"An Adventurer, huh? I thought it was the Revolutionary Army."
Shakky joked, and Xia Tali's recently relaxed expression suddenly tensed, looking up at Shakky in surprise. Luo Yan, however, was very calm, even with a hint of a smile in his voice.
"Let me think, this information must have come from the Revolutionary Army, if I'm not mistaken?"
The smile on Shakky's face froze for a moment, then bloomed into an even more pronounced grin.
"It seems you also have quite a remarkable intelligence network! This information is very Secrecy; most people wouldn't be able to get their hands on it."
Luo Yan shook his head, leaned back slightly, looked up at the ceiling, then suddenly sat upright and looked at Shakky.
"I don't have any intelligence network. I just used my brain. In Loguetown, I made a deal with Dragon. At the time, I was sure no one was following us, but in Alabasta, a Marine Colonel named Smoker knew about it. I didn't think much of it then."
"Firstly, there were many Marines in Loguetown; perhaps my departure with Dragon was noticed by a Marine."
"Secondly, Smoker made some veiled remarks at the time."
"But since this information has spread all the way here, someone must be deliberately disseminating it. Who could it be? The most suspicious party is undoubtedly the Revolutionary Army!"
Shakky clapped her hands, praising him unreservedly: "Excellent deduction! You are even more outstanding than I imagined."
But then she suddenly dropped her smile, her expression becoming serious as she said:
"I don't know what kind of deal you made with Dragon that would make him so eager to tie you to the Revolutionary Army's ship, but you'll have to be careful from now on. Even if you're a great pirate, as long as you don't actively provoke the World Government, the World Government won't do anything to you. But if you get involved with the Revolutionary Army, that's a different story."
Luo Yan smiled bitterly, shook his head, and then sighed softly.
"Rather than tying me to the Revolutionary Army's ship, it's more like forcing me to pick a side. It doesn't even count as a test. Truly worthy of the Revolutionary Army's leader."
Luo Yan's bitter smile at this moment was genuinely from the heart. After confirming that the information came from the Revolutionary Army, he had already guessed Dragon's motive.
To secretly and precisely spread the news that Luo Yan had made a deal with the Revolutionary Army, attracting attention from all sides, would very likely draw the attention of the World Government.
Once the World Government's attention was drawn, they would only have two choices.
First, show goodwill, send people to make contact, and offer an olive branch.
Second, show malice, directly issue a bounty, and attempt assassination.
If goodwill was shown, and Luo Yan showed a slight inclination to cooperate, the Revolutionary Army could immediately cut ties with Luo Yan to prevent infiltration.
If malice was shown, then Luo Yan would undoubtedly be pushed closer to the Revolutionary Army, which was also what Dragon hoped to see.
So, no matter how the World Government reacted, it would help the Revolutionary Army confirm whether Luo Yan was reliable.
Shakky once again held the cigarette between her fingers, exhaling a puff of smoke, and as if suddenly remembering something, raised her eyebrows and said:
"Oh, that's right, I also have a piece of information here. I heard that the Revolutionary Army's territory in the West Blue has expanded again, and the person who broke through the final stronghold this time used a special ability, similar to a devil fruit ability, but not a devil fruit ability. The Revolutionary Army named this ability 'Extraordinary.' Do you know anything about it?"
The bar fell into a brief silence. Xia Tali watched her captain with her mouth slightly agape. This time, she was genuinely a little flustered, and the sudden quietness only intensified her panic. But soon, she saw her captain grin.
"Hey! There's something I want to confirm. What do you think of the Revolutionary Army's intelligence capabilities?"
Luo Yan suddenly changed the subject, asking a question that seemed completely unrelated to what they were just discussing.
Shakky was briefly surprised, then spoke: "Naturally, it's very strong. Without a powerful intelligence system, how could the Revolutionary Army possibly grow stronger and stronger? Standing against them are the rulers of this world, after all."
"Then I'm not worried. For me, this is a good thing."
Luo Yan shrugged, looking very relaxed, as if it was truly an insignificant matter.
In fact, Luo Yan genuinely wasn't very worried.
If the World Government chose to show goodwill, then at the very least, they would send CP0 to make contact. Only if he and CP0 failed to reach an agreement would assassination become a possibility later. In that case, Luo Yan would have plenty of time. As long as he went to the New World and contacted Whitebeard, he could receive Whitebeard's temporary protection. In such a situation, the World Government wouldn't dare to attempt an assassination.
And by the time he left Whitebeard's protection, Luo Yan would already be Sequence 4, which is a qualitative leap. At that time, even facing an Admiral at sea, he certainly wouldn't win, but he could definitely escape.
Moreover, once he and CP0 failed to reach an agreement, Dragon would know that Luo Yan was leaning towards the Revolutionary Army and would definitely provide some assistance. Not to mention sending people for rescue, at least he would give an early warning or something.
Trying to assassinate a Sequence 4 with an early warning is simply unthinkable, as a Sequence 4's high spirituality would inherently warn them of danger.
If the World Government showed malice from the start, then the Revolutionary Army would certainly still provide a reminder, after all, Luo Yan still had a den den mushi given by Dragon.
That's why Luo Yan confirmed the Revolutionary Army's intelligence capabilities with Shakky. After receiving an affirmative answer, he was no longer worried, though necessary precautions were still needed.
As for why Luo Yan said this was a good thing for him, it's because Luo Yan would need an Anchor in the future. How could he best and fastest obtain an Anchor?
Undoubtedly, by saving others from suffering. So, where are the suffering people?
Following the Revolutionary Army is definitely the right path. If they couldn't bear the suffering any longer, who would be willing to ignite the flames of war? Countries that would spark a revolution are undoubtedly places where the common people suffer deeply!
Saving the suffering and spreading faith would naturally lead to gaining believers, and thus gaining the Anchor needed to become an Angel!
Shakky nodded, saying nothing more. She wasn't curious why Luo Yan said it was a good thing. She had shared the information and given the warning.
Firstly, she had received Luo Yan's information in advance and developed a certain interest in him. Secondly, she had taken a million Berries from him.
Ding-a-ling!
Just then, the bar door opened again, and in walked a man with white hair and beard, wearing glasses—it was Silvers Rayleigh!
"Oh? We have guests today?"