Number One's theory seemed to be correct as Miss Black ignored him upon reaching them and turned to the leader of the group. "Long time no see Captain Jack. Hope I'm not disturbing you by stopping by."
"Not at all. We are already done with our hunting and just cleaning up," Captain Jack replied with a welcoming smile. "Is there a reason why you graced us with your presence, Miss Black?"
"Can't I come without any particular reason?" Miss Black asked with a shrug. "I just happened to be in an area when I noticed my little sister in your group. I would naturally pay attention to her safety. I even uncovered the blocked entrance to the cave and caught the culprits who sabotaged your mission. You are welcome."
"Oh! Where are they?" Captain Jack questioned curiously before adding, "If they are still alive of course."
Miss Black raised her hands helplessly as she gazed at Number One. "It was a group of Academy students who had a grudge with the man behind you. They thought they could just bury him alive and run away but they didn't know I was watching. I caught them after they started flying away and killed them after they confessed to their sins. You can still find their dead bodies nearby."
Number One only shook his head with a sigh when Captain Jack turned to him. "They were our seniors from the main Academy who came to challenge us. They were supposed to come along on this special training but they left embarrassed after they lost the challenge against us. I guess they wanted to get revenge."
"Huh? Wasn't it Liss who led the team of seniors this year? I thought she would be smarter than that knowing she was a prodigy in Alchemy," Captain Jack commented speechlessly without an ounce of pity on his face. "It's a shame to lose talent but I guess it's understandable. Don't worry Miss Black, I will inform the Academy Officials and no one will blame you."
"It's alright, I wasn't worried in the first place," Miss Black replied casually and suggested, "Let's talk in private. I have one matter that I want to settle before I go."
"Does it concern Number One? I happen to be aware of the circumstances between you two and I will be forced to protect him in case he is in danger," Captain Jack informed calmly which caused Miss Black to purse her lips.
"If I wanted to kill him now, you wouldn't be able to stop me anyway," Miss Black pointed out the truth and walked further away. Captain Jack could only follow her after sending an assuring glance at Number One.
Captain Jack was a man of his word but it didn't seem like he could stop Miss Black in any way. The world was ruled by the strong and one could either submit or become a powerhouse. Number One was still far from the latter but he would never surrender without a fight.
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'Have your sister ever mentioned anything about needing a pill? Is she perhaps searching for Alchemy ingredients?' Number One wondered in his mind as Nami came to his side. There was no reason why she would be interested in the Green Soul Crystals knowing there was an abundance of Earth Rank Soul Beasts in the Inner World.
'She did say she is stuck with her cultivation progress which is why she came back to the Outer World,' Nami exposed her sister without hesitation. 'Don't worry, she wouldn't dare attack you again with me by your side. She was actually surprised at the progress we had so I'm sure she will accept you eventually.'
Nami still hoped for her sister's approval even after everything that happened but Number One didn't blame her. 'I'm not worried about that. I'm just calculating how much Emerald Milk she would need.'
Number One had no idea what Captain Jack was telling her but they were talking about him by the looks of it. Miss Black didn't seem to like what she heard as her gaze fell on Number One repeatedly. He decided to risk it and take control of the whole situation by pulling out one of the vials with the Emerald Milk inside.
Miss Black's eyes immediately brightened and she left Captain Jack in a heartbeat. "I see you figured out what I came for. How much did you manage to find?"
"You act as if I would give you any," Number One replied calmly and kept the vial in his Storage Ring. "It's for my Master and he will decide what to do with it. I'm already keeping our little incident a secret for Nami's sake. I wouldn't want to see her sad after my Master killed her sister."
"Who is your Master then?" Miss Black questioned unbothered. "I know all top Alchemists in the Inner World and none of them stand a chance in a duel against me."
The bluff failed but Number One kept the same attitude. "You probably don't know him since he likes to be secretive. I don't know his face because he always wears a mask."
It was the moment when Number One mentioned the mask when Miss Black's expression suddenly changed. Her face visually paled and she questioned in disbelief, "What kind of mask? There is only one Alchemist that wears a mask and it's impossible for you to be his disciple. He only has one and it's a female student."
Number One was just as surprised as Miss Black since he didn't expect her to know that man. He didn't plan on revealing his past but it seemed that was the best way to protect himself from her. "What a coincidence. It just so happens my Master has a female disciple beside me. The mask he wears is all gold with a single hole for his right eye."
His words caused Miss Black to freeze on the spot and she stared at him with an awkward smile. "Listen… Let's forget what happened in the past, okay? I'm still your sister-in-law so how about you say a few nice words to your master about me? I just happened to have a pill that I wanted and he is the only one who can make it."
That was the first time Number One saw someone change their attitude this fast. Even Nami was speechless at her sister's behavior and she muttered under her breath, "How the tables have turned…"