บท 10: Final preparations

3 Months Later

In Johan's private office on the island of Kyuka, three figures could be seen within the room.

The largest of them belonged to a heavily built man, broad shoulders, arms like tree trunks, and an impressive height of 240 CM. What stood out the most was his bald head.

Seated beside him in the chair was a young-looking woman, with long jet-black hair, a slim body with pronounced curves, and highly attractive. She stood nearly 2 meters tall.

In comparison to these two individuals, Johan, sitting behind the desk with his characteristic hat and a smile, seemed dwarfed, with a height of only 190 CM, considered a rarity in this universe.

Johan/Lexter: "Well, now that we're all here, it's time to begin. As you know, my code name is Lexter, currently the owner and proprietor of the entire island of Kyuka.

From now on, we'll be focusing on the production of herbs or drugs, as you may call them, and you two will be in charge of that task.

The recipient of this shipment is quite special... But you'll only have contact with Rear Admiral Strawberry. Currently, he's responsible for providing us 'protection.'"

Pointing at the woman, Lexter continued.

Johan: "You, 'Rose,' will be in charge of the production taking place on an island near 'Little Garden,' where all the equipment and workers are already set up to start the work.

And you, big guy, from now on, you'll be called 'Baldur.' Your responsibility will be to protect and transport the cargo from 'Little Garden' to that island. I'll provide you with an Eternal Pose when you depart...

I don't care about your names or what you do from now on, as long as you complete the job. ¿Any questions?"

Baldur: "..." "¿Could you be more respectful, you know? Anyway, I don't care as long as you pay me..."

Rose: "Sounds good. Are you sure you can trust these people you work for? I have one issue, though... ¿Do I really have to work with this bald guy?"

Complaining a bit, Rose glanced at the big guy.

Baldur: "Tsk, don't get too bossy, witch. At least I didn't work in a brothel. Hahahaha."

Rose: "What did you say, you damn baldy? Take it back unless you want me to kick your ass..."

Both stood up and confronted each other.

Baldur: "Hey, dare if you want, you fucking bitch. Why don't you turn around and let me fuck you?"

That was the last straw. Instantly, Rose pulled out a rather peculiar stick from her purse and thrust it toward Baldur.

The bald man didn't stand idly and pulled his fist back to strike her in the head.

As their attacks were about to collide...

*Bang*

A gunshot whizzed past Rose's neck and left a small mark.

The other shot missed Baldur's head by half an inch.

Johan: "They haven't even been together for 5 minutes, and they're already giving me a headache...

I don't care if you fight, argue, or fornicate with each other. Just complete your job and meet the fixed merchandise deadline. ¿Understand?"

Both reluctantly nodded and sat back down.

Johan: "Alright, finally, you'll be assigned $1,000,000 of Belly for every ton produced. Keep a low profile, and if you fail even once... I'll decapitate you and hang your bodies at the port."

A chill ran down both of their spines as they heard Johan and saw his faint smile.

Johan: "A ship will be waiting for you to depart. If you encounter pirates or have any trouble with the Giants of 'Little Garden,' use the Den Den Mushi to contact me."

4 hours later

On a medium-sized merchant ship, a man and a woman stood at the bow, gazing out at the majestic sea before them.

Rose: "Listen here, baldy. I'll go down to the island first and search for the herbs. You stay close to the ship to protect it in case any beasts attack.

Put those muscles of yours to some useful work."

Baldur: "Hhmp, you're really cruel, Rose. Besides, none of us are in charge, so you can't give me orders. But fine, if anything happens to you, scream all you want; I'll gladly abandon the island. Hahahaha."

Rose: "Look who's being cruel now. Fufufu. ¿By the way, how did Lexter contact you?"

Surprised by the question, Baldur hesitated for a moment.

Baldur: "Two months ago, after my crew was defeated, I was captured by pirates and taken to an auction house. You have no idea how cruel they are there."

Looking down, he slightly lowered his head.

Baldur: "Even though it was a short time, I was humiliated like never before in my life, whipped, forced to do unforgivable things by the guards there. They even forced me to eat a Devil Fruit and tortured me with Sea-Prism Stone weapons..."

Tears welled up, and Baldur's face turned complicated.

Baldur: "But after a few weeks, while I was on the auction stage, Lexter bought me for $5,000,000. I couldn't believe someone would pay that much for me. But he said he saw potential in me...

The tears stopped, and a smile replaced his face.

Baldur: "He told me that when he needed me, he would contact me, that now I was 'free'..."

Listening to her companion's story, Rose felt a lump in her throat, which she suppressed a few seconds later.

Rose: "Well, while my past is happier than yours, it's not much prettier. Fufufu. I used to work at the brothel in 'Mock Town.' One day, Lexter arrived and quickly paid for a private session.

I could see in his eyes that he knew who he was looking for; he didn't hesitate in his actions.

When we were alone in the room, he only watched me for a few minutes and then left the brothel. As the days went by, I couldn't help but think about him.

I went from island to island in this part of the Grand Line searching for him, but I found no trace of him.

Until a month ago, when I arrived at 'Kyuka' and saw him disembarking from a ship... ¿Was it a sign? ¿Why him?

When I approached, he looked at me with his penetrating eyes and said...

'You took your time... What did you feel on the way?'

When I heard that phrase, I couldn't help but shiver... I... had killed dozens of people without even remembering...

He planted a seed of hope within me... a sense of life, love, hatred. From that moment on, I couldn't help but give my life to him."

Completely moved and awed by Rose's story, Baldur couldn't help but be surprised by her encounter with 'Lexter.' He never thought 'Lexter' would be so impressive as to compel a woman to engage in such immoralities even of her

Baldur: "Huh, interesting. But enough of the chatter, we need to focus on our work."

On the horizon, the silhouette of an island began to emerge.

Upon arrival, Rose took charge of searching for and identifying the plants described by Lexter, while Baldur also helped with the loading of the herbs. A couple of animals attacked the ship, but Baldur easily defeated them.

Lexter had informed him that he had consumed the 'Soku Soku No Mi' Fruit, which allowed the user to achieve extreme speeds.

In this way, while his combat power wasn't particularly great, his speed and physical endurance made him a pain in the testicles for his enemies.