Boom!
Mikita froze in place as if struck by lightning, her eyes wide with disbelief and on the verge of tears: "Fi... fitness equipment?"
Huh? How could this be!
Was it because her fruit ability allowed her to reach a weight of ten thousand pounds, yet she was so pathetically weak that even the fourteen-year-old Nami had beaten her up...
That she left such an impression on Lord Xiano?
Really now.
This is so embarrassing!
"Just kidding, don't take it to heart."
Watching the girl steaming at the top of her head, covering her face as if she wished to vanish into the ground, Xiano couldn't help but chuckle:
"Of course, I remember you. The Dilemma-Dilemma Fruit user, Miss. Valentine. Long time no see. I truly didn't expect you to join the Curtain Closers as well. Hmm, as I recall, didn't you say you were going back to your hometown in the West Blue to open a café?"
"Huh? You even remember that!"
Mikita looked up in pleasant surprise, unable to resist puffing out her chest proudly, "Hehe, the café is already up and running! And business is su—per good!"
She extended her right hand, spreading her fingers toward Xiano:
"There are three whole branches now! Spread across the entire island, three of them!"
"Oh? You've got quite a talent for business then. Why come to the New World and join us?"
Xiano was somewhat surprised and smiled, "Wouldn't it be better to be a relaxed café owner?"
"Because of that live broadcast at Sabaody Archipelago!"
Mikita grinned cheerfully, "After seeing your heroic figure, I couldn't sleep for days and nights! It suddenly hit me! I, Mikita, am born to do great things!"
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have rushed to the Grand Line as soon as I came of age back then. Being a boss lady in the countryside for my whole life? I'm not satisfied with that. Changing the world or something like that suits me better!"
"So I sold the café and came here myself to sign up for the Corps' selection exam!"
"Even though I'm pretty lousy in combat and didn't get selected for the Combat Corps, my fruit ability to change weight at any time is really useful in the Infrastructure Corps! I'm already at the cadre level now, in charge of coordinating livelihood projects across three whole islands, and the progress is going really well!"
"Impressive."
Xiano didn't hold back his praise and patted Mikita's shoulder in encouragement:
"Keep that confidence and energy. Don't undervalue yourself. In my eyes, the Infrastructure Corps has always been just as important as the Combat Corps. Nothing is more important than making life better for the people, right?"
Huh? Huh? Huh?
Mikita was overwhelmed by the favor, her cheeks flushing visibly red once again.
If it was shame before, now it was happiness and sheer bliss!
She felt as if she were about to float away. Not only did Lord Xiano remember her, but he also praised her like this in person. When she tells her comrades about it later, they'll all be green with envy!
"Yes! I will definitely keep working hard!"
Mikita nodded excitedly, "I absolutely, absolutely won't let Lord Xiano down!"
"Mm, I believe in you."
Xiano smiled and nodded, then turned his gaze to the sky:
"By the way, that commotion earlier didn't startle you, did you? I was testing a new defensive method that's now covering all territories under the Curtain Closer's banner."
"Defensive method? So that's what it was!"
Mikita's eyes lit up with sudden understanding, "No wonder that green barrier appeared! I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me! This means everyone will live more safely from now on, right?"
"Exactly."
Xiano stretched lazily, feeling somewhat weary by now.
He had just returned from the Calm Belt to his territory and immediately embarked on consecutive trips, selecting four remote islands across different seas to test various offensive methods.
This sand dune island was merely one of them.
Overall, the test results were quite satisfactory - even his full-power strike couldn't breach the Tree of Demonic Barrier, requiring multiple consecutive attacks over time to penetrate it.
The Parchment Map could send timely alert signals when enemies invaded.
The Teleportation Staff allowed him to return to his territory anytime.
These three tools complemented each other perfectly, forming a complete protective system.
During the last expedition to Totto Land, he had needed to leave Fujitora behind as precautionary defense.
But from now on...
He could launch full-scale attacks without any worries about his home territory!
"Well, it's getting late. I should be going. As a reward for your hard work, here - this is for you. If you have time later, you're welcome to visit the headquarters. Nami would be delighted to see you."
After speaking, he waved at Mikita, then with a flash, soared into the sky, quickly becoming a tiny black dot on the horizon.
