Looking excited the Blue Oni replied:

"Young master my name is Ynan. There is also a Dendenmushi inside the gate post office."

.

.

.

After calling Alexie and briefing him on the situation, I finally got some relief since he promised to be here in a few days with reinforcements.

Looking at the Blue Oni I then said:

"Alright Ynan, you did a good job. Before the help arrives in a few days, I would like you to look after the town and its security. By the way, do you know any way for me to get some information from the market town?"

Even though Alexie told me to hide inside the Onies' town until his arrival, I can't do that. I can't just sit still when mom could be in a life-and-death situation.

More importantly, I am more worried that mom and Alexie might make some rash decisions by underestimating the beast pirates, damaging Kaidos interest, and bringing his wrath upon us.

And it wouldn't be their fault since everyone in the world is still underestimating Kaido, still thinking of him as the intern of Rocks pirates.

And lastly what type of protagonist would I be if I don't have the courage to face the danger head on?

Putting those aside I don't think it's the beast pirates that are messing around with Mom, since if King wanted to he could have already taken action by beating mom and there wouldn't be a need for scheming and kidnapping at all.

While I as in my thoughts Ynan excitedly shouted:

"Young master I remembered. There is an organization of information brokers in market town going by the name of Mary's family."

"But I advise going to them fpr help young masters since I remember hearing that half of their customers usually have unfortunate endings. Since they don't have any morals and integrity, even selling information on their partners if the price is right much less a previous customer."

Hearing about Mary's family I put all my other thoughts away.

The Marys and Bao Huang... Are they already hooked up with Kaido?

Have my fears become true? Are the beast pirates really involved in this?

.

.

.

I guess there is only one way to find out, and that is to directly confront them about this.

But I can't go through with this without any prior planning. so after I made a plan for my next course of action. I smiled and then asked:

"Ynan do we have some smaller pistols and knives here?"

"yes, young master just give me a second."

"Also can you find some steel wires and rings? and while you are at it please bring me a set of gauntlets just like yours."

...................

In that welcome amber glow the time of slower thoughts has arrived, those moments when with open eyes my brain becomes a perfect empty horizon, seeing, yet content to sit.

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As evening arrived and after I equipped what I had in mind, without wasting any more time I went toward Market town. more specifically toward Mary's Family bar.

Since even the guards didn't know the exact details of what has transpired, then my only way of getting clues is from the infamous information brokers.

taking a look at the ominous-looking sign, I took a deep breath and went inside. but what greeted me next was the most surprising part. instead of the messy and chaotic environment that I had in mind every thing here was squeaky clean.

I thought it would be like those shady bars that I've read about in my previous life where everyone is super drunk and a burly bartender is responsible for the bar.

however, as soon as I entered the bar I saw that there was barely any customer inside and the few that were there were neatly dressed and behaving like a gentleman. then a woman with an eye-shaped veil covering the upper half of her face came to welcome me.

she was just slightly taller than me, had pale skin, and wearing a set of traditional Japanese clothing.

After inviting me to a private room and bringing some amenities, which I decided not to touch, she then smiled and asked:

"Oh my master Jimmy Doni. to what I owe the pleasure of having you visiting us?"

Hearing her slightly hostile and sarcastic tone pinned several red flags in my heart. but thinking back to the danger that mom might be facing I firmed my spirit and ignored her unkind tone.

putting up a polite small I then said:

"Well, I am glad that you already know who I am. so taking my identity in mind would it be possible to visit the head of this respected establishment?"

Hearing that she then replied:

"you are talking with her right now master Jimmy. I am the mother of the Marys family."

Hearing that I was taken aback, especially since she has already shown her hostility towards me.

Which might make turn things hard. but in the first place, why is she showing such a degree of animosity toward us? is it because I beat down Boa Huang? but that was her fault for tailing me...

well, it doesn't matter, for now, I shouldn't get distracted from my goals. moms safety comes first then second would be not angering Kaido.

thinking about my next word carefully I then said:

"respected Ms. Mary then you probably already know the reason that I am here since you've already begun tailing me from yesterday?"

after saying this I closely observed her expression or at least the part that was visible, and obviously, there was no change on her face. then she scornfully said:

"concerning Boa and Maki's rude behavior I hope you excuse them, those orphans have just recently been added to the family so they need some learning. you might not know as someone from the high and mighty red tribe..."

failing to notice her fallen veil, she took a deep breath. then she raised her voice and excitedly said:

"... but for us living at this lawless trashcan, Mary's family acts as an unofficial intelligence organization, trying to at least keep a semblance of safety in these parts."

after an almost screech like Ms. mary then noticed her fallen veil. taking a closer look at her face, I was attracted to her most distinct feature which was the eyes with polycoria similar to Bao. and the cut of horns on her forehead, both hidden behind the veil.

she is not even hiding her animosity at this point. and does she mean our family by red tribe?

calming herself down, Mary then hid her most prominent feature by putting on her veil again. she then calmly said:

"Excuse my loss of temper master jimmy. work has been stressful as of late mostly caused by the presence of the Beast pirates and the dignitaries from the Vodka kingdom. disturbing the relative peace of market town that was achieved by a balance between 4 biggest gangs of the town."

she then continued:

"Actually your mother and uncle's predicament has a lot to do with the Beast pirates and Kherse Gongen the general of the Vodka army presence here."

so I was right in my speculations. The similar looking Oni to mom from the picture in mansion, is actually my uncle.

Why would Mom hide her brothers identity from me?

Hmm...

trying to hide my thoughts I gestured for her to continue:

"as a matter of fact, they are in a competitive situation right now, since they both want to recruit the physically stronger Onies. with Kherse representing the tribe of Onie from Vodka and King representing the newly risen star of The Onies Kaido."

"their competition here has tempted the other 3 gangs to their side, thereby breaking the fragile balance that have been achieved by your uncle gangs and the Armstrongs."

hearing that I nodded my head, deciding to test which side Ms. Mary stand on, and said:

"So what do you suggest that I do or rather what is your opinion on these events, Ms. Mary?"

after what I said Mary seemed genuinely shocked. after taking a few seconds she said:

"I am just a simple, peacekeeping, and a neutral lady in the town just trying to take care of some orphans in this hell hole."

she then made an eerie smile and said:

"but in my opinion, the best option here is to ask your uncle's opinion, since he is the head of one of the 4 big gangs, and you might not have that much time master jimmy since I've heard that your mother's army have bee decimated by an unknown force outside the town."

"WHAT!? do you have any idea which force they might have been from?"

"I hope you don't take my words as facts master Jimmy, but my speculation is that the force that has been causing trouble for your mom and uncle is most likely from the Beast pirates."