Chapter 319

Walking along the path in front of the residential houses in Water 7, the waterway beside it was full of small boats carried by Bulls.

A new day had begun, and the residents of Water 7 were starting to get busy.

Today was a bit different from usual because the 'Aqua Laguna' was coming soon.

The so-called Aqua Laguna was actually a massive tsunami that would sweep through the entire city of Water 7.

This was originally a disaster, but through human ingenuity, the Aqua Laguna had become a source of wealth.

The massive tsunami would sweep through all of Water 7. When it happened, residents would choose to hide in shelters in the back streets or leave the city by Sea Train.

When the tsunami hit, the entire city of Water 7 would be washed clean. The streets would become spotless, and the houses would be washed clean, which improved the city's sanitary conditions and significantly reduced the chance of disease outbreaks.

Moreover, this washing happened once a year, so Water 7 rarely experienced large-scale epidemics.

Not only that, the tsunami would wash in fish from other sea areas, making Water 7's fishery resources very rich. Over 30% of the commoners in Water 7 made their living by fishing.

The Aqua Laguna had other benefits as well. Because of this, the commoners of Water 7 hadn't abandoned this island that was constantly sinking; the resources here were just too rich.

According to professional meteorological surveys, the Aqua Laguna would appear tomorrow or the day after, at the latest the day after tomorrow.

The Aqua Laguna had extraordinary significance to the residents of Water 7. Every year before it hit, Water 7 held a festival.

People wore gorgeous costumes, masks, and headpieces, covering their bodies completely before heading to the city center.

Every year, there was a festival similar to a masquerade ball in the city center, where commoners would come to pray, praying for the Water God to bless them.

This year was the same. A large Bull swam through the waterway from time to time, pulling a boat filled with residents wearing gorgeous costumes and wooden masks.

The gathering in the city center had some sacrificial elements, so the mask styles were relatively solemn—after all, it was to worship the god.

Su Xiao arrived at a tavern near Center Street and pushed open the tavern door; it was full of customers.

This caught Su Xiao off guard. After exiting the tavern, he took out a map to check. Yes, this was the place.

A wooden sign placed next to the tavern door caught Su Xiao's attention.

'Aqua Laguna Festival Day, drinks half price.'

So that was it. Su Xiao had been wondering why this tavern had so many customers.

Entering the tavern and arriving at the bar, the CP9 agent Blueno was busy behind the bar, looking like a bartender.

"Brother Blueno, another one."

A drunkard tapped the bar with an empty glass, looking impatient.

Blueno took the glass and refilled it for the drunkard. When he handed the glass to the drunkard, he happened to see Su Xiao sitting at the bar.

"Customer, what would you like to drink?"

"Rum."

Blueno nodded and handed over a glass of rum.

After a while, Blueno tapped the bar, attracting the attention of all the customers.

"It's already 9:30. It's almost time for the festival, so the tavern will be closing temporarily."

Hearing Blueno's words, the customers in the tavern were clearly unhappy.

"Close later, we're having a good time."

"Yeah, you stingy guy, you actually have half-price drinks, and we haven't emptied the cellar yet."

Laughter erupted in the tavern, and Blueno smiled as well.

Although somewhat reluctant, the customers in the tavern paid their bills and left one after another. Blueno began to clean up the messy tavern.

"You probably... won't be coming back here again. Is this necessary?"

Su Xiao sat at the bar drinking slowly. Blueno didn't say anything, keeping his head down as he continued to clean the tavern.

Not until the tavern was spotless and all the glasses were wiped clean did Blueno walk behind the bar, take off his coat, fold it neatly, and place it on the bar.

Blueno pressed his hands on his clothes and closed his eyes, pondering something. When he opened his eyes, there was no longer much emotional fluctuation in them. He had reappeared as an agent from a bartender. He had been a bartender for five years, and even... had become somewhat accustomed to this life.

"Follow me. We cannot be directly exposed to the sight of others; many people in Water 7 recognize me."

Walking into the room behind the tavern, two sets of festival clothes were laid out on a wooden table, with masks, headpieces, and everything else complete.

Su Xiao picked up the mask on the table. It was an all-white mask; except for the holes for the eyes and some graffiti, the rest was pale.

The clothes were very gorgeous but also cumbersome, though this brightly colored robe could well conceal one's physique and all other features.

"We can wait here. Every entrance to Water 7 is already covered with eyes and ears. As soon as the Straw Hat Pirates land, we will receive the news immediately."

Su Xiao nodded and found a chair to sit down. Seeing the attire Blueno had prepared, he guessed the subsequent plan: wait for the Straw Hat Pirates to land, and then capture Nico Luo Bin.

The wait was somewhat long; two hours passed, and still no news came.

Su Xiao leaned back in his chair, holding a tablet computer and playing a puzzle game.

"Bulu, bulu, bulu......"

The Den Den Mushi in Blueno's arms rang. After he answered, a string of numbers was spoken from the Den Den Mushi.

"Understood."

Blueno hung up the Den Den Mushi. He had deciphered what those numbers represented.

"The Straw Hat Pirates have landed. The location is in the direction of the back streets. Nico Luo Bin has already disembarked and is shopping with a blue-nosed reindeer."

"No one else around?"

"There are a few suspicious individuals. Other factions should have discovered Nico Luo Bin as well."

Su Xiao didn't say anything more and put on the festival attire.

"Your dog."

Blueno looked at Xiang Bubu Te Ni.

"No problem, it can follow from a distance."

Xiang Bubu Te Ni barked twice. Xiang Bubu Te Ni wasn't very good at combat, but if it came to hiding, Su Xiao couldn't even find Xiang Bubu Te Ni once it hid. This idiot could always hide in unimaginable places.

In the cracks of caves, in wooden boxes on old ships—Xiang Bubu Te Ni had even pretended to be a sculpture. In short, there was no place the enemy couldn't think of that it couldn't hide in.

Blueno didn't say anything more. Su Xiao's rank was higher than his; he had no right to direct or command Su Xiao, and he had to protect Su Xiao's safety throughout the process. Now that Su Xiao was an important research personnel, even now, Blueno didn't understand why Su Xiao wanted to participate in this mission.

Leaving the tavern, the two headed straight for the back streets. During this time, Blueno's Den Den Mushi rang a few more times.

Arriving at a path in the back streets, Blueno stopped his footsteps.

"Based on the calculation of Nico Luo Bin's route, Nico Luo Bin will definitely pass through here."

Su Xiao looked around. The mask on his face somewhat affected his vision. Pedestrians were constantly passing through the path.

Soon, the combination of a person and a reindeer appeared in his sight: it was Luo Bin and Chopper.

Su Xiao and Blueno walked toward them.

PS: (I have a cold, no strength to release four chapters.)