I, Kizaru, only came to the chat group after I became invincible

Chapter 423 Special Signal
“Interesting,” he said slowly. “Perhaps we can cooperate.”

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas's words made the atmosphere in the café even more awkward. Pirates and the Navy cooperating? Such a thing was almost unimaginable on the high seas.

"Cooperation?" Zoro's hand involuntarily moved to the hilt of his sword. "The Navy and pirates cooperating? Are you kidding me?"

“I’m not joking,” Lieutenant Commander Thomas said seriously. “This ship disappearance is beyond the norm. Naval Headquarters sent me to investigate, but so far there has been no progress.”

"Furthermore, based on the conversation I just overheard, it seems you've already obtained some useful information."

Nami looked at the naval officer warily. "Have you been eavesdropping on our conversation?"

“I wasn’t eavesdropping, I just happened to overhear some things,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas said, spreading his hands. “But I can assure you that you know more about this incident than we do.”

"So what?" Sanji lit a cigarette. "Why should we cooperate with the Navy? Shouldn't you be arresting us?"

“Under normal circumstances, yes,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas admitted frankly. “But the situation is different now. Hundreds of people are missing, which is far more important than catching a few pirates.”

“And,” he looked at Borsalino, “if I’m not mistaken, Admiral Kizaru is among you. That makes things even more interesting.”

Borsalino was not surprised to be recognized, and he slowly stood up.

"Lieutenant Colonel Thomas, it's been a long time."

"Admiral Kizaru!" Lieutenant Colonel Thomas saluted immediately. "How did you end up with the Straw Hat Pirates?"

“That’s a long story,” Borsalino waved his hand. “Simply put, I’ll be working with them for now.”

"Temporarily?" Lieutenant Colonel Thomas asked, puzzled.

“Yes, for now.” Borsalino didn’t elaborate. “However, I think the proposal for cooperation is worth considering.”

Upon hearing this, Luffy replied without hesitation, "Alright! Let's team up!"

"Luffy!" Nami quickly stopped him. "Don't agree so easily!"

"Why not?" Luffy asked matter-of-factly. "If it can save more people, what's wrong with cooperating?"

“The question is, can we trust the Navy?” Zoro said coldly. “What if this is a trap?”

“Yeah, right!” Chopper said worriedly. “The Navy has been chasing us, and this sudden talk of cooperation seems suspicious.”

Franky also expressed skepticism: "While it sounds amazing, the Navy's credibility is questionable to us."

“I understand your concerns,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas said. “But I can assure you, in the name of the Navy, that we will not attack you during this cooperation.”

"The Navy's honor?" Robin chuckled. "That guarantee carries little weight with us."

“What if I were to guarantee it?” Borsalino suddenly asked.

Everyone looked at him.

“If, during the cooperation, the Navy engages in any act of betrayal or attack on its allies,” Borsalino’s tone turned serious, “I will personally intervene to stop it.”

This statement carries significant weight. Everyone present knows that Kizaru's strength is top-tier within the Navy, and if he truly decides to protect the Straw Hat Pirates, few can stop him.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas's expression turned complicated upon hearing this. On one hand, Admiral Kizaru's assurance could indeed reassure the pirates; but on the other hand, it also meant that if the Navy were to make any moves, they would face a threat from Kizaru.

"Admiral Kizaru, are you sure you want to do this?" Lieutenant Colonel Thomas asked cautiously.

“I’m quite certain.” Borsalino nodded. “This incident concerns many innocent lives, more important than any personal grudge.”

Upon hearing Borsalino's assurance, the Straw Hat Pirates exchanged glances.

“Since Borsalino said so,” Nami said hesitantly.

"Then there's no problem!" Luffy slapped the table excitedly. "Let's team up!"

“Luffy.” Sanji shook his head helplessly, but did not object further.

Zoro, though still somewhat dissatisfied, accepted the decision. "Since it's a decision, don't regret it."

