After listening for a while, Zhang Da Ye noticed that no one seemed surprised by the explosion in the lawless area; in fact, many considered it reasonable.
Several witnesses had seen the building flying, but when they mentioned it, people thought they were exaggerating. Even if it were that powerful, the building would have been shattered instantly—it couldn't just float in the air.
In today's world, telling the truth often goes unheard.
The doorbell rang, and two men entered, both in white suits, black ties, and black hats—one with a taller hat, the other shorter. Zhang Da Ye lowered his gaze; their attire was odd, yet somewhat familiar.
Rui Mengmeng carried a tray: "Welcome!"
The two men nodded lightly, sat in a corner, and whispered after ordering drinks.
When Rui Mengmeng returned the drinks, Zhang Da Ye asked, "Did you hear what they were talking about?"
Rui Mengmeng thought for a moment: "One complained, 'Why do we have to investigate this?' The other said, 'Stop whining, just sit here a while, ask a few people, and report back.' That's all I caught."
Could this be the CP organization? Zhang Da Ye felt a hint of guilt.
"Want me to eavesdrop?" Rui Mengmeng asked, noticing his concern.
"No need. Just do what you normally do." Zhang Da Ye signaled her not to worry and told Artoria to keep an eye on them.
Artoria glanced around: "Judging by their 'aura,' no guest here surpasses you."
Zhang Da Ye felt reassured.
After a while, the two suited men leaned against the bar, high-hat speaking to Zhang Da Ye while short-hat seemed subconsciously on lookout.
"You seem unfamiliar, boss," the tall one said.
Zhang Da Ye put down his prop newspaper: "Me? I only took over this tavern a month ago."
High-hat praised: "Is that so? In just a month, it looks better run than old Bob's."
"Oh, an old patron! Much obliged. Another drink?"
Grateful for a month of social interaction with various patrons, Zhang Da Ye had learned to chat with strangers while subtly selling drinks.
"...Sure, another drink then." High-hat didn't understand why being an old patron required another drink but complied.
Zhang Da Ye chose the most profitable bottle, pouring a glass for each.
Short-hat muttered: "Why pour me a drink? I didn't ask for another…"
They awkwardly sipped their drinks. "We want to ask you something," they said.
"Go ahead," Zhang Da Ye gestured.
High-hat looked around, whispering mysteriously: "Have you seen any suspicious people recently?"
Zhang Da Ye blinked: "Yes."
Really? High-hat perked up; short-hat listened closely: "Who?"
Zhang Da Ye casually pointed at them; they were the most suspicious people in the room.
"You…" short-hat started angrily but was stopped by high-hat, who showed an ID.
"We are World Government investigators stationed at the Shabody Archipelago. Please cooperate."
Zhang Da Ye examined the ID—it was the first time he had seen one in this world, unsure if it was real, so he nodded: "Okay, I'll cooperate."
"Then recall if you've encountered any suspicious individuals recently," high-hat asked again.
Zhang Da Ye thought and had a sudden idea: "Actually, I saw a suspicious person before. His name is Biznis, a businessman."
High-hat meticulously noted: last month, visited here claiming to be a regular customer, probing for information, had strength to confront ordinary pirate crews, cunning and cautious, bought a ship in Water Seven.
"Thanks for your cooperation." High-hat paid, and both left.
Artoria asked: "Da Ye, who were they?"
"World Government officials, probably CP5." Zhang Da Ye guessed; besides CP0 and CP9, CP5 was the only known organization weak enough to match them.
"You plan to use the World Government to track that person?"
Zhang Da Ye smiled: "Not exactly. I just told the truth—Biznis is suspicious. If it bothers him, great; if not, no loss. We're cooperating."
After leaving, short-hat asked: "I thought we were just asking casually? Why take notes so seriously?"
High-hat drew a circle around "Water Seven" in his notebook: "Unexpected gain!"
Short-hat realized: "You mean…"
High-hat nodded: "Our idiot boss plans to investigate a crew on Water Seven. This suspicious person is connected; we must check it out."
As ordinary agents, they didn't know about the Pluto blueprint—they only knew their boss valued that information.
Short-hat brightened, then drooped: "Even if we gain merit, we won't get credit. Why bother?"
Their CP5 boss was Spandam—a glory-seeking fool who kept all achievements and treated subordinates poorly, though his family was influential among Celestial Dragons.
"Still, once he earns merit, he'll likely be transferred, ending our hard days," high-hat added.
They dialed Spandam's Den Den Mushi.
The first words weren't the usual "hello" but a scream:
"Ah! Hot! Damn it! Coffee spilled! Why call during my coffee!"
The Den Den Mushi mimicked Spandam's shouting and cup breaking.
The two agents, accustomed to their boss's antics, apologized: "Sorry, Officer Spandam. This is Teo and Schute from Shabody Archipelago. We have important information."
Spandam—the man with a power level of 9 while fodder marines have 10—should be remembered, yes.