Chapter 32: Strategy?
Chapter 32: Strategy?
"Sir, the plan failed!"
Yepi spoke nonchalantly into the snail phone.
"In that case, execute the second option."
The voice on the other end of the phone was somewhat hoarse.
After those words, the other end of the phone went silent, and the snail phone quickly withered.
Yepi showed a strange smile.
...
Charlotte lounged on a soft sofa, a newspaper in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other.
This is his daily routine now.
He needs to stay informed about major events happening in the world to avoid risks since he is now a pirate in a dangerous situation.
If something went wrong, he would be in serious trouble.
Every time he thought about this, Charlotte felt great frustration, especially when he remembered that guy with the shrill and annoying laugh.
He wanted to slap him...
"Boom!" His door was violently smashed open.
Charlotte looked angrily at the person.
"Beta..."
However, Beta, contrary to his usual attitude, had an urgent expression and spoke hastily.
"Boss, something happened!"
Charlotte tensed up.
Something happened?
Such a dreadful word, couldn't they avoid telling him that?
But seeing Beta's urgent face, Charlotte felt a knot in his stomach and his eyelid started twitching.
Thinking carefully, since joining the Golden Lion Shiki's crew, he hadn't left his base.
He hadn't caused any trouble!
Thinking and thinking, Charlotte finally asked.
"Don't rush, what exactly happened?"
Beta quickly took out a letter. "Boss, look."
Although Charlotte was confused, he immediately took the letter and began to read its content.
"Hello, Mr. Charlotte. We regret to invite you this way. One of your subordinates is in our hands. If you want to bring him back safely, come here..."
A lot of words, with a map attached at the end.
Charlotte's face darkened. The event was so sudden, who could be behind this?
Soon, his eyes turned cold. The only dispute he could have would be with Ochoku's pirate group.
"When did this happen?"
"This morning."
Charlotte was extremely furious. Fine, fine! Well done, Ochoku, well done, Ochoku pirate group!
"Prepare a small boat, we are setting sail."
Charlotte made an immediate decision. He had to go undercover, this wasn't something to do on a large scale.
"Yes, boss."
Beta quickly ran outside.
Soon, at the port, a small boat with a crew of about ten people was ready.
"Set sail!"
Charlotte wasted no time. The sailors, with the map, worked hard to raise the sails and navigate towards the target.
At sea, the small boat advanced quickly, cutting through the waves, while Charlotte stood at the bow, not saying a word.
This time, he had underestimated the insidious tactics of the pirates.
He didn't expect that the pirates, who always seemed like a disorganized group, could plan something like this.
Soon, a small deserted island appeared before them.
It wasn't very large and was near Ratti Island, so desolate that it wasn't suitable for habitation and therefore ignored.
Islands like this were countless in the pirate world.
Before the boat fully reached the shore, Charlotte had already used his Moonwalk ability to head towards the center of the deserted island.
With his Observation Haki, he precisely located the enemies' position.
Charlotte descended from the sky and landed on the ground.
"I didn't expect Captain Charlotte to arrive so quickly."
The speaker was none other than the bald Yepi, whom he had seen recently.
"Yepi, what does this mean? Do you really want to provoke a war?"
Yepi shook his head. "No, I'm just doing my duty, nothing more."
Charlotte said coldly, "Do your duty, but I need to see my man."
If it weren't for not having found Ivan yet, he would have already attacked him.
"No problem, but first we need to talk about cooperation."
Yepi replied with a relaxed smile.
"Do you think I won't have ways to make you talk if I catch you?"
Yepi nodded seriously. "I trust that Captain Charlotte has those methods."
"But if I get caught, that guy will also die. Don't think about killing me."
Charlotte was somewhat indecisive, especially with Yepi's carefree attitude. He really feared the other had some trick.
After all, in the pirate world, devil fruits are very varied and achieving this wouldn't be difficult.
"What kind of cooperation requires so much effort?"
To Charlotte's question, Yepi calmly replied, "We need control of Ratti Island, as well as your loyalty and that of your men."
Huh? What is he saying?
Charlotte was stunned; he didn't expect them to have such ambition.
But soon Charlotte laughed. "I'm a pirate, aren't you afraid I won't fulfill the agreement?"
Yepi replied calmly, "Captain Charlotte, don't worry. If we make this request, we have ways to control you."
Hearing Yepi's words, Charlotte was surprised.
It seems it could be a special ability of a devil fruit or some unknown method.
"What do you think, Captain Charlotte?"
My opinion? What opinion? Indeed, bald people can't be trusted. They always have bad intentions.
However, Charlotte didn't rush and responded slowly.
"A cooperation must have some order. I need to make sure my man is safe; otherwise, there's no deal."
Yepi considered Charlotte's request reasonable.
Although he didn't know Charlotte's exact strength, based on reports, he was sure he was a young swordsman.
"What's the matter? Are you scared? Don't you have the guts?"
Charlotte's words, though calm, made Yepi feel uncomfortable.
But Yepi still didn't respond, simply looking at Charlotte indecisively.
A swordsman carries significant weight.
Seeing this, Charlotte didn't rush and waited quietly, though he was also anxious inside, waiting for something.
Meanwhile, Beta and Barrett used Moonwalk to search the surrounding areas.
Before coming, they had already discussed a strategy. Charlotte would distract the enemy while they searched secretly.
Based on the letter, Charlotte believed that Ivan hadn't been taken far and there hadn't been enough time.
And in the previous conversation, Yepi was sure he could control Ratti Island in a short time.
Since Ivan was a hostage, it was less likely he was very far away, which reinforced his belief.
Soon, they met up. "How did it go, Barrett?"
Barrett shook his head. "Nothing, we found nothing."
Beta had the same luck, which left them both puzzled.
"Boss, could he be wrong?" Barrett looked at Beta.
"No, I trust the boss." Beta was determined; he never doubted Charlotte's judgment and decisions.
A gust of sea wind blew, ruffling their cloaks and disturbing their thoughts.
"The wind!"
Beta suddenly raised his head, looking at the sky, his eyes lit up.
"We haven't searched the air!"
Barrett's eyes also lit up.
(End of the chapter)
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