Miss Valentine
The dust was still settling in Whiskey Peak as Miss Valentine dashed through the shadowy alleys. Her breathing was heavy, and each step felt harder than the last.
'I need to get out of here now. I can't stay another second.'
As she turned the last corner, she spotted a small group of Baroque Works agents gathered near a docked ship. They were leaning against supply crates, talking in low voices, but her sudden arrival drew all eyes.
"Miss Valentine! Where is Mr. 5?"
She stopped in her tracks, lifting her head and controlling her breath. Her icy gaze swept over the group, freezing the agents in place.
"Mr. 5 is dead. Now, prepare the ship to depart, unless you want to meet the same fate."
The silence that followed was deafening. The agents exchanged uneasy glances, the tension rising with each passing second.
"But... how? Who killed him?"
"Do you think you have time for questions? Move! Now!"
Her sharp voice cut through the air, and she took a step forward. The mere threat sent them scrambling to prepare the ship. Even without answers to their questions, the agents knew that challenging Miss Valentine at that moment would be suicide.
As the men hurried, Miss Valentine boarded the ship. Her firm steps echoed across the deck as she walked straight to the bow. The cold sea breeze hit her face, but it brought no relief.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. 'He knew everything. How is that possible? And that smile... he saw me as nothing more than a disposable toy.'
She opened her eyes, gazing at the horizon.
'But I'm not disposable. I'm still useful to Baroque Works. To Mr. 0. He'll know what to do.'
---
The ship swayed gently as it crossed the turbulent waters of the Grand Line. Miss Valentine sat in a dark cabin, a Den Den Mushi resting on the table in front of her. Her fingers drummed on the wood, the sound echoing in the silence.
'I need to tell everything, even if it costs me my position. He needs to know.'
She pulled the Den Den Mushi closer and dialed the code for Miss All-Sunday. The device began to ring, and anxiety gripped her.
A soft click indicated the call had been answered. Miss All-Sunday's voice emerged, calm and laced with sarcasm.
"How interesting to receive your call, Miss Valentine. I hope it's important."
"It's about Whiskey Peak."
"Hm... Go on."
"Mr. 5 is dead. He was eliminated by a man named Riser."
The silence on the other end was deafening.
"Riser? I've never heard that name. But from the tone of your voice, it seems he made quite an impression."
"He's dangerous. More than anyone I've ever faced. He knew too much about Baroque Works. He knew about... the princess."
"Ah, so little Nefertari survived? That will complicate things."
"It's not just that. He said he has a spy within Baroque Works. Someone working for him."
This time, there was a longer pause. The Den Den Mushi reflected Miss All-Sunday's expression, with half-closed eyes and a slight smile.
"A spy, you say? Interesting. And you believe him?"
"I... don't know. But he seemed so confident. And he knew details no outsider should know."
"You seem shaken, Miss Valentine. I hope this hasn't compromised your loyalty."
"I am loyal to Mr. 0. Always have been. I just thought he needed to know."
"Of course, of course. I'll pass this along. But be careful, Miss Valentine. Bringing bad news to Mr. 0 is never easy. Make sure you're prepared to answer his questions."
The connection was abruptly cut. Miss Valentine sat in silence, staring at the Den Den Mushi as the weight of the conversation settled on her.
'Is that a warning or a threat?'
She stood up, walking to the cabin window. The sea seemed vast and relentless, reflecting her state of mind.
"I did what I had to. Now, the rest is in their hands."
But deep down, she knew things were far from over. Riser wasn't the kind of man who simply disappeared. And if he truly had a spy, Baroque Works was more vulnerable than she had ever imagined.
.....
PURURURU!
The shrill sound of the Den Den Mushi filled the silent cabin, jolting Miss Valentine awake from a light nap. She blinked, still disoriented, before reaching for the device with trembling fingers.
"Miss All-Sunday?"
"I Know What You Did Last Summer."
The phrase hit Miss Valentine like a punch to the gut. Her breath caught, and cold sweat dripped down her forehead.
'That's not possible. That's the phrase he mentioned. But... why is she saying it?'
Her wide eyes fixed on the Den Den Mushi. The snail's antennas moved slowly, mimicking Miss All-Sunday's calm, sarcastic expression.
