I decided to take the time to find more detailed information. Even though the merchants were obviously hiding something, I couldn't act rashly. Considering the current situation, I used fortune-telling on a pendulum and dowsing.
First, I need to know the degree of danger. Hanging a non-dominant hands pendant in front of him. I started a fortune-telling session. "Does the search for Grave carry risks?"
The pendulum slowly rotated counterclockwise
I took out two dowsers from the secret compartment of my bag and went out to the outskirts of the settlement. Here, away from prying eyes, I was able to concentrate. Closing my eyes, I asked a mental question: "Where can I find Grave's answers?" After repeating it a few times, I let the instruments determine the direction.
Both dowsers jerked sharply towards the coastal part of the island. This was not unexpected: most trade routes started there. But I needed more specifics.
At the dock, I noticed that there was a commotion in one of the storage rooms. People were unloading crates with emblems that I had seen earlier on the merchant ship. I wasn't noticed, but it was enough to confirm my suspicions.: This product was not intended for pirates.
In order not to attract attention, I moved into the shade and pretended that I was just strolling along the shore. After a few minutes, waiting for the right moment, I calmly entered the building where the merchant I had met earlier was.
"We weren't expecting you,— he said, glancing at me over the top of the pile of documents.
"I came to discuss the state of trade," I replied, keeping my tone calm. — You have recently arrived, and I want to make sure that everything is going according to the captain's expectations.
The merchant tensed, but quickly hid it behind a professional smile.
— Of course, everything is going according to plan. We deliver the necessary goods as agreed.
I nodded, pretending that his words were enough for me, and added:
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Sometimes unexpected issues can be solved easier if we discuss them in advance.
The merchant hesitated, and then smiled faintly.:
— If anything comes up, I'll let you know.
At that moment, I realized that he was obviously hiding something. However, I will be able to find out very soon.
Returning to the room, I lay down and immediately began a divination session. "What danger is hidden in Grave's actions?" I repeated the question in my mind as my eyes closed. As soon as I repeated the question for the seventh time, darkness enveloped my consciousness.
I saw the jungs of our island. There was a strange structure hidden in the dense undergrowth. It was a small camp with wooden buildings. There were silhouettes of merchants who supplied provisions from here to hidden points on the island. The amazing thing was that there were also a couple of Marines here. They were standing near a table full of maps. There was also a den den mushi on the table. He made a strange, uncharacteristically lazy face, with which one of the guards was anxiously communicating. A plan was drawn on the map. Many ship figures were aimed at the ships, while a single yellow figure would attack the headquarters from the south.
As soon as the revelation was over, I frowned. Admiral Kizaru himself will attack the island. And by all accounts, there will be an attack any day now. If this is true, then I have three options.
Betray Fang and side with the Marines. I think they'll be happy if there's someone who can hold them back on the island and be an insider.
Save Fang: Use information about the attack, warn Fang, and then look at the situation. If the owner of the mythical zoan is really needed for the ritual, then it is better to use the weak one than to try to kill the strong one for years. I think depending on the decisions, this will affect my limited movement, but it doesn't bother me much.
Hide among the civilians and wait for everything to calm down. And then just act again.
I should really hide. But I was really scared of losing the chance to become a demigod. I think we can warn Fang and see how he will act. Although most likely he is recouping the island and will hide behind hostages. But given the isolation of the island, this will not prevent the Marines from acting, especially Kidzar.
First, it was necessary to get evidence. I went into the jungle, first using fortune-telling to find a suitable trader heading to the camp. I didn't have to wait long: soon a man appeared, clearly in a hurry on business. I jumped down from the tree and knocked him out with a precise blow.
I did not change into his clothes — each merchant had his own style, and their status allowed them to wear different clothes for them. I didn't even bother tying him up: the job was going to be fast. For the sake of confidence, he did another fortune-telling, asking what his name was and if there would be any difficulties. I found out the name, and the answer to the second question was encouraging.
When I reached the camp, I noticed that people were alarmed at my appearance, but, recognizing "their own", they returned to their business. Leaving one of the figures at the entrance for a possible distraction, I went straight to the guards.
They also noticed something strange: my route was obviously different from the usual one for "me." When one of them called out to me, I feigned confusion and, with a slight mumble, asked to talk in private. Their suspicions did not disappear, but the distance between us quickly narrowed.
As soon as I got to the card table, everything happened in a matter of seconds. With a sudden movement, I grabbed the cards and activated the substitution. In a moment, I was gone, leaving a paper figurine in my place.
Without wasting any time, I dashed into the forest. The distance between me and the sentries increased, but to finally increase the distance, I threw matches forward, and then teleported forward with a fiery leap
When I got to my room, already in the form of a Rex, I laid out the cards on the table. A quick inspection confirmed that these were the routes of the patrol ships and their plans for the next attack. The yellow figure on the map confirmed my fears — Kizaru will personally participate in the attack.
