Sengoku's brow twitched. "Explain."
"According to our informant, Doflamingo has been repeatedly visiting a certain deserted island…"
"A deserted island?" Sengoku felt speechless.
If Doflamingo kept going there, how could it be deserted?
"Did the informant investigate what's actually on that island?"
"N-No, sir…" the intelligence officer reported helplessly.
"You understand, Fleet Admiral — Doflamingo is strong. To avoid exposing the informant, he didn't dare get too close…"
Sengoku sighed internally, dissatisfied with the informant's lack of progress.
But the target was Doflamingo — a cunning, vigilant pirate, a Warlord of the Sea, and someone with a secret lineage. They couldn't act openly.
If Rosinante were still around…
Sengoku's heart tightened for a moment, but he quickly suppressed the ripple of grief and gestured for the intelligence officer to leave.
Garp, chewing senbei and drinking tea at the side, was stunned.
"You're letting it go?"
"You've been investigating the Donquixote Family for years."
After the officer left, Sengoku shot Garp a look.
"How could I possibly ignore it?"
"A cannon strong enough to injure a 100-million pirate with a single shot — that puts it on par with the Pacifistas currently being developed by the Science Division…"
"And do you know who's in charge of the Pacifista project?"
"Vegapunk, obviously," Garp said lazily.
"Exactly! Dr. Vegapunk. That means something."
"Doflamingo's new weapon tech is already approaching Vegapunk's level. This could cause huge problems for the Marines." Sengoku's gaze grew cold and serious.
"So this can't be taken lightly. It's not suitable for informants. Fortunately, Gion has some free time. I'll send Peach Rabbit to investigate."
Garp said, "Peach Rabbit has a nasty temper. Aren't you worried she'll end up fighting Doflamingo?"
"Her sense of judgment is far better than yours, Garp," Sengoku snorted.
While the Marines had begun paying attention to Mork's sea fortress, Mork himself was unaware.
Over the last few days, Doflamingo and his officers had been sending endless entertainment goods — food, toys, media… everything.
But what made Mork speechless was the inclusion of adult items.
Was he that kind of person?
He was a lofty, aloof overlord now!
Still, Mork accepted everything. Free stuff was free stuff.
Outside, Doflamingo, Trebol, and a few officers delivering the goods again watched as everything was transferred into the fortress, as usual.
At the bow, Doflamingo smiled. "Sir, are you satisfied with our recent gifts?"
"They're fine," Mork replied through the speaker.
Hearing this, Doflamingo beamed.
"Your satisfaction is our honor!"
In his view, everything he was doing was absolutely worth it.
Even though the mysterious fortress owner still hadn't invited him inside, at least when they approached the fortress now, they were no longer targeted by countless cannons.
That alone proved their relationship had grown cordial — almost friendly.
With persistence, he believed a new deal was only a matter of time.
And then his grand ambitions could take a giant leap forward!
Thinking this, Doflamingo felt inexplicably excited.
Suddenly, his smile froze.
He let out a soft, puzzled "Hmm?"
At the same time inside the fortress, Mork heard the system alert:
"Host, Marco, First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, is approaching our territory!"
Mork was sorting the new batch of entertainment goods when he heard the name. He scratched his head.
Why was someone from a Yonko crew here?
Marco wasn't someone Mork disliked, so he said calmly,
"Just warn him. As long as he doesn't cause trouble, ignore it."
"Understood, host."
A kilometer away, Marco stood at the bow of his ship, staring straight ahead.
There, rising over the horizon, was Mork's fortress.
The moment he saw it, Marco's expression grew solemn.
A few First Division members beside him also stared, dumbfounded.
"C-Captain Marco… wh-what is that?!"
"So massive… It's even bigger than the Moby Dick!"
"Is… is that some kind of military stronghold? Was it built by the Marines?"
"Doesn't look like it… No Marine insignia."
"Then what kind of force is it?"
"No clue… I've never seen anything like that on the sea."
Marco sighed wryly.
"It's not just you. Even I've never seen such a structure. The last time I felt this shocked was when I saw Zunesha…"
A prehistoric giant beast walking on the sea.
Then Marco noticed a pirate ship docked near the fortress.
Judging from certain details, he recognized it as the ship of the Warlord Doflamingo.
"Why is a Marine Warlord's crew here?"
Curious, Marco decided to sail closer.
As the First Division Commander, he held great authority and respect across the New World.
But as they approached Doflamingo's ship, a thunderous voice boomed from the fortress, echoing across the sea:
"This is private territory. Trespassers will bear the consequences."
Marco and his men froze in shock.
After a few seconds of thought, Marco signaled his crew to stop.
This wasn't cowardice — he simply wanted to understand the situation first.
On the Donquixote ship, Trebol heard the warning and laughed.
"Young Master, even Whitebeard's people don't get the treatment we do."
"As expected of you. Our relationship with the fortress master is great!"
Just then, Marco called out from a distance:
"Doflamingo, why are you here?"
"And what is that fortress? Who's inside?"
Doflamingo, facing a Whitebeard officer, showed no fear.
One, he was a Warlord.
Two, with the fortress nearby, if Marco made a move, he was certain the mysterious man would help him.
After all, he'd been offering gifts for days.
Doflamingo strode to the bow, laughing boldly:
"Inside? Someone even you can't afford to provoke!!"
—------------------------------
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