Chapter 155: Bullet’s Whereabouts

The tavern owner’s attitude put Arthur in an exceptionally good mood.

He understood the feeling all too well.

What could be more satisfying...

...than watching an arrogant man bow his head in submission?

Arthur picked up the money pouch and tossed it out the window toward Cooper.

Perched atop a nearby signpost, Cooper caught it with one talon. After checking the contents, he tucked the pouch into the satchel strapped to his back, which already held their sea charts and navigation supplies.

Since the tavern owner didn’t have the information Arthur wanted, Arthur casually asked,

"Is there a Pleasure District nearby?"

"There is!"

the owner answered immediately.

The Pleasure District was one of the Underground World’s largest information networks, making it one of Arthur’s most reliable sources.

Arthur stood up from the bar.

"Another bottle."

"The most expensive one."

Now that he knew Arthur’s identity, the owner didn’t dare refuse.

A whiskey worth tens of thousands of Berries was promptly handed over.

Leaving the tavern, Arthur walked past the clinic.

Inside, Shanks and Lucky Roux stood beside the unconscious Benn Beckman.

"Uh..."

Shanks broke into a cold sweat the moment he saw Arthur.

He immediately stood and bowed respectfully.

"Mr. Arthur..."

"Are you an independent pirate now?"

Arthur took a sip of whiskey.

"I suppose so."

"I’m not affiliated with any faction."

Shanks hesitated before speaking again.

"Then... would you consider joining my crew?"

"I really need—"

Arthur cut him off before he could finish.

"No."

"I prefer being alone."

With that, Arthur turned and walked toward a basement entrance hidden in one of Mock Town’s narrow alleyways.

Shanks let out a long sigh.

"What a disaster..."

At least...

He was grateful Arthur had been relatively restrained today.

Otherwise...

His companions might already be dead.

Mock Town Underground — Pleasure District

Standing guard outside the underground entrance, a burly man glared at Arthur as he approached.

Black cloak.

Three claw scars over his left eye.

Dragon-patterned scabbard.

Matches perfectly.

He immediately recognized the description issued by the Queen of the Pleasure District herself.

Without another word...

Every guard at the entrance bowed ninety degrees.

"Welcome!"

"An honor to receive our esteemed Supreme VIP of the Pleasure District!"

Arthur blinked.

"...What’s Stussy up to now?"

This was certainly the grandest welcome he’d ever received.

Passing through the rusty iron doors and the dim corridor beyond, he entered the dazzling underground district.

Compared to the world above...

It felt like an entirely different realm.

Neon lights illuminated extravagant halls filled with music, dancing, gambling, and luxury.

Arthur walked up to the reception counter.

"Can you contact Stussy from here?"

The receptionist looked him up and down with obvious disdain.

"You want to speak to Her Majesty?"

"Who are you?"

"State your name."

Arthur calmly rested Ice Dragon on the counter.

"Arthur."

The receptionist froze.

Without another word, he immediately picked up a Den Den Mushi and made the call.

Moments later...

The district manager personally rushed out from his office.

He respectfully escorted Arthur inside before placing a special Den Den Mushi on the desk.

"This is Her Majesty’s private line, sir."

Arthur casually dropped onto the sofa, propped both feet onto the desk, and picked up the receiver.

"So this is what she’s been doing..."

"...That little girl."

The district manager nearly collapsed from fright.

He... he called Queen Stussy a little girl...?

Then the Den Den Mushi spoke.

"Hehe..."

Stussy’s enchanting laughter echoed through the room.

"You’re still the only one who dares speak to me like that, Arthur."

"Where’s Bullet?"

Arthur asked bluntly.

"If you know where he is, tell me."

"Why should I?"

Stussy’s tone was playful.

"What are you willing to give me?"

Years spent ruling the Underworld had long since taught her the value of negotiation.

Even so...

Deep down, she still regarded Dr. Vegapunk as her original self.

"How much?"

Arthur asked directly.

Stussy laughed again.

"Arthur..."

"You’re offering me money?"

"You still haven’t paid for Ice Dragon."

"What do you want, then?"

Arthur asked honestly.

