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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 179: Escape
On the Ice Surface, Ace was flying away on a boat. After traveling a distance, a figure appeared in the distance.
Whoosh.
The figure appeared right beside Ace, stepping onto the boat—it was Heckler.
The boat continued sailing into the distance. Although there was an additional person, with their weight reduced to one kilogram, it posed no hindrance to the vessel.
Meanwhile, Xiaqiu was thundering away into the distance, sprinting at full speed.
Before he killed Blackbeard, his maximum running speed was thirty meters per second. After consuming Blackbeard's power, he could now reach approximately thirty-five meters per second.
His massive body surged forward, filled with admiration.
Aokiji is truly strong.
As expected of an admiral, there was a significant gap between him and Ace.
In the original story, Ace and Aokiji had a brief clash that ended in a stalemate, but their strength difference was still considerable.
Although fire can melt ice, Aokiji's freezing ability was far too powerful; he could freeze an entire sea area, which surpassed Ace's fire in potency. Moreover, Aokiji managed to battle Akainu, a user of a magma Devil Fruit ability stronger than Ace's fire, for nine nights before finally being defeated—his power level was not low at all.
Additionally, in terms of physical combat and Haki, Aokiji also surpassed Ace.
The gap between them was vast.
Fortunately, a formal war had not yet begun. Even if he launched a full-scale attack using Haki and Shave, it would be difficult to defeat him.
Among his subordinates, only Elken and Christmas could participate in this battle.
Elken's explosive abilities could counter some of the ice, but the effect wouldn't be strong enough and he would likely be taken out immediately.
Christmas could attempt a sneak attack, but Aokiji possessed Observation Haki, making it hard for a surprise attack to succeed. Moreover, with Haki, if he managed to grab hold of them, they would be eliminated in an instant.
Thus, the two could only try to restrain him, risking their lives to buy time for a momentary strike against Aokiji.
However, based on their earlier performance, it was clear that this was impossible.
For him and Ace to defeat Aokiji was nothing short of a fool's dream.
The only possibility lay in choosing the interior of Alabasta's desert as the battleground. The harsh environment could negate Aokiji's abilities; high temperatures and low steam would reduce his freezing capabilities. Only by launching a combined assault from the entire Baroque Studio would they have a chance to defeat Aokiji.
But there were too many issues. First, if they set the location in Alabasta, Aokiji might not even come there himself and could gather others to surround them.
Secondly, even if that were the case, the battle would likely last a long time, and other Navy forces might arrive.
Lastly, Vivi disagreed. When they established a line of defense at that time, if Aokiji found her, Xiaqiu had once suggested that their destination be the desert within Alabasta to confront Aokiji. However, Vivi opposed this idea, believing it would pose significant danger to Alabasta. Thus, they decided on Elven Island instead.
When Aokiji arrived, Vivi would inform him that they would meet at Elven Island. She planned to call him in front of Aokiji to set up a time and lead him there.
This was the agreement between Xiaqiu and Vivi.
Xiaqiu had never underestimated the Navy. With its indirect control over Baroque Works, even if it remained hidden underwater, it would eventually attract attention.
Thus, Xiaqiu had long considered what to do if the Navy came after consuming the Vice Admiral.
The Navy's investigation could take several directions.
The most obvious was Vivi; she was the only one who could connect all the events together.
What if she got captured?
After discussing with her, Xiaqiu agreed that she could betray him to ensure her own safety, but she had to inform him about the targets being pursued.
Depending on who was in charge of the interrogation, Vivi would provide different information.
If the leader was a Vice Admiral or lower, Vivi would tell them that they needed to make a phone call in advance. She would directly request a meeting in front of them, and then Xiaqiu would inform her where to meet.
At that point, Xiaqiu would go there and confront the Vice Admiral to prove that Vivi's words were true.
If it were an Admiral, Vivi's response would vary based on who arrived, and the content of the phone call would differ as well.
For instance, if she told Aokiji to make a phone call to meet on Elven Island.
However, in reality, Vivi never needed to make an advance call to meet Xiaqiu; she always knew which island he was on. So why go through the extra step?
Elven Island corresponded to Aokiji. Tuyanhai Island corresponded to Akainu, Green Leaf Island corresponded to Kizaru, and Oak Island corresponded to the P Department.
The four islands, even those belonging to the Vice Admiral, all refer to the Fourth Island.
