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A gentle breeze swept across the deck, lifting Aero's dark hair and bringing a welcome coolness such a stark contrast to the noisy, bustling harbor ahead.
As their ships approached Whiskey Peak, crowds of locals gathered along the shore, cheering and waving to welcome the incoming pirates.
"Civilians welcoming pirates? That alone is suspicious. I can't believe there are actually pirates dumb enough to fall for it," Ray muttered from behind Aero, watching unfamiliar ships dock one after another.
"For the next while, we need to keep things civil with them," Aero reminded him. "Don't come on too strong."
"Understood."
The people of Whiskey Peak beamed with seemingly genuine warmth.
Aero ordered most of the crew to stay aboard until the Log Pose was ready to set for the next island. Those who needed supplies were told to shop in groups, not wander off alone, to end up dead at the hands of bounty hunters.
Instead, Aero took his four top officers ashore to meet the Baroque Works agents.
---
If Aero were already a Warlord of the Sea, he would be at the bottom of the list. And there was a reason for that.
Take Crocodile's Baroque Works, for example, he had over 200 "Billion-Berry" agents, 1,800 "Million-Berry" agents, and Whiskey Peak alone hid 100 of the latter.
How did Aero know all this? Well… he glanced at the "Million-Berry" bounty hunter kneeling before him, head covered in lumps, and pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
Eddie immediately knocked the conscious man out cold.
Once the last bounty hunter in the area was down, Aero made the call.
Buru-buru… click.
"Moshi moshi?" came a gruff male voice.
"This is Aero of the Hurricane Pirates."
"Hurricane Pirates…? Let me check—what?! Total bounty 130,500,000 Berries?!" the man yelped in shock.
"Relax. I'm not here for you. I know you're on the island, but I want your boss Mr.0," Aero said with a smirk.
---
In another room, a middle-aged man dressed like an old-world aristocrat froze.
Patting down his curled hair, he replied, "Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am a member of Baroque Works, codename Mr.8. Tell me what you want, and I will pass it along to Mr.0."
Aero paused, as if considering, while Mr.8's pulse quickened. A pirate crew of this size looking for their leader? This could be useful.
"I don't know you and I don't trust you," Aero said flatly.
He knew Baroque Works had undercover agents. If this ended up in the wrong ears, it could ruin Crocodile's plans.
After a long silence, Mr.8 forced a smile. "Fine. I'll bring you Mr.0's contact myself."
---
Back on the street, Dylan leaned in. "Do you really think Mr.8 will hand you his boss's number?"
Aero shook his head. "Not a chance."
---
Eventually, a man with an odd curled hairstyle approached, grinning broadly. "You must be Captain Aero of the Hurricane Pirates!"
Aero nodded, then extended his hand. "The item."
Mr.8 promptly produced a small Den Den Mushi from his pocket and handed it over.
Eddie and Gin immediately moved in from both sides, restraining him.
"Hey, what's the meaning of this?! Why are you—mmph!" Mr.8's protest was cut off as Ray stuffed a rag into his mouth.
"Shh… quiet," Ray whispered, then shoved earplugs in for good measure.
---
Aero connected the Den Den Mushi.
"I am Miss All Sunday. Does Mr.8 need something?" came a crisp female voice.
"I have an important matter to discuss with you," Aero replied, glancing at Mr.8.
"What matters?" she pressed eagerly.
Click. Aero hung up.
He shook his head at Ray, who searched Mr.8's body and soon found a second, smaller Den Den Mushi this one marked with a "0."
After a quick look, Ray knocked Mr.8 out cold.
Aero dialed the new line.
---
"Moshi moshi… I am Miss All Sunday. What does Mr.8 require?" The voice was different this time calmer, smoother.
"Nico Robin?" Aero asked.
There was a long pause. Then, in a steady voice: "You're not Mr.8. Who are you?"
Aero smiled. Now that's the reaction I expected. The fake Miss All Sunday had been far too eager.
"Don't worry—your Mr.8's fine. I just knocked him out. I'm here for Mr.0… the Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile."
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