"Take someone to secretly keep an eye on Stussy. Try not to let her use a Den Den Mushi or leave your line of sight."
After hearing what Sig said, Baldy's expression instantly changed, and an entire inner drama began to unfold in his mind.
"Didn't expect that Boss and Miss Stussy would actually have that kind of relationship, huh? No wonder Boss isn't happy about others chatting her up..."
"So Boss has already marked Miss Stussy as off-limits, forbidding her from contacting others through Den Den Mushi or escaping. Such a high-level move, truly worthy of the Boss!"
"I'll go inform the others right away!"
Sig narrowed his eyes slightly. The dramatic shifts in Baldy's expression made his fist clench involuntarily.
Truth be told, Baldy was quite capable as long as he didn't get caught up in his own imaginative brain drama.
The guy had a knack for creating trouble, but he'd saved the day a few times in concrete ways as well, which was why Sig kept him around.
Still, Sig didn't hold high hopes.
Expecting someone like Baldy and his group to truly keep an eye on Stussy, who was a CP0 agent, was simply wishful thinking.
This was just part of the act. If Sig showed no defenses against Stussy, it might actually raise suspicions.
But Baldy's follow-up question, after Sig had revised his inner monologue, unexpectedly left Sig momentarily stunned:
"If you're so wary of Miss Stussy, Boss, then she must be an enemy. Why don't you just take her down directly?"
Good question. With the strength of the future Bandit King, dealing with someone like Stussy should be as easy as flipping a hand.
Sig didn't answer. He merely cast Baldy a blank look.
Immediately, Baldy had another epiphany. Then, looking excited, he backed away.
Yes, after so many incidents, Sig had mastered the optimal way to communicate with Baldy.
With just one look, Sig didn't even need to say a word—Baldy would act on his own.
A highly efficient process.
As for what Baldy understood... Sig didn't want to know. Knowing would only give him a headache.
Though Baldy left, the question he raised lingered unsolved in Sig's mind.
According to Sig's original plan, he intended to inform the Revolutionary Army about Stussy and have them take action to completely eliminate this hidden danger.
But now, there was a problem.
Stussy had already become part of Sig's crew, with no ties to the Revolutionary Army anymore.
Given how Sig had completely outplayed Stussy in all possible ways so far, why would he still need the Revolutionary Army to deal with her?
"Damn it. This might be an unsolvable loop."
"Without true strength, I've already reached the limits of what I can maneuver for now. No matter how smart, resourceful, brave, and charming I am, there are things I just can't resolve..."
Ultimately, all he wanted was to increase the compatibility of the Li Jing card.
But now, it seemed that if he didn't start training to grow stronger... a major failure was only a matter of time.
The pressure Stussy brought made Sig suddenly realize that following normal training methods might mean he wouldn't live long enough to grow strong.
So, Sig made a difficult and painful decision in his heart.
"In any case, I must persist and keep trying!"
"Starting today, I'll take a bath, change into clean clothes, burn incense, and pray every night. I'm sure I can move the mighty system to grant me an invincible card!"
While Sig's mind wandered, they arrived at Isshin Dojo.
Pushing open the door, Sig noticed the disciples of the dojo giving him curious and unusual looks as he walked in.
In the hall, Kuina was the first to turn her head to look at him. Her left arm was in a cast, but her eyes seemed to sparkle.
"Mr. Sig, thank you for your advice."
Kuina bowed deeply in gratitude.
This swordsman girl treated her gratitude with the same seriousness as she might bow before a duel.
Sig felt a bit puzzled. The last time he saw Kuina, she didn't seem this enthusiastic.
When he gave her those two words of advice, this ten-year-old child had seemed angry, thinking he was being dismissive.
"Is it because of my advice? Does she think my reminder saved her life, so her attitude has changed?"
Sig's gaze fell on the cast around Kuina's arm.
Compared to falling to her death, just breaking an arm was a minor issue.
Still, Sig hadn't expected that despite his warning, Kuina's fall had still occurred.
Behind Sig, in a spot he couldn't see, Baldy wore a satisfied, almost maternal smile.
"This child has truly understood the Boss's painstaking efforts and even knows how to express gratitude."
"I've saved a lost lamb. From now on, we'll have another comrade on the road of following the Boss."
As Baldy reveled in his satisfaction, he began to self-reflect.
"Still, I was too naive. I never considered that the Boss's advice—'be careful with whetstones and staircases'—had both surface and deeper meanings..."
"It seems I don't understand the Boss as well as I thought. I've gotten ahead of myself. There's still a long way to go on the path of understanding the Boss, and I must continue to work hard..."
Quietly, Baldy pulled out a notebook and pen from his pocket, flipping through its pages rapidly as he jotted down notes.
At the very top of the notebook was a title:
"Kuina, little sugar bun, have you thought about what we discussed earlier?"
Ivankov spoke from the side, his five fingers outstretched as his nails began to grow gradually.
"I am a hormone-human with the Horm-Horm Fruit. If you want to become a man, I can help you~"
"Mr. Ivankov, please don't joke like that," Koshiro said with a somewhat helpless smile from the side.
Ivankov had helped provide medical treatment to Kuina after her fall, so Koshiro couldn't just outright confront him.
"There's no need for that."
Kuina replied, her tone serious.
"I've already decided—I will become the world's strongest female swordsman."
As she said this, Kuina quickly glanced at Sig.
That glance sent a ripple through Sig's heart.
Of course, he didn't have any particular thoughts about this ten-year-old girl.
The key point was, as Kuina glanced at him, there was another person in the room who also narrowed his eyes and smiled while looking at Sig.
"Mr. Sig, could you please come with me to the inner room? I have something important to discuss with you privately."
Koshiro still maintained his smile.
But in Sig's heart, he felt a chill.
"Uh... I suddenly have a stomachache."
Sig clutched his stomach, his expression serious.
"Is Sig-boy feeling unwell?"
Ivankov's large face immediately drew closer, showing off the sharp nails on his fingers.
Sig stood up immediately and followed Koshiro into the depths of the dojo.
Receiving treatment from Ivankov… no, it's better to just go with Koshiro.
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