On the construction site, explosions rang out one after another. Three future top combat forces of the Marine were currently transformed into the most efficient free laborers, crazily pouring their energy into the three great mountains. The construction of Punk Hazard entered an unprecedented period of high-speed development. The foundations had been laid, the prototype of the hundred-meter-high alloy walls had begun to appear, and the massive underground space had been hollowed out; the entire island was like an awakened steel behemoth, undergoing visible changes every day.
But Kane knew that this wasn't enough. The Red Earl was a top-tier debt collector who could solve immediate needs but couldn't become a stable cash flow. The New World was too large, with too many strong individuals; his efficiency alone was ultimately limited. More importantly, making too much noise would easily attract the attention of the Headquarters. If a legendary great pirate suddenly started visiting big shots from both the black and white worlds across the globe, specifically picking the wealthy ones to strike, even a fool could guess there was a problem behind it. He had plucked the Fleet Admiral's wool so hard that the old man was nearly as bald as Ge You; if he plucked any more, it would alarm the Gorosei.
He had to find a stable, efficient, and sufficiently hidden long-term source of wealth. A heart that could continuously pump blood into his war fortress. Rob the Heavenly Gold? Kane dismissed the thought immediately. It wasn't that he feared the Celestial Dragons, but such an action was meaningless. If he robbed it, the World Government would only transfer the deficit to the Affiliated Nations, and those kings would intensify their exploitation of the commoners. Although he was greedy, he wasn't greedy enough to smash the rice bowls of ordinary people.
His gaze swept across the sea chart and finally landed on that massive network spread across the world, growing in the shadows and controlling endless wealth and intelligence. The Underworld of the New World. Kane pulled an exquisitely crafted medallion from his robe. In the center of the medallion was engraved the symbol of the World Government, and the edge was a ring of patterns representing the highest authority. The Gorosei had made him a direct intelligence officer and specially bestowed the CP0 Mobilization Order. This thing was far more useful than 10,000,000,000 Berri.
New World, the Sleepless City, Pleasure Town. As night fell, this city built upon desire had just begun to wake up. Neon lights flickered, a world of wine and emeralds. As the most prosperous den of iniquity in the Underworld, all sorts of people from the sea gathered here. Pirates, mafiosi, and even royalty in disguise were all here squandering their excess hormones and money. And in the center of the city, at the top of the tallest tower, was the heart of this city. That was the private domain of the Queen of Pleasure Town, Stussy.
Inside the office, the light from the luxurious crystal chandelier was soft, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of top-tier red wine mixed with a woman's body fragrance. Stussy leaned lazily against the burgundy velvet sofa, swirling the liquid in her glass. Her golden curls fell over her fair collarbone, her long legs were crossed, and the slit in her nightgown revealed glimpses of her beauty. She appeared to be tasting wine, but she was actually reviewing intelligence regarding recent movements in the New World.
"Reconstruction of the G-5 Branch... Mysterious Marine Rear Admiral Kane..." Stussy looked at the intelligence in her hand, her red lips curving into a playful arc. "The young man who defeated the Golden Lion? He even managed to repel the Red Earl... What an interesting man."
No sooner had she spoken. "Since you find me interesting, why not get to know me in person?" A slightly teasing male voice rang out in the room without warning. Stussy's finger holding the wine glass paused slightly, but she didn't scream or panic like an ordinary woman. As a top CP0 agent, her psychological fortitude far exceeded that of normal people. She slowly raised her head and looked toward the floor-to-ceiling window of the office that had been pushed open at some unknown time. The night wind poured in, blowing the curtains.
A tall figure draped in a coat of justice stood there, silhouetted against the moonlight. It was Kane. He showed no awareness of being an uninvited guest, stroded into the room, his leather boots leaving conspicuous mud prints on the expensive handmade carpet.
"Rear Admiral... Kane?" Stussy set down her wine glass, the surprise on her face vanishing in a flash, replaced by that signature, charming, and professional fake smile. She stood up, her silk nightgown sliding gently with her movements, outlining her stunning curves. "Oh my, what a rare guest. What wind blew the famous Marine hero to my humble little place?"
"What? Not welcome?" Kane walked in grandly, his gaze direct, unashamedly admiring the beautiful scenery before him.
"Of course not." Stussy walked up to Kane, her breath like orchids. "The Marine hero's presence brings light to this humble abode. Does a great figure like you have any special needs? I have many lovely sisters here; no matter what kind you like, I can satisfy you." As she spoke, her slender fingers, with a hint of flirtation, lightly brushed across Kane's neck.
This was her weapon. On this sea, few men could refuse the charm of the Queen of Pleasure Town. However, Kane just looked down at her, his eyes as clear as a saint's—if one ignored his eyes that were unscrupulously sizing up her figure. He pulled out a cigar and lit it for himself. He inhaled the thick smoke into his lungs, then turned his head and blew it all onto that exquisite face.
"Cough, cough..." Caught off guard, Stussy choked and took half a step back, the smile on her face stiffening for a moment.
"Don't keep calling them sisters, it is so distant." Through the smoke, Kane looked at that slightly disheveled, pretty face and grinned, revealing a row of pearly white teeth. "I think you are quite good; you have maintained yourself well, one can not tell your actual age at all. How about... you personally satisfy me?"
The smile on Stussy's face froze completely. She took a step back, maintaining a safe distance, a hint of cold warning entering her eyes. "Rear Admiral Kane certainly knows how to joke. If you are here for fun, Pleasure Town is always welcome. If you are here to cause trouble... although you are a Marine hero, the waters behind this place are much deeper than you imagine. If there is something, just say it directly."
"That is more like it." He flicked the ash from his cigar, pulled out an unremarkable black medallion from his robe, and casually tossed it onto the table. The light sound caused Stussy's pupils to contract sharply. She stared fixedly at the medallion, the coldness on her face instantly replaced by an expression mixed with shock and solemnity. CP0?! "You..." Stussy stared at the medallion, then looked up at the seemingly roguish Marine before her, her mind in a state of chaos. "You are one of the Gorosei's men?!"
She had calculated everything but never expected this Navy Rear Admiral, who promoted justice in the newspapers every day but actually acted erratically, to be a Special Envoy sent by her boss's boss.
"Let us get reacquainted: G-5 Base Commander, Kane." Kane's smile remained, but it now held a sense of condescension. "Of course, in this room, you can consider me... your direct superior."
Stussy took a deep breath, the dramatic rise and fall of her chest betraying her inner turmoil. Her years of training as an agent forced her to calm down. She sat back down, this time with less of a queen's arrogance and more of a subordinate's caution.
"This subordinate was impolite." Stussy said in a low voice, no longer containing any trace of flirtatiousness. "I wonder what intelligence the Special Envoy requires this time? Whether it is Roger's movements or the whereabouts of other great pirates, as long as it is news circulating in the Underworld, Pleasure Town can give you an answer within 3 days."
"Intelligence?" Kane shook his head and wagged a finger in front of him. "No, no, no, we will talk about those things later." He leaned forward slightly, his dark eyes staring intently at Stussy like he was looking at a choice piece of prey. "I only care about one question this time." His voice was very soft, yet it carried an indisputable tone of command. "Exactly how many Berri does Pleasure Town earn in a year?"
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