"Someone just pulled out of here!"
The moment their small boat docked, Robin spoke up.
This island, being too close to Reverse Mountain's sea entrance and too small in size, had never been permanently settled.
After all, any pirate or vessel traveling from the North Sea into the New World had to pass this way.
Its area wasn't large enough to support a Marine base.
If it could, it might have become a place like Loguetown in the East Blue.
But now, at a glance, there were countless fresh traces of human activity.
"They ran pretty quick."
Don extended his Observation Haki, but the departing ships were already beyond his perception.
"You mean the people who stayed here earlier were working with those ones?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Don smiled as he leapt down from the boat.
"They must have been directing things from the rear, and when they saw the fleet annihilated, they bolted."
He turned his gaze toward where he had unleashed his flames earlier.
All that remained was a rising plume of smoke. The fire was already gone.
"What's this?"
Robin's surprised voice carried over as she returned holding several photographs.
"Your photos—very clear ones!"
She handed them to Don.
One glance was enough—he recognized exactly where they'd been taken.
The East Blue's Marine Base 16.
"They really did leave in a hurry."
"Not necessarily."
Turning the photos over in his hands, Don shook his head slightly. "They left nothing else behind. Why would they leave a few photos?"
"Deliberately? But why?" Robin's eyes widened.
"Perhaps to give me a warning."
On the back of one photo, Don noticed a crimson lipstick mark.
"A woman left this."
Robin saw it too and spoke immediately.
"In that case, I think I know who it was."
Don fell briefly into thought.
If these photos had indeed been left behind deliberately, and by a woman, then within Doflamingo's circle there was only one possible candidate.
This was the advantage of foresight.
Most of Doflamingo's followers were fiercely loyal. But there were exceptions.
Like that exiled princess.
With her unique Devil Fruit powers, it made sense she would be stationed here.
"You're certain?"
Robin's curiosity sparked.
Just from a photo he could guess who left it? Could it be someone he'd known before?
"I'm not certain—but it doesn't matter. If it is her, we may get useful information early. If it isn't, it won't affect our mission."
Don waved his hand, scanning the island once more with Observation Haki. Finding nothing else of note, they rested briefly before setting out again.
…
"The map I saw might not be perfect, but around Reverse Mountain the orientation should be correct," Robin said as she pointed the way.
For now, she was acting as a half-sailor.
"Good. Once we reach a populated island, we'll dig up information."
Don nodded, flames propelling the ship forward in the direction she indicated.
…
"Wiped out, every last one of them."
Viola's voice was low as she spoke into the Den Den Mushi.
"He's really something," a deep, heavy voice replied.
"So what? Now that we've confirmed his presence, he won't be able to leave our sight. The moment he stops on any inhabited island, we'll know."
It was Lao G's voice.
Viola listened in silence, never interrupting their exchange.
"Can you judge the extent of his strength?"
This time, the Den Den Mushi's voice was directed at her.
"He's very strong. At least a swordsman of high caliber, with the ability to control fire."
That much couldn't be hidden. Viola considered carefully before answering.
"A fire-based ability user—and a skilled swordsman? Since he killed Diamante, he's at least stronger than him. This mission looks troublesome.
I'll report to the Young Master. Violet, your task is complete. Return."
"Understood."
When the line went dead, Viola lowered her head in thought.
Had he noticed the clue she'd left behind?
Though that man displayed terrifying power, this time there were two senior executives moving in, and they already knew his whereabouts.
Should she try to warn him again?
The thought lingered in her mind.
But Don hadn't spared it a second thought.
In the face of absolute strength, schemes were meaningless.
At least, meaningless when it came to the Donquixote Family. Unless Doflamingo himself showed up, Don wouldn't even bother looking at the rest.
After his clashes with Aokiji and Chinjao, his confidence was higher than ever.
…
"So all this is because of you clashing with the Shichibukai—two of them, no less?"
As their ship docked, Robin's tone was half-exasperated.
"That's reason enough. No need to make it more complicated."
Don glanced at her.
"Go gather intelligence."
Robin nodded, stepping off the boat first.
Don closed his eyes, releasing his Observation Haki to its fullest extent.
The pier and the small town covering much of the island were enveloped at once.
In an instant, he sensed countless details—more than a dozen people watching him deliberately, some shadowing Robin.
Spies.
Opening his eyes, Don gripped his blade and stepped onto shore, striding into the town.
This was Manda Island of the North Sea. According to the intelligence Robin had reviewed, this was the last stop for pirates before leaving the North Sea—an inevitable melting pot of rogues.
Just as Don was considering grabbing a few locals for questioning, Robin returned quickly, her expression grave.
She hurried to him and handed over a newspaper.
"I think you'll want to see this."
Catching the look in her eyes, Don raised a brow and scanned the front page. His face tightened in surprise.
"Germa 66 has made contact with the World Government? And they even sent an Admiral—Borsalino, Kizaru? They're planning to become a Government affiliate?"
He spoke with genuine astonishment.
"That seems to be the case."
Robin nodded, her concern plain as she looked at him.
"With an Admiral stationed in the North Sea, and if Germa 66 is in negotiations, the talks won't end quickly.
That means this Admiral could be here for a long while. If you move against Doflamingo's weapons factories, it might draw their attention.
And considering Germa's recent wars in the North Sea, it's very possible they already have dealings with Doflamingo."
"Your reasoning is sound."
Don agreed with a nod.
The original history hadn't mentioned this, but since Doflamingo had lingered in the North Sea for years, it was indeed possible he had ties with Germa 66.
"So what's your decision?" Robin asked.
"Keep going."
Don's answer was firm.
This wouldn't change his course. Even if the speculation proved true, it didn't matter.
END OF CHAPTER
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