Late at night.
The Konoha Pirates gradually grew quiet.
Some people were hiding in the cabin fast asleep, while others stood in the lookout tower keeping watch.
As for Dracule Mihawk, because of his inconvenient status, he left the ship again after helping make a meal. He was heading to the second half of the Grand Line.
As for Admiral Aokiji...
This Navy admiral was really soaking in the water.
However, even while soaking in the water, he could stumble and sleep soundly.
Red Sand Sasori stood on the lookout tower, ready to transmit orders from Akihara Kagura at any time and relay everything happening here to her. As a Human Puppet, he didn't need any rest.
A long-haired figure drifted down behind him.
Otsutsuki Kaguya floated in the air, appearing like a deity descending in the moonlight, her voice almost inaudibly soft: "Asura Path, is he angry?"
"Just seizing the opportunity to act up..."
Asura Path: Sasori turned around but did not look at Otsutsuki Kaguya, instead cautiously observing the sleeping Admiral Aokiji: "When entering the Grand Line, let people witness the disgrace of this Navy admiral, and see the arrogance of this pirate crew..."
"I am not really angry inside..."
"One of the purposes of killing the Heavenly Celestial Dragon was to draw out a Navy admiral as a pawn. Unfortunately, the admiral who came is a lazy guy..."
"Aokiji cannot be completely trusted by us, and highly likely he might be our undercover in the Navy, and at the same time, a Naval spy infiltrating this pirate crew..."
"Understood."
Otsutsuki Kaguya immediately discerned the change in the person in front of her. She wasn't very concerned about Admiral Aokiji's issue and nodded slowly to herself: "During the day, many people on this ship seem nervous; they are worried about you too..."
"But it's all for this Navy admiral to see..."
Asura Path: Sasori's voice was still mechanical, as if devoid of emotion: "After all, his admiral status needs to be utilized. At the very least, he must know that the undercover in the Navy is important; he will certainly be very concerned about the undercover in the Navy..."
"Most likely when he returns to the Navy, this admiral may claim under the guise of being Konoha Pirates' spy, not needing other spies, to seize the opportunity to clear out Konoha Pirates' undercover in the Navy, believing that eventually, you all will helplessly forgive his actions and continue to rely on him as an intelligence source..."
"Eventually..."
"At that time, all your information will come from this Navy admiral, and he might very well become a tool in his hands."
"..."
This guess is actually quite accurate.
After agreeing to be the Konoha Pirates' spy embedded in the Navy, Aokiji immediately thought of what he should do.
First, gain their trust as much as possible.
Next, clear out their spies lurking in the Navy.
In the end, use Konoha Pirates to handle some troublesome matters that the Navy is inconvenient to intervene in and probe the true purpose of the Konoha Pirates.
No pirate crew in this world would easily give up an Admiral-level combat power, let alone an Admiral-spy hidden within the Navy itself.
"Then when he wants to clear out the undercover agents in Navy Headquarters..."
Red Sand Sasori's gaze fell on Aokiji, speaking coldly: "Let him experience a bit of despair!"
"I think..."
"He might become a lot more obedient then."
"Before that, we should also squeeze out his value."
"Is that so?"
Otsutsuki Kaguya didn't quite understand, a trace of confusion flashing in her eyes, yet she nodded slowly, seemingly comprehending everything.
"Wait a moment..."
"Before letting him go..."
A small white snake climbed onto the lookout tower and slowly turned into the form of Orochimaru, who licked his lips with his tongue: "Could you let the Second Hokage and me draw some blood for research? After all, he's a Logia-type Fruit user..."
"Such a trivial matter doesn't need a report."
Asura Path: Sasori's voice casually waved it off, even providing them with other ideas: "When you take this Navy admiral to trade with the Navy, you might as well have the Navy exchange a few prisoners for you to use as experiment subjects..."
"..."
Orochimaru's eyes suddenly lit up.
Yet...
The future belongs to the future.
The present belongs to the present.
Both Orochimaru and Senju Tobirama are research maniacs.
After receiving permission, the two of them crawled up overnight to draw a tube of blood from the still sleeping Aokiji and returned to the cabin to conduct their experiments.
"The genes have mutated..."
"Has the Devil Fruit's ability changed his genes?"
"Don't worry about so much, first merge his cells with the First Hokage's cells, and see which cells are stronger. Let us see the true power of the Devil Fruit..."
Until dawn.
Orochimaru and Senju Tobirama were still in the laboratory.
"We're close to the Inverted Mountain."
A voice interrupted their research, reminding them: "You'd better pause your experiments for now and store the valuable experimental materials; the journey might be a bit bumpy..."
Inverted Mountain.
This is the entrance to the Grand Line.
Any seafaring ships intending to enter the Grand Line mostly need to take the route of the Inverted Mountain, riding the ascending sea current gathered at the Inverted Mountain canal, propelled by the seawater up to the mountain top and into the Grand Line.