Chapter 72: The Revolutionary Army and the Meeting Point!
While the entire Underworld, and even the world at large, was shaken by 'Nezumi' and The Zodiac...
They naturally didn't know...
Grand Line, a deserted island.
"Finally got them all."
Nezumi, the man who caused this huge incident, was sitting inside his pocket dimension, humming a tune and looking at nineteen boxes in front of him with satisfaction.
Yes—Nezumi was waiting for his current 'client,' while admiring the fruits of his labor.
Just as some observant people had guessed.
After the 'Candied Fruit Island' incident, many who were previously hesitant had decisively placed orders with Nezumi.
As a result, he had already collected all nineteen metals needed to create the 'Pluto Alloy'—much faster than he expected.
It just went to show that while people didn't dare resist openly, many secretly wished for the downfall of tyrants.
Of course, for Nezumi, the mission wasn't over.
Not just to earn Berries, but more importantly...
"That 'buyer' is really patient."
Nezumi muttered.
But just then...
"Hm?"
He frowned.
Outside the pocket dimension, ears sprouted via the Flower-Flower Fruit picked up a sound.
And what that voice said was very interesting.
It was true.
On the shore of the deserted island.
A figure had just landed, looking sneaky.
It was a man with brown curly hair wearing a black hat.
He was hiding in the grass, completely concealed.
"Yes, Leader... I'm on the island."
He held a Baby Transponder Snail, whispering into it. "I'll try to determine their purpose and contact you after it's done."
The snail bore a symbol—a dragon head with wings.
Flanking the symbol were the letters 'R' and 'A'.
Almost everyone on the sea knew what those letters meant.
Revolutionary Army.
The organization that had been fighting the World Government for decades, growing stronger, overthrowing dozens of tyrannical nations oppressed by the Celestial Dragons, and labeled the 'Worst Criminal Organization' by the World Government.
And the man on the island was a Revolutionary Army cadre named Bunny Joe.
"Good."
A decisive, steady voice came from the snail. "Joe, remember—your safety comes first. If you find you cannot gather intel, abandon the mission immediately. Proceed with the fake commission as planned, and pay them normally afterward."
"Our primary goal is to understand the purpose of 'The Zodiac,' not to make enemies of them... Any unnecessary risk is to be avoided."
Hearing this, Bunny Joe nodded seriously. "Yes, Leader."
He prepared to put away the snail.
But just then...
"I don't really care if your commission is fake or not, but using 200 million Berries just for a chance to scout for intel..."
A sudden voice made Bunny Joe jump.
But as a battle-hardened revolutionary, he instantly drew his gun and aimed toward the sound.
But...
CLICK!
The moment his gun left the holster, it was sliced into pieces.
At the same time, Bunny Joe felt a blade against his throat.
The figure in the Rat Mask had appeared in front of him, taking the snail from his hand.
"You're quite generous... Mr. Dragon."
The moment the name 'Dragon' was spoken...
"Leader! Hang up!"
Bunny Joe roared, and without hesitation, thrust his neck forward onto the blade.
His intent was clear—if he died, the person on the other end would hang up.
In such a short time, even if the signal was traced, the specific location couldn't be pinpointed.
That way, the Leader's location would be safe.
"Hm?"
Seeing this, Nezumi was surprised by Bunny Joe's decisiveness.
The next instant...
The blade vanished. Instead, two arms sprouted from thin air, pinning Bunny Joe to the ground.
"Joe, don't be rash."
As Bunny Joe struggled desperately, almost dislocating his own arms, the voice on the other end spoke again.
"But, Leader..."
"Can't you see? He has no malicious intent!"
The identity of the person on the other end was obvious.
The founder of the Revolutionary Army, the World's Worst Criminal—Monkey D. Dragon.
"I told you before, don't throw your life away so recklessly... That decision must only be made when it is truly worth it!"
Dragon seemed to have guessed what Bunny Joe just tried to do, and scolded him sternly.
After reprimanding his subordinate, the snail's eyes turned to look 'at' Nezumi. "Also, thank you for stopping him... Mr. Nezumi."
Hearing this, Nezumi seemed curious. "You don't seem surprised by my attitude?"
