"If you want to go down this path, who am I to disagree?" Benezia says. "The risk of getting stabbed in the back is the worst case. We also decided that we're aiming for it all, so we'll tell CP9... however, we'll plan for the worst case. As much as I'd like to not do it... little one, you'll need to perform a key role. I am counting on you."
Princess Jewel will be the key!
"..." Alex sighs once again.
Will we be fine?
"Conjure her a fresh set of grenades," Benezia says. "Meanwhile, Menchi, contact CP9 and invite them to a meeting this evening... we might as well use this place, since we don't need it anymore."
"I'm heading out with Jewel as well," Alex says, stepping forward. "Might as well say goodbye to the city. You coming along, Jewel?"
❤️
"Tereza, you might as well join me," Benezia says, looking slightly unprepared. "We have a few credi—I mean, we have some funds left that I'd like to spend. Water 7 is probably the best opportunity for that."
She then hesitates... takes a deep breath and turns completely serious.
"I'm certain this situation will turn to our advantage," Benezia finally states. "I am grateful for your trust in me."
"Great," Alex says, trying to encourage her.
"Eat up first! Afterwards, we have a lot of work to do!" Menchi announces, hauling a large tray of food from the kitchen—something she thankfully already prepared earlier.
The group quickly eats, and once they're done, everyone starts getting ready to leave, splitting off into their own tasks without wasting time.
Alex, accompanied by Jewel—who jumps onto his head, like always—leaves the house.
As they walk through the city, Alex, every once in a while, conjures a fresh Annihilation Grenade, quietly stacking them up for her like it's the most normal thing in the world.
Together with Jewel, he walks through Water 7, not doing anything in particular—just moving around, taking in the streets, letting the tension bleed off a little, and genuinely having some fun.
Half a day later, with the sun already close to setting, Alex and Jewel head back, both refreshed and well-rested—Jewel especially, looking far too pleased with herself.
Princess Jewel's stack of shiny grenades is replenished! Don't worry, Soulmate, Princess Jewel will take care of everything.
"Just stay safe..." Alex says, trying hard to suppress his scepticism.
Finally, they make it back. Benezia, Tereza, and Menchi are already there as well.
Even though everything looks relaxed on the surface, there's still an air of tension in the room, like everyone is waiting for the first real domino to fall.
A few hours later, Lucci, Kaku, Kalifa, and Blueno enter.
Can Princess Jewel eat the pigeon today?
Maybe... it all depends on what happens later... the pigeon does not have priority... don't fuck around now, please.
Princess Jewel wonders how it will taste.
"..."
Alex sighs as seven humans, one Asari, one spider, and one pigeon stand close by in the small house, all gathered in the same cramped space.
"Why did you call us?" Kalifa asks, looking on edge, clearly frustrated with the situation. "If this isn't related to the Mayor, I'll consider this sexual harassment."
She then stares at Alex with a hateful expression, like he personally insulted her.
"The fuck, what have I done?!" Alex wonders, looking around in disbelief. "Are you here to fuck around, or do you actually want to hear the news we worked so hard to obtain while you lazed around?"
"Calm down. Coo," Hattori says, making Alex cringe internally.
Princess Jewel wonders how she should prepare the tasty pigeon. After the disappointing fake chicken Sea King, she has earned herself a juicy meal!
Stop it... not now. If you stare at the chicken, you might piss them off!
Princess Jewel wants to take a bite right now....
As Jewel's many eyes lock onto Hattori with an intense, hungry gaze, her extremely proficient Zetsu fails for once, just for a moment, her killing intent surging out, as her Aura rises.
Everyone's attention snaps to Alex's head, and Hattori looks visibly bothered, hiding itself behind Lucci's head.
"Coo. Keep that spider away from me! Lucci, you'll protect me, will you? Coo," Hattori says, the fake voice sounding genuinely frightened.
"That spider looks dangerous..." Kaku notes, leaning back slightly, staring at Jewel with interest, but also a hint of fear.
Jewel... stop it! I'm fucking serious now! You are ruining everything. This isn't a game!
Princess Jewel is sorry. Soulmate, please forgive Princess Jewel.
