Chapter 83 – Acting skills
Bonus chapter
***
"Ah, so that's how it is," Kaya muttered, her eyes narrowing slightly as she regarded Gion with a more serious expression.
The thought of the Navy coming here to seek out Arton wasn't too surprising or alarming to Kaya. After all, if the Navy had access to a copy of the diary, they would be well informed about Arton's recent activities. Given this, it was almost expected that they would come looking for him.
"Arton-san, if she really is Navy Vice Admiral Gion, what should we do?" Kaya asked, furrowing her pretty brows. "She must be very strong, right?"
"If she really is Vice Admiral Gion, then her strength is indeed formidable," Arton acknowledged. "But no worries, right now we are fused together, and I can access Tsunade's knowledge."
"Once we get her to Usopp's place, I'll concoct a colorless, tasteless substance that can weaken her without her noticing."
"Then, I'll mix this substance into her tea, which should keep her compliant," Arton explained quietly to Kaya.
His decision to head to Usopp's home wasn't made lightly. Previously, Arton had learned that Usopp collected different materials for making different gadgets, including some medicinal herbs.
Although these materials were not the same as those found in the Naruto world, Arton believed that with the knowledge and power from the Tsunade template, concocting a sedative would not be challenging.
"Of course, you're Arton-san!" Kaya responded, relieved by his plan. "I didn't even think of that."
She watched as Arton engaged the woman who called herself Alice, attempting to glean more about her situation. Kaya decided to remain silent, careful not to disturb Arton in his interrogation.
Arton felt that Garp wouldn't have revealed that Uta was Shanks' daughter, just as he had raised Roger's son himself.
However, Arton was convinced that Garp would report to Sengoku about his own ability to use Conqueror's Haki and his pure swordsmanship to defeat his vice-admiral.
Likewise, the abilities displayed by Kaya, Uta, and Carina would also be reported to Sengoku. After learning about them, Arton thought it natural for Sengoku to arrange for some contact, understanding that Sengoku's approach would differ from Garp's.
"In terms of tactical thinking, Sengoku is much more thoughtful than Garp," Arton thought. He even suspected that after learning about Arton and his companions, Sengoku might have also investigated the grudge Arton had against the Celestial Dragons.
Under such circumstances, it makes perfect sense to send someone to closely observe Arton.
Of course, Arton didn't necessarily believe that if the woman claiming to be Alice in front of him was indeed Gion sent by Sengoku, she must be there to cause trouble.
Perhaps she, like Garp, intended to invite them to join the Navy.
If that were the case, Arton could only express regret.
After all, his ship was almost ready to set sail.
He had even finished designing the pirate flag.
After explaining this to Kaya, Arton took a brief glance at Gion to see if the woman calling herself Alice had any characteristics of Navy Gion.
In the original story, Gion had a beauty mark on her chin.
And a spider-shaped tattoo on her left thigh.
Alice's face did not have a beauty mark, and the pants she wore prevented Arton from confirming the presence of any tattoo on her leg.
However, Arton remained vigilant.
Although there was a slight difference between the woman's appearance and his memory, appearances could be altered with makeup.
And since arriving in this world, Arton had learned that the appearances of anime characters could differ significantly from those of real people.
Thus, he didn't take the woman's words at face value.
It was just too coincidental that she arrived just as he was about to set sail, and her height closely matched Gion's.
As the time to depart approached and knowing that the world's route didn't align with the manga's, Arton chose a more cautious approach.
"Transparent World…" Arton whispered internally, entering a state of clairvoyance.
In an instant, the world seemed to slow down around him.
He adjusted the level of his insight to see through the woman's pants to the skin of her thigh.
There, Arton indeed spotted a prominent spider tattoo.
Then, he exited the state of clairvoyance, returning to normal.
He did not observe Gion for too long.
The Observation Haki in this world was mysterious.
Some people can see the future with Haki of Observation, while others can sense where others are looking. Yasopp and Usopp have had such experiences. In the original story, after Uta used the Song-Song Fruit to summon the Song-Song Demon King, Yasopp and Usopp were in different worlds—reality and Uta's world, respectively. Yet, Usopp could sense the exact location of the Song-Song Demon King, whom Yasopp was watching.
This might be due to the bloodline connection between Yasopp and Usopp, but it still demonstrates that Haki of Observation can sense another's line of sight. Arton worried that if he used his Transparent World ability for too long on Gion, she might notice and become cautious towards him, now disguised as Usopp.
"Indeed, this woman has a spider tattoo on her leg," Arton thought. "Vice Admiral Gion, no matter your purpose here, I need to handle you carefully."
Arton then engaged more warmly in conversation with the tall woman before him.
Back at Usopp's home.
"The tea is ready; please have some..." Arton said cheerily, bringing over a pot of tea to Gion, who was drying her clothes by the fire.
He poured a cup for both himself and Gion.
"Thank you, you're really kind," Gion said sincerely, taking the tea.
"Haha, everyone says I'm a great man, the great Captain Usopp," Arton joked, mimicking Usopp's mannerisms, drinking his tea in one gulp and laughing heartily.
Inside Arton, Kaya couldn't help but laugh at how accurately Arton was imitating Usopp. It was so precise that she would believe he was the real Usopp if she hadn't seen him transform.
***
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