"Okay... Eh? Wait, Lord Xiano!"
Mikita instinctively caught the thrown object, but when she looked up to call out, it was already too late. Gazing at the empty sand dunes, she sighed with a sense of loss.
Really now.
How could she be so foolish? Knowing how busy Lord Xiano was, she should have boasted less about herself and instead asked for a photo together and his autograph.
But soon, she rallied herself, clenching her fists to boost her morale:
"Mikita! You need to work harder! This wasn't enough - next time we meet, you must make Lord Xiano view you with even greater admiration!"
Speaking of which, what was this reward anyway?
"Miracle Sunscreen?"
"Just a small amount can prevent tanning for a whole month? Eh, there's actually such a good thing?"
Perfect for someone like her who worked daily in the desert!
Satisfied, she put it away and walked to the edge of the sand dune.
The sky had completely darkened. Looking toward the distant lights gradually illuminating countless homes, her face bloomed with a radiant smile again.
"Alright! More motivated than ever! Gonna work hard tomorrow too!"
As for now, having worked all afternoon, she should head to the cafeteria for dinner first. Grab my little umbrella, and off I go...
Wait a minute...
Where's my parasol!!!
——————
The sky.
Using the Sky Dance Technique, Xiano sped toward Totto Land while glancing at the information stream on his system panel.
The greatest gain from this Deep Sea Great Prison expedition was naturally collecting all the souls required for the Demon Tree Barrier.
Secondly, he had recruited Shiliew before his corruption and dark transformation - with the right Devil Fruit supplement in the future, his combat power could reach executive level.
Finally, of course, was obtaining substantial... benefits.
Although the newspaper king and Buggy didn't end up in prison, and the remaining prisoners in Impel Down were mostly minor side characters, their generally high strength levels meant the accumulated Points they provided were still quite substantial. This suddenly filled his previously empty pockets—
[You sacrificed Douglas Bullet's giant feeding bowl, obtained 2500 Points]
[You sacrificed Red the Solitary's braid, obtained 2100 Points]
[You sacrificed Mikita's parasol, obtained 85 Points]
[You sacrificed Shiliew's adult magazine collection, obtained 1800 Points]
[You sacrificed Magellan's dual horns, obtained 2800 Points]
...
Cumulatively obtained 14085 Points, total Points suddenly increased from 5900 to 19985.
Among them, Magellan unsurprisingly contributed the most.
These so-called dual horns were actually his beloved weapons that could be drawn for combat, since he was a pure-blooded human rather than one of Kaido's race.
As for the parasol...
That was purely out of habit—ah, this damn occupational habit probably can't be changed for life.
Last year when taking others' belongings, he felt no psychological pressure, but now that the young lady had turned over a new leaf, he couldn't keep doing this.
Although he compensated her with magical gadgets from the Doraemon world, Xiano still felt quite embarrassed.
Buru buru~
Fortunately, the Den Den Mushi rang at this moment, alleviating his awkwardness.
"Sir, the matter you previously ordered the intelligence department to fully investigate has shown progress."
Kuina's steady voice came through after the Den Den Mushi connected.
"Oh?"
Xiano's gaze immediately sharpened, "I'll be right there. Have the head of the intelligence department come see me immediately."
Several days ago, while still in Impel Down.
He had just caught the scent of the Celestial Dragon hunting game from Beverny's leaked information and immediately contacted Kuina via Den Den Mushi.
The Curtain Closer's intelligence department thus began operating at full capacity, pursuing clues throughout the North Blue.
The North Blue is vast.
The Curtain Closer's current intelligence capabilities are sufficient in the New World, but extending them across the entire North Blue should theoretically be challenging.
But Xiano is a transmigrator.
He clearly understands that since this is the so-called "Celestial Dragon's playground," the venue chosen by the World Government must be a non-affiliated nation.
In the four seas, affiliated nations ultimately constitute the vast majority.
Especially in the North Blue.
Over recent decades, having experienced successive oppression and conflicts from the Germa Family and Donquixote Family, the flames of war never ceased.
In such harsh conditions, only four non-affiliated nations remain to this day.
The search scope was immediately greatly reduced!
Following this approach, the intelligence department focused on monitoring recent developments in these four nations and finally, through a series of clues, identified the target—
"Kingdom of Lubunir."
