"The disbanded Giant Warrior Pirates?"
"Two giant Captains?"
"Great! I'm heading to Small Garden right now!!"
Rocks's eyes lit up; that bastard Fang Huo was off on personal business, in no danger, and in no hurry to rejoin them.
He couldn't be bothered to rush him.
With their Flying Battleship they could move freely and stay completely hidden.
"By the way, Fang Huo, on Red Line Island I recruited not only Patrick Redfield but also a Baroque Butler."
"Never thought that family had so many powerhouses."
"Only thing is, Redfield doesn't seem to have the kings qualification, and his Innate Observation Haki isn't that strong either."
"Did your prophecy get it wrong?"
"Or will he only awaken Conqueror's Haki later?"
"Shame you don't have a fax transponder snail; I'd send you their photos."
"Tell you what—I'll stir up some trouble and get them on wanted posters. Check the news in a couple of days."
Rocks sat in his Captain's cabin, speaking carefree.
Honestly, the two rookies were talented, but still below Rocks's new standard.
He only wanted recruits with the kings qualification.
Anything less wouldn't be enough against the Gorosei and God's Knights.
"No kings qualification? Impossible, right?"
"Also, Redfield's Innate Observation Haki can read minds—has he mentioned that these past few days?"
"He should've seen right through Long Bread and Maron's thoughts."
Hearing Rocks's summary, Fang Huo frowned.
Rocks's trip to Red Line had easily recruited the aloof Patrick Redfield—and as a bonus, picked up a Baroque Butler.
Somehow it all sounded off.
"He hasn't shown that kind of Observation Haki..."
Rocks's expression shifted; could the World Government be setting them up again?
"Forget the bounties—hand the transponder snail to Patrick Redfield."
"I want a word with him!"
"If it really is Patrick Redfield, we're good."
"If you've just recruited two CP Agents, deal with them yourself!"
Fang Huo was suddenly intrigued—could a recruitment actually go wrong?
"I'll let Redfield have a chat with you then!"
Rocks's gaze turned cold; if this Patrick Redfield was fake, he'd make sure both imposters died without a grave.
Rocks took the transponder snail and walked out of the cabin.
"Redfield, I've finally reached our first mate—come have a word."
He called to Redfield, who was talking with Whitebeard Newgate.
At the shout, Patrick Redfield's heart clenched—something felt wrong.
Still, he wouldn't abandon his infiltration until the last second.
"On my way! I've been wanting to meet the so-called Great Demon Venerable, first mate Fang Huo."
Redfield looked perfectly calm, even curious.
"What! A call from Fang Huo?"
I want to talk to him too!"
Charlotte Linlin rushed over, Stussy right behind her.
"Scram! After Fang Huo finishes with Redfield it's your turn!"
Rocks waved the two female Executives away like flies.
The CP0 Agent posing as the Baroque Butler looked equally interested, but leaned on the rail, sipping red wine.
He really had the air of a count's steward.
Rocks quietly kept his attention on the pair.
"Greetings, first mate."
Redfield's tone was aloof yet respectful; he had no idea whether the real Redfield and Fang Huo knew each other.
The more he spoke, the easier it was to slip up.
"Relax—I only heard about you from someone else."
"I met a chef from a pirate crew who visited Red Line Island and once catered a banquet for your family."
"Remember that?"
Fang Huo's voice came through the transponder snail.
The CP Agent posing as Redfield relaxed; under torture the Barlorick Family had mentioned something like that.
"You mean the Rumbar Pirates, first mate? I do enjoy their chef's West Blue cuisine."
Redfield pretended to think, then slowly answered.
"Right, the Rumbar Pirates! You remember them?"
"Brook's cooking was delicious—I still savor it..."
Fang Huo sounded excited, happily chatting with Redfield.
"Yes, I miss Brook's cuisine too; looks like we share the same taste, first mate."
Redfield hurriedly agreed; he only had partial intel on the Rumbar Pirates.
Who knew Fang Huo would ask about this.
He'd expected questions about family relations.
"Such good memories!"
"Rocks forced you to join the Rocks Pirates; you must resent him deep down."
"Totally normal—Golden Lion Shiki wants to overthrow Rocks and become Captain himself."
Fang Huo's voice stayed relaxed, but his face on the other end had turned ice-cold.
Brook's cooking?
He actually thought Brook was the chef!
Fang Huo was speechless.
He knew this Redfield had to be fake.
Anyone who'd met the Rumbar Pirates would know Brook is a musician.
And Redfield's idol to boot.
"..."
How should he reply when Fang Huo badmouths Captain Rocks right to his face?
Was he supposed to say he also hated Rocks for forcing them aboard?
Still, he'd learned something new: Golden Lion Shiki wasn't loyal to the Rocks Pirates.
He might be able to stir trouble through Shiki later.
"I joined the Rocks Pirates to become as great a figure as Captain Rocks himself!"
Redfield sidestepped, stating only his goal for joining.
"Ambitious! I respect that!"
"Hand the transponder snail back to Rocks—tell him to take good care of you."
Fang Huo chuckled and spoke to Redfield.
"Understood!"
Redfield's eyes lit up; he seemed to have passed the real test.
Luckily Kozuki Fang Huo didn't actually know Redfield—only the name from another crew.
No wonder Rocks's pirates had gone to Ohara to dig up intel on the Barlorick Family.
His infiltration looked secure.
The Baroque Butler, watching the whole call, relaxed when he saw his colleague smile.
If anything went wrong he'd jump straight overboard, no matter how high the ship.
Jumping might give him a slim chance, but getting caught by the Rocks Pirates would mean certain death.