https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-456-The-Swordsman-s-Attraction-Lily-and-Teng-Hu-/12935530/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-458-Let-s-Cut-Them-Down-Together-10k-Part-1-/12935532/
Chapter 457: Rob Lucci's Appearance, the Smuggling List!
Chapter 457: Rob Lucci's Appearance, the Smuggling List!
Almost simultaneously, Lily and Teng Hu left the Bullfighting Arena, parting ways at the entrance. One of them, with a sword hilt pressed down, led a group of people away, while the other tapped his cane on the ground and gradually moved further away.
"Yi Xia, please put on your coat," a navy officer in a cloak called out from behind, handing over a navy cloak.
"Ah," Yi Xia stopped in her tracks and turned her head back, "You've worked hard. Do you know who those people were?"
"Those?" The navy officer turned to look, but there was no one in sight. Puzzled, he replied, "Yi Xia, I didn't see anyone."
"Well, it seems that Dressrosa is even more chaotic than I imagined," Teng Hu said, tapping his cane on the ground as he walked towards the northwest with the navy officer following him.
After walking a short distance, Lily sent Akin and Paru to the underground smuggling factory, while she herself took a look around before heading towards the royal palace.
Plop!
A little girl holding an ice cream cone tripped and fell, sending the ice cream flying through the air. Before the girl could even feel sad, a slender hand gently caught the falling ice cream.
"Here you go," Lily said with a smile, helping the girl up from the ground.
"Thank you, thank you," the little girl shyly took the ice cream and thanked Lily before running off quickly.
Lily watched her leave, and her smile suddenly faded. "Come out," she said.
From the alley behind her, a man dressed in white, wearing a tall top hat and a half-face mask, stepped forward.
"It's been a while. Your clothes seem much more elegant now," he said.
Lily turned to face the man in the alley, "Rob Lucci."
"Indeed, it has been a while," Lucci replied coldly. "You've made quite a name for yourself, Lily."
After a quick glance, Lily turned her attention back to the lively scene on the street, where toys and humans interacted playfully. "What brings you here?"
"I'm here to investigate Donquixote Doflamingo's smuggling list," Lucci said. "This time, he forced the higher-ups to play along and sent out a 'false report' to the whole world, which has greatly displeased them. At the very least, we need to find that smuggling list."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Of course, we all know that the biggest smuggling list is with Sage."
The Seven Warlords of the Sea had their own agreements, and they couldn't just do whatever they wanted after obtaining their positions. They couldn't form alliances with other pirates, for instance.
However, it was acceptable for their subordinates to do so.
But anyone with a brain should know that the Four Emperors couldn't possibly be subordinates of the Seven Warlords.
Yet, both the World Government and the pirates were aware of this, and even if there was crucial evidence, they had to pretend otherwise.
"So?" Lily asked.
"So, at the very least, we need to find Doflamingo's leverage and turn the situation around," Lucci said. "Even if I hadn't come here, I would have gone to Ohara after a while to discuss this matter with Sage."
"The higher-ups want to take over this channel," Lucci explained.
"I'll answer on Sage's behalf. It's impossible," Lily said. "We're all displeased with Doflamingo's actions, and it's even less likely that we'll hand over the initiative to the World Government. However, your information is useful. Where is that smuggling list?"
"The Four Emperors can't do it themselves," Lucci said.
"The higher-ups won't allow it either," he added.
"We don't need their permission," Lily said. "There are too many places they can't oversee. I'll decide whether to use that list based on Doflamingo's success or failure."
"Go and get us that list. As for how you explain it to the higher-ups, that's your problem. Lucci, don't forget that you also have a job with us," Lily said, turning to leave for the royal palace.
A silence fell behind her, but Lily didn't pay it any mind. In the alley where someone should have been, there was no trace of anyone.
They had never known about the smuggling list; Doflamingo had never mentioned it, and they had never asked as part of the transaction.
But if the decision was left to her, Lily thought it would be better to obtain that list.
After all, Lily observed the toys on the street, behaving just like humans and causing a ruckus.
Her Perception Color back then was too shallow; she had only vaguely sensed something different. But now, the emotions of these toys were richer than those of the humans on the street!
...
"Alright, let's begin the B-block battle!"
"Oh! Compared to the sudden intrusion of Blackbeard's crew in Block A, Block B also has its fair share of strong fighters. There's King Providence II, who is said to be able to destroy a fortress with a single punch, and his strategist, D'Gama, renowned for his intelligence!