In the meeting room aboard the Sunset, a figure clad in a gray coat bowed respectfully to Xiano:
"Sir, this is our intelligence department's final assessment."
This was a middle-aged man around forty years old, with a lean build, stern features, subtle scars at the corners of his eyes, and habitually holding an unlit pipe in his mouth.
His name was Victor, the head of the intelligence department personally selected by Xiano several months ago.
He was originally the deputy chief of CP-5, a secret agency directly under the World Government.
Back then, he had partnered with Spandam to investigate the whereabouts of Pluton in Water 7.
However, moved by the Fish-man Tom's feat of constructing the Sea Train, he couldn't bear to see the legendary shipwright framed and secretly lent a hand.
As a result, Spandam held a grudge against him. After a series of skillful framing and entrapment, he was expelled and hunted by the CP organization, forcing him into hiding under an alias for many years.
Until a few months ago.
After watching the live broadcast from Sabaody, deeply inspired, he voluntarily came to the New World to seek refuge.
Leveraging years of espionage experience, he quickly helped the Curtain Closer build an efficient intelligence network from scratch, earning Xiano's trust.
With a steady personality and outstanding work capability, he was an extremely reliable man.
His ability was the Zoan-Type Chameleon Fruit, allowing him to conceal his presence and blend into the environment based on his surroundings—a power innately suited for espionage.
It was precisely because of this that he managed to survive unscathed under the CP department's pursuit.
"The Kingdom of Lubunir?Xiano thought for a moment, "I have some impression." Isn't that the hometown of Noland, the big talker executed four hundred years ago?"
"Yes, sir. The legend of El Dorado is still scoffed at there to this day."
Victor nodded slightly, pulling out a stack of photos from his pocket. This country was actually a member nation of the World Government for a long time, but decades ago, due to two consecutive delays in paying the Celestial Tribute, it was completely removed by the World Government. The king at the time was beheaded by the army of the Germa Kingdom."According to our informants, over the past half month, the country has appeared calm and normal on the surface, with no blockades on shipping routes and stable prices.""However, CP0 agents have been frequently entering and exiting the areas near the capital in disguise, and large quantities of supplies have been transported to the mountain top on the northern coast through secret channels.""
"Supplies?"
Xiano looked at the photos.
In the gaps of the thorny jungle, the photos vaguely showed a team of figures in white coats unloading cargo at a mountain cave entrance. The wooden crates were all clearly marked with the World Government's emblem.
"There were over a hundred wooden crates. After the CP personnel withdrew, our people went in to inspect and found them filled with various supplies—food, weapons, ammunition, and so on."In addition, sir," Victor said gravely, "we also discovered numerous Surveillance Den Den Mushi in the jungle outside the capital, extremely well-hidden, clearly intended to turn the entire country into a massive hunting ground under their control."
"Timing?"
"The exact date hasn't been confirmed yet, but based on CP0's activity frequency, it should be within this week."
"One week..."
Xiano stood up, walked to the window, and looked north, his gaze gradually turning cold. "They truly have no regard for their own lives."
The Kingdom of Lubunir in the North Sea was no tiny nation; it had a population of over 300,000!
To entertain those fat pigs in Bubble Helmets, the World Government dared to use the entire country as a hunting ground—it was utterly insane to the extreme!
"Those beasts!"
Kuina, standing behind him, tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. "Sir, shall we take action immediately?"
"Of course."
Xiano turned around and issued a stern command:
"Relay my orders: Combat Corps Squads One through Twelve, begin assembling at once! Additionally, have our undercover agents in the North Sea intensify surveillance of the surrounding waters, especially toward Mariejois. Report any anomalies immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
Kuina and Victor responded simultaneously before departing to carry out their orders.
Xiano cast one last glance toward the North Sea, his gaze icy.
It seems killing those four Celestial Dragons in Sabaody was still far from enough! The deterrence is nowher
e near sufficient!
Compared to the vast lineage the Celestial Dragons have built over eight hundred years, it's utterly insignificant!
No matter. We'll make up for it this time...
A hunting game?
Hmph, with him here, and the increasingly powerful Curtain Closer taking shape, it's the perfect opportunity to make these fat pigs understand...
Just who is the hunter in this hunting game!
And who... is the prey!
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