"Great!" Lieutenant Colonel Thomas breathed a sigh of relief. "Then let's develop a concrete battle plan."

“Wait a minute,” Brooke raised her hand, “I have a question. Why would Naval Headquarters send a lieutenant commander to handle this kind of incident? Shouldn’t the local naval base be responsible?”

This was a pointed question. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas remained silent for a moment before answering:
"Because among the missing ships was a government transport vessel carrying important supplies."

"What important supplies?" Robin asked keenly.

“This involves classified information, so I can’t go into details,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas said hesitantly. “But I can tell you that those supplies are very important to the World Government.”

"Oh~" Luffy didn't care about any classified supplies at all. "Who cares about anything important, we just need to save people!"

"So, what is the specific battle plan?" Borsalino asked.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas took a nautical chart from his pocket and unfolded it on the table.

“Based on our investigation and the description given by the survivor, the anomalies mainly occurred in this area of ​​the sea.” He circled an area on the nautical chart. “Approximately 30 to 70 nautical miles northeast of the port.”

"Is there anything special about this sea area?" Nami asked, studying the nautical chart.

“Geographically speaking, this is where several ocean currents converge, and the seabed topography is quite complex,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas explained. “But these factors alone are insufficient to explain the disappearance.”

"So what's our plan?" Franky asked.

“My idea is this,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas said, pointing to the nautical chart, “we will send multiple ships to search this area, and once any ship encounters that mysterious fog, it will immediately send a signal flare to notify the other ships.”

"And then?" Zoro asked.

“Then the other ships immediately rushed to provide support,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas continued. “This ensured that someone could enter that mysterious space to investigate, while also guaranteeing external support.”

“Sounds good,” Borsalino nodded. “But there’s a problem: what if the ships entering that space can’t send signals?”

“This is indeed a problem,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas said, frowning in thought.

"I have an idea!" Franky suddenly exclaimed excitedly. "I can create a special signaling device that will work even in abnormal environments!"

"What kind of device?" Nami asked curiously.

"Using the special frequency of radio waves, coupled with my super-technological improvements!" Franky said proudly. "We can even send signals in mysterious alternate dimensions!"

"Is it really possible?" Lieutenant Colonel Thomas asked with some skepticism.

"Of course! I'm a super shipbuilding engineer!" Franky patted his chest and assured him.

"How long will it take to make?" Borsalino asked.

“Give me a day, that’s enough,” Franky said confidently.

"Great!" Luffy exclaimed happily. "Then let's set off tomorrow!"

“Wait, there are other issues to consider,” Robin reminded him. “Like personnel.” “Yes, that’s important,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas nodded. “I brought five warships this time, each equipped with elite soldiers.”

"Five warships?" Sanji asked, somewhat surprised. "That's quite a force."

“It’s an important mission after all,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas explained. “And when facing unknown dangers, having more combat power is always a good thing.”

"Then how should we divide it?" Nami asked.

“I suggest this,” Borsalino said thoughtfully, “that the Straw Hat Pirates remain aboard the Thousand Sunny, and I will go with you. The five warships will search different areas.”

"Why allocate them this way?" Lieutenant Colonel Thomas asked.

“Because the Thousand Sunny has the best maneuverability and the best crew coordination,” Borsalino explained. “In a real dangerous situation, their combat capability is the most reliable.”

“Furthermore,” Sauron added, “we’re not used to fighting alongside strangers.”

“I understand.” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas nodded. “Then proceed with this plan.”

“Wait, I have another question,” Chopper raised his hand. “If we really enter that mysterious space, how do we treat the wounded? It could be very dangerous there.”

“This is an important issue,” Borsalino agreed. “Chopper, you need to prepare sufficient medical supplies.”

“I will!” Chopper nodded earnestly. “I will prepare all kinds of first-aid medicines and equipment.”

“I can also provide some naval medical supplies,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas suggested.

"Thank you!" Chopper said happily.

"So, regarding the specific search route," Lieutenant Colonel Thomas looked back at the nautical chart.

