Chapter 155: Pre-Battle Meeting
"This time we're just going to rescue someone, we don't need so many people…" Eric looked helplessly at the fully packed plane. "This is way too many people."
"You told me we'd always be together, walking side by side." Judging by Kurumi's look, she was clearly going, already strapped tightly into her seatbelt.
Akame nodded silently and followed suit, fastening her seatbelt.
"I'm the pilot, you guys can't fly the plane, right?" Da Vinci put on her pilot cap and sat in the cockpit. "Hurry up and decide. Even if the timing is fine, unexpected weather on the way could ruin everything."
The weather on the Grand Line… was famously unpredictable.
"I'll stay behind this time," Esdeath said with a smile .
The usually combative Esdeath, always butting heads with Kurumi, surprised everyone with her decision.
"Oh my, that's not like you at all."
"Hmph." Esdeath snorted lightly through her nose. Recently, she had been reading 'How to Fall in Love: 100 Little Tricks to Win a Man's Heart', which said: "Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Don't cling to a man all the time—it'll only make him grow tired of you."
Also: "When living together, greet your boyfriend at the door with warm phrases like 'Welcome home,' to make him feel loved."
And: "Have a meal ready in advance and strike a seductive pose while asking: 'Will you eat first? Or shower first? Or... eat me first?'"
Note: this line is especially fatal to shut-in types!
'I'll use this time to train and fully capture Eric's heart. I'll make that damn black cat bite her handkerchief in regret and cry in frustration!'
"So suspicious…" Kurumi grew uneasy. She couldn't figure out what Esdeath was planning.
"Then it's settled. Me, Akame, Da Vinci, Kurumi, Lant, and Deidara —six of us will go to Water 7."
Deidara pointed at himself in confusion. "Huh? I'm going too?"
"Yeah. Your explosive clay bird is extremely useful in aerial combat, and it will serve as a backup transport in case the Osprey fails. Lant's a fishman—he's for underwater combat support."
"Heh~" Deidara shrugged in agreement.
Lant silently nodded.
"Captain, should we sail the ship toward Water 7 too?"
"No need. I want to entrust you with another task."
The crew not boarding the plane straightened up in attention.
"The village we stayed in, Foosha Village, is part of the Goa Kingdom. On the surface, it's pristine—praised as the most beautiful nation in the East Blue. But the truth is…"
"The royal family in the palace and the nobles in High Town have banished all unwanted things beyond the walls. Contrasting their spotless streets is a towering garbage mountain, where helpless citizens survive by scavenging scraps."
"And last year, to prepare for the World Government's inspection team and the Celestial Dragons aboard, the royals decided to burn down the entire Terminal—of course, that included the poor people living there."
Hearing this, Akame clenched the hilt of her sword tightly, eyes filled with fury.
Eric took note of her reaction and said, "Akame, do you want to wipe out those scumbags?"
"Yes," Akame nodded, then hesitated. "But without me, will rescuing Tom be too dangerous?"
Eric placed both hands gently on her head. "Akame, do what you most want to do. You're my comrade now. You're not a killer anymore, nor an ornament at my side. You don't need to revolve around me all the time. Live your own color."
"Mm!" Akame nodded firmly, unfastened her seatbelt, and turned to Kurumi. "Sorry, I'm going to bury those royals and nobles. Kurumi, please be careful on the way to Water 7."
"Likewise. You take care too," Kurumi waved her over and whispered in her ear, "Watch out for any tricks Esdeath pulls—and report back to me immediately."
"Got it. You better not sneak off either."
"Of course not—we're allies now, aren't we?"
"This operation will be led by Teacher Chiron as wartime commander. We'll strike the palace and High Town where the royals and nobles live."
"I want to be commander!" Esdeath raised both arms. "I have experience leading armies in battle."
"No. If you're in charge, even the civilians in the central district will be doomed."
"Tch."
"We're attacking a kingdom? I want in too!" Deidara suddenly perked up. "My art will blow the whole place to—"
"You're coming with me to Water 7 to save lives. I already said your clay bird is important to us." Eric cut him off bluntly.
"Ugh."
"Storming the nobles' quarters and killing them all doesn't align with my goal. That'll just lead to more nobles taking their place, continuing to deceive the public."
"So you're going to use Morgans' live broadcast setup?" Chiron stroked his chin. "Another interrogation livestream? Exposing the royal crimes to the entire world?"
"Exactly!" Eric nodded. "This time, let's have Morgans prep early, and use unknown, illegal transmission routes. We don't want the World Government catching on too soon."
"Esdeath, let those pampered nobles experience your interrogation techniques."
"Of course." Esdeath's slightly upturned smile was bloodthirsty enough to make even Deidara nervous.
"H-Hey, Esdeath-senpai, your expression is kind of scary…"
"Shut up."
"Yes ma'am!"
"Also, don't just torture and destroy—make sure to loot those bastards' treasures too."
"I knew you'd say that."
"Hey, I manage food, supplies, and equipment for the whole ship. Gotta budget somehow, right?"
"Anyway, this war must be handled carefully—no casualties. Scáthach ," Eric handed her two senzu beans, "These are senzu beans. As long as you're not dead, eating one will instantly restore your health."
Never having seen senzu beans before, Deidara Tsuru d his neck to get a look at the unremarkable little beans.
"Forget it. Your self-detonation leaves nothing behind."
"Hey! I'm not thinking about blowing myself up all the time!"
"Scáthach , you decide when to use them. Esdeath is too reckless—she might charge into danger before using them. Chiron will likely be aboard the Fearless and too far to help in time."
"Understood. Leave it to me." Scáthach stored the beans. "But will there really be tough enemies in the East Blue?"
"There's a chance that naval hero Garp might show up on vacation… or more CP0 agents sent by the Celestial Dragons. We can't be careless."
"Perona, use your ghosts frequently for surveillance. Keep our crew safe."
"Horororo~ Leave it to me!"
"After you loot the Goa Palace's treasure, rendezvous here—where the Calm Belt meets the East Blue."
The pre-battle meeting finally ended. Eric led four crew members to Water 7.
The rest watched as the Osprey disappeared into the distance.
"All right. Now it's our turn to act."
(END CHAPTER)
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