Sabaody Archipelago, Area 29
"Haah . . Haah . . Just a bit more . . "
Panting, I look towards the distance. That is the way to the amusement park, and as long as I mix in the crowd over there, it will be hard for them to find me.
I just didn't think they would put a bounty over my head just for a single robbery. They just want to play with my life now.
"There he is! Catch him!"
"That's half a million bounty over there! Don't hit him too much and spoil the goods!"
"Yes!!"
Damn it! So close! Aah, is it how it's going to end for me? I wish I could see Stella one last time. . .
"That looks like our target, doesn't it?"
"Yes, Yes, doesn't it?"
" . It looks like it is in trouble, doesn't it?"
"Yes, Yes, doesn't it?"
"We should save it, don't we?"
"Yes, Yes, don't we?"
" . . . That wasn't a question."
" . . . I am very sorry."
Hmm. . . Are they a search party for some lost nobles? Ahh, that looks like a much better job than being a thief. At Least I won't be in this situation today.
"Who spoke just now?!"
"Damn it!! Is it a devil fruit? Maybe the Invisible fruit?!"
"Don't be afraid!! There are a lot of us here. These girls will make good slaves if captured. Maybe we can get a few million. Find them!!"
Whoa, To recruit devil fruit users to find their pets, those nobles must be loaded with money. I wish I had that money, I could have saved Stella before i die. Maybe I could have taken the request to find their pet, I could at least make some connections. AaahH, I don't want to die.
"Hmmp! Urgh!"
"S-Save me!!"
"Where are they?!"
"Don't hide like a coward! Fight face to face with us !!!"
"Aargh!!"
". . ."
". . ."
It's gotten quiet. Did they attack The Hounds Pets by mistake? No, The Hounds Pets might have the pets with them, and they also cursed at them. Maybe I could live then?
"Hey, you!
Maybe not . . .
"Getup! Don't keep us waiting for you. We also have to notify the boss that we found you. Don't delay us any more! Finding you was a lot more difficult than we expected."
I got up and looked around, but found no one. That's not good. If they want me to look at hem but they don't show up, what am I supposed to look at?
"Look down, Down"
I turned my head down and to my astonishment, there are 2 small girls standing there.
Are they a new tribe? I have never heard of a small human tribe before. Wait a minute, they came to look for me? I am the Pet? I don't recall being one ever. Did my mother sell me as a pet to some noble? That damn woman!!
"Follow us now. Quick! We need to go back to the hotel. Ahh, task compilation bonus, I don't know what reward it will be?"
. . . I can't resist now. Maybe I can redeem myself from being a pet. But the chances are low. Damn it, what kind of a sick person wanted me.
Head office, Starry Sky Conglomerate, Dressrosa
" Achoo! . . Weird, I optimized my body to increase resistances but it's still vulnerable it seems. I need more data to optimize it even further though."
Hmm, things are working better than I expected. The tournament is drawing nearer, and according to King Riku, the guilds are gearing up just fine. This works splendidly for me. The more they prepare, the better they will be, and the more I can copy.
'Knock Knock'
"Come in"
Beatrice opens the door and walks in. She hands Shuunya a few files and starts talking about businesses they were involved in. Since Shuunya is the sole proprietor of the conglomerate, he can make decisions all by himself. But he did have a council under him who give him suggestions. He generally attends the meetings, but the need for tournament affairs has him sit in his office all day.
"After seeing the work of our on managing the tournament, many officials from different countries approached us whether we will be willing to open a branch in their countries"
They must have seen our products on display in the markets. Considering how shrewd they are, they should have sent some merchants if they could buy them in bulk. But since we don't allow bulk purchases for now, they would indeed approach us, but the demands wouldn't be good
"We have received a variety of offers. However only those nations friendly to dressrosa gave fairly good conditions. Most of them said they would not help us in transport, but those who do, want more taxes. In any conditions, we are projected to be barely able to keep the branches running"
The better ones are those who would provide support. We could at least demand some compensation upon loss. But those who wouldn't provide protection might most likely tip off pirates about our trade route. They can even demand compensation from us for not fulfilling the agreement. These foxes!! Considering how many of them chose to provide no support, they might have also discussed with the Shipping King Umit. However . . .
"Shipping King Umit, you will have a meeting with him to ask for our shipping"
"B-But b-boss, I-I think it's better for you to meet him. I am not good enough to meet him"
"You don't have to be afraid. I will request King Riku to lend me Kyros. You also know how strong he has gotten. Even if the negotiation fails, he will have no problem keeping you safe while escaping. Moreover this will be good training for you. I can entrust you with more jobs if you meet my expectations."
". . . Yes. I will take care of it."
"Ok. You may leave."
"Yes"
After Beatrice leaves the room, Shuunya looks at the files he has to look through and sighs deeply. Although he trusts Beatrice a bit more, and her next meeting will be his test to her, he still has a lot more to do by himself.
'Blu Blu Blu, Blu Blu Blu'
Just then his den den mushi rings. Shuunya picks it up thinking it is going to be some more work for him.
"Moshi Moshi, Boss. We found the target"
"Oh? You mean Tezzelo?"
"Yes, Him. He is with us right now"
That's good. Now that he is found, I can train him after I convince him to work for me. I would have more time to focus on myself then.
"Pass the speaker to him. I wish to speak to him"
"Yes, Boss."
I hope he responds properly though, I don't think I have enough cards for me to keep him loyal to me. But it won't be a problem since he is still 12 years old
"Are you the boss? I don't know what you are thinking, but I promise that I can only work for you-
Whoa, is he serious? He is making things super easy for me. But this is just great. Now I can-
But I would never agree to be your pet, even if you kill me!!"
. . . What?
"Are you out of your mind? Why would I want you as my pet? Why did you even think about it in such a way?"
"Aren't you a noble who bought me from my mother as your pet?"
Was there a storyline like this in the original story? Hmm, I should be more careful when dealing with unknown time periods and events. But this just gives me an Idea though
"I did not buy you from your mother. But my men Overheard your mother talking to a noble to sell you as a pet. They learned of your talents and informed me about you. I did not want such a talent to be wasted so I had some people look for you since I did not want your talents to be wasted."
"Is that so? Thank you for saving my life. Please ask me of anything, I would like to repay you"
Hmm. It's a good thing I found him as soon as possible. He still hasn't fallen deep to crime. I can build a good relationship with him now.
And so, both of them resolved their misunderstanding, kind of.
"I would like you to work for me. You see, I myself had a hard time growing up, and I don't want to see others suffer. Do you want to help me with this, Tezzelo?"
"Yes I gladly will. However I have a request if you don't mind"
"Oh please tell me. Consider it a joining bonus"
"There is a girl kind enough with me, but currently she is held as a slave. Would it be possible to help her? I promise to work for you my entire life!"
Did he already meet Stella? This is even better. As long as I have her with me, I will have a handle against him. Though it won't be of use listening to his voice.
"No problem. Consider it done. I will rescue her soon. You should talk to her first. And I hope to meet you soon,"
"Thank you. Truly Thank You"
"Well see you then"
'Kacha'
Now that I found Tezzelo, I should be on the lookout for the gold fruit. If he has the gold from Sky island, He will be very strong. I am really kind and caring, huh.
However, does the kindness which is scheming, neglecting suffering and manipulating, a true kindness?