Outsiders had no knowledge of this matter. Even within the ranks of the World Government, most people didn’t know which royal family had vanished.
But Doflamingo was different. As a former Celestial Dragon, he possessed countless pieces of information that outsiders were unaware of, and this was the foundation of his power.
He knew exactly how the World Government operated, which was why he used heavenly tribute to obtain his status as a Shichibukai, while relying on that secret to protect his position.
Ever since he had been rejected from returning, he had harbored a deep hatred for the Celestial Dragons. Under the right circumstances, he wouldn’t mind giving a push to topple their power, but he wouldn’t do it openly—he preferred to be the puppet master behind the scenes.
And if he recalled correctly, Crocodile seems to be up to something big there. Causing him some trouble wouldn’t benefit him much, but it isn’t a bad idea either.
He didn’t believe for a second that Sir Crocodile was genuinely trying to be a national hero. The current Shichibukai are all quite cunning, or at least used to be. If nothing else, they all had their own advisors.
“If you’re interested, you could make a stop there. I can send you to an island with convenient shipping routes, or I also have a way to get my hands on an Eternal Pose to Alabasta. If not, then just forget I said anything.”
Doflamingo was the type who loved to invest, even though many of his investments were forced. But this kind of risk-free investment? He enjoyed it very much.
“Then I’ll take you up on that offer,” Robin responded.
“Fuffuffuffu, glad to be of use. But doesn’t your companion want to say hello?”
He didn’t want certain topics to be overheard, so after dismissing his subordinates, Doflamingo had spread his Observation Haki over the area, and detected the life form lurking outside the cabin.
Although he hadn’t called them out before, now that they’d formed a tentative “cooperation,” this was his way of subtly demonstrating his strength.
“Lizzi,” Robin called softly. She hadn’t interacted much with the Shichibukai, but she knew that anyone in this position couldn’t be there without significant strength.
In the corner, a blurred figure began to materialize—a figure dressed like a cowboy, complete with a cowboy hat, appeared in the room.
During her travels, Lizzi had evolved from a Drizzile into an Inteleon.
However, after the evolution, there was a little trouble. Similarly an Inteleon, Lizzi and Elizabeth now both looked almost identical. Apart from being unable to change form, there was virtually no difference between them.
Elizabeth was Phantom’s partner, a fact well known throughout the New World. Due to its fighting style, its reputation isn’t especially prominent, and she’s mostly unknown outside the New World.
Only the pirates of the New World knew that Phantom is truly a killing machine when paired with Elizabeth, far more than when operating alone.
So, to avoid confusion, Lizzi gave itself a makeover. Besides the cowboy-themed outfit, it also wore sunglasses. In a world plagued by face blindness, most people couldn’t recognize its true identity.
Inteleon’s ability to turn invisible even extended to its clothing, as its mother’s species was modeled after the local basilisk lizard, and it’s common for abilities to affect clothing here.
“Such terrifying biotechnology…”
After carefully observing the creature, Doflamingo reached this conclusion. While face blindness was a serious issue in this world, Doflamingo was different.
He was quite normal in this regard, but thanks to sunglasses being his signature accessory, he had a heightened ability to discern faces wearing sunglasses.
The outside world’s perception of the Beasts Pirates was centered around their powerful biotechnology. So, when a similar creature appears, the subconscious impact it creates often has a significant effect.
………
“Get these things as soon as possible.”
“Understood. But, Doffy, do we really need to do so much for that woman?”
Pica’s high-pitched voice rang out. He didn’t quite understand why Doflamingo was going through all this trouble—preparing an Eternal Pose, arranging for local maps and information of the area. It wasn’t expensive, but it was quite time-consuming.
“Who she is doesn’t matter. This person is deeply connected with the Beasts Pirates. Pica, other than me, could any of you entrust the family’s symbol to someone else?”
“No…”
“Exactly. She carries the Beasts Pirates’ flag, and she’s quite special herself. Even if Kaido isn’t directly behind her, someone of significant rank within the Beasts Pirates is. This small investment is nothing. If she gains something, we’ll gain even more in return.
Just wait. I have a feeling this deal won’t be a loss. Fuffuffuffu.”
……
“Alabasta, the superpower of the first half of the Grand Line, with a standing army of over 600,000.
Ruled by the Nefertari family, the current king is the 12th ruler, Nefertari Cobra. His wife, Nefertari Titi, has passed away, and their only daughter is Nefertari Vivi… Lizzi, it looks like this will be a very long journey.”
As she browsed through the information gathered by Doflamingo, Nico Robin judged that this trip was likely to yield many findings. According to the records from Ohara, Alabasta was a country with a rich historical background.
Compared to isolated islands scattered across the sea, a large nation like Alabasta had a greater chance of preserving its history. It had always been her plan to visit, though she moved up her plan thanks to Doflamingo’s intel.
It was now late in the year 1515. Robin had already arrived in Alabasta through regular shipping routes and was making her way toward the capital, investigating the local situation along the way.
Outsiders couldn’t be fully trusted. While Doflamingo had provided plenty of information, Robin still verified it using the Beasts Pirates’ own channels.
Now, for the third time, she was cross-checking the latest local information herself to ensure there were no surprises.
At the moment, Crocodile had already arrived in Alabasta but he hadn’t taken any action yet. Baroque Works was still merely a gathering place for bounty hunters, and the atmosphere in Alabasta remained peaceful.
Despite being a desert nation, the country’s economy was well-developed thanks to its oasis.
According to Doflamingo, the secrets Robin sought were likely passed down within the royal family. Only the royals would know such information, so her first goal was to infiltrate the palace, as that would be the most effective way to