Chapter 29: Baroque Works
As if obeying a command, the two undead directly spread their arms wide in display. A sheen of black began to spread from their wrists towards their fists, eventually covering the round shields and spears they held.
"Still works, huh?" Seeing the dark light of Armament Haki flowing over the undead, the smile on Reiner’s face grew wider.
"Ooh? Your ability is quite decent," Broggy praised with a laugh.
"Hey Reiner! Let them fight me! Heehee!"
Luffy’s eyes shone, eager for a challenge. He could sense the powerful aura emanating from these two undead.
Reiner immediately recalled them. "Don’t mess around, Luffy. These two could pin you down and wipe the floor with you right now."
This trip to Little Garden was a massive jackpot! Reiner pumped his fist. Blue Ogre and Red Ogre could even serve him well until the end of the first half of the Grand Line.
His previously strongest summons, the Katana Devil and Wolverine undead, were completely outclassed.
Until Luffy and Zoro grew stronger, providing him with updated templates, Blue Ogre and Red Ogre would be his trump cards.
And with the addition of Haki, Reiner’s undead had, for the first time, potentially surpassed Luffy in strength, making him arguably the strongest person on the ship.
Woohoo~ Time to take off!
Usopp punched the air excitedly. With two new powerhouses added to the crew, his own ’Captain Usopp’s Great Adventure’ had gained significantly more security.
"Wait a minute... that twenty-five million bounty combination... could it also be..." Vivi looked at Reiner with astonishment.
She had seen Reiner summon undead over the past few days on the ship but hadn’t felt comfortable asking about someone else’s abilities.
Thinking back now, the duo with the 25 million bounty had been conspicuously absent from the crew. Combining that with the undead Reiner just created...
Everything suddenly clicked into place!
"Ah, those are Reiner’s undead," Luffy confirmed directly to Vivi.
Reiner wasn’t concerned. He had told Luffy not to blabber unnecessarily, and Luffy wouldn’t casually reveal things he wasn’t supposed to.
"So that’s how it is," Vivi murmured, her expression complex. The way she looked at Reiner had changed entirely.
So much for undead being used for chores?
"That’s just how Reiner is," Nami said contemptuously. "Doesn’t have the slightest aura of a strong person."
"What’s that supposed to mean? Are you questioning my Usopp-style play?"
"Wait, Reiner, are you complimenting me right now?" Usopp asked, looking speechless.
Meanwhile, deep within the lush primeval forest...
Mr. 3, accompanied by a little girl wearing a yellow beret (Miss Goldenweek), was heading towards the giants’ base. Trailing behind them were Mr. 5 and the woman in the hip-hugging skirt (Miss Valentine).
The wax man, Mr. 3, adjusted his neat collar while glancing disdainfully back at the pair.
"Why did you two follow? Don’t drag me down later."
"Don’t be so arrogant," Mr. 5 retorted dismissively, hands stuffed in his pockets. "You know the consequences of failure. The Boss never keeps useless people around."
"Of course, I understand that better than you," Mr. 3 replied with a serious expression. "This target is crucial. If I’m not mistaken, there are likely others coming after us."
"Not sure if it’s Mr. 2 or Mr. 1."
"It should be that damn pervert. Mr. 1 rarely leaves the Boss’s side," the wax figure Miss GW spoke calmly.
She had been with Baroque Works for a long time. Although she hadn’t met the Boss, she understood his methods very well.
Backup arriving wasn’t necessarily coming to help them. If it was Mr. 1...
"Forget it. Regardless, as long as the mission is completed, it’s fine."
Rustle~ Rustle Rustle~
A sound came from the bushes, but the group seemed unconcerned, continuing on their way.
"This damn primeval forest!" Miss Valentine cursed under her breath. "It’s damp! Stuffy! And so many bugs! I seriously can’t stand another moment here!"
Only after the group had walked further away...
The head of a blue Fish-Man emerged from the bushes, its vacant eyes staring in the direction the four had gone.