This information could have been key to Fang, but passing it on directly was risky. If he starts acting too openly, it will attract the attention of the guards ahead of time. I decided to assess the situation first and prepare an escape plan in case things didn't go according to the script.
I quickly wrote down the main details on a separate sheet: the location of the camp, the presence of the lookouts, and the proposed actions against the pirates. That should have been enough to make Fang think. The only question is how to present it without arousing suspicion.
I gathered up my papers and went to the meeting room. Here, in the rush of preparation, life was in full swing: pirates discussed their routes, supplies and potential threats. It was only a matter of minutes to find Fang in this environment.
—Huh, Rex, did you find anything, or were you just hanging around?" Fang chuckled when he noticed me. He was lounging in an armchair, drinking something that looked like beer or, rather, rum.
— There is something important, — I assumed a serious look, trying to show that the information is of great importance. He handed him the papers. — It seems that the marines are preparing an attack. I "intercepted" these cards from merchants. They seem to be connected to the Marine Patrol.
Fang squinted and took the papers. His gaze became darker with each route he explored.
"They're going to encircle us... — He drawled thoughtfully. Then he looked at me, and his tone changed. "You've certainly been helpful, Rex. But I have a question: how did the marines get to the island in the first place? We patrol the sea day and night.
The unexpected accusation made me chuckle inwardly. According to his logic, I either brought the guards to the island myself, or I missed them while fulfilling my duties.
I sighed, trying not to sound annoyed.
"Then why would I deal these cards, Captain?" I asked calmly, looking him straight in the eye. "If I were a traitor, why would I give up evidence that could lead you to me?"
Fang chuckled, but didn't relax. His smile was more like a snarl.
— Grha-grha-grha... Idiot," he muttered, slowly getting up. His body began to change: bones cracked, muscles gained strength, and his skin became covered with thick fur. Soon, a half-human, half-lion stood in front of me.
The pirates nearby began to surround me, clutching pistols and blades in their hands.
"Look for yourself," Fang pointed with a clawed paw at the map, or rather at the yellow figure indicating the admiral's presence. "Do you think I'm stupid enough not to notice that?" You framed the admiral so that we could abandon the fortress and fight at sea. And there we would have been destroyed in a few hours under the siege of the flotilla. Did you seriously decide that I don't know anything about strategy?
I rolled my eyes. His paranoia clearly knew no bounds.
Fang jumped towards me sharply, but I was already ready. Activating the figure hidden in the hallway beforehand, I instantly switched places with it. The pirates opened fire, but they missed, and I ran away.
There was a crash from behind: the four-meter-tall figure of a half-lion kicked down the door and rushed after it. He was closing the distance faster than I expected.
I lit up the card in my hand and threw it to one side of the fork as I ran, and turned into the other. This did not confuse Fang, he continued his pursuit.
When he was a step away from me, I turned around and shot an air bullet right into his face. The lion managed to close his eyes, and the bullet did not even leave a mark on his fur.
He jumped, and I reactivated the ability, changing my position directly to the burning card that I had left behind. But that only made my situation more difficult. Once in a new place, I ran into Gordon, one of Fang's most loyal people. He didn't hesitate to hit me in the chest, and despite the fact that I had softened the bones, I felt them crack. I flew into the wall, trying to keep conscious.
It became unbearably difficult to breathe: the broken ribs punctured the lung. But I wasn't going to die yet.
When Gordon swung a second time, I ducked, throwing the figure through the gap in the wall, and changed position again. This time I fell from the height of the second floor. Once on the street, I noticed a sign with the inscription "Justice". By controlling the flame, I lit it, and I came out of the fire, having suffered wounds from my chest to my arm.
With each new jump, I felt my body give up. The bones in his arm turned into fragments, and the fracture became open. Finally, dropping the pursuit, I changed shape and stopped to catch my breath.
This is the first time I've been in a crisis situation. At that moment, I blamed myself for being careless, reckless, and complacent. Before that, I could always control the course of events, or think of an alternative in advance, but now everything did not go according to plan.
First of all, I underestimated Fang's strategic mind. I thought I could manipulate him and his actions, but he turned out to be much more perceptive than I expected. My attempts to interfere in the course of events, to hide my intentions — all this was revealed and eventually played against me. I thought I could use my abilities to trick them, but I was too confident in my strength and didn't take into account how quickly the situation could change.
Moreover, do I seem to be showing too many cards, or not? I am insecure, I need to keep a middle ground, but also constantly act for the sake of future benefits.
Realizing that emotions were driving me from one extreme to the other, I focused on a new task. I looked at the hand. Although there is no blood coming, the wound is open and the bones are crushed.