Zhang Da Ye took a baseball bat from Tom and knocked out Miss Valentine with a single swing, showing no mercy.
This woman really had no sense—she kept yelling endlessly.
"Much quieter now." Zhang Da Ye lightly tapped his palm with the bat and gave Mr. 3 a friendly smile. "Since you want to talk, let's talk properly. I ask, you answer, okay?"
This is a threat, right? Definitely a threat. "C-completely fine!" Mr. 3 was signaling that he wasn't afraid of Baroque Works and that if he didn't cooperate, he might get hit or worse. His survival instinct was strong.
"Then let's start with the first topic… oh, right." Zhang Da Ye took off his coat and handed it to Camie. "Cover your tail first."
"Okay!" Camie obediently took the coat. At only ten years old, Zhang Da Ye's coat was enough to cover her tail.
After all, this was an unsafe area, not home. If someone discovered them, it would be troublesome. The earlier fight had been loud, and now that it was quiet, anyone could come to check.
Zhang Da Ye still felt uneasy and decided to move the conversation to the abandoned house next door.
"First topic: Where are you from, where are you going, and what's your purpose here?" Zhang Da Ye began with three philosophical questions.
Mr. 3 was taken aback, then realized he was expected to explain the origin and circumstances of the events.
"It went like this: About twenty days ago, someone contacted us and gave us the address of your tavern to steal a cat. Originally, we weren't interested in such a boring task, and even wanted to teach that guy a lesson. But the reward was too high—enough to sell a few top agents together—so…"
Zhang Da Ye nodded. The reward was indeed too generous. "Then why didn't you take the opportunity to strike when I went in with Tom alone?"
"That's because shortly after we arrived, we noticed you had a connection with the mermaid and wanted to profit more," Mr. 3 explained his entire plan without reservation.
Zhang Da Ye thought through his logic. Aside from misestimating the tavern's defenses, everything seemed fine.
He hated enemies who used their brains.
"Who gave you this mission?" Zhang Da Ye wanted to confirm his guess.
Mr. 3 had no intention of hiding the client. "A businessman named Biznis."
"That doesn't seem right. Someone that cautious wouldn't personally deal with a criminal gang. How did you trace him?"
"Indeed, he sent subordinates to contact us, but with the Unlucky Duo around, it was easy to trace him."
"Even after finding him, why didn't you just take him out?" Zhang Da Ye expressed disappointment. "You can't even do black-on-black operations properly—you're the worst criminal group I've ever seen."
"Ha, ha ha…" Mr. 3 laughed awkwardly, thinking Zhang Da Ye seemed more like a criminal than him. He then explained their rules: "Investigating him was only because the transaction was huge. If he couldn't pay, we'd need some guarantee. Normally, we wouldn't act against clients…"
"And if I wanted to deal with this Biznis, how should I proceed?" Zhang Da Ye guessed Biznis wouldn't dare come to the Sabaody Archipelago after hearing about the tavern's fate, so he casually asked the 'professional.'
"That's something we can handle!" Mr. 3 felt a glimmer of hope. "Just let us go, and I guarantee we can perfectly handle him and his caravan within a month!"
Zhang Da Ye looked at him with contempt. "You just said you wouldn't act against clients."
"Heh heh heh, he broke the rules first." Mr. 3 smiled apologetically, though it looked like a cunning grin. "He lied about the tavern's personnel and strength, causing huge losses to our organization. So, we must hold him accountable. Exactly!"
Mr. 3 thought this was the best solution. Even if Zhang Da Ye let him go today, he would still face punishment for mission failure. By blaming Biznis and taking the money back, the punishment would be lighter.
But Zhang Da Ye shattered his plan. "I refuse."
"Huh? Why?" Mr. 3 thought this was mutually beneficial. "Don't worry, I'll definitely deal with him. Even for myself, I would solve it!"
"Because you're a criminal. Letting you go could harm countless people. Better to exchange you for a bounty." Zhang Da Ye thought it unwise. Biznis would find a way to handle things anyway. There was no need to let these people continue their crimes. They might even seek revenge.
Even if they weren't released, Baroque Works wouldn't let Biznis off easily. He lost three top-ranked agents because of this.
It was better to leave these people to the Navy. If the Navy got Baroque Works' intel and collaborated a bit with Alabasta, they could even give Crocodile some trouble.
"Please reconsider!" Mr. 3 tried to persuade again, but Zhang Da Ye was already having Tom dismantle the house to build a cart.
Watching the cart quickly take shape, Mr. 3 resigned. "Then at least grant me one small final request!"
"Let's hear it," Zhang Da Ye was curious.
Was it a final artistic wax figure? After all, he was an artist.
Mr. 3 pitifully said, "Can you blow out the fire on my head? It's a hairstyle I made using wax and hair. I can't replenish it with my ability, and if it keeps burning, my hair will be gone."
Zhang Da Ye: "…"
I misjudged you, Mr. Artist.
Camie hopped over, tail in tow, eyes wide. "Huh? Is it a candle? Can we make a wish while blowing it out?"
I'm not a cake! Mr. 3 wanted to shout, but forced a smile. "Sure, I don't mind. Make a wish on my candle—it might come true."
"Awesome, thank you, Mr. 3!" Camie clasped her hands, eyes closed, seriously making a wish.
Tom paused his work to join the fun.
Watching the two cuties act so seriously, Zhang Da Ye shook his head, smiling. Maybe I'll make a wish too—let my beloved roommate wear something ridiculous?