Chapter 22: The Capture
Walking along the cobblestone path in front of the residential houses of Water Seven, the waterways beside were filled with small boats pulled by Bullus.
A new day began, and the residents of Water Seven started to get busy.
Today was somewhat different from usual, because the "Aqua Laguna" was approaching.
The so-called Aqua Laguna was actually a massive tsunami that would sweep across the entire Water Seven.
This was originally a disaster, but through human ingenuity, the Aqua Laguna had become a form of wealth.
The enormous tsunami would wash over all of Water Seven. At that time, residents would choose to take shelter in the backstreet refuges or leave Water Seven aboard the Sea Train.
When the tsunami struck, the entire Water Seven would be scoured clean. The streets would become spotless, and the houses would be washed clean. This improved the city's sanitary conditions and greatly reduced the likelihood of disease outbreaks.
Moreover, this scouring occurred once a year, so large-scale epidemics were rare in Water Seven.
Not only that, but the tsunami would wash fish from other seas into the area, making Water Seven's fishing resources extremely abundant. Over thirty percent of Water Seven's commoners made their living by fishing.
The Aqua Laguna had other benefits as well. For this reason, the commoners of Water Seven had not abandoned this sinking island—its resources were simply too bountiful.
According to professional meteorological surveys, the Aqua Laguna would appear tomorrow or the day after, at the latest the day after tomorrow.
The Aqua Laguna held extraordinary significance for the residents of Water Seven. Every year before the Aqua Laguna struck, Water Seven would hold a festival.
People would don gorgeous attire, put on masks and headdresses, cover their entire bodies, and head to the city center.
Every year, the city center would host a festival similar to a masquerade ball. Commoners would come here to pray, asking the Water God to bless them.
This year was the same. Large Bullus occasionally swam through the waterways, pulling boats filled with residents wearing splendid clothes and wooden masks.
The gathering in the city center had a somewhat ritualistic form, so the mask styles were relatively solemn—after all, it was a ceremony to honor the gods.
Su Xiao arrived at a tavern near Central Street. Pushing open the tavern door, he found it packed with customers.
This surprised Su Xiao. He stepped back out of the tavern and pulled out a map to check. Yes, this was the right place.
A wooden sign placed beside the tavern door caught Su Xiao's attention.
"Aqua Laguna Festival Day: Half-Price Drinks."
So that was it. Su Xiao had been wondering why this tavern had so many customers.
Entering the tavern, he walked to the counter. CP9's agent, Blueno, was busy behind the bar, looking every bit the bartender.
"Brother Blueno, another round."
A drunkard tapped the counter with an empty glass, looking impatient.
Blueno took the glass and refilled it for the drunkard. As he handed the glass back, he happened to see Su Xiao sitting at the counter.
"Customer, what would you like to drink?"
"Rum."
Blueno nodded and handed over a glass of rum.
After a while, Blueno tapped the counter to draw everyone's attention.
"It's already 9:30. The festival is about to start, so the tavern needs to close for now."
Hearing Blueno's words, the customers in the tavern clearly weren't happy.
"Close a bit later. We're just getting into the swing of things."
"Yeah, you stingy guy actually offered half price, and we haven't even emptied your wine cellar yet."
Laughter rang out in the tavern, and Blueno smiled too.
Though somewhat reluctant, the customers paid their bills and left one by one. Blueno began cleaning up the messy tavern.
"You probably... won't be coming back here again. Is this necessary?"
Su Xiao sat at the counter, sipping his drink. Blueno said nothing, lowering his head to continue tidying the tavern.
Only after the tavern was cleaned spotless and every glass was wiped dry did Blueno walk behind the counter, take off his coat, fold it neatly, and place it on the bar.
Blueno pressed his hand on the clothes, closing his eyes in thought. When he opened them, there was little emotional fluctuation in his gaze. He had transformed from a bartender back into an agent. He had been a bartender for five years, and had even... grown somewhat accustomed to this life.
"Follow me. We can't expose ourselves directly in others' sight. Many people in Water Seven recognize me."
Entering the room behind the tavern, two sets of festival attire were laid out on a wooden table, complete with masks and headdresses.
Su Xiao picked up a mask from the table. It was pure white, with holes and graffiti only at the eye positions, while the rest was a stark, pale white.
The clothes were very ornate, but also cumbersome. However, this brightly colored robe could effectively conceal body shape and all other features.
"We can wait here. All the entrances to Water Seven are already under surveillance. As soon as the Straw Hat Pirates land on the island, we'll receive the news immediately."
Su Xiao nodded, found a chair, and sat down. Seeing the attire Blueno had prepared, he could guess the plan that followed: wait for the Straw Hat Pirates to land, then capture Nico Robin.
The wait was somewhat long. Over two hours passed with no news.
Su Xiao leaned back in his chair, holding a tablet and playing a puzzle game.
"Brrring, brrring, brrring..."
The Den Den Mushi in Blueno's pocket rang. He answered it, and a string of numbers came through from the other end.
"Understood."
Blueno hung up the Den Den Mushi and decoded what those numbers meant.
"The Straw Hat Pirates have landed. Their position is near Back Street. Nico Robin has disembarked and is shopping with a blue-nosed reindeer."
"No one else around?"
"There are a few suspicious individuals. Other factions might have also discovered Nico Robin."
Su Xiao said nothing more and put on the festival attire properly.
"Your dog."
Blueno glanced at Bubuteni.
"No problem. It can follow from a distance."
Bubuteni barked twice. When it came to fighting, Bubuteni wasn't very skilled, but when it came to hiding, even Su Xiao couldn't find him once he was concealed. That goofball could always hide in the most unimaginable places.
In the crevices of caves, inside wooden crates on old ships, Bubuteni had even pretended to be a statue. In short, as long as the enemy couldn't think of it, there was no place he couldn't hide.
Blueno said nothing more. Su Xiao's rank was higher than his, so he had no authority to command or order Su Xiao around. Moreover, he had to ensure Su Xiao's safety throughout the mission. Currently, Su Xiao was an important researcher, but even now, Blueno wasn't sure why Su Xiao wanted to participate in this mission.
Leaving the tavern, the two headed straight for Back Street. During the journey, Blueno's Den Den Mushi rang several more times.
Arriving at a cobblestone path on Back Street, Blueno stopped.
"According to the projection of Nico Robin's route, she will definitely pass through here."
Su Xiao looked around. The mask on his face somewhat obstructed his vision. Pedestrians moved back and forth along the path.
Soon, a combination of a person and a reindeer appeared in sight. It was Robin and Chopper.
Su Xiao and Blueno walked toward them.
P.S. (Suffering from a cold. No energy for a four-chapter burst.)