It then circled around, pushed off with its legs at maximum speed, and a blue figure darted through the forest towards Reiner’s location.
A short while later, on the open grassy area in the center of the island, Reiner saw a Fish-Man undead rushing towards him.
"Did you find the prey?" The undead reached him and began gesturing wildly.
"Four people? Two men, one kid..."
"There’s a 3? What does that mean?"
Reiner’s expression grew increasingly strange. What the heck are these gestures?
Seeing this, Nami couldn’t help but ask curiously, "What’s wrong, Reiner? Did something happen?"
"There are other people on the island."
Reiner lit a cigarette and spoke slowly. "They’re heading straight for us. Already very close."
"Coming for us?" Nami was puzzled. "Did we offend someone?"
"No... they might be coming for me."
Vivi suddenly stepped forward, crossing her arms over her chest, her face pale. A bad feeling churned within her.
"No need to guess. They’re already here," Reiner stated plainly.
Hearing this, the group scanned their surroundings – only the dark forest encircling the clearing.
The Red Ogre undead pointed its spear in a specific direction. Both undead had already sensed several presences approaching via Observation Haki.
Following the spear’s direction, sure enough, a figure emerged from the woods shortly after.
"Tch, discovered already?"
The newcomer was Mr. 3. He frowned, annoyed at being spotted immediately upon emerging by the Straw Hat crew.
Yo, isn’t this the future Vice Commander, Brother Three?
Reiner looked at the ’3’ shaped topknot on the man’s head, instantly understanding the undead’s gesture.
"Mr. 3!!!" Vivi gasped, her eyes widening in shock. She covered her mouth, her body trembling slightly.
Nami noticed and came closer, placing a hand on Vivi’s back worriedly. "What’s wrong, Vivi? Do you know him?"
"He’s one of Baroque Works’ top agents!"
Vivi stared fearfully at Mr. 3, tightly gripping Nami’s hand. "Baroque Works is an organization of assassins. Member codenames are ranked by strength."
"His number is 3! He’s probably here to assassinate me!"
"Assassinate you?" Nami paused. "So that’s why that curly-haired guy asked us to escort you to Alabasta."
"What happened to Igaram!?" Vivi suddenly shouted towards Mr. 3.
Since Mr. 3 was here, did that mean Igaram, who left early to act as a decoy...
"Ah, you mean the captain of the Alabasta Royal Guard?"
Mr. 3 looked mockingly at Vivi. "Who knows? Maybe he’s been picked clean by the fish in the sea by now."
How could this happen... Vivi’s face fell, unshed tears glistening in her eyes.
"So he’s an enemy, right?"
Luffy suddenly spoke up. "Didn’t we accept the mission? If he’s here to assassinate Vivi, then he’s an enemy, correct?"
"The answer is obvious," Reiner stated. "There are three others hiding in the forest. I’ve already sent my undead in the forest after them."
"Mm, leave it to you," Luffy nodded and charged directly towards Mr. 3.
Reiner didn’t summon more undead, simply directing the Fish-Man undead scattered throughout the woods to surround the other agents.
"I’m sorry, Nami..." Vivi knelt on the ground, one hand still held by Nami. "I’m afraid I’ve gotten you all involved with some terrible enemies."
"Don’t worry, Vivi. They’re really strong," Nami comforted her with a smile.
However, her smile didn’t last more than a few seconds. Vivi’s next words caused Nami’s attitude to flip 180 degrees.
"The boss behind Baroque Works... is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—"
"NANI!!!" Nami and Usopp’s faces turned green with terror.
"Hey, damn it! You didn’t mention this was the situation at the beginning!"
"Doesn’t that mean!? We just entered the Grand Line and we’re already targeted by a Warlord!?"
"Damn it! Say something, Vivi!" Nami grimaced, grabbing Vivi and shaking her relentlessly.
Vivi: "┭┮﹏┭┮... Sob... I’m sorry~~"
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