Chapter 174: Summit War Plan A
Night fell, the moon bright and the stars sparse.
In the lawless area of Groves 1 to 29, it became extremely active at this moment.
On a street corner in a secluded alley, inside the [Musketeer Tavern], dim yellow lights illuminated the noisy hall.
Every table was filled with customers raising their glasses for a hearty drink, playing drinking games, and chatting boisterously.
The topic of discussion at every table was the Supernova brawl that had happened today.
"Let me tell you! You know that Roronoa, right? I saw it clearly back then!"
Thump!
A bearded man stood on a chair, one foot on the tabletop, gesturing with his hands as he vividly recounted:
"At that time! He just tied his bandana like this! And then his sword, he drew it just like this! That Killer, with a bounty of one hundred and sixty million, was instantly taken out!"
"Are you sure you saw it?!"
"Hahaha! Keep bragging!"
"Who would have dared to step into that area back then!"
"Bullshit! Can't I have used a telescope to watch!"
At this time of night, those who frequented the bars in the lawless zone were naturally all outlaws.
Except for the kind and orderly Reiner in the corner, holding a wine glass. Beside him sat a large man draped in a green cloak.
"I say, you're a pirate. Why are you so secretive when you're out and about?" Reiner glanced at the man beside him and took a swig of his drink.
Kuma swallowed the salmon in his mouth and said in a low voice, "Just in case. I don't want others to know that I've been in contact with you."
"And so you dress yourself up like a revolutionary?"
Seeing Kuma stunned for a moment, Reiner paused and then said, "Forget it. Let's leave it at that. Just make sure it works out then."
"I believe Vegapunk will agree to my request."
—Rip!
Kuma picked up a piece of paper from the table, which was covered with a list of locations, and tore it to shreds. "Don't forget our promise."
"I know. I'm heading back. You're paying," Reiner said, putting his empty glass back on the table, pushing his chair back, and standing up to walk out.
Kuma remained seated, continuing to enjoy his delicious salmon slices. Only when Reiner passed by did he speak faintly:
"If you can, help me pass a message to her. I..."
"Get lost. I'm not doing that," Reiner said, leaving without looking back.
As he passed the bar, he put down two Berri notes to pay the bill.
Written on the paper Kuma had torn up were the names of islands scattered around the world, all places he had once traveled to.
They were also the places he felt were suitable for the various members of the Straw Hat crew to train.
Reiner glanced at it; it was more or less the same as he remembered.
There was an island with all sorts of medicinal herbs, inhabited by a tribe with an advanced civilization.
There was Vegapunk's former home, an island with a large number of leftover technological designs.
There was the Boin Archipelago where everything was edible. Reiner thought Luffy should go there; he could eat his way to invincibility. It might be more effective than training with Rayleigh.
There was also Kamabakka Kingdom, where they made attack cuisine.
Well, how should I tell Sanji then?
The people on the island... not a single one is a man!
Sanji would be overjoyed to hear that!
Right, give him a surprise. This is very... surprising.
This contact with Kuma could be considered a deal.
Reiner promised the other that if Bonney was in danger in the future, he would do his best to save her. Or, if he had the chance later, he would help him kill that old geezer Saturn.
'If', 'do his best', 'or if he has the chance' – all uncertain terms, but Kuma was willing to accept this condition.
As long as it could help Bonney, even just a little bit, it was good enough.
And what Kuma needed to do was to keep an eye on the Straw Hat crew during the Summit War. If anyone was in danger, he would use his teleportation ability to rescue them in time.
One by one, he would send them flying off the battlefield to the several chosen islands.
If they didn't encounter any danger...
After the war, the merciless paw would still send them flying. Of course, Reiner would explain this to the others in advance to avoid any friendly fire.
In fact, Kuma didn't have much time left. This time when he went back, Vegapunk would perform the final modification surgery on him. After that, he would lose his sense of self.
He could only, before the surgery, request Vegapunk to implant a program to execute the matter he had promised Reiner.
Kuma said he believed Vegapunk would agree. Reiner felt it shouldn't be a big problem.
In the original story, Kuma did just that, guarding the ship for the Straw Hat Pirates for two years.
Reiner didn't like owing people too many favors.
The night sky was dotted with stars, and the ground was sparsely populated.
Reiner walked towards Grove 13.
Walking through the lawless zone, from time to time he would encounter bounty hunters who came out to hunt pirates under the cover of the chaos.
He pretended not to see them.
From time to time, he would also encounter groups of kidnappers sneaking around to grab people.
This time, he remembered to give them two slaps.
Before long, he returned to Shakky's Rip-Off Bar. Everyone was having a banquet.
Creak~~
Luffy, his mouth stuffed with meat, heard the door open and couldn't help but turn his head. "Reiner, where did you go?"
"Emmm, went to see your uncle," he said after a moment's thought.
"Huh?"
A question mark popped up over Luffy's head. He tilted his head. "My uncle?"
Thump!
Reiner flicked his head and sat down directly at the bar. "Hasn't Sanji told you about that matter yet?"
"Ah, he's still in the kitchen. What's wrong?" Luffy asked, swallowing the meat, puzzled.
Seeing Reiner's expression, it seemed to be something bad. He had a faint premonition in his heart.
"Forget it. Let's not spoil the mood. Let's eat first. We'll talk when the guests arrive," Reiner said, turning around and ordering a drink.
Behind him, several people were still immersed in today's great victory.
Usopp was still bragging about his achievements, and Chopper's eyes were shining with adoration.
He had also fought the enemy, fighting Law's subordinates and tangling with that white bear for a long time.
Brook had also defeated many of the Kid Pirates' officers. Wielding a fast sword, his light, skeletal figure danced like a butterfly.
The rest were basically small fry, unable to even withstand the aftershocks of the battle.
