to the royal family, and got her exempted from this year's Heavenly Tribute!"
"Stop talking, or they'll hear you. The one wearing the scarf is Yves, the Kingdom's Minister of Logistics. This scarf-wearing trend started a year ago, all started by those in the upper echelons. Keep your voice down, or you'll get into trouble!"
"People will probably starve to death in Black Ox Town again this year. The taxes there are too heavy. Sigh!"
"Hey, let's go to the red-light district tonight! I heard a lot of pretty girls have come here again. Let's go help them out! I heard their hometowns were hit by a disaster, hahaha!"
"Boss, no, master, the Minister of Logistics has sent word that he's inviting the King's Treasury scribe out for drinks tonight. Should we make a move?"
Finally, Vic heard the information he wanted: inside a tavern, a person wearing a scarf was talking to the tavern owner, and Vic immediately focused more attention on this.
"Of course we'll take action! Let the Minister of Logistics lure them here; that will make things easier. Once we control the treasury's recorder, we'll have a chance to infiltrate! Hahaha!"
"Okay, I'll go prepare the wine now."
"Okay, go ahead."
Vic already knew this was the person he was looking for: a pirate disguised as a tavern owner.
They've really been patient, staying here for so long for a treasure trove. Looks like they're close to achieving their goal. Luckily I arrived early; otherwise, I might have missed it entirely.
Vic also planned to take action that night and wipe out the pirate stronghold.
Vic immediately withdrew his Haki and began to sit cross-legged to recover the Haki he had just consumed, preparing for the possible battle that night.
As darkness fell and the streetlights came on, Vic, carrying a bag, walked to the pirate-run tavern.
The tavern looks like it's been around for a while; it doesn't seem like it only opened last year. Was it bought? Or stolen?
Vic withdrew his observing gaze and went inside.
Vic found a table to sit at, ordered some drinks, and looked like a normal bodyguard.
At this moment, the owner was greeting customers behind the bar, and he certainly looked the part, with a shrewd and ingratiating smile.
The boss was very tall, at least taller Vic, with a big belly, wearing a round hat, and a somewhat chubby face. When he spoke, it was clear he was missing a few teeth, and he was comparable to Blackbeard.
Vic stopped watching; it wasn't the right time yet.
He sipped his wine, looking dejected, like a lonely person abandoned by someone, licking his wounds alone. No one bothered him; everyone assumed he had just broken up with his girlfriend.
Soon, the logistics minister wearing a scarf arrived at the tavern with a chubby little boy.
The two ordered drinks, and the tavern owner gave the waiter a wink. The waiter nodded and went to the back of the hall to get the drinks.
Vic was also keeping a close eye on how things were going. He already had a plan, and now he just had to wait for the right opportunity.
" Yves, what brings you here for drinks today? hiccup..." The recorder was a little drunk, and he was hiccuping as he spoke.
"Nothing much, just been too busy lately, just wanted to relax a bit, haha!" Yves mumbled, though he himself had his own unspoken troubles.
"Take off your scarf! I see you're sweating. Are you really that reluctant to part with it? Hahaha, was it a gift from some beautiful lady?" the recorder laughed.
Yves laughed too, but his smile was bitter.
He touched his scarf, remembering what had happened that day, and helplessly lowered his hand. He had been caught red-handed and had no choice but to work for someone else.
Soon, the recorder passed out drunk on the table. Yves paid for the drinks and led the recorder out of the tavern.
He led the recorder around to a small courtyard behind the tavern.
The back door of the tavern faces the main gate of the courtyard, where the tavern owner and the waiter are waiting with smiles on their faces.
" Yves, hurry up, stop spacing out, take the men inside."
Adrian was no longer the timid man he had been in the tavern; he had reverted to his true colors, his tone cold and his face contorted.
" Adrian, remember your promise, this is the last time!"
With a resentful look on his face, Yves led his men into the courtyard. The courtyard was simply furnished, just an ordinary residential courtyard, with nothing unusual about it.
This is exactly what Adrian wanted; avoiding suspicion is the best approach.
"It's starting!" Adrian extended his left hand to the recorder lying on the ground.
"Hey, isn't this the pirate Adrian? How much is his bounty again?"
A strange voice echoed in their ears!