"Six-Wheel Bloom: Claw!"
Robin crossed her arms across her chest, her ability flaring to life. Six phantom arms sprouted from Don's body, locking down his neck, arms, and legs.
The earlier intel they had uncovered hadn't caught Don's full attention.
Once they confirmed the suspected weapons factory, the two had immediately set sail.
And aboard the ship, Don's training session with Robin continued.
Robin bit down on her lip, straining with all her might—but the arms she grew on Don couldn't budge him in the slightest.
With a sharp grunt, she instinctively pulled back, clutching her arm.
Don retracted his finger.
"Still not sensing it?"
He glanced at Robin, who was rubbing her arm, and asked evenly.
"No. Maybe your method is wrong," she replied, exasperated.
Sensing an enemy's strike before it landed? To Robin, the concept felt far too abstract.
"How is that possible? I mastered Observation Haki using exactly this method."
Don immediately rebuffed her doubt.
"That's why someone younger than me ended up so much stronger."
Robin sighed, helpless. "After all, no two people are alike."
"But you need to have confidence in yourself, Robin!"
Don pressed again, suddenly striking.
A sneak attack!
Robin's arm snapped up across her chest in reflex, blocking his hand.
"See? You're learning quickly!"
Don grinned.
Robin's cheeks burned as she stared at the hand she had stopped.
"Dear President… are you harassing your subordinate right now?"
"Nonsense. I'm helping you awaken your Observation Haki."
Don kept a perfectly serious face, as though his motives were pure.
Robin, however, wasn't convinced. His training had always been this way—except before, he had at least pretended to restrain himself. Now he wasn't even pretending.
Don withdrew his hand, spreading his palms in mock innocence.
"Robin, this is necessary if you want to get stronger. Now, did you get the hang of it?"
"I think I felt something… but it's still hard to grasp."
She recalled the moment she sensed his sudden strike, but the feeling was still faint, slipping through her grasp.
"I see."
Don nodded knowingly, recognizing the look on her face—he'd been there before.
"Hm?"
With a soft hum, Robin stepped back, crossing her arms protectively over her chest, widening the distance between them.
"That's enough. The rest of the training is up to you. Next, you'll focus on Armament Haki and strengthening your body."
Don spoke earnestly, then turned and sat down at the stern of the ship.
Robin kept her eyes fixed on him.
Just moments ago, she had felt it clearly—if she hadn't retreated, Don would have struck with both hands at once.
So this was Observation Haki? Quite incredible.
She tried to practice the sensation while Don steered their vessel toward the next island.
Meanwhile, on an island in the North Blue, inside a weapons factory
"They've all been evacuated. The munitions are set. If he dares step foot there, he'll sink the entire island himself!"
Lao G reported into the Den Den Mushi.
"Kizaru is in the North Blue, and Germa 66 is in talks with the World Government. Make the commotion loud enough to attract attention."
Doflamingo's sinister voice crackled through the receiver.
"Yes, Young Master."
Lao G bowed instinctively, even though no one could see him.
"Do not engage that man head-on. If we can divert Germa 66 and the World Government's eyes toward him, you may retreat."
Doflamingo's orders were precise.
"Young Master, I can take down that brat myself!"
Lao G protested.
"Diamante died at his hands. He even defeated the Chinjao from Kano Country."
Doflamingo's tone was calmer now, the earlier fury over Diamante's death already cooled.
Beside Lao G, Pica—still sucking on his pacifier in infantile garb—remained silent.
"Yes, Young Master."
Lao G complied at last. The line went dead.
"As a man, one should fight his enemy openly. This kind of trick isn't worthy."
Pica's gruff voice finally rumbled.
"Pica, I'm an old man, not a man," Lao G shot back dryly.
"That one is strong—an ability user, maybe even a Logia. He never used his power against Chinjao. That's why the Young Master changed tactics—from direct confrontation to dragging others into the fray."
The plan was simple: lure Admiral Kizaru and Germa 66's attention toward Don.
"In that case, I won't lift a finger," Pica muttered, pacifier bobbing as he turned to leave.
Lao G watched him depart, expression stiff.
Diamante had been one of the top four executives—his superior. Annoying though he was, his swordsmanship and fruit power made him formidable.
Turning to Viola, Lao G ordered, "You heard all of that. Keep using your ability to watch him. I want to know the result of this."
A trap like this wouldn't harm a Logia much… but if their target grew careless, it might wound him. And if he was badly hurt, plans could shift—perhaps to finish him outright.
"I understand."
Viola nodded and left.
Her heart, however, was uneasy. She wondered desperately how she might get word to Don.
Soon after, Don and Robin's ship reached shore.
"Evacuated again?"
Robin frowned at the silent island. The place was crowded with buildings, yet not a soul could be seen.
Don spread his Observation Haki across the island.
"They really cleared out."
"So what now?"
"In a moment, I'll stir up some noise. You…"
He gestured to a spot in the distance.
"Someone's watching us there. You'll go take them down."
Robin blinked. To her eyes, the sea was empty.
But if Don said it, she trusted it.
"Alright."
She nodded firmly.
In the next breath, Don vaulted into the air, descending upon the empty weapons factory.
Boom!
A fiery slash split the sky, detonating in a blinding explosion. Flames surged upward, shockwaves rolling in all directions.
Robin grew a dozen arms on the ship's oars, rowing swiftly toward her target.
From afar, Viola watched in shock. She had seen the slash from above, the figure cloaked in fire standing amidst the chaos.
Boom! Boom!
Explosions erupted one after another.
"Looks like there's no need to warn him anymore."
Viola exhaled in relief—the trap had been undone with laughable ease.
"Failure. Retreat."
She turned to order her subordinates.
"Wait—there's a ship approaching!" one of them cried, pointing.
Across the waves, a small vessel cut swiftly toward them.
At its bow stood a tall young woman, arms crossed before her chest.
"Thirty-Wheel Bloom: Strangle!"
END OF CHAPTER
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