chapter 73 part 2
"Furthermore..."
His words seemed to hint at something: "Although it was just a guess before, now I can essentially confirm it — you had already sent me a 'meeting invitation', hadn't you?"
With his words reaching this point, "Rat" naturally understood his meaning.
Yes.
From the beginning, "Rat"'s task rule of 'only bullying nobles and kings who oppress the common people' — besides Loy himself indeed having a relatively high moral baseline — the more crucial reason was to attract the Revolutionary Army.
As an organization dedicated to guiding the common people to overthrow tyranny and fighting for it for decades.
The Revolutionary Army couldn't possibly ignore an existence like "Rat."
They would definitely investigate "Rat," and even extend their investigation to the 'Twelve Star Generals' behind "Rat," attempting to probe the attitude and objectives of the Twelve Star Generals.
So, just as Dragon said, this was a 'meeting invitation'.
And at this moment...
"We are merely here for the appointment."
Dragon said calmly.
"Rat" countered: "Aren't you afraid this is a conspiracy against you?"
"If a conspiracy against the Revolutionary Army is enough to make an organization like yours offend the Four Emperors and the World Government, almost becoming enemies with the entire world..."
The Den Den Mushi opened its mouth, revealing a somewhat unrestrained smile: "Then I feel that my efforts over these years haven't been in vain."
After hearing this, "Rat" was first stunned.
Then, he also smiled.
"Whoosh!"
He casually unbound Bunny Joe, then sat down on a nearby rock.
"You guessed right, Mr. Dragon. I am here by my Chief's order to meet with your Revolutionary Army."
"We, the Twelve Star Generals, wish to discuss a transaction with the Revolutionary Army."
His few concise words, however, made the other end of the Den Den Mushi fall silent.
At this moment, Bunny Joe's expression beside them also turned solemn.
"The rumors are true after all. Besides the twelve highest cadres, the 'Twelve Star Generals' also have a Chief?"
He murmured in his heart, holding his breath and carefully listening to the conversation before him.
He knew that if his guess was correct, the outcome of this conversation could very well affect the entire world's situation.
On the other side, Dragon was also silent for a long time, then seemed to make a judgment and said in a deep voice: "I will temporarily not ask about your Chief, but the transaction you mentioned..."
"Is it related to those nineteen types of metals?"
He got straight to the point.
"That's right — the transaction we wish to conduct with your esteemed party is a type of 'alloy'."
And "Rat" didn't beat around the bush at all: "Its name is 'Pluton Alloy'!"
As these words came out, "Rat" was satisfied to see a clear commotion coming from the other end of the Den Den Mushi.
"Oops, Sabo, you bumped into me—"
"Sorry, sorry, Koala, but — Pluton, isn't that—"
And after the flurry of murmurs...
Dragon's voice continued to come through: "'Pluton', the 'King of the Underworld'?"
His words carried an unprecedented gravity.
"That's right."
"Rat" nodded: "This alloy is the very alloy used to forge 'Pluton' the 'King of the Underworld' back then!"
He briefly revealed the alloy's origin.
In fact, he believed there was no need to conceal anything.
While the nineteen metals required for forging Pluton Alloy might not be difficult to acquire, its demand for 'mother material' meant it was almost impossible for others to replicate.
"..."
And Dragon, on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, evidently understood — since "Rat" dared to reveal information about 'Pluton Alloy' like this, he was surely confident about it.
Therefore...
"You know information about 'Pluton'?"
He asked in a deep voice.
"This information is not within the scope of the transaction, Mr. Dragon."
"Rat" replied casually.
But obviously, sometimes avoiding an answer is an answer in itself.
At least at this moment, Dragon, on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, clearly had a deeper understanding of the mystery surrounding the 'Twelve Star Generals'.
"...We need to first confirm that the alloy you speak of truly exists, and only then can we discuss the transaction."
He said after pondering for a moment.
After hearing these words, "Rat" nodded without hesitation: "Naturally."
Then he said: "However, I myself merely accepted my Chief's request to contact your esteemed party in advance and give a heads-up, simply to prevent any accidents."
"After all, I am an 'assassin', and the forging of Pluton Alloy is not my responsibility."
"So if your esteemed party is interested in a discussion, I will provide a specific meeting location..."
Watching "Rat" speak so calmly, Bunny Joe beside him frowned.
"Mr. "Rat"."
He said in a deep voice: "Regarding the meeting location, I'm afraid we haven't established enough trust."
The nature of the Revolutionary Army organization clearly destined them to be unable to easily trust others, let alone go to a location chosen by the other party for negotiations.
Let alone Dragon himself; even if other captains or cadres were captured, it would be a huge loss.
But after hearing his words, "Rat" was not surprised.
"This is what I was about to say next."
He hinted, "The matter of 'Pluton Alloy' is handled by another colleague of mine, and coincidentally, he's planning a trip to the East Blue soon."
"And according to our information, the village he's going to is precisely a place your esteemed party absolutely trusts."
By this point, his voice was almost deafening in Bunny Joe's ears.
"One week from now, another member of the 'Twelve Star Generals' will travel to Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue."
"At that time, we hope your esteemed party will honor us with a meeting!"
(end of chapter)