Before reaching Volunt Icefield, Andy noticed a strange phenomenon. As he approached, he saw several ships disguised as merchant vessels, all of the same standard, sailing along the route.
Andy didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Using his Observation Haki, he discovered that not only were Oro and Hanafza at Volunt Icefield, but a Marine Vice Admiral had also joined forces with them. This only made Andy more interested.
His lips curved upward, and his eyes shimmered with excitement. He wasn't the least bit worried; instead, he was like a shark that had smelled blood, becoming even more exhilarated.
He rode his jet ski, speeding across the rough sea, the wind howling past his face, disheveling his hair. His gaze was incredibly firm, fixed on the Volunt Icefield, whose outline was already visible in the distance.
"Since you all want to play so much, then I'll play along properly!" Andy muttered to himself, his voice drowned out by the wind, but an indescribable smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
He suddenly changed direction, heading toward the coast of Volunt Icefield that was closer to the Royal City.
Who knows how much time passed. In Winter Harbor, Oro and the others were waiting for Andy's arrival, but their expressions grew serious when there was no further news of his whereabouts. When the Den Den Mushi rang again, Oro answered and learned that Red Hawk had actually disappeared!
"Could it be that he found out?" Vlad asked, frowning in confusion.
"Impossible!" Oro immediately retorted, speaking with confidence. "All those ships were disguised as merchant vessels, and the people on board were all my trusted subordinates! There's no way he could have found out!"
But Hanafza clearly wasn't as optimistic. If Red Hawk had indeed discovered their surveillance and no longer landed in Winter Harbor, then the large net they had prepared would be useless. Thinking about this, he felt like he had truly been an idiot today. How could he have agreed to that fool Oro's suggestion of monitoring Red Hawk all the way? Now, the plan had to change!
He immediately said in a deep voice, "Regardless of whether Red Hawk has discovered us or not, we will assume he has! Oro, immediately have people search for Red Hawk nationwide; he must have landed on another coast!"
Oro thought for a moment, then slowly nodded and immediately went to make arrangements.
After Oro left, Vice Admiral Vlad looked at Hanafza with a strange expression, his eyes seeming to ask, How did you even think of cooperating with this idiot? When Hanafza saw Vlad's gaze, he felt a surge of frustration, and embarrassment appeared on his face.
Time flew, and it was already noon the next day. It was New Year's Day in the year 1514 of the Sea Calendar. However, Oro, Vlad, and Hanafza showed no new year's cheer; their expressions were as foul as yesterday.
"I have mobilized all the country's military and intelligence personnel to search the entire Floran Kingdom, but Red Hawk's trace has not been found!" Oro's voice was muffled; he didn't know why, but he now had a strange unease in his heart.
"Keep looking! Red Hawk wants to go from Volunt Icefield to the next island, and unless he has an Eternal Pose, he must stay here for half a month! I don't believe he won't appear!" Hanafza was somewhat anxious now.
He greatly coveted the Seastone immunity technology that Red Hawk possessed. What annoyed him most was that that bastard Kaido had also learned this news and told him to quickly obtain the technology. His two children were still in Wano Country! So now, no matter what, he had to find Red Hawk!
"Fifteen days won't work; Red Hawk must be found within seven days. I must return to headquarters after seven days!" Vlad said sternly.
Oro got up again. "I'll immediately have people expand the search area and search the forest as well!"
Frost Flower City, the Royal City of the Floran Kingdom. While Oro was mobilizing the country's military and intelligence personnel to search for Andy's whereabouts, Andy had already arrived in the city.
The city, built on an entire mountain range, had all its building exteriors constructed from deep blue ice shards, and the streets were adorned with exquisitely carved ice sculptures. Even many daily necessities were made from ice. Due to the unique environment of the Floran Kingdom, many people came from far and wide, hoping to witness the beautiful scenery.
After disguising himself, Andy swaggered into Frost Flower City, looking completely unlike someone who was wanted. After tasting some local specialties, Andy also heard an interesting piece of information in a tavern. It turned out that the original king of the Floran Kingdom was not Oro but his wife, Ella Floran, the legitimate royalty!
Oro had married Queen Ella in a matrilocal marriage, but one day, Queen Ella suddenly announced that Oro would become the king. This left the entire country puzzled. From then on, Queen Ella never appeared in the Floran Kingdom again, and neither did the other members of the royal family. There were rumors that Queen Ella and the royal family had all been killed by Oro, and many people believed it. However, no one dared to bring it up.
Andy seemed to understand something. According to the timeline, the time Oro ascended to the throne was shortly after Hanafza became a Warlord.
"It seems... this Oro becoming the King of the Floran Kingdom must be Hanafza's doing," Andy murmured meaningfully, looking toward the palace.
Night fell. The entire city looked beautiful under the moonlight and artificial lights. However, Andy had no time to admire it. After leaving the bar, he tore off his disguise and then swaggered into the palace. As for why no one stopped him, it was because the guards who tried to stop him were now bruised, with broken arms and legs, lying on the ground wailing.
What happened in the palace was quickly known to Oro, Vlad, and Hanafza.
"Not good! Hanafza, if Red Hawk releases that woman, our secret will be exposed!" Oro roared in panic.
"I told you back then to just kill that woman, but you refused my suggestion because you were greedy for her beauty. Now you haven't tasted her beauty, and if Red Hawk releases her, you can just wait to die!" Hanafza's face was very grim at that moment.
Ella Floran, an Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit user! Back then, he had only won against Ella by suddenly ambushing her and using Seastone. If Red Hawk released Ella, then with Red Hawk and Ella together, they might be able to escape.
"Now is not the time to talk about this; we must hurry to Frost Flower City!" Vlad said with a look of resentment.
Oro and Hanafza nodded, and then the three of them, along with their respective subordinates, immediately set off for Frost Flower City.
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