"Your whiskey."
Before long, Shakky pushed a glass of whiskey over with a smile. "I heard you provoked all the Supernovas. Very arrogant, Reiner-bro."
Such a big thing had rarely happened on the island. Shakky had inquired about everything she could.
This battle had resulted in the destruction of eight mangrove trees. The Sabaody Archipelago was built on the mangroves. If the trees fell, it wasn't much different from the entire grove being destroyed.
The entire island was talking about them, especially the Straw Hat crew, who had undoubtedly become the brightest star among the dazzling constellations.
"Now everyone is singing your praises, especially little Nami. I heard you defeated three Supernovas."
Shakky leaned on the bar with both hands and said with a charming smile, "The rumors outside are starting to say that you're actually the strongest member of the crew."
That means the audience has sharp eyes.
"Your performance in this battle was indeed very brilliant," Reiner said, raising his glass to Nami in a toast.
At the beginning of the battle, she had instantly suppressed three Supernovas, leaving a deep impression on many people.
"Oh, not at all." Nami put one hand on her hip and fanned herself with the other, lifting her chin proudly in a humble-brag:
"The rumors outside are too exaggerated. I only defeated three Supernovas, that's all."
"Hey, wait a minute, Nami! Are you counting Bege in that? I told you, Franky and I defeated him!" Usopp shouted indignantly.
He had finally mustered the courage to fight a Supernova! This was something he could brag about for a lifetime!
He still had to brag to Kaya and the three little onion-heads when he got back to the East Blue!
Franky, on the other hand, didn't care. As long as the enemy was defeated, it was fine. He smiled and advised, "Let it go, Usopp. Just defeat a stronger enemy next time. You have to have the spirit of a man."
Just as they were chatting and laughing, a cold voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"Tch, it seems we've become the topic of your bragging."
Creak~~
The door opened, and Kid walked in with an unhappy expression, followed by Killer.
Besides them, several other figures could be vaguely seen walking up the long flight of stairs outside, all of them Supernovas they had just met today!
"W-wait a minute! Are they here for revenge?!"
Seeing the grim-faced Bege among them, Usopp immediately hid behind Franky, peeking out from his shoulder, and said tremblingly:
"I didn't say anything bad about you! The one with the grievance is the one with the debt! Nami was the one who defeated you, it has nothing to do with me!"
Franky: "..."
Bege: "..."
Nami pushed Reiner forward and pointed majestically at Kid's nose, shouting, "So what if it was me! Reiner, get them! Beat them to death!!"
Having someone to back her up really made her bold!
Seeing the figures walk in one after another, the others couldn't help but frown. Sanji walked out of the kitchen.
Zoro's eyes darkened, and he subconsciously grabbed the sword beside him. "What are you here for? Not convinced?"
"Tch, ask your own people."
Kid sat down at the bar without being invited and said with dissatisfaction, "This dump is really hard to find. What kind of crappy name is this? Only a fool would come to a place like this to spend money."
"Is that so?" Shakky looked at him with a smile.
—Hiss!
Reiner sucked in a sharp breath.
Doesn't this redhead know you can't cause trouble with people in a bar? You'll get a bottle to the head!
The former empress of Amazon Lily, you think she's joking with you two little shrimps?
Sure enough, the next moment, a glass bottle smashed directly on that red spiky head and shattered.
Bang!
"Hey, Kid!"
Bang!
"You damn woman! What are you doing to our captain!" Killer hurriedly shouted and was about to rush forward.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A moment later...
Kid and Killer, bruised and swollen, sat at the bar like obedient children.
Everyone behind them was terrified, all of them too scared to move.
Reiner glanced contemptuously at the two beside him. When you're out in the world, don't you know not to provoke strange women? Look how cordially I call her 'sister'.
"Alright, I'm the one who called them here. As for the reason, let's talk about another matter first, Luffy."
Reiner's expression turned serious again. He said directly to Luffy, "The Marines are preparing for war with Whitebeard. Ace is going to be executed at Marineford."
Just a few words instantly dropped the atmosphere in the hall to freezing point.
Except for Sanji, who already knew, everyone else stood there stunned, their faces filled with disbelief.
"You... A-Ace..."
Luffy stared blankly at him, his mouth open, but he stammered and couldn't form a complete sentence.
"No wonder I said the Marines' recent movements were a bit off. You guys caused such a big commotion today, yet Marineford didn't send out any troops. How did you know about this?"
Shakky was somewhat shocked inside, but she still didn't know the relationship between Ace and Luffy.
"It was the Warlord Kuma. It was information obtained as a trade."
Sanji slowly blew out a puff of smoke and looked up. "I was originally going to confirm it before telling Luffy. Seeing Sister Shakky's reaction, I'm afraid it's true."
The hall fell silent again. Various thoughts flooded the minds of Kid and the others.
Reiner and his group, however, all turned their gazes to Luffy.
"...Luffy, are... are you alright?" Usopp asked cautiously.
"I don't know. Ace, he..." Luffy spoke blankly. His mind was in a complete mess at this moment. The news was too much of a shock for him.
Of course, he couldn't just watch Ace die. He wanted to go save Ace, but...
How to save him? He didn't even know what he was supposed to do.
Where was Ace? Right, prison. Where was the prison? How to get there? When? From what enemies did he have to snatch Ace back from...
Countless thoughts surged in his mind, but they were all jumbled together.
In his entire mind, besides the thought that he couldn't let Ace die, he couldn't think of anything else.
"So, you called us here because of this?" Kid asked, frowning. What on earth did this man want to do?
"You guys wait a moment. You'll know in a bit."
Reiner waved his hand to interrupt him, then turned to Luffy.
"Calm down, Luffy. Sanji and I already have some ideas. Let's sort out the information first before we talk."
(End of chapter)
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