Chapter 121 The Player's Promise
Little Purple's big, bright eyes looked at Vera.
A turbulent childhood made Xiao Zi more mature than her peers, and the complex environment of the art center gave her an early understanding of people's hearts. Kyoshiro knew this was not a healthy psychological state, but whenever he tried to talk to Xiao Zi, he could only get her gentle yet firm reply that she had no problems.
Really... there's no problem?
Looking at her reflection in Vera's eyes, Xiao Zi's shoulders suddenly trembled, and she felt an urge to shrink back.
What kind of eyes were those? Bright, firm, passionate, and sincere, like the blazing midday sun, leaving no place for the fearful soul hiding behind the mask of a perfect smile to hide.
Quickly reject her, Xiao Zi. You shouldn't have any contact with the Beast Pirates.
Hurry up and say yes to Kogetsu and Hiyori, because if you miss this chance, you may never see that same warm light again.
Reason and instinct were locked in a fierce battle in her mind. Xiao Zi wore a perfectly practiced smile, her expression blank, but her hands, resting on her knees, unconsciously clenched and tightened around the fabric of her kimono.
Violet looked at the silent Little Purple and tilted her head in confusion: "Little Purple?"
"I……"
"Then I shall respectfully comply, my lord."
Xiao Zi subconsciously looked up at Doctor Zi Yang, only to receive a worried look from him.
"That's great!" Violet looked at the two of them with sparkling eyes, and emphasized again, "Don't forget to contact me on the night of the full moon."
It's amazing! Just a moment ago, Xiao Zi was feeling heavy-hearted because of recalling the past, but now she couldn't help but laugh when she saw Wei Er emphasizing repeatedly, as if afraid they would forget.
"On the night of the full moon... I will remember to contact you, my lord."
Having put one worry to rest, Vera finally remembered her main purpose for coming to the Flower Capital today. Although the two male entertainers' reminders made her extremely embarrassed about the meaning of the invitation, but...
But think about who's in the room right now: there's Xiao Zi, who's practically half an islander of Vil, and Xiao Zi's teacher, who's also half an islander.
Violet straightened up again, her back bent over as she recalled the analogy of the two male prostitutes.
We're all family here, what's there to be embarrassed about!
Looking at Xiao Zi and Doctor Ziyang, who suddenly became listless and then suddenly became energetic again: ...
"Well, there's something else I'd like to ask you two for help with."
Xiao Zi raised her hand and covered her mouth in surprise: "Sir, you are too kind. Please let us know if you need anything."
Violet handed the invitation to the two of them.
As a trainee geisha still in training, Komurasaki, like Robin, recognized the letter as being written by a geisha from the Flower Capital, but couldn't discern which geisha house it came from.
"It was done by A-Yue's child."
Ziyang said, "Sakura from the Yue family is having her birthday party in two days. It's said that in addition to Lord Kurozumi Orochi, even members of the Beast Pirates will be attending, and it's also said that a high-ranking member has been invited."
Who could it be from the Beasts Pirates?
After the chaotic battle on the deserted island, apart from Violet, who had an almost cheat-like ability to recover and was able to stand up and leave, Doflamingo and Jack were basically unable to even stay conscious.
If it weren't for the series of problems that would arise after eliminating them, Violet would have executed them on the spot without any significant resistance.
However, at the last Shichibukai meeting, Violet saw that Doflamingo had almost recovered, at least visibly, and there was no longer any sign of serious injury.
As for Jack, that guy was much tougher than Doflamingo in battle, and after so much time, he's probably recovered from his injuries. Attending a banquet or something like that shouldn't be a problem for him.
As the ultimate victor, Vera casually commented on her two defeated opponents. At least Xiao Zi and Doctor Zi Yang did not see Vera show the slightest surprise or panic at the news.
"I understand. Thank you both for the information." Vera said solemnly. "Consider it a favor I owe you both. Please feel free to contact me if you ever need my help in the future."
"You flatter me. This information isn't exactly a secret within the art gallery. You can get it by asking around at a few more art galleries."
No, no, no, she wouldn't go around the street asking whose clothes they were!
Vera's expression was serious: "These things can't be measured. In short, this news is very important to me."
"By the way, regarding this letter, and my inquiry about it today, could you two please keep it a secret for me for now?"
Vera still hasn't figured out Kyoshiro's stance. By day, he serves as Kurozumi Orochi's bodyguard, but by night he steals the Daimyo's wealth. Is he the Batman from the game, or a mental patient suffering from some kind of White Knight Syndrome?
...Given the other party's neurotic behavior last night, Vera is more inclined to the second guess.
So it is obviously quite dangerous to expose one's identity to someone who is mentally unstable and whose stance is unclear.
As for whether to bypass Kyoshiro's territory when gathering information, not to mention that as Kurozumi Orochi's confidant, he secretly controls many geisha houses in the Flower Capital, it remains to be seen whether Violet can find a place completely out of his sight to obtain information within two days.
Her deliberate movement between art galleries is suspicious enough.
Violet can't exactly say she's also planning to open an art gallery and is doing market research, or simply shrug it off and say the lilies in Wano Country are in bloom, can she?
"Hmm..." Looking into Vera's eyes, Xiao Zi, unusually, felt a bit playful, like a child her age. She deliberately remained silent for a while to whet Vera's appetite before nodding, "I will keep it a secret for the adults."
