Chapter Thirty-One: The Silent Newcomer

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【Orochimaru: Heh, as long as you are satisfied. I choose Paper Art and Moonwalk.】
Orochimaru’s choice did not exceed Borsalino’s expectations. The Six Powers of the Navy, refined through the endless trials of countless marines, were already near-perfect fundamental martial arts.
However, no matter how perfect they were, they remained merely foundational. To grow stronger, one still needed to develop their own unique techniques.
For a powerhouse of Orochimaru’s caliber, offensive techniques like Tempest Kick and Finger Pistol were purely redundant, and Iron Body and Shave were not necessarily superior to Earth Release: Hardening Technique or Body Flicker.
Only functional techniques like Paper Art and Moonwalk could pique Orochimaru’s interest.
Even so, his primary motivation stemmed from research rather than an increase in combat power.
【Borsalino: Paper Art and Moonwalk, huh? Indeed a fine choice. I will organize them and send them to you as soon as possible.】
【Passerby wanting to ride Luo Feng’s coattails: The Six Powers of the Navy! Once I pay off my debt to Boss Kizaru, I’m definitely going to trade for a Moonwalk to play around with.】
【Borsalino: Well, Passerby-san is welcome to take on another debt~】
【Passerby wanting to ride Luo Feng’s coattails: No, no, I’m already in deep. I’d better wait until I pay off my current debts first.】
The passerby was quite self-aware. Borsalino’s generosity was no reason to push his luck. If he got used to taking advantage of the big shots, Boss Kizaru might not mind, but if he happened to cross a narrow-minded big shot, they might just jot his name down in a little black book. Being sabotaged later would be no laughing matter.
【Kobayashi: The newcomer is still not speaking... It’s a pity. I thought I’d be able to see a new world again...】
【Passerby wanting to ride Luo Feng’s coattails: If you want to know, Kobayashi, you can ask me. While I can’t divulge anything involving personal privacy, I don’t think there’s any issue with giving a general introduction to the newcomer’s world, right?】
【Ai Haibara: How rare. Even a blockhead like a police dog has made some progress.】
【Passerby wanting to ride Luo Feng’s coattails: Why do you call me a blockhead, hey! If it weren’t for the transmigration, I’d at least be a college graduate!】
【Ai Haibara: Oh, is that so? Standard scores... well, since you don’t use standard scores, let’s put it another way: I earned my dual PhDs in physics and biochemistry at sixteen, obtained my PhDs in mathematics and medicine from Princeton at seventeen, and began leading the R&D for APTX4869 at eighteen...】
【Passerby wanting to ride Luo Feng’s coattails: I am a blockhead! I bow down to the academic deity!】
【Kobayashi: A poor student shivering in fear. Ai-san, that is just too impressive!】
【Fubuki: As expected of Ai-chan, a total one-sided crushing!】
【Orochimaru: Heh, Haibara is indeed quite talented...】

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【Ai Haibara: Now, can you tell us, what is the newcomer’s background?】
In the Conan world, deep in the night, Ai Haibara, still sitting at her computer typing away, felt the corners of her mouth lift slightly.
Although she acted quite sharp-tongued and cynical in the group, in reality, she was quite fond of these annoying people.
Otherwise, given her personality, she wouldn’t spend all day popping up in the chat. Just because her body had turned into a child’s didn't mean her thought processes had changed along with it.
"...I'll ask Fubuki to help buy a more advanced computer later!"
The computer she was using to input data suddenly lagged, and Ai Haibara, who had been in a good mood, was suddenly filled with irritation.
【Passerby wanting to ride Luo Feng’s coattails: How should I put it? Does your world have American comics? Do you know Batman? Hmm... just think of Stark as a playboy version of Batman.】
【Kobayashi: No, but he sounds like a protagonist, right? I can breathe a sigh of relief. I was worried that one day a villain would join the group; I feel like that would be awkward.】
【Fubuki: ...Wait, doesn’t a guy like Orochimaru count as a villain?】
【Passerby wanting to ride Luo Feng’s coattails: Not yet, right? I remember Boss Orochimaru said before that the Third Shinobi World War hadn't fully ended on his side.】
【Passerby wanting to ride Luo Feng’s coattails: The current Boss Orochimaru is a war hero protecting his village and is even running to become the Hokage... Oh, the Hokage is the village chief of the Konoha Ninja Village.】
【Borsalino: That’s right, everyone in the group is a good person. For instance, I am a marine who bears the name of Justice!】
【Ai Haibara: That’s a shame, then. I don’t consider myself a good person at all...】
...
After hanging out in the group for a while, Borsalino sat up from his lounge chair. Before he could even speak, a maid brought over the latest newspaper along with iced drinks and snacks.
"Any interesting news these past two days?"
Borsalino took a sip of his iced drink and asked while taking the newspaper.
Ever since he arrived at Amazon Lily, besides teaching the warrior women how to refine chakra and how to use Lightning Release ninjutsu, and incidentally helping the blood-demon Rock change his gender, he had spent the rest of his time basically fooling around with Hancock.
In the blink of an eye, three days had passed. Hancock, having been thoroughly exhausted by Borsalino, was no longer clinging to him for the moment, giving Borsalino the leisure to pay attention to other matters.
"When you say 'interesting,' do you mean...?"

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The maid wore a hesitant expression and spoke cautiously.
Working under Hancock was not an easy or pleasant task, even if Hancock no longer turned them into stone at will because of Borsalino.
But if they failed to satisfy Lord Borsalino, they might not even get the chance to be turned into stone.
Given Hancock’s temper, she might just throw them to the sea serpents.
"Never mind, I imagine there isn't anything anyway. You may leave."
Borsalino noticed the maid’s trembling demeanor and dismissed her, turning his attention to the newspaper.
However, before Borsalino could fully enjoy his leisure time for the day, the same maid came running over in a hurry, clutching a Den Den Mushi.
"Lord Borsalino, a call from Marine Headquarters..."
The maid spoke nervously. Borsalino, having connected the Den Den Mushi, gave her a look, signaling her to move further away.
Although he wasn't worried about leaking any secrets, Borsalino was, after all, a Marine Admiral, and he couldn't completely abandon appearances.
"Moshi moshi, this is Borsalino..."
Expecting trouble, Borsalino answered the Den Den Mushi.
Being sought out suddenly at a time like this could only mean bad news.
"This is Sengoku. How is the mission to recruit the Warlords of the Sea coming along, Borsalino?"
To his surprise, the voice on the other end was Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Borsalino silently rolled his eyes.
"Ahem... it is proceeding quite smoothly. Currently, the Pirate Empress, Tyrant Kuma, and Hawk-Eyes have accepted the summons. Barring any accidents... Doflamingo will not refuse either. Then there are Gecko Moria and Jinbe..."
Borsalino answered righteously. Every word he spoke was true; there wasn't a hint of a lie.