And they informed him that Heckler is the president, who has been closely monitoring Vivi. Once the cooperation is established, Cecilia will be sent to reveal her identity.
This way, it can ensure Vivi's safety as much as possible while also alerting Xiaqiu.
If Aokiji is present, Xiaqiu plans to try and engage him. With Ace around, and combining his own abilities and reserves, achieving a draw is not out of the question.
However, if Akainu and Kizaru are there, then Xiaqiu and Heckler will reveal themselves and leave.
With a submarine available, it would be difficult for Akainu and Kizaru to act below the Surface of the Sea. Even if Heckler were to die, he could still leave calmly.
But if it’s p, Xiaqiu would engage in direct combat to rescue Vivi.
This was the agreement between Xiaqiu and Vivi.
However, Xiaqiu did not expect Aokiji to arrive so quickly and with such formidable strength.
Nevertheless, the arrangements have already taken effect.
Next, Aokiji will follow Vivi's description to eliminate Baroque Works' strongholds.
Whiskey Peak, several islands responsible for development—Island One, Fourth Island, and the agents on Island Five.
They will establish their headquarters on Island One, which contains a warehouse with cash amounting to five hundred million Berries, along with some confidential information, including the weakness of the Sand-Sand Fruit being water and details about Alabasta's drought plan.
They would dance on Island Five, and combined with the drought in Alabasta, it was enough to make Alabasta a victim.
After all, the city of Aluma had been abandoned due to drought, and Baroque Works had assisted Alabasta in establishing Chengdu City.
This way, Alabasta could prove that it was being coerced for this reason, while also exposing Baroque Works.
An organization primarily relying on intelligence and schemes, its combat power consisted of giant beasts and many strong individuals with bounties ranging from one hundred million to two hundred million, recently collaborating with Ace.
This aligned with Baroque Works' past behavior as well.
They would eliminate Baroque Works and put a bounty on themselves: Heckler and Cecilia.
Meanwhile, Xiaqiu could avoid direct capture and take this opportunity to abandon Baroque Works.
He had long grown tired of being an assassin for Baroque Works. Before heading to hunt Blackbeard, he had already halted activities at Whiskey Peak.
Moreover, he had started transitioning early on.
Even if Baroque Works was taken down, he still had control over Drum Kingdom through Polar Elken Christmas. The kingdom itself wasn't important, but the three of them still had their uses.
Vivi would completely take over the casino, with the funds still belonging to Xiaqiu and managed by Vivi.
The shops in Ailuma City, security companies, clubs, and shipping industries would continue to exist; many had already been separated long ago.
Thus, the remaining assets would turn into healthy assets.
Next, Xiaqiu and Ace would completely divert Navy's attention.
Baroque Works would vanish entirely from everyone's sight, leaving only the pursued roaming outside.
As for Vivi, she was the key figure in this situation.
Xiaqiu did not worry about what she might do, not because he trusted her loyalty—after all, they were never superior and subordinate, merely collaborators. Without loyalty, there could be no betrayal.
The main reason was that their relationship was so intertwined that it could not be severed; too many actions bore Vivi's mark.
In capturing P9, Vivi had already taken action. Once exposed, she would have no way to escape.
Then there was Drum Kingdom, which Vivi had suggested Xiaqiu assist, hoping to help its citizens. Drum Kingdom was also moving toward a better future; she would not destroy this country with her own hands.
For instance, the location of the Vice Admiral was information provided by Vivi.
The establishment of the intelligence system and the sharing of funds also involved Vivi's participation.
Moreover, she had learned about the location of the Pluton and the information regarding Historical Text. If news about Alabasta's connection to Pluton were to leak, it would spell disaster for Alabasta.
Vivi and Baroque Works had become a shared fate; they thrived together or suffered together.
Thus, she would not take unnecessary risks.
After this incident, Vivi could completely sever ties with Baroque Works and remain safe.
All she needed to do was to 'betray' Xiaqiu for a moment.
Next, Xiaqiu would meet up with Ace, divert their attention, and escape to another place, giving them a signal that she had already moved on.
Then she would quietly return, hide away, and learn Six Styles and Life Restoration, not showing her face until she succeeded.
Once she mastered these skills, she could start planning.
One year, two years.
By that time, she would reappear before the world.
Xiaqiu thought as she ran to the edge of the frozen ocean and jumped straight into the water, swimming towards the distance.
Oh right, Vivi still had a mission.
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