Seeing Kaito's behavior, Stussy couldn't help but nod in satisfaction. Seems like this guy knows how to read the room. Her evaluation of him rose a little.
The main mission was complete, and Stussy was ready to leave. Before going, she handed Kaito a card, shot him a flirty wink, and left him with a line: if you ever want to unwind in Pleasure Street, come find me.
Once Stussy left, only Kaito and Kalifa were left in the office.
True to her upbringing as a trained intelligence agent, Kalifa quickly slipped into her role as secretary. She brought Kaito a cup of hot tea, then stood respectfully to the side, awaiting instructions.
This was Kaito's first time experiencing the service of a secretary—it felt a bit novel. Even if she was technically a spy, the experience was still legit.
After thinking for a moment, Kaito instructed Kalifa to gather and organize all the major and minor events currently happening across the Sabaody Archipelago. He needed to get a general grasp of the situation. After all, he couldn't seriously spend an entire year just lounging around doing nothing, could he?
Receiving the order, Kalifa quietly set off to work. Not long after, she returned carrying a stack of documents half as tall as a person and placed them on Kaito's desk.
Gotta admit—her efficiency was top-notch. Kaito thought to himself that if she weren't working for the World Government, he'd seriously consider making her his permanent secretary.
Shaking off the idle thoughts, Kaito lowered his head and began reviewing the materials. Through these documents, he gathered a lot of useful information.
For example, zones 1 through 29 of the Sabaody Archipelago were where most of the gray market dealings happened—things like human trafficking and other shady business. These were also the areas the Celestial Dragons frequented when shopping for slaves.
After a while, Kaito closed the file in his hand, stood up, and said to Kalifa:
"Get ready. We're heading to Zone 16."
Kalifa immediately notified a unit of Marines to stand by, then fetched a white suit jacket for Kaito and draped it over his shoulders. She followed closely behind as they set off toward Zone 16.
...
The moment they stepped into Zone 16, Kaito keenly sensed a slew of hostile stares falling on him.
So this is the so-called lawless district... Makes sense. The title wasn't just for show. Even the name "Marine" held little deterrence here.
Kaito strolled casually down the street, like he was out for a walk. He could faintly hear cries and screams in the distance—likely the sobbing of slaves or pirates falling victim to betrayal and backstabbing.
As for slave trafficking, Kaito wasn't planning to get involved—for now. If this business could persist for so long under the very noses of the World Government and the Marines, there was obviously some bigwig backing it. Whether it was the Celestial Dragons or high-ranking officials in the World Government, no one would allow someone to ruin these trades.
What Kaito could do now... was simply fulfill his duties as a Marine. The rest—he'd handle when he had more power and a higher rank.
...
At that moment, in a nearby building just off the street, a group of pirates had already been watching Kaito and his unit for quite a while.
Seated at the center of the room was a scrawny, short man. He was guzzling beer from a barrel almost as big as he was. A lackey stepped back from the window and reported respectfully,
"Captain Jerry, the Marines haven't done anything. They're just walking around like it's a sightseeing tour."
That short man—Captain Jerry—was the leader of the Blood Rat Pirates with a bounty of 120 million Belly. Hearing the report, he put down his beer, wiped his mouth, and spoke in a high-pitched, piercing voice,
"Who's leading them? Ambust?"
"Don't recognize him. Looks like a fresh face. There's a woman following behind him—pretty damn gorgeous!"
A beautiful woman?
The words instantly snapped Jerry's alcohol-drenched brain awake.
In this district, a beautiful woman meant one thing—walking treasure. In recent years, the "product" had been scarce and low-quality. But now, hearing there was a looker out there? He immediately darted over to the window, shoved aside the lackey, and peered out.
Through the window, he spotted Kalifa behind Kaito at a glance. Her alluring figure, sharp and stunning features—he instantly labeled her a premium-grade good.
Then he looked at Kaito standing in front of her and scoffed with disdain.
"That young and already a captain? Must be some second-generation brat here to pad his résumé. Shame he had the bad luck of picking this zone. Those weapons you're carrying, and that woman behind you—I'll be taking both. Better luck next life, kid."
With that, Jerry waved to his crew, and they burst out of the building, blocking Kaito's path. Jerry pointed arrogantly at Kaito and shouted,
"Brat, this isn't a playground for little kids. Hand over the woman behind you and all your weapons, and I might let you walk out of here alive. Otherwise... don't blame Blood Rat Jerry for getting rough!"
...
"Blood Rat Jerry?"
Kaito frowned. He didn't expect to run into this kind of gift while just doing a routine inspection.
Kalifa pushed up her glasses and dutifully relayed the intel on Jerry.
"Blood Rat Jerry. Bounty: 120 million Belly. Zoan-type Devil Fruit—Rat-Rat Fruit: Giant Toothed Rat Form. Known for robbery and torturing women. In recent years, he's been actively involved in slave trafficking."
Kaito crossed his arms and listened, thinking to himself—yep, complete scumbag.
Since that's the case, no need to give this guy a trip to Impel Down.
Just as he prepared to act, a soft meow sounded from his shoulder—Modis had stopped him.
"Master, leave this rat to me."
"Hmm? You sure you can handle it? His bounty isn't low."
"Don't worry, Master. Leave it to me. After all... he is a rat."
Kaito thought about it. Modis hadn't made a move since it was born. This was a good chance to see what she could do.
So, while Kalifa and the Marines watched expectantly, waiting for Kaito to act—he didn't.
Instead, the little black cat on his shoulder leapt off and landed in front of Jerry and the pirates.
What...?
Everyone—Kalifa, the Marines, even the pirates—were baffled.
What the hell was that? You send out a pet?
Jerry, however, suddenly shivered. He didn't know why, but the moment he laid eyes on that black cat, every hair on his body stood on end. A primal fear welled up from deep inside.
He shook his head, trying to snap out of it. What the hell is wrong with me? It's just a pet cat. Even if I've got the Rat-Rat Fruit, there's no reason to be afraid of a cat, right?
...
Modis landed gracefully on all fours and let out a long, eerie meow toward the sky.
In the next instant, black flames ignited around her, completely enveloping her body.
The fire grew and grew, swelling to the size of a small house before stabilizing.
As the flames faded, everyone's pupils constricted.
The pet cat was gone.
In her place stood a jet-black demon cat, its entire body flickering with traces of black fire.
Modis licked her lips. Her large eyes locked onto Jerry with predatory intensity.
In Kaito's mind, her voice echoed clearly.
"Master, let's dig in."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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