Chapter 7: Ambush
After ending the communication with the Whitebeard Pirates, Su Xiao began to consider his subsequent plans. Contacting the Whitebeard Pirates was necessary. Not to mention the potential benefits, even just understanding the state of the Whitebeard Pirates was worth the effort.
Besides Su Xiao, there were 24 other fourth-rank contractors in this world. If some of them had already joined the Navy faction, it was entirely possible they would launch a preemptive attack on the Whitebeard Pirates. This was precisely what contractors excelled at. Someone might even infiltrate Impel Down to assassinate Ace ahead of time.
It could be said that as long as fifth-rank contractors joined the World Government or the Navy faction, they became Su Xiao's enemies. Moreover, given the World Government's hatred for Su Xiao, contractors who joined them might even trigger assassination missions targeting him. With a bounty of 1.4 billion, once such a mission was triggered, the rewards would be substantial. Su Xiao could now be considered a boss-level threat, with a kill reward higher than Doflamingo, Katakuri, and others, but lower than the Four Emperors.
The good news was that Doflamingo had already been conscripted by the World Government. If anything happened, he might tip Su Xiao off. Of course, given Doflamingo's personality, it was also very possible he would pretend not to know.
Therefore, Su Xiao needed accurate intelligence from the Navy or the World Government. The Whitebeard Pirates were about to go to war with the Navy. Having been the rulers of the sea for decades, if the Whitebeard Pirates lacked intelligence channels in this regard, they would surely be annihilated at Marineford.
Having figured this out, Su Xiao became more determined to contact the Whitebeard Pirates. As for which faction to join, there weren't many options.
There were six participants in the Summit War: the Navy, the Whitebeard Pirates, the Red Hair Pirates, the Blackbeard Pirates, the Revolutionary Army squad led by Monkey D. Luffy, and the prisoners who escaped from Impel Down.
Among these six forces, it was unlikely Su Xiao could join the Navy, the Whitebeard Pirates, or the Red Hair Pirates. Their operating styles were completely different. Even though the Whitebeard Pirates were in dire need of manpower, they would at most cooperate temporarily with Su Xiao. That family-style pirate crew would never allow him to become an official member.
The prisoner faction was too low-level. Su Xiao had no interest in scheming with Buggy. After his cooperation with Harold, Su Xiao's level of cunning had greatly increased, but he still had no desire to fight for power with Buggy. He couldn't afford the embarrassment.
As for the Blackbeard Pirates, judging by aura alone, if Su Xiao stood among them, he would at least be the second or third most prominent figure. However, the height difference was a bit large. Moreover, given Blackbeard's caution, whether he would even show up before the Summit War reached its climax was still unknown.
As Su Xiao pondered, he tossed a pebble. The pebble hit a protruding mangrove root, bounced a few times, and flew back into his hand.
With a crack, the pebble was crushed in Su Xiao's hand. He turned and walked toward the coast, where a somewhat dilapidated small wooden boat was moored, its sail already torn.
Amu had been waiting by the coast. As for Beini, she had already gone treasure hunting. This time, Beini planned to take a risk and go treasure hunting (treasure hunting = stealing) at the Holy Land Mary Geoise above the Red Line.
"Bold."
Su Xiao muttered as he jumped onto the small boat and began modifying it.
Half an hour later, the roar of a motor echoed, and the small wooden boat shot out, speeding across the sea like a speedboat.
Just as Su Xiao left the port, strands of thread appeared in midair. These threads were faint and seemed to be composed of a gaseous state.
Snap~
The threads were all snapped, transforming into a misty energy that converged together. After this mass of energy surged for a moment, an arm reached out from within.
Squelch, squelch...
Like squeezing toothpaste, a living person crawled out of this small mass of energy.
"The barrier has been triggered. The biological strength is at least fifth-rank."
The man grabbed the mass of energy formed by the threads and stuffed it into his mouth to chew.
"Hmm, this should be the target of the bounty mission. Just recently promoted to fifth-rank. Oh? He did some things at the fourth-rank. He actually killed the leader of a large adventure group. It seems he's the one."
The man raised his hand to gather his gray hair and used the energy threads to tie it into a high, perky ponytail. His black-green pupils showed some laziness. After hesitating for a moment, he leaped into the sea. A large number of bubbles emerged, and in an instant, the bodies of various marine creatures floated to the surface, including Sea Kings.
...
Datan O Island, waters near the Sabaody Archipelago.
This island had no special products but was famous for its beautiful scenery. Just the white sandy beach attracted a large number of tourists. Moreover, it was not far from the Red Line and Marine Headquarters. As long as a pirate crew wasn't completely brainless, they wouldn't easily approach this island. Yet, despite this, many pirate captains landed on the island discreetly for another reason.
Many merchants and powerful figures lived here. Where there is light, there is darkness. Datan O Island was ostensibly a resort, but in reality, its main economic source was women. Geishas and celebrities from Wano Country, dancers from Dressrosa—as long as you had money, there was no woman you couldn't find on Datan O Island.
It could be said that the flesh trade on Datan O Island was done openly. It wasn't the kind of cheap business where you just spread your legs to make money—that was what the lowest-level prostitutes did. The women here not only required payment but also had to see if they fancied the customer. Many ugly pirate captains were provoked by this and were eventually dealt with by the Pleasure District forces. Even if the Pleasure District couldn't handle it, the Donquixote Family above them would.
Beach, blue sea, blue sky. A sea breeze gently blew, ruffling the fur on Bubu Wang's body, causing him to lie down in the sand and start rolling around.
Su Xiao had arrived at Datan O Island three hours ago. He hadn't arranged a specific meeting time or place with the Whitebeard Pirates. The two sides didn't trust each other, and since this was their first meeting, they naturally had to be cautious.
There were many tourists on the beach. Near the land was an area with sunshades, where various snack stalls were set up, making it quite lively.
"Bubu."
Su Xiao sat up from his beach chair and picked up the Dragon-Slaying Flash leaning beside him. A few minutes ago, he had felt someone watching him.
Bubu Wang, who was rolling in the sand, looked up at Su Xiao. Noticing Su Xiao's expression was off, he immediately got up, shook off the fine sand from his fur, and blended into the environment.
Su Xiao's gaze swept around. The feeling of being watched grew stronger. Just as his hand gripped the hilt of the Dragon-Slaying Flash, the men and women within a hundred-meter radius, all wearing cool swimsuits, turned to look at him. The scene was horrifying.
"You dare to appear openly near Marine Headquarters. Should I praise your courage or despise your lack of caution?"
Dozens of men and women were all staring at Su Xiao and speaking simultaneously. Different voices, but the same expression, the same tone.