Chapter 585 - 776 – Zephyr Goes to Iceburg, Intending to Gather Information [BONUS]

Arton knew very well that although Water 7 had many first-rate shipwrights, going there himself would not necessarily allow him to hire someone skilled enough to build his ship.

That was why he decided to take the initiative and use his own methods to make Water 7's best shipwright build one for him.

Someone else might not have been capable of doing that.

Fortunately, Arton knew the plot of Water 7 and was aware of Mayor Iceburg's secret.

Under those circumstances, if he still could not get Iceburg to arrange for the very best shipwrights to build his ship, Arton felt he might as well throw away his identity as a transmigrator.

It would simply be too embarrassing.

At the same time, Zephyr sneezed while Iceburg was receiving him in his office at Water 7.

Iceburg furrowed his brows and rubbed his nose in confusion.

"Have you caught a cold, Mayor Iceburg?"

Zephyr set down his teacup and asked.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Zephyr. I haven't caught a cold."

"Perhaps someone is cursing me behind my back."

Iceburg smiled.

"I've heard that Mayor Iceburg has led the people of Water 7 to live quite well."

"In that case, why would anyone curse you?"

Zephyr asked.

"You flatter me, Mr. Zephyr. Although I've achieved a few things, I've also offended some petty people."

"It would be normal for them to curse me in secret."

"Let's not talk about that. Could you tell me why you came this time, Mr. Zephyr?"

"Could it be that the Marines want to purchase another warship?"

Iceburg asked curiously.

"That's not it."

Zephyr shook his head.

Iceburg felt a little disappointed.

After all, building an excellent warship would bring Water 7 a considerable amount of profit.

Now it seemed he would not be earning much from Zephyr this time.

"If you're not here to have a warship built, then what brings you here?"

Iceburg was the mayor, and although he had some expectations when it came to business with Zephyr, he quickly adjusted his state of mind.

Standing behind Iceburg, his secretary Kalifa also looked at Zephyr with curiosity.

Kalifa knew very well that Zephyr's beloved student had recently chosen to remain at Arton's side after a battle with him at Reverse Mountain.

By now, she had even successfully earned Arton's trust and become his companion.

Naturally, Kalifa understood perfectly well why Ain had made that decision.

It was because Ain had seen that one day in the future, the World Government would choose to betray Zephyr—a man who had served the Marines for many years—because of a certain member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Kalifa could somewhat sympathize with that.

She had not served the World Government for only a short time either.

Would she also be betrayed by her superiors someday?

The thought alone caused nameless anger to rise in her heart.

Even though she now believed she had some methods that could prevent Spandam from betraying her as he had in the original plot, Kalifa still felt there was no need to rely on them.

After learning about the future, her view of the World Government had already shattered.

The current Kalifa no longer believed the World Government was a place worthy of an ordinary person's loyalty.

Once she found the chance, she would board Arton's great ship and walk the path of opposing the World Government.

...

Kalifa felt that rather than continuing to serve the World Government, she would be better off thinking more about herself.

By remaining at Arton's side, all she needed to do was please him a little to obtain power from him—and extraordinarily powerful power at that.

In time, Arton would surely become the king of this world.

In other words, by following him now, she might someday become one of the women of the world's king.

Under those circumstances, not choosing to follow him would be a true pity.

Unfortunately, Kalifa had no way to determine Arton's location.

Even after sailing the seas, finding him would be extremely difficult.

For that reason, she could only remain in Water 7 and wait for an opportunity.

At the very least, staying beside Iceburg and continuing to serve as a spy would allow her to obtain information from Enies Lobby.

Perhaps one day, she would receive intelligence related to Arton.

Kalifa pushed up her glasses and stared deeply at Zephyr.

From what she knew about him, he should currently be desperate to take Ain back from Arton.

In that case, could Zephyr have come to Water 7 while chasing Arton?

Was Arton somewhere close to Water 7—or even already in the city?

At that possibility, a sharp gleam flashed through Kalifa's eyes.

Zephyr looked strangely at his secretary, who was staring fixedly at him.

Although he was puzzled, he did not dwell on it. He merely assumed she was curious because of his identity.

Such things were uncommon, but not unheard of.

"Mayor Iceburg, I'd like to ask whether you've recently received any information about Arton arriving in Water 7."

Zephyr asked.

"Arton? The captain of the Flameblade Pirates?"

A trace of confusion flashed through Iceburg's eyes.

The light in Kalifa's eyes, however, grew even brighter, and her heart filled with anticipation.

"So Mayor Iceburg knows of Arton as well."

Zephyr spoke.

"After all, he's the man who has recently caused such an uproar across the seas."

"Mr. Zephyr, are you saying Arton is coming to Water 7?"

"Have you been given a mission to pursue him?"

Iceburg asked with a grave expression.

There was no helping it. Arton was simply too powerful.

If he truly came to Water 7, he might bring enormous consequences to the city.

Even for Water 7's sake, Iceburg wanted to be more cautious.

Ideally, he would avoid meeting Arton altogether.

Unfortunately, Iceburg did not yet realize that he was destined to meet him.

Arton himself was already on the way to find Iceburg.

"I'm indeed pursuing that man. I merely suspect that he may come to Water 7."

"So you don't know whether he's actually here either, Mayor Iceburg?"

Zephyr sighed as he spoke.

"I truly don't know."

Iceburg nodded.

"Very well. I'll remain here for a while. Should you receive any news concerning Arton, please inform me."

After saying that, Zephyr turned and left.

Although Arton did not appear to be in Water 7 yet—or at least Zephyr currently had no other clues—he could only choose to stay for the time being and test his luck.

Kalifa stared at Zephyr's departing back and fell into deep thought.

If Zephyr hadn't received some kind of information, he shouldn't have come to Water 7—or even chosen to remain here for a while.

So Arton really is near Water 7, or perhaps already on his way here?

Kalifa thought.

...

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