Chapter 11: Scheming
Kalifa's appearance was initially bad news, but through a twist of fate, it actually resolved Su Xiao's danger within the Galley-La Company.
As long as Rob Lucci and his group didn't want Kalifa dead, they wouldn't actively provoke him. Killing him to silence him was possible, but that would require sacrificing Kalifa.
If Rob Lucci really brought people to silence him, there was the risk of full exposure. Between one person being exposed and everyone being exposed, Su Xiao believed they would choose the latter.
Furthermore, Su Xiao's earlier attitude was that he had discovered Kalifa's suspicious identity because of the special poison she used, not by putting on an all-knowing act and spouting a bunch of intelligence-lowering nonsense like "I know your plans and your companions."
Under these circumstances, the likelihood of Rob Lucci and his group coming after him was even smaller.
Kalifa now had a special use, not as a plaything, but as a bargaining chip.
Walking along the streets of Water 7, Su Xiao was in a good mood, but for a moment, he wasn't sure where to go.
A strange, fragrant aroma drifted into his nose, and his pant leg was tugged. It was Bubuteni.
Bubuteni was sticking out his tongue, staring at a street stall surrounded by many people. Su Xiao approached and found it was selling a specialty of Water 7: grilled water meat.
Su Xiao bought a few skewers of the water meat. This type of meat was very unique, wobbling like jelly when shaken.
Taking a bite, Su Xiao's eyes widened. The delicacies of the One Piece world were indeed famous.
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, that smooth and soft feeling was unforgettable.
"Woof woof."
Bubuteni was spinning around anxiously. Su Xiao tossed him a piece, and Bubu Wang swallowed it whole, a classic case of a glutton not savoring the flavor.
"Wasting a treasure."
Su Xiao handed Bubuteni a skewer and continued walking. He planned to go to Dock 1, since his job was to maintain order there.
But one thing made Su Xiao wary: Iceburg was probably suspicious of him. Earlier, when he said he had repelled pirates, Iceburg outwardly believed him, but the Galley-La Company's recognition in his mission list hadn't increased, which meant Iceburg didn't trust him.
Su Xiao wandered around until he reached Dock 1. The shipwrights were working in the open area of Dock 1, while he pulled over a chair and sat down to watch the commotion.
Su Xiao's job was to maintain order, essentially overseeing the area. It required no physical labor, and the pay was 600,000 Beri per month, roughly equivalent to 35,000 RMB.
Given his strength, the salary was a bit low. This was the probationary pay; it would increase after the probation period, and there were bonuses for each group of pirates he repelled.
Iceburg had one requirement: no killing. Although the Galley-La Company had significant backing, Iceburg was low-key.
The shipwrights looked at Su Xiao with confusion, unsure why he was sitting there, but no one came to ask. They just assumed he was a guest.
...
At the old shipyard where Su Xiao had fought the revolver-wielding man, Kalifa returned there after parting ways with Su Xiao.
Iceburg was startled when he saw Kalifa. Her slightly wrinkled clothes invited all sorts of thoughts.
"Young people are really open-minded."
Kalifa stood silently behind Iceburg, who became even more surprised.
"I didn't expect you to have such an open side. Although Bai Ye is a handsome young man, this seems a bit too fast."
Hearing Iceburg's words, Kalifa's face darkened. Then, thinking of something, a smile suddenly appeared on her lips.
"I just tripped on the road. Don't misunderstand."
"Alright, I didn't misunderstand. But you're not getting any younger. Although Bai Ye just joined the Galley-La Company, he's not weak and has a promising future."
Iceburg said half-jokingly, his suspicion of Su Xiao slightly easing. He wouldn't stop a relationship between his employees, and although Kalifa was his secretary, they were only superior and subordinate.
Kalifa didn't explain further. The more she tried to clear it up, the worse it would get. At the same time, a plan formed in her mind. Since Iceburg misunderstood that she had a relationship with Bai Ye, she might as well drag that bastard down with her. Her final plan would begin in a few days, and by then, he wouldn't be able to stay in Water 7 and might even be hunted.
The more Kalifa thought about it, the more excited she became. Based on her earlier judgment, Bai Ye's strength might not be weak.
"Mr. Iceburg, when did Bai Ye join the Galley-La Company? How old is he?"
Kalifa's question stunned Iceburg. He had only been joking earlier.
"Kalifa, you..."
Kalifa's face flushed, and she tidied the hair at her temples.
The shipwright Barry, who was nearby, also heard this and looked at Kalifa in surprise. Kalifa's scheme had succeeded. As a spy, she had enough acting skills for this.
Letting more people know that she had a relationship with Su Xiao would make him an enemy of the Galley-La Company when her plan unfolded, with no way to explain himself.
Having only been there for a day and already having a dubious relationship with Kalifa, and then Kalifa suddenly betraying them a few days later—who would listen to Su Xiao's explanation? No one.
Word spread like wildfire, and the shipwrights' gossipy souls burned brightly.
Su Xiao didn't know about this. If he did, he would have cut out Kalifa's tongue. She was clearly trying to drag him down with malicious intent.
Su Xiao stayed at Dock 1 for the entire afternoon. No pirates came to cause trouble. The shipwrights there became somewhat familiar with him, knowing he was a new employee responsible for security.
As dusk fell, the shipwrights finished work. Over the afternoon, Su Xiao's recognition had increased by 40 points, which puzzled him. Could simply introducing his name increase recognition? That seemed too easy.
Around 5 PM, Angus found Su Xiao. Earlier, Iceburg had said the two of them would attend the evening celebration together. He wasn't sure what they were celebrating, but it seemed like some kind of party.
Angus patted Su Xiao on the shoulder, a hint of envy on his face.
"You're something, kid. You've only been here a day and you've already won the heart of a beautiful woman."
Su Xiao was taken aback. He didn't know what Angus was talking about.
"Won her heart?"
"Don't play dumb. Everyone in the Galley-La Company knows about you and Miss Kalifa. That cold beauty actually took a liking to someone... unbelievable."
Hearing Angus's teasing, Su Xiao's expression changed slightly. He vaguely guessed what might have happened.
His mind raced, and Su Xiao quickly figured it out. That woman Kalifa had turned the tables on him.
"Is that so."
Su Xiao stood up, his expression calm as he followed Angus toward Iceburg's mansion.
Kalifa's behavior could only mean one thing: she was trying to drag him down. At noon, he had pinned her down and stuffed her with explosives, and by evening, this rumor had spread.
On the way to the celebration, a smile appeared on Su Xiao's lips.
Although he would be dragged down, this was actually a good situation. At least it would help him quickly increase his recognition. Earlier, he had been wondering why simply getting to know the shipwrights in the afternoon had increased his recognition by 40 points.
Su Xiao checked his recognition again. It had increased by another 30 points and was still growing. It wouldn't be long before it reached 200 points.
More importantly, he held Kalifa's life in his hands. As long as he detonated the alchemical bomb, Kalifa would die without a doubt.
The problem of increasing recognition was temporarily solved. He began to plan for the future. There were still five days until the Straw Hat Pirates landed on the island, and by then, Water 7 would be in chaos.
He didn't need to worry about that for now. The key was how to reap benefits during these five days.
Lost in thought, Su Xiao arrived in front of Iceburg's mansion. Iceburg's home was luxurious, no less impressive than the city hall.
Entering the first floor of the building, the sound of chatter and laughter reached him. The aroma of food mixed with the smell of alcohol. Several long tables were set up in the hall, laden with food. Many shipwrights were drinking and talking loudly, some laughing heartily. The banquet was very lively.