For the next two hours, they discussed every detail of the search plan, including the routes of the vessels, communication methods, and emergency response procedures.

“This is my Den Den Mushi number.” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas handed Nami a note. “Contact me immediately in case of any emergency.”

“Okay.” Nami put the note away.

"So, we'll meet at the port at eight o'clock tomorrow morning?" Lieutenant Colonel Thomas confirmed.

"No problem!" Luffy replied excitedly.

“Wait, I want to confirm something,” Robin suddenly spoke up. “Lieutenant Colonel Thomas, you said earlier that the government transport ship was carrying important supplies. What exactly are those supplies?”

“This…” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas seemed troubled.

"If we don't know the nature of those supplies, how can we know the true level of danger in this operation?" Robin pressed. "What if the supplies themselves are dangerous?"

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas remained silent for a long time, and finally seemed to have made up his mind.

"Okay, I'll tell you. But it's top secret and can't be revealed to anyone."

“We won’t tell anyone,” Luffy assured him.

"That batch of supplies...is the material for manufacturing Seastone weapons," Lieutenant Colonel Thomas said in a low voice.

"Seastone weapon?" Everyone was shocked.

“Yes, it’s the latest research and development of Seastone weapon technology,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas continued to explain. “If these materials fall into the hands of pirates, the consequences would be unimaginable.”

“I see.” Borsalino said thoughtfully. “No wonder Headquarters attaches such importance to this.”

"So we not only need to rescue people, but also retrieve that batch of supplies?" Sanji asked.

“Yes, if possible.” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas nodded. “But saving lives is the top priority.”

"Understood!" Luffy shouted. "Whether it's rescuing people or finding something, we have to succeed!"

After discussing the specific plans, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas got up to leave.

"Then, see you at the port at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Wait!" Luffy suddenly called out to him. "You really won't betray us?"

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas turned around and looked at Luffy intently.

"I swear in the name of the Navy's justice that I will never betray my allies in this cooperation."

"Okay! I believe you!" Luffy grinned.

After Lieutenant Colonel Thomas left, the Straw Hat Pirates continued to discuss their plans for tomorrow.

"To be honest, I'm still a little uneasy," Nami said worriedly. "Cooperating with the Navy feels strange."

“I feel the same way,” Sanji nodded. “But Borsalino is there, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“The key is that Lieutenant Colonel Thomas seems fairly honest,” Robin analyzed. “And his willingness to reveal information about Seastone weapons shows that he genuinely considers us partners.”

"Who cares!" Luffy said nonchalantly. "We'll go rescue them tomorrow!"

“That’s true, but we still need to be prepared,” Zoro cautioned. “That mysterious space sounds dangerous.”

"By the way, Franky, is it really possible to make that special signal device you mentioned?" Chopper asked with concern.

“Of course!” Franky said confidently. “I’ll start making it tonight, and I guarantee it’ll be finished by tomorrow morning!”

“I’ll go buy some necessities,” Sanji said. “Food, fresh water, and some special seasonings.”

“I’m going to buy medical supplies too,” Chopper added.

“Then I’ll go and research the local historical records about that area,” Robin suggested. “Perhaps I’ll find some useful information.”

“I’ll go check on the Thousand Sunny,” Nami said. “To make sure there are no problems with tomorrow’s voyage.”

"Then I'll go buy some weapon maintenance supplies." Zoro also had his own mission.

“I’m going to talk to some local musicians,” Brooke said. “Maybe I can learn some legends about that sea.”

“I’m going to buy some materials for my invention,” Usopp chimed in, not wanting to be outdone. “They might come in handy.”

"Let's split up!" Luffy exclaimed excitedly. "We'll meet back on the ship tonight!"

As evening fell, the Straw Hat Pirates returned to the Thousand Sunny one by one. Each of them brought back something useful.

Franky was already busy in the ship's workshop, working on the special signaling device he had promised.

"How's it going?" Nami asked.

(End of this chapter)