Doctor Ziyang also believed that it was better to avoid trouble. After all, the other party was a member of the Beasts Pirates, and the Beasts Pirates were allies with Kurozumi Orochi. Moreover, there was a powerful figure like the Grandmaster in charge at the banquet, so there shouldn't be any problems.
"I understand." Doctor Ziyang nodded. "I will keep this a secret for you, sir."
The three of them high-fived and swore an oath. Violet left her Den Den Mushi number with the two of them, and reminded them again to contact her if they needed any help before getting up to leave.
"Oh, right." Before leaving, Violet stood by the paper door and looked back at the two of them, "Kyoushiro is drunk and lying in that room."
Meeting their questioning gazes, Vera gave them a gesture of encouragement.
“He should be too drunk to open his eyes. If he’s usually not nice to you, take this opportunity to get revenge. If he’s been nice to you…” Vera shrugged at them, “Go find him with some hot water in two hours.”
Those two drank quite a bit; let's hope alcohol poisoning doesn't take their toll first, Amen.
——
Two days later, in the evening, Kyoshiro stood on the side of the street, looking blankly at A-Yue's Art House, which was busy preparing for tonight's banquet.
Was it because he drank too much alcohol that day and hasn't metabolized it yet? He must have lost his mind. Even if Yukihime could understand the vague words on that invitation and find A-Yuki's house, she wouldn't show up at this kind of event.
Kyoshiro shook his head, preparing to say a few words to Kurozumi Orochi's guards before making an excuse to leave. As he straightened up, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.
Wait, isn't that the kid with the amazing drinking capacity who got him and Timo drunk?
Thinking about the other troublesome characters who would appear at today's banquet besides Orochi, Kyoshiro frowned and walked towards Violet.
"Wilson?"
"Ah, it's Boss Kyoshiro."
Vera turned around and greeted Mad Death with a natural expression.
Why are you here?
Because of Tsubaki's interest, Kyoshiro has been specifically searching for information about this guy these past few days.
Wilson had contacted the Beasts Pirates' fleet less than a week ago, expressing her desire to join them.
Besides Captain Wilson, who ate the Octopus Fruit, the Beasts Pirates also included Chopper, the ship's doctor who ate the Reindeer Fruit, and Robin Hood, the recorder and psychologist who ate the Human-Human Fruit, a Mythical Zoan type.
...Although this pirate crew was somewhat strange in terms of both the number of members and their job positions, and it was too much of a coincidence that all of them were Zoan-type Devil Fruit users, Kyoshiro had carefully studied the information sent by his subordinates.
This job is not as good as the Sea Pirates. Their rise to power has a very clear time and route. Since they set sail in the North Blue three years ago, their activity routes and the reasons for the increase in bounty are traceable. Their performance in the battles they have been observed to be the same as what they said, which is the ability corresponding to those Devil Fruits.
Therefore, it's impossible for this newcomer to the Beasts Pirates, who was visiting Wano Country for the first time, to have received an invitation from the Tsuki family.
Vera, who had already given the invitation to the NPC, smiled slightly upon hearing Madman's question: "Speaking of which, I should thank Boss Madman for allowing me to get here."
Madman's brow twitched, and he suddenly had a very bad feeling, telling him that he would never like to hear what Vera was about to say.
"It's the prize you offered when you and Lord Timu had your drinking contest, boss. Those gems are of very high quality. After I suggested exchanging them for an invitation, they quickly agreed."
The madman, who nearly passed out from alcohol poisoning and also lost his long-treasured gem: ...
Vera glanced at Kuang Shilang and then at the sky: "Is Boss Kuang Shilang going too? How about we go in together?"
Kyoshiro didn't want to go. When Kurozumi Orochi met him last time, he said he would wait for Kyoshiro to train Komurasaki into a qualified geisha and then give her to him. Kyoshiro almost punched him in the face. During the time that Kurozumi Orochi hadn't forgotten Komurasaki, he deliberately avoided him.
However, looking at Vera who was looking up and waiting for his response, Kuang Silang inexplicably recalled the day he and Ti Mu decided to have a drinking contest. Vera had also been looking at the drinks they were preparing for the contest and the prizes as stakes with the same calm expression.
Kyoshiro suddenly felt a chill.
“Yes, I’m going too.” Kyoshiro casually rested his arm on his katana. “Although the Yue family isn’t my property, it does have investment from the General. It seems this is your first time here, so let me explain things to you.”
"Thank you so much, Mr. Crazy Death."
"By the way, I heard that besides the General, the Rank 1 Captain of the Beasts Pirates will also be attending tonight's banquet," Vera asked casually, seemingly out of curiosity. "Does Lord Kyoshiro know which Rank 1 Captain it is?"
"Heh heh... It seems your intelligence is a bit off, Wilson."
Mad Death chuckled twice and looked at Vera.
"It's not just one big boss who's coming, it's two big bosses!"
"Lord Quinn...and Lord Jhin?!"
A frightened, panicked voice came from behind. Vera turned around and met the gaze of a man whose face was covered in black leather, with only a pair of sharp eyes visible.
Who is that?
Jin looked at Violet and said coldly.
"I've never seen this before."
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Author's Note: Jhin is still very handsome, a good-looking guy for those who like masked characters [eating melon emoji]
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