It's okay... just control yourself.
"It gives me the creeps, a Demon Spider indeed," Blueno adds, his face still calm. "Anyway, as for your earlier comment. You said we were lazing around and you were working hard locating the Mayor?"
"It seems to me like you were doing anything but looking for the Mayor," Blueno comments, then pauses. "Still, if I have misunderstood your actions, consider this my apology. Please tell us what you know."
Alex shrugs. "We are dealing with at least four powerful enemies with a diverse set of abilities. Probably Devil Fruits, or some other advanced techniques I'm not aware of. It looks like some of them could fly through the air, like they were stepping on air. I am not making this up, believe me. Anyway, they've allied themselves with a criminal organisation called the Franky Family. We're unsure if they tricked them, bribed or hired them, or if their goals simply align."
"Indeed," Benezia says, sounding almost approving, and seemingly quite impressed with Alex's performance so far.
"Since our arrival, we have heard rumors about this so-called criminal organisation, but we're lacking information to create an accurate profile about their capabilities," she continues, stepping next to Alex and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Our captain has instructed us to survey them secretly, as they are seemingly well-connected in the city," Benezia adds.
"... You aren't wrong. However, the Franky Family consists of a bunch of small-time criminals," Kaku says. "Their leader, Franky, is not even inside the city. He was on our suspect list, but we instantly excluded him. The Franky Family does not even have a bounty. Arguably, they are just thugs. Kidnapping the Mayor, without their boss present, seems unlikely, and so does allying themselves with the mysterious kidnappers. Do you have proof that the Mayor is inside?"
"We strongly suspect it," Alex says. "If you want perfect proof, forget it! Anyway, we owe it to the Mayor to go after this lead... you may join us... or you can do what you want and wait for your own leads. We told you what we know. The ball is in your court."
"What ball?" Blueno wonders, scratching his head.
"Coo! I am assuming he is implying that it's up to us to make a decision," Hattori says.
"We'll go there, right now," Kalifa says, adjusting her glasses. "You stay behind! You'd only get in the way. If the Mayor is saved, you'll get rewarded."
Alex glances at the others—Tereza's eyes briefly flash with annoyance, but she remains silence, leaving it to Benezia. Finally, the Asari in charge steps forward, calm as ever.
"These people seem to be highly capable. They have managed to take over a relatively large organisation without any conflict. Their abilities might grant them the power to control someone," Benezia explains. "Are you one-hundred percent confident in combating their Devil Fruit abilities? At least let us provide support. While we are after money, we owe the mayor."
The agents in front of them look at each other. Nobody says a word, and while they try to hide it, Alex catches all of them glance at Lucci, like they're waiting for him to approve it.
Neither he nor Hattori says a word at first; he just nods once.
Then, for the first time, Lucci speaks in his own voice. "You follow our orders. You disobey, we'll kill you. Is that understood?"
Your mom...
"..." Alex remains silent, unsure how to even respond to that without making things worse.
"We said we'll provide backup. We're fine if you're assuming command of this operation," Benezia says, completely unbothered by the threat. "We have no reason to disagree or do anything that might endanger the mayor."
"We have a deal then," Lucci says. "Try to keep up."
In the blink of an eye, all four of them exit the little house.
Alex, Tereza, Menchi, and Benezia follow—only to see the agents use Soru, vanishing into the night just as quickly as they appeared, as if the night itself had swallowed them.
"Arrogant fucks!" Alex complains, staring into the dark city, the water still flowing in the background, appearing almost serene.
"Tereza! We require your abilities," Benezia says in an urgent tone, snapping the group back into motion.
"Fine... Menchi, you'll hold down the fort!" Tereza says quickly, readying herself to transform.
"I'll welcome you with a lot of good food..." Menchi says, sounding worried despite trying to smile, her fists clenched tight. "Do your best...."
"Really... don't worry about us, okay?" Alex reassures her. "I know you want to help us... don't worry, we'll do this. See you soon!"
With Tereza transforming into her full bat form—a huge bat—an Asari, a human, and a spider quickly disappear into the night as well, chasing after the others before the gap grows any wider.
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