Chapter 312: Chapter 13: Testing
Looking at the somewhat embarrassed and angry Kalifa, Su Xiao didn’t make any indication, obtaining Rokushiki ’shave’ put him in a great mood.
"No need to get excited, they’re just two bombs. You can try to find someone to help you remove them. But let me remind you, anyone other than me who touches those two bombs will trigger an explosion."
Su Xiao wasn’t exaggerating; both alchemy bombs were in a semi-activated state. If he sensed anything amiss, he would immediately detonate the alchemy bombs.
This was a precautionary measure. There were four agents lurking in the City of Seven Seas. Three were in the Galley-La Company, and another had set up a tavern in the City of Seven Seas, working in collusion with the three from Galley-La Company.
The agent who set up the tavern was named Bruno, proficient in taijutsu. More importantly, Bruno was a Devil Fruit Ability User: the Door-Door Fruit.
Door-Door Fruit: Paramecia Type, can open a door upon touching any object, be it air, walls, a human body, or even flames.
Su Xiao was concerned about one thing: Kalifa going to Bruno, who could use the Door-Door Fruit to open a door on Kalifa’s body, relying on his abilities to harmlessly open Kalifa’s stomach and remove the alchemy bombs.
Of course, Su Xiao considered this possibility, which is why he semi-activated the alchemy bombs, ready to detonate them at any sign of trouble.
If Bruno dared to retrieve the bombs, he might very well get blown up with Kalifa.
Kalifa indeed considered this point, which is why she didn’t dare to act recklessly. She clearly felt that the bomb in her stomach was off, so she only dared to drink liquids, avoiding harder foods.
"Go ahead and detonate them if you want, but don’t expect to get Rokushiki from me."
Kalifa’s attitude was resolute. Disclosing the training method for Shave already violated CP9’s rules, but she had been undercover in the City of Seven Seas for several years and could not tolerate failing the mission.
"You’re mistaken about one thing."
"What?" Kalifa looked at Su Xiao in confusion.
"Why are you antagonistic toward me? Think carefully."
Su Xiao’s words made Kalifa ponder. Indeed, why were they antagonistic? There was no prior connection between them.
"Because... of that bottle of poison."
"Yes, so I have no interest in whether you’re an agent or have another identity. I was shipwrecked and drifted to the City of Seven Seas just to recuperate. It was you who opposed me. Don’t say being forced to swallow a few bombs. Not killing you was already leniency on my part."
Although Kalifa felt there was some truth in Su Xiao’s words, she sensed something was off. She began to recall all the encounters since meeting Su Xiao.
First, she got entangled by metallic threads in a humiliating manner, then pinned to the ground and rubbed (stuffed with explosives). After being released, she was extorted and harassed during dinner.
The more Kalifa thought, the more frustrated she became. She finally realized what was off; she had been playing the victim’s role all along.
"I won’t believe your nonsense anymore, you liar full of deceit."
Su Xiao was devouring meat and drinking booze. The food in the Pirate World was high in calories, gradually restoring the stamina he had expended during the day’s fighting.
"A liar, huh? Say what you will, but... are the other two bombs in your stomach really irrelevant?"
The topic returned to the bombs, causing Kalifa much distress. She felt she wouldn’t be able to leave without giving something today.
Gritting her teeth, Kalifa said, "State... your demands."
"Didn’t I tell you before? Exchange one Rokushiki move for one bomb."
Su Xiao burped and lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag. A cigarette after a meal was quite satisfying.
"Why the obsession with Rokushiki? Can’t it be something else?"
It seemed Kalifa wouldn’t hand over Rokushiki again.
Realizing this, Su Xiao half-jokingly said, "Okay, come warm my bed tonight."
"Al...right."
Su Xiao was stunned; Kalifa actually agreed!
"Don’t look at me like that. To complete the mission, I’m willing to pay this price. Don’t worry, I’m very clean."
Su Xiao waved his hand dismissively.
"I don’t have the habit of forcing women to do such things. If not Rokushiki... then how about one of the Good Fast Blade Twenty-One Works instead."
Good Fast Blade Twenty-One Works: Twenty-one famous swords in the Pirate World, each a renowned heirloom.
The weapons in the Pirate World are divided into three grades: Good Fast Blade Fifty Works, Good Fast Blade Twenty-One Works, Supreme Great Sword Twelve Works.
Obtaining a Supreme Great Sword is unlikely, and Su Xiao desired a Good Fast Blade Twenty-One Works, though even that was very challenging.
"Are you joking?" Kalifa was dumbfounded by Su Xiao’s demand.
"What?"
"Each Good Fast Blade Twenty-One Works is a rare, precious item. I’m just an agent and can’t obtain such a famous sword. Compared to that demand, warming your bed at night is more acceptable."
Su Xiao smirked. Asking an agent to warm his bed was extremely foolish behavior. Although Kalifa was a sexy little secretary, she was also a poisonous rose.
"Since the Good Fast Blade Twenty-One Works isn’t possible... then make it a Good Fast Blade Fifty Works."
Kalifa wanted to negotiate but was interrupted by Su Xiao.
"Put a Good Fast Blade Fifty Works in front of me within four days. Remember, it has to be on this scale of weapon."
Su Xiao pointed at War Dragon Flash. After all, in the Pirate World, swords and blades aren’t distinguished. It would be awkward if Kalifa went through all that effort to bring a sword.
"Why should I trust you?"
"You have no choice."
"I’ll... try my best."
With Kalifa’s agreement, Su Xiao extinguished his cigarette. Sparing Kalifa’s life was indeed the right choice; she was far more useful alive than dead.
"As a reward, you’re allowed to have a meal today."
Su Xiao snapped his fingers, reducing the activity of the alchemy bombs.
"Humiliation..."
Kalifa gritted her teeth, picking up a plate of steak, chewing it forcefully as if it were Su Xiao.
"Bastard."
Kalifa muttered under her breath.
"What?"
Su Xiao looked keenly at Kalifa.
"Nothing, just saying you’re handsome and dashing."
Kalifa’s conscience ached; she was speaking against her will.
"If I hear something like that again, I’ll treat you to a free ’Bomb Tyre Change Pill’."
Kalifa was speechless. She didn’t know what a ’Bomb Tyre Change Pill’ was but suspected it was a bomb.
What does it feel like having a bomb in your stomach that could explode at any moment? The answer is very sorrowful. From today, Kalifa’s most hated color became white, the color of ’chewing gum.’
The banquet concluded in a joyous atmosphere, at least leaving Su Xiao in a good mood.
The drunk shipwrights were loudly singing as they left the banquet hall, and Su Xiao also left satisfied.
Outside the banquet hall, Kalifa stood in a pitch-black corner, waiting for her companion.
"What’s going on?"
A man’s voice came from behind Kalifa, carrying some displeasure.
"I swallowed three bombs, already disposed of one. The remaining two bombs are in my stomach."
Kalifa sighed.
"Can you retrieve them by slicing open the stomach?"
"No... not sure."
"Go find Bruno, he has a way."
The man never showed himself. He was Rob Lucci.