NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Chapter 5 : Tattoo!!
"Let's talk about the current situation on Amazon Lily and the distribution of the Navy's forces."
In a hidden cave deep within the jungle of a certain island, bright candlelight flickered, illuminating Mr. 3, who was seated at the main position.
In response, a black-robed informant, who had already gathered all the necessary information, stepped forward and spoke respectfully, "Mr. 3, the island of Amazon Lily is currently surrounded on all sides, led by the rising star of the Navy, Rear Admiral Koby. The hidden experts lurking in the shadows remain unclear."
After a brief pause, the informant continued, "According to our observations, the Navy has deployed five large warships, surrounding Amazon Lily from different angles. Small patrol boats are moving between the warships, monitoring the area to prevent anyone from escaping."
Hearing this report, Mr. 3 frowned slightly.
The heavy encirclement of Amazon Lily was completely expected. After the Navy abolished the Warlords of the Sea system, their actions had been swift as lightning, leaving little time for the Warlords to react.
However, the complete isolation created by this blockade was unexpected.
After all, Amazon Lily is located in Calm Belt, making movement difficult for ordinary ships, let alone forming a tight blockade!
This indicates that the Navy is determined to succeed in their campaign against the Pirate Empress!
"To prevent anyone from escaping. But what about getting in?" Mr. 3 asked.
The informant shook his head gently, "As soon as we received your message, we attempted to approach, but we were driven away by cannon fire."
"I see…"
Mr. 3's expression grew troubled.
This made things quite tricky.
If there wasn't even a gap to get in, how could he rush inside?
Cough cough, how could they cause a ruckus?
"Wait a minute, if I'm understanding you correctly, the Navy hasn't launched an attack on Amazon Lily yet?"
Mr. 3 suddenly caught this crucial point.
"No, there is a team of journalists dispatched by Morgans with the Navy, so both sides are still in a stalemate during the negotiation phase."
The informant thought for a moment before speculating, "But given the strong stance of the Pirate Empress, the likelihood of her surrendering is very low; they will probably end up fighting."
Morgans's journalist team actually had the authority to participate in such an operation against pirates?
A question involuntarily arose in Mr. 3's mind.
But soon, recalling the Navy's actions during the Marineford War, he realized the reasoning behind it.
Unlike the Buggy Pirates and other Warlords, who are comprised entirely of ruthless pirates, the Kuja Pirates are backed by a small nation.
The Navy has to consider the impact of public opinion before taking action. Allowing reporters to cover the negotiations between both parties can showcase their desire for peace and their intention to avoid harming innocent civilians, which can help gain public support.
This approach is crucial.
After all, the Seven Warlords system has been ingrained in the subconscious of people around the world for a long time. If they were to launch an attack without any justification, it could easily be twisted by those with ulterior motives, branding them as traitors.
Of course, when the inevitable fierce conflict or bloody crackdown breaks out later, they can simply send the reporters away from the fleet in advance.
Afterward, they can publicly declare that the Pirate Empress is a ruthless criminal who disregards the safety of her citizens and actively instigates war.
Who would know the complicated truth behind it all? This is a common tactic for the Navy.
But it is precisely because of this that there is an opportunity to exploit!
"Tell me the exact locations of their warships and the patrol intervals of the patrol boats."
Mr. 3 immediately perked up.
"Sure, no problem, Mr. 3!"
The intelligence officer looked somewhat taken aback but cautiously and seriously provided the information.
He knew all too well that this seemingly unimpressive and not particularly strong man before him was a life-and-death brother of their boss, Buggy the Clown, and might even be on the path to becoming the second-in-command of the Buggy Pirates.
A person of this caliber was definitely not as simple as he appeared, so he didn't dare to slack off in the slightest.
"The positions of the five warships are fixed and unmoving. As for the patrol boats, after completing a patrol route, they dock next to the warships for ten minutes to refuel and rest."
"But we've simulated it, and even the fastest powered boat can't cover two or three kilometers to reach Amazon Lily in just ten minutes. It will definitely be spotted halfway through, and might even be fired upon or driven away."
Upon hearing this, Mr. 3 lowered his head in thought for a moment.
Then, he slapped his hand down. "Ten minutes—that's it! Ten minutes is completely enough!"
Seeing his confidence, the intelligence officer couldn't help but show concern. "Mr. 3, are you planning to charge in headfirst? Your identity is quite sensitive. If you're recognized by the Navy, the consequences could be dire!"
"Heh, do I look like the kind of mindless idiot who would just rush in?" Mr. 3 replied with a faint smile.