Although he had read the original story, his understanding of Dragon, the father of the Sun God, wasn't deep.
Dragon's tone remained steady. "If you wanted to eavesdrop or trace my location, you wouldn't have exposed yourself now—waiting for me to hang up before attacking Joe would have been the better choice."
"Besides..."
His words carried a hint of meaning. "Although it was just a guess before, I'm fairly certain now—you sent me a 'meeting invitation' long ago, didn't you?"
Nezumi understood.
Yes.
From the start, Nezumi's rule of 'only killing tyrants' wasn't just because of Roy's moral compass. It was mainly to attract the Revolutionary Army.
As an organization dedicated to overthrowing tyranny, they couldn't possibly ignore someone like Nezumi.
They would investigate him, and by extension, 'The Zodiac.'
So, as Dragon said, this was an invitation.
And now...
"We are simply here to keep the appointment."
Dragon said calmly.
Nezumi countered, "Aren't you afraid this is a trap against you?"
"If a trap against the Revolutionary Army is worth your organization offending the Four Emperors and the World Government, practically making enemies of the whole world..."
The snail grinned, a carefree smile. "Then I'd feel my efforts over the years haven't been in vain."
Hearing this, Nezumi paused, then laughed.
Vmmm!
He released Bunny Joe and sat casually on a rock.
"You guessed right, Mr. Dragon. I am here on orders from the Leader to meet with the Revolutionary Army."
"The Zodiac wants to make a deal with you."
His concise words silenced the other end of the line.
Bunny Joe looked solemn.
"The rumors are true. Besides the twelve top executives... 'The Zodiac' has a Leader?"
He held his breath, listening intently.
He knew if his guess was right... the outcome of this conversation could affect the entire world!
On the other end, Dragon was silent for a long time before speaking in a deep voice. "I won't ask about your Leader for now. But this deal..."
"Does it involve those nineteen metals?"
He got straight to the point.
"Correct—the deal is for an 'Alloy'."
Nezumi didn't beat around the bush. "Its name is 'Pluto Alloy'!"
As the words fell, Nezumi heard a distinct commotion on the other end.
"Ouch! Sabo, you hit me..."
"Sorry, sorry, Koala! But—Pluto? Isn't that..."
After some rustling...
Dragon's voice returned. "'Pluton', the Ancient Weapon?"
His voice carried unprecedented gravity.
"Yes."
Nezumi nodded. "This is the alloy used to build Pluton in ancient times!"
He revealed a bit of the alloy's origin.
Actually, he felt there was no need to hide it.
The nineteen metals might not be hard to find, but the requirement for the 'Eternal Flame' (or a substitute) meant it was almost impossible for others to replicate.
"..."
Dragon understood—if Nezumi dared to reveal this, he was confident.
So...
"Do you know the location of Pluton?"
He asked gravely.
"That information is not part of the deal, Mr. Dragon."
Nezumi answered casually.
But sometimes, avoiding an answer is an answer in itself.
At least, Dragon now had a deeper understanding of The Zodiac's mystery.
"...We need to verify the existence of this alloy before discussing any deal."
He said after a pause.
Nezumi nodded without hesitation. "Of course."
Then he added, "However, I am only here on the Leader's orders to make initial contact and inform you, to avoid accidents."
"After all, I am an 'Assassin.' The forging of Pluto Alloy is not my department."
"So if you are interested in talking, I will give you a specific meeting location..."
Hearing Nezumi speak so freely, Bunny Joe frowned.
"Mr. Nezumi."
He said seriously. " regarding a meeting location, I'm afraid we haven't established enough trust yet."
The nature of the Revolutionary Army meant they couldn't trust easily, let alone go to a location chosen by the other party.
If Dragon or other key cadres were captured, it would be a catastrophic loss.
But Nezumi wasn't surprised.
"That's exactly what I'm getting to."
He said meaningfully. "The Pluto Alloy matter is handled by another colleague of mine. Coincidentally, he's heading to the East Blue soon."
"And according to our intel, the village he is visiting happens to be a place you trust absolutely."
His words struck Bunny Joe like thunder.
"In one week, another member of 'The Zodiac' will arrive at Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue."
"We hope you will grace us with your presence then!"
☆☆☆
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