"Also, we have Bro Kili, the long-legged martial artist from the Longleg Tribe!"
"The mastermind behind the Government Agency Bombing Incident, the former bounty hunter duo, Abdala and Jet!"
"Last year's Rising Star, known as the 'Man-Eating Ogre', the Worst Sea Pirate, Bartolomeo!"
"And, a member of the Cataclysm Pirates, hailed as the new star of the Cataclysm Pirates, 'Jackal' Bellamy!"
With the end of the Block A battle in the Bullfighting Arena, it was now time for the Block B fight to commence.
Standing amidst a crowd of over 150 people, Bellamy stood with his arms crossed, a sinister smile on his face as he stuck out his tongue and then turned his attention to a man in the crowd who was practicing his punches while wearing a crown.
"Providence?" Bellamy muttered, as if trying to recall something. "I've heard that name somewhere."
"Pirate! Don't get too carried away!"
The spherical strategist, Dacama, shouted, "Of course you've heard of us! We're the Cataclysm Pirates, who plundered the fur-bearing tribe of the Kingdom of Providence! This time, we've met you, and we'll avenge our past humiliation!"
"Who cares about you?" Bellamy sneered, then turned his attention to Bartolomeo, who was acting nonchalantly. Suddenly, he kicked out, knocking down a burly man who had charged towards him at the start signal.
"I'll make good on my earlier words. Come on, let's see what you've got!"
Bellamy crouched, releasing waves of energy from his feet, assuming a charging stance.
"Lord Bellamy!"
"Let us take care of them first!"
At that moment, Abdala and Jet, the debt-collecting duo, charged through the crowd and reached Bellamy's side.
Abdala had a triangular-shaped head and held two steel forks, while Jet, with his Alabasta-style curved blades, had a menacing appearance. Both now wore ingratiating smiles.
"Hmm? Who are you?" Bellamy raised an eyebrow.
"We're the debt-collecting duo from the underworld, and we're under Lord Sage's command," Jet said, slicing down an attacking swordsman and rubbing his hands together.
"The underworld? Lord Sage doesn't have people like you as his subordinates. You're just hired help, so don't get it wrong," Bellamy said, releasing the spring pressure under his feet and standing up.
"Yes, but we dream of becoming Lord Sage's subordinates!"
Abdala flattered, "Lord Bellamy, please watch our performance!"
After killing the Great Undertaker, Lord Sage had used Crocodile and Doflamingo's connections to spread the word in the underworld about the Great Undertaker's demise and started recruiting people.
Although he didn't represent the entire industry, the death of the industry leader would undoubtedly cause chaos, and it was during this chaos that recruiting new members would be most effective.
Abdala and Jet were a product of this chaos. After being wanted for blowing up a government agency, they couldn't continue their work as bounty hunters and had to turn to the underworld as assassins.
As soon as they entered the underworld, they heard that Lord Sage was recruiting, and they eagerly joined him.
After all, he was one of the Four Emperors! Being under his command would be an honor! However, while their intentions were good, the reality was different. Lord Sage didn't consider underworld members as his subordinates; they were merely hired help. He gave them jobs, and they took them; it was that simple.
Nevertheless, they had a channel of communication and continued working while waiting for an opportunity.
In theory, they could have gone directly to Ohara, but they didn't want to be mere lackeys, and this job suited them better than being bounty hunters.
So, they set their sights on a big score, something that would catch Lord Sage's attention.
The Dressrosa Tournament was the perfect opportunity.
Little did they know they would encounter a Cataclysm executive here. If they performed well, they might even get to meet Lord Sage in person!
"The Fanco Brothers also work for Lord Sage. It's a shame they're in Block C. If they were in Block B, they could have helped Lord Bellamy and gotten the Burn Burn Fruit," Jet said, licking his blade. "Rest assured, Lord Bellamy, we'll help you win this tournament!"
The influence of the Four Emperors wasn't limited to a specific region; it spanned the entire world.
"Interesting. Alright, if you do well, I'll allow you to join the Cataclysm Pirates!" Bellamy said with a smile. "First, let's clean up these small fries!"
Recently, Lord Sage had been considering recruiting a group of controllable individuals from the debt-collecting industry, promoting them to leadership positions. If they performed well, it wasn't impossible for them to rise through the ranks.
(End of Chapter)
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