In his heart, a plan was already forming.
"Mr. 3, you're brilliant!"
The group of intelligence agents clad in black robes slightly bowed, tactfully refraining from further probing, and all began to flatter him in unison.
What they really wanted to say at that moment was, "Mr. 3, your smile is really kind of creepy!"
Mr. 3, of course, was unaware of the inner thoughts of the agents in front of him. He simply felt that being called "Mr. 3" was quite pleasant.
Thinking about it, becoming a character like Mr. 3 right after crossing over wasn't too hard to accept.
Well, it was definitely better than starting out as a complete noob.
"Then, Mr. 3, when do you plan to set out?" One of the agents couldn't help but ask.
Mr. 3 stood up and walked out of the cave, gazing at the sun, which had yet to dip below the horizon, and said solemnly, "No rush. Did you notify the personnel skilled in tattooing that I asked you to prepare before I arrived? Are they already on the island?"
Before leaving Karai Bari Island, he had used a Transponder Snail to briefly outline some matters, which was why the agents could answer questions about Amazon Lily so fluently and thoroughly.
"They're already on their way. They should arrive in about half an hour," one agent replied.
"Half an hour? That's just right. I can also warm up a bit," Mr. 3 nodded slightly and addressed the personnel who had followed him, "Don't disturb me until they arrive."
"Understood!"
With that, Mr. 3 began to wander around the deserted island.
After finding an open area, he started a brief special training session focusing on the Wax-Wax Fruit, as well as the novice-level Observation and Armament Haki that Mr. 3 had mastered.
Even though he had inherited most of Mr. 3's memories during the crossover, practical experience and concepts still had some discrepancies.
Given that the upcoming contact with the Kuja Pirates would likely involve unavoidable armed conflict—or more accurately, necessary probing during negotiations—it was essential to adapt to the combat abilities of this body in advance!
"Candles, huh? If developed properly, they should be no weaker than the Mochi Mochi Fruit of Katakuri, or even Aokiji's Ice-Ice Fruit…"
Mr. 3's mind stirred slightly as he raised his palm.
As the flame ignited atop his hair styled like the number 3, a familiar yet foreign sensation surged from his palm.
A thick, viscous liquid began to wriggle, transforming into a pure white wax that dripped wildly from his hand, spreading outwards from Mr. 3 like a wild wave.
In just a short time, the ground within a ten-meter radius was completely covered by solidified blocks of wax!
"What a peculiar sensation. I've never done anything this exaggerated before, yet it feels surprisingly natural to use."
"Well then, using Observation Haki and Armament Haki shouldn't be too difficult either, though my skills are still pretty basic…"
Mr. 3 retracted his fruit ability and activated his Armament Haki.
He then looked down at his arm, which was so dark it was nearly indistinguishable, feeling soft yet hard, lost in thought.
If he had to describe the sensation, it was just slightly stronger than an ordinary person tensing their muscles.
Hmm, 'beginner level' is certainly a fitting description!
Half an hour of training passed in the blink of an eye.
The tattoo artist Mr. 3 wanted appeared right on schedule at the coastline, escorted by intelligence agents.
"Ah, this…"
As they gazed at the scene before them, the agents stood frozen in shock.
What had once been an open area was now replaced by a pit that was ten meters in diameter.
Inside the pit, an overwhelming number of silver-white candles burned with intense, red-orange flames.
Just standing at the edge, they could feel the searing heatwave coming from within!
"Wow, did half an hour pass that quickly?"
On the opposite edge of the pit, Mr. 3, whose clothes were tattered and burnt from the flames, walked over slowly.
Having gained the Wax-Wax Fruit and successfully developed what could barely be called a special move, he wore a smile, clearly in a good mood.
As soon as they met, he ripped off his tattered shirt.
"Are you the tattoo artist?"
Mr. 3 looked at the slender man in front of him, cutting straight to the point without any unnecessary chatter. He raised his hand and used the powers of the Wax-Wax Fruit to create a simple design.
"Tattoo this pattern on my back, and make it look like it's a brand from over a decade ago. Can you do that?"
The tattoo artist glanced at it briefly and nodded seriously. "No problem at all!"
"Great, let's get started!" Mr. 3 turned around, presenting his back to the artist.
The nearby intelligence agents were completely dumbfounded, exchanging bewildered glances, utterly confused.
Why, at such a critical moment when meeting the Pirate Empress, was Mr. 3 branding himself with…
The Hoof of the Soaring Dragon that signifies a Celestial Dragon's slave?!!
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