Not all wanted criminals are targeted by the World Government.
Throughout their long journey of escape, Dier and Robin encountered World Government agents far more often than Marines.
Though the Marines serve as the primary force against pirates, Robin and Dier were repeatedly pursued by CP agents—anyone could see how much importance the World Government placed on them. Capturing them would be a great achievement.
The Bullet Family wasn't trying to bribe the Marines with money—they wanted to deliver the Child of the Devil as a prize.
"This is troublesome. Let's try to subdue this guy first."
Dier frowned, thinking for a moment before deciding to fully hypnotize Brandon.
The Five Families held immense power in the West Blue, and he needed a spy planted within the enemy's ranks.
The current hypnosis was only temporary. If Brandon experienced intense pain or emotional turmoil, he could snap out of it instantly.
What Dier planned next was complete hypnosis—or rather, forced brainwashing.
His current hypnosis skills weren't enough to achieve this alone, but with the help of tools, he could probably succeed.
"Mr. Gangster, before arresting Nico Robin, you'll have to listen to me."
"I... have to listen to you?"
"Exactly. Only then can you ensure the capture of the Child of the Devil and live the life you want."
"...Alright, I'll listen to you."
...
Three hours later, Dier collapsed weakly onto the sofa, looking utterly drained.
He had underestimated how exhausting it would be. Thankfully, it was finally done.
He glanced at Brandon, who now stood respectfully beside him, and nodded in satisfaction before instructing:
"Remember and believe every word I say from now on, understand?"
Brandon bowed in response. "Yes, boss."
"Kali Dier's physical abilities are constantly improving. Kali Dier has astonishing recovery speed. Kali Dier wields the power of flames. Kali Dier can fly..."
Currently, Dier controlled three active abilities—Hypnosis, Flame Power, and Electrification—along with the passive ability of his physical strength continuously increasing.
Previously, convincing others required effort. For example, to make people believe he controlled flames, Dier had to use a lighter first, then hypnotize them into forgetting its existence, making them think he truly possessed flame abilities.
Though this method was easier than outright deception, it still wasn't quick. That was why it took Dier two and a half years to master four abilities.
Now, with Brandon fully under his control, things were much simpler—he would believe everything Dier said without question.
After listing dozens of abilities, Dier asked, "Got all that?"
Seeing Brandon nod, he continued, "Go next door and call my secretary, then you can leave. Don't forget to complete your mission."
Soon after, Robin entered and saw Dier sprawled on the sofa.
"What happened to you?"
She hurried over to help him sit up, the petals on her face falling away as she resumed her true appearance. Using her abilities, she removed Dier's shoes.
He was also wearing ten-centimeter lifts inside.
"Nothing serious. Just recruited a servant for us."
Dier took the offered black tea, sipped it, and said, "Bullet's got their eyes on us. We need to lay low for a couple of days."
"Should we leave tomorrow afternoon or the day after?"
Robin instinctively asked this question. Following their usual routine, they would immediately relocate to another island whenever their whereabouts were discovered, to ensure safety.
"No, I'm not leaving."
Dier pulled Robin into a one-armed hug and said with mock fierceness:
"I'm tired of living like a fugitive. I'm turning you in."
Robin responded by elbowing him in the stomach without changing expression.
"Dier, that's not funny."
Having gone through thick and thin together for two and a half years, Robin naturally didn't believe his nonsense.
"But we really aren't leaving this time, at least not anytime soon."
Rubbing his stomach, Dier casually ruffled Robin's hair:
"Trust me, things will get much better from now on."
The corners of Robin's lips curled slightly as she recalled when the bounty posters were first issued and no one would sell them supplies. Back then, Dier had vowed confidently:
"Trust me, I won't let you go hungry."
Over the past two years, Dier had proven true to his word. Though constantly on the run, they'd never lacked for food—she'd even gained a little weight.
She'd once asked Dier why he helped her, only to receive an incomprehensible answer:
"At first it was to ensure my own safety. Later, I just couldn't bear seeing you pitiful with nothing to eat. You're my favorite soccer star, after all."
Because of her Devil Fruit powers, Robin had been called a monster since childhood. Forget playing soccer—she hadn't even had peers willing to talk to her.
Now, after all this time, Robin had long stopped questioning his reasons. Whatever Dier said, she would do.
Smoothing her hair, she looked up and asked, "Is there anything I can do?"
"Go tell the boss to buy some food. I'm starving." Dier collapsed back onto the couch, responding weakly:
"And bring that newspaper to read to me."
"You still want me to read it?!"
The eight-year-old scholar protested:
"It's been over two years! You still can't read a newspaper? Are you going to be illiterate your whole life?"
"How dare you slander me like this?! I know over three hundred characters now—at most I'm semi-literate!"
Actually, it was more than three hundred, but having someone read to him was much more comfortable than reading himself.
So he'd been tricking Robin into being his personal newsreader.
"Besides, I've got you, don't I, my little scholar? Hurry up, I'm starving."
"Fine, fine, oh great Hypnosis master who loves ordering people around."
...
Brandon strode energetically into a tavern—this was Blackfire's base, where they usually held gatherings or discussed business.
But the tavern seemed unusually empty now, with only a handful of people scattered about, plus a bartender wiping glasses at the counter.
Ignoring his colleagues, Brandon walked straight to the bar and reported:
"No issues in my assigned district. I searched thoroughly but found no trace of the Child of the Devil."
The bartender nodded, crossing out Brandon's district with a red pen. He wasn't just a bartender—he also compiled intelligence from all members.
Being entrusted with such responsibility meant he enjoyed their leader's complete trust, so Brandon didn't linger to chat.
After glancing around, Brandon spotted a somewhat familiar colleague drinking at the bar. He immediately took a seat next to him, poured himself a glass without waiting for an invitation, and after taking a sip, muttered under his breath:
"The boss has gone mad, ordering us to conduct a full island search. If we don't find the person by tomorrow, he's going to blockade the port and keep looking."
"Tell me about it. I still have to patrol the streets later," the colleague grumbled, clearly unhappy with the boss's arrangements. After glancing at the bartender, he continued complaining in a hushed tone:
"Some guys even got assigned night shifts. What's the point of working so hard? Even if we find them, they'll just end up with Bullet's crew. We won't see a single penny from it."
"Well, they are one of the Five Families after all. It's normal for the boss to want to curry favor. But forget that—I found a great spot today..."
Brandon patted his shoulder with a knowing smile that men would understand:
"How about we go unwind there tomorrow night?"
"Why wait till tomorrow? Let's go tonight!"
"Are you kidding? The boss will probably give another one of his mafia pep talks tonight, and by the time he's done, it'll be past midnight. Let's go tomorrow night instead."
"Fine, tomorrow night it is!"