Without hesitation, Stussy answered,

"I want you."

Arthur frowned.

"...What exactly do you want me for?"

"You’re only nine years old, aren’t you?"

Is something wrong with this girl?

"I want you..."

Stussy purred seductively.

"...to spend one night with me."

"After that..."

"I’ll give you all the information you want."

Arthur rubbed his forehead.

Ever since he’d begun living solely for himself...

He had remained indifferent toward everything around him.

So why...

Did women keep throwing themselves at him?

He genuinely couldn’t understand it.

Arthur sighed.

"In that case..."

"I’ll look elsewhere."

Just as he was about to hang up—

"Wait!"

Stussy hurriedly stopped him.

"Bullet is on Klaie Island in the Grand Line."

"The Marines are preparing a large-scale operation against him."

"If I were you..."

"I wouldn’t go."

Arthur smiled faintly.

"When you’re not making weird noises..."

"You’re actually pretty cute."

Having obtained the information he wanted, Arthur immediately hung up.

That meant there was no longer any reason to visit the Sabaody Archipelago.

On the other end of the line...

Stussy remained silent for a long time.

"...Hello?"

"Wait!"

"That’s our direct line to the Queen!"

Marine Headquarters

Fleet Admiral Kong had assembled the high command to discuss Douglas Bullet.

Brannew stood before the meeting room, reporting the latest intelligence.

"Klaie Island is located near the former Goddess Islands, which were destroyed during the pirate war."

"It has since become a lawless region."

"Our intelligence confirms that Douglas Bullet attacked several Marine warships there and massacred countless people."

"Now that we’ve confirmed his location..."

"We must move immediately."

The meeting room was filled with officers recently withdrawn from the war at Hachinosu.

Many still wore bandages.

"Bullet is far too powerful."

"We’ll need to carefully plan this operation."

"His Gasha-Gasha Fruit alone can destroy an entire kingdom."

"Combined with his terrifying Armament Haki and Conqueror’s Haki..."

"Ordinary soldiers can’t even get close to him."

Fleet Admiral Kong nodded.

"This operation will be led by..."

"Myself."

"Garp."

"Sengoku."

"And our newly promoted Vice Admirals—Gion and Tokikake."

He intended to personally capture this dangerous monster.

Gion sighed.

"I’m good at luring lustful pirates into traps."

"I’m not exactly suited for dealing with a brute who only knows slaughter."

"No problem!"

Tokikake immediately declared.

"I’ll protect you, Gion!"

He showed no embarrassment whatsoever.

Gion rolled her eyes.

"Who asked for your protection?"

She still wasn’t particularly fond of him.

Garp nodded firmly.

"Bullet has to be stopped."

"If we let him keep running wild..."

"Countless innocent people will die."

Sengoku, who had been silently analyzing the situation, suddenly looked toward Kong.

"Arthur disappeared into the Calm Belt a year ago."

"Didn’t the World Government send people after him?"

"Enough!"

Kong slammed the table.

"Ten years!"

"We’ve spent nearly ten years chasing that monster!"

"All we’ve accomplished is draining Marine finances and making him even stronger!"

"From this day forward..."

"I don’t want to hear Arthur’s name brought up again!"

The Hachinosu Incident had completely changed Kong’s assessment of Arthur.

Now...

Every operation targeting Arthur had to account for the catastrophic losses it might cause.

Sengoku clenched his fists.

"I created this evil..."

"I have to—"

"You created it?"

Kong interrupted coldly.

"His influence now rivals the greatest legends of this era."

"The World Government isn’t even certain it wants to eliminate him anymore."

"Some of them are considering recruiting him instead."

"And besides..."

"We already have another troublesome great swordsman attacking Marine warships across the seas."

"You still think we don’t have enough problems?"

Kong’s gaze swept across the room.

"Think carefully."

"Launching a campaign against Arthur now would require resources equal to the wealth of an entire nation..."

"And we still wouldn’t be certain of defeating him."

He stood.

"There isn’t a moment to lose."

"I hereby authorize a Buster Call-level operation."

"Our target..."

"Douglas Bullet."

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