<><><><><><>
"The Lvneel Kingdom," Robin said, her appearance subtly altered for the mission. "It's the setting of a well-known North Blue fairy tale—the homeland of Mont Blanc Noland, the infamous liar."
The southern port was a crossroads for the North Blue, an excellent deep-water harbor that had become the region's main hub for commodity trading.
The intel had come from Baroque Works. It was also Crocodile's reason for suggesting Jin come here.
First, it was a convenient place to procure supplies.
Second, it was an ideal spot for gathering information.
The Empress, guided by a small tugboat, slowly made its way into the harbor.
But they were soon blocked.
Turns out, the harbor was packed. Limited berths. They'd have to wait in line.
So even in the world of pirates, you have to wait for a parking spot?
Robin went to negotiate.
"The Winter Blossom Kingdom? Never heard of it," the port official said, his voice dripping with a sharp, condescending tone. "Everyone who comes here is flying the flag of some kingdom or royal family. Look around you. You see a ship that isn't official? If everyone just cut in line, it'd be chaos, wouldn't it?"
As a major trading hub, the port's daily cargo throughput was staggering. Ships were lined up one after another.
This was the big leagues.
And the little official responsible for assigning berths was clearly proud of his position.
"Pirates?" he scoffed. "A pirate wouldn't dare sail in here in broad daylight. That's just asking to be wiped out by the Marines. However..."
He twirled the tip of his mustache. "If you're willing to pay a little... extra... for my services," he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "I can arrange a temporary spot for you in the Black Harbor."
"The Black Harbor?" Jin asked.
"It's a... more discreet port," the official said with a knowing wink. "You understand. I wouldn't even mention it to just anyone."
Jin glanced at the long line of ships ahead.
A little shady was better than a long wait.
"You guide us there personally, and I'll double your price."
"Really?"
Jin smiled and pulled out a thick wad of Berries, the very picture of a man with more money than sense. The little official's eyes lit up.
He called over a subordinate, whispered a few words, and then hopped on board the Empress.
"I've got him covering for me," he said with a greasy smile. "I'll take you there myself."
"Thanks," Jin said. "You're a good man."
His Observation Haki, however, told a different story.
What the official had actually whispered was, "Rich fool. Take him out."
The ship pulled out of the line and followed the coastline. As they rounded a headland, a pirate ship burst from a hidden cove.
—————————
A few moments later, the pirate ship was gone.
The demonic carrier let out a satisfied burp.
Thirty-five soul crystals. A nice little bonus.
Jin took his Berries back from the little official and, from his blubbering lips, pried the truth about the Black Harbor.
Where there's light, there are shadows.
The gleaming, prosperous southern port naturally attracted flies. Everyone knew there was money to be made here.
But with the Marines as a deterrent, the pirates and other criminals couldn't operate openly. So they had formed an alliance with some of the kingdom's corrupt nobles and created a black market.
The Black Harbor was located in a series of sea caves on the other side of the island, carved out by the wind and the waves. A ship could hide inside, get a new coat of paint, a new flag, and then slip into the city to enjoy the pleasures that couldn't be found at sea.
The black market near the harbor also dealt in less savory trades: slaves, forbidden goods, and the like.
Did the Marines know about it? With all that illegal activity, if there wasn't a kickback going to someone, who would believe it?
"A fine place," Jin said. "Ai, change the flag."
If he was going to do something shady, he couldn't use his kingdom's flag. He'd have to change the ship's appearance as well.
Good thing the demonic carrier had swallowed plenty of pirate ships.
He had no shortage of flags.
"Germa 66..." the little official, now stripped down to his underwear, stammered out another piece of information. "A Germa 66 ship is in the Black Harbor."
"And not just them," he continued, quivering. "A lot of well-known pirates and criminals from the surrounding seas are here. Every two weeks, the black market holds an auction for rare items... stolen, you know, not exactly clean. You've come at the right time. There's even a Devil Fruit up for auction tonight."
Jin smiled.
It wasn't about being early; it was about being on time.
"Please, don't kill me!" the official begged. "I have a family! The pirates made me do it!"
"Doesn't everyone?" Jin said with a wave of his hand.
He was sent to the boiler, to burn bright and illuminate the path for others.
—————————
They passed through an elephant-trunk-shaped entrance into a massive cavern. The water glittered, and dozens of ships of all sizes were docked there.
Jin spotted the Germa 66 ship immediately.
It wasn't that his eyesight was particularly sharp. It was that the standardized Germa snail ship, with its unique and intricate design, stood out.
And it was docked in its own private section. The other ships were crammed together, side by side, but the Germa ship had plenty of space.
It was hard to miss.
Without a second thought, Jin guided the carrier toward it.
"Hey, who's that?"
"Don't know. Never seen that flag before. Newbie?"
"Heh. Probably. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to get so close. He probably doesn't even recognize the Germa 66 flag."
On the shore, a number of rough-looking characters were watching, ready for a show.
Jin used the Munch-Munch Fruit to alter his own physique, making himself look big, bulky, and a little oafish.
He and Robin went ashore. Maya, not liking the atmosphere, stayed behind on the ship to train.
They walked down a dim, gloomy wooden gangway and into a town carved from the rock of the cave.
Shops lined the road.
Some were selling goods: jewels, cloth, swords, axes, treasure maps, ship's logs, compasses... everything you could imagine.
Others were dimly lit taverns, with scantily clad women smoking in the doorways. Through the un-curtained windows, shadows writhed and danced.
Still others were noisy gambling dens, the shouts of "big" and "small" echoing out, occasionally punctuated by the sound of a loser being thrown into the street.
And then there were the relatively peaceful eateries and bars.
"Hey, buddy," a man sidled up to them as they entered the town. "Black market ticket? Front-row seat? Exclusive info on the auction items? Only 1,000 Berries. Interested?"
Jin pulled out a 1,000-Berri note. "I want to know about Germa 66."
"Hiss..." the man sucked in a breath.
"Germa 66? That's the infamous family of assassins. No one in their right mind would mess with them. That's gonna cost you extra." He held up five fingers.
Jin handed over five notes.
"It's a woman you're asking about," the man continued. "Very attractive... And by the way, I also know which pirate captains are attending the auction tonight. Another ten notes, and the information is yours."
Jin paid up.
"Basil Hawkins, ever heard of him? Bellamy the Hyena..."
Interesting. Some familiar names. And Devil Fruit users.
Worthy prey.
"Do you know what Devil Fruit is being auctioned tonight?" Jin asked after the man had finished.
"You're asking the right person. I do know. But... you know the drill."
Jin paid.
"It's the Paramecia Spring-Spring Fruit."
The Spring-Spring Fruit? Bellamy's fruit?
Wait a minute. A Devil Fruit auction... It all sounded strangely familiar. The man behind the curtain... it wouldn't be a guy named Doflamingo, would it?
"Anything else you want to know, buddy?" the man asked, eager to squeeze a little more out of this big spender.
"That's all."
"Alright then. Here's two free tickets to the auction."
As he turned down an alley, the informant chuckled to himself. "Now to sell this information to Germa 66."
Suddenly, a hand clapped him on the shoulder. He turned. It was the two from before.
"Looking to buy some more information, buddy?"
Jin smiled. "Robbery."
At the mouth of the alley, Robin crossed her arms. Watching Jin get his Berries back, she couldn't help but be a little impressed. He was a natural at this. In a lawless place like the Black Harbor, a double-cross was just business as usual.
<><><><><><>
~ 60 Advanced Chapters Available on my Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
~# Every 100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter!
~# Add to Library!