When Ruri returned to Marineford, she followed Kenji's prior plan, taking a merchant ship behind the warship.
Midway, they separated. Ruri's ship turned towards Kubo Island, while Kenji's warship continued its journey back to Marineford, as it was not on the same route.
Ruri was going to Kubo Island to take over some businesses there. Specifically, it was the large casino, Heaven on Earth, which Kenji personally took over a few months ago.
After taking over the casino, Kenji simply arranged for it to be converted into a comprehensive entertainment venue.
The Grand Entertainment City is now the common name for this 'Heaven on Earth' among the people on Kubo Island.
There was no other way. Most of the people who came to Kubo Island for pleasure were pirates, uncultured. Names like 'Heaven on Earth' were a bit too artistic for these illiterates.
In contrast, the Grand Entertainment City was very straightforward and easy to understand. One listen, and people knew this place had fun, great fun.
Due to the popularity of the 'Grand Entertainment City' name, even the managers of 'Heaven on Earth' eventually changed how they referred to their own establishment.
Days ago, after parting ways with Kenji, Ruri continued her journey by sea. Fortunately, she did not encounter any pirate robberies along the way. Therefore, she was able to quickly lead her subordinates to the Grand Entertainment City on Kubo Island.
Upon arrival, Ruri immediately gained control of the Grand Entertainment City. This was naturally because Kenji had informed them in advance.
Because of Kenji's 'horrifying' performance when he took over 'Heaven on Earth' before, the scene of Cliff, the 'Sea Tiger' who was almost invincible in the eyes of the original casino staff, being crushed on the spot, remains deeply imprinted in their minds even today.
The rules of the sea have always been simple: the stronger you are, the more right you have.
Especially on Kubo Island, strength is the most effective rule of passage.
Originally, these former casino employees were just workers. Who they worked for didn't really matter, did it?
Now that they encountered a stronger boss, they naturally acknowledged him even more.
So Ruri encountered no obstacles in taking over control and in the following days, no one caused trouble. They continued to report all matters of the entertainment city in detail.
Among these reports was intelligence regarding suspicious individuals secretly monitoring the Grand Entertainment City recently.
Ruri had drifted on the sea for many years in her early life and possessed a certain amount of social experience.
After receiving the intelligence, she analyzed it herself. What she reported to Kenji, besides the specific intelligence, were several hypotheses she had formed after her review and analysis.
Kenji also had his own suspicions about the identity of the suspicious individuals.
Initially, he suspected they were personnel from the World Government's spy organization, CP. This was also one of Ruri's hypotheses.
However, after a brief consideration, Kenji discovered a major problem with this hypothesis: would the level of those CP spies be so poor?
Even to be recognized by the entertainment city's staff?
According to Kenji's impression, CP spies are well-trained and have mastered several, or all of the Six Styles.
Would such well-trained professionals have their identities easily recognized?
'Hmm, it's hard to say.'
Kenji's heart suddenly stirred, recalling the highest-level CP0 in the World Government's spy agency hierarchy.
Those so-called strongest CP0 spies would inevitably wear various masks when traveling.
Other spies travel fearing being recognized, but these CP0 agents, wearing strange masks, seem to be afraid of not being recognized.
Anyone who has spent years at sea or has a bit of knowledge knows these masked figures are CP0.
However, the people monitoring the Grand Entertainment City this time were not wearing masks, and their appearance was not much different from ordinary pirates.
Are they intelligence personnel from some dark force?"
After a moment of thought, Kenji decided he was too lazy to guess.
He ordered Ruri on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, "Catch one alive and question them thoroughly."
The method was simple and direct, after all, the person involved would surely know who their 'boss' was.
As for whether those suspicious individuals would tell the truth, Kenji was not worried. He believed the effect of 'Grand Memory Restoration Art' would not disappoint him.
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Ruri heard the command and said with a hint of surprise, "Doing this… will it alert those forces in the dark? It might bring some unnecessary trouble."
"Heh heh." Kenji chuckled at the words, responding indifferently,
"If those guys hiding in the dark are willing to jump out on their own, that would be for the best."
"It saves me the trouble of finding them."
After instructing Ruri that she could act freely, Kenji hung up the communication.
"I hope those rats in the gutter will jump out themselves."
Kenji put away the Den Den Mushi, secretly hoping the other party would take the initiative to attack.
The business on Kubo Island was merely a minor move, even if it were attacked or even destroyed, it would only be a bit of trouble to rebuild.
If he paid a small price in terms of property to lure out the scheming individuals behind the scenes, it would certainly not be a loss, and even a small gain.
When your strength grows, your fame grows… the trouble attracted increases.
Kenji shook his head.
These things were all destined to happen.
If your strength increases, your status will surely rise, right?
When your status rises, you will inevitably clash with other powerful individuals and major forces.
In conflicts and fights, Kenji did not want to lose and be beaten by others. And winning all the way, his reputation would naturally skyrocket.
At this point, even if you wanted to keep a low profile, you couldn't. Countless people would help spread your name, making it impossible for you to be low-key.
'The missions issued by the system are also pushing things along.' Kenji recalled the previous system missions.
Along the way, he continuously received system rewards and his strength constantly improved, but at the same time, it also drew him deeper into the whirlpool.
However, ultimately, everything was developing in a good direction.
If you have strength, at least you have means to solve problems. If you don't have strength, no matter how low-key you are, you're just waiting for a dead end.
Moreover, Kenji's strength has not been fully displayed yet.
At least not his Super Comprehension.
After all, he had not yet fully mastered the power of comprehending and using Devil Fruit abilities. But it seems to be getting close now.
'Vegapunk should have devil fruit users there…'
'If worst comes to worst, I'll take out a few of my Devil Fruits to use…'
Kenji stroked his chin with his right hand, a plan gradually forming in his mind.