"Something wrong, Miss Valentine? You seem... surprised."
"How do you know that?"
"Riser told me. Or rather, he wanted you to know that I know."
Miss Valentine gripped the Den Den Mushi tightly, her lips trembling.
"Is this some kind of game? Is he manipulating you too?"
"Manipulation is a matter of perspective. But for now, you should worry less about his games and more about what's coming."
Silence filled the room for a few seconds. The tension was almost palpable.
'Riser... you've put me in this. Now Miss All-Sunday knows. But why doesn't she seem concerned?'
"Why are you telling me this? Why haven't you eliminated me yet?"
"Because Riser thinks you deserve a second chance."
Miss Valentine hesitated, confused.
"A second chance?"
"Yes. But only if you complete the next task perfectly. Fail, and there will be no more second chances. Do you understand?"
"You're going to Little Garden."
Miss Valentine straightened, surprised by the mention of the location.
"Little Garden? Why?"
"Riser is heading there with the Straw Hats. Other Baroque Works members have already been sent to set a trap. You'll join them."
"But... he knows we're after him. He'll notice."
Miss All-Sunday let out a low, almost amused laugh.
"Exactly. That's the idea. Riser wants to play, and you'll be the piece he moves on the board."
Miss Valentine clenched her fists, her blood boiling.
'I'm just a pawn to all of them. Riser, Miss All-Sunday, even Mr. 0. But if I play my cards right...'
"I'll do it. But when this is over, I want my guarantees."
"Ensure you survive, Miss Valentine. That's enough for now."
The Den Den Mushi clicked off, leaving Miss Valentine alone in the cabin. She stood up, walking to the mirror.
She stared at her reflection, her pale face and wide eyes reflecting the turmoil within. The sound of the waves seemed distant, muffled by the storm of thoughts.
'He really has an infiltrator. And it's her. Miss All-Sunday... the woman closest to Mr. 0. How did he manage that?'
Her fingers trembled as they touched the cold glass of the mirror, her gaze fixed on herself.
"I'm just a pawn to them. But pawns can turn the game."
Miss Valentine stepped out of the cabin with firm steps, even though her mind was in turmoil. On the deck, the Baroque Works members were gathered, whispering among themselves. They fell silent immediately upon seeing her.
"Miss Valentine! What's the plan?"
She stopped, crossing her arms as she looked at them. The wind tossed her golden hair back, but she didn't blink.
"Change of plans. We're heading to Little Garden."
The agents exchanged confused glances, and one of them, bolder, stepped forward.
"Little Garden? But... it's dangerous! Dinosaurs, giant creatures... You know that place is a nightmare!"
Another member muttered something, his voice filled with worry.
"I heard the giants there killed an entire group of explorers last week."
Miss Valentine lifted her head, her icy gaze cutting through the group.
"What are you complaining about? Would you rather face dinosaurs or die right now?"
Silence fell over the deck. The agents swallowed hard, the fear in their eyes evident.
"Exactly what I thought. Prepare the ship. We leave now."
---
As the ship sailed toward Little Garden, Miss Valentine leaned against the railing, her eyes fixed on the horizon. The words of Riser and Miss All-Sunday echoed in her mind.
One of the agents hesitantly approached, holding a clipboard with maps.
"Miss Valentine, what's our approach? If the Straw Hats are there, we could easily be discovered."
She looked at him, her gaze as cold as ice.
"If they notice, that's part of the plan. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't act cautiously. I want you hidden. Observe. Gather information."
The man nodded quickly, retreating without further questions.
---
Hours later, the silhouette of Little Garden appeared on the horizon, an island covered in giant trees and shrouded in a thin mist. The distant sounds of roars and the movement of the trees indicated the place was very much alive.
The agents gathered on the deck, nervous.
"Dinosaurs... I knew this was a bad idea."
"Shh! She'll hear!"
Miss Valentine, who was nearby, turned to the group.
"If you keep complaining, the dinosaurs will be the least of your problems."
The agents swallowed hard, falling silent immediately. She took a deep breath, adjusting her hat.
'Now is the moment. Either I prove myself indispensable or end up like Mr. 5.'
The ship anchored in a small hidden bay on the island. As the agents disembarked cautiously, Miss Valentine remained on the deck, observing the surroundings.
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