On the couch across from Sig, Stussy's gaze deepened.
"We'll put on a show together, deceiving CP0 and the World Government."
"On the surface, I'll follow CP0's orders and hand over the Pleasure District on this island to you."
"Of course, the actual control of the Pleasure District must remain in my hands. If you agree, I'll abandon my CP0 identity and, using this island's Pleasure District as a foundation, cooperate with you and provide intelligence support."
Sig fell silent, considering her words.
She spoke of cooperation, not submission.
Her credibility increased by a notch.
If someone as cunning and powerful as Stussy had simply bowed her head and submitted, Sig wouldn't have believed her at all.
Seeing that Sig remained silent and unresponsive, Stussy added:
"After I boarded your ship as a spy, CP0 secretly took control of my Pleasure District in the New World."
"If you can truly turn the world upside down in the future and help me reclaim my rightful Pleasure District, then I wouldn't be opposed to serving you as a subordinate."
Sig silently watched Stussy, deep in thought.
CP0's demand that Stussy hand over the Pleasure District she had managed for years had angered her.
Combined with the glimpses she had caught of Sig's grand plans during their journey, she now believed that aligning with him offered a brighter future, prompting her to defect?
Sig stroked his chin.
This reasoning seemed plausible.
But... could Stussy really be trusted?
Was she playing a double, or even triple, game?
Could everything she had just said be part of an elaborate act to gain his trust?
Sig's heart sank slightly.
Perhaps because Sig himself was an acting virtuoso, he harbored a natural distrust of other skilled performers.
To be honest, Sig found it difficult to trust the master actress sitting before him.
So... what should he do now?
Sig suddenly felt like he was caught between a rock and a hard place.
Stussy had already torn down the veil, laying everything out in the open. If he rejected her now, it would mean a complete break with her within the Pleasure District.
With the Iruma card in hand, Sig wouldn't lose immediately, but that was all. He had no real means of defeating Stussy.
In truth, Sig had no real choice.
"The queen of the underworld, a CP0 spy..."
Sig smiled with an air of confidence.
"You've made the right choice."
"Your previous actions are inconsequential. But if you step out of line again in the future..." Well, I'll just have to pretend I didn't see it. QAQ
Sig left his threat hanging, but the implication was clear.
Stussy remained silent for a moment, then extended her hand to shake Sig's.
On paper, their relationship was one of equals.
But after everything that had happened on the ship, Stussy couldn't shake the feeling that she was always one step behind Sig.
Sig's half-threat didn't even stir a desire to argue in her.
"Now, I need your Pleasure District to help me with something."
"I need information on the Florian Triangle, nautical charts, the optimal sailing route, and Eternal Poses to the islands near the Florian Triangle."
Eternal Poses were a must for Sig.
Although he had an Eternal Pose to Alabasta, that route was a dead end.
The next stop after Alabasta was Skypiea!
Leaving aside how to get to Skypiea, even if they found the Knock Up Stream, could Laboon even make it up there?
Sig couldn't follow the original route from the story and had to come up with an alternative.
"Also... since this island is one of the commercial hubs of the first half of the Grand Line and controlled by you rulers of the underworld, there must be a black market here where Devil Fruits are traded, right?"
Sig's thoughts turned to Devil Fruits.
His current crew was mostly brought over from the East Blue. Aside from a few like Arlong, they weren't exactly top-tier in the first half of the Grand Line.
Once his subordinates gained the power to protect themselves, Sig could...
Change his identity and live as a carefree slacker!
Stussy thought for a moment, then spoke:
"I can help you with the Florian Triangle."
"But Devil Fruits are priceless. At most, I can provide you with information."
Here, Stussy seemed worried that Sig might be dissatisfied and added:
"The Pleasure District on this island may look prosperous and rapidly developing, but it's all being propped up by the New World Pleasure District burning through money."
"Now that the New World Pleasure District is out of my control, the funding chain has broken, and this island's Pleasure District is in trouble."
"During this time, I won't be able to allocate precious funds to help you purchase Devil Fruits."
While Sig inwardly lamented this, he wasn't ready to give up on Devil Fruits.
Having the Pleasure District's assistance on this island was already a significant advantage.
This was a great opportunity to obtain Devil Fruits, as long as he had enough money...
Thinking about the money issue, an idea sparked in Sig's mind as he glanced at the treasure map on the table.
If others could forge treasure maps, why couldn't he?
Wait, no! I'm the owner of the treasure!
The treasure maps I forge must be real!
The Grand Deception, here we go!
A semi-transparent panel quickly appeared in front of Sig.
New Mission Triggered.
Mission: A Small Goal
Mission Requirement: Earn 100 million berries.
Mission Reward: One random card draw opportunity.
After reading the new mission, Sig thought for a moment, then suddenly asked:
"Stussy, since this island is controlled by the rulers of the underworld, does Morgans, the News Coo, have a presence here?"
Outside the private room.
Kurokas and the others were at the bar, drinking and laughing loudly.
Only the bald man kept glancing toward the private room, a sense of unease growing in his heart.
"Anne's been out for so long... Are Boss Sig and Miss Stussy alone in that room?"
After a while, the door to the private room finally opened.
The bald man immediately looked up, only to see Sig and Stussy walking out one after the other.
His gaze didn't linger on Sig but instead settled on Stussy.
At this moment, Stussy had regained her aura as the queen of the underworld.
Though she stood slightly behind Sig, she seemed a step above.
"Miss Stussy's demeanor has changed. It's like she's been reborn, becoming a completely different person."
The bald man was momentarily stunned, then a knowing smile spread across his face.
"Has Miss Stussy finally risen? It seems something life-changing happened in that room..."
"Boss Sig had me keep an eye on Miss Stussy back then. Was it because he saw her as his exclusive property? He just couldn't admit it at the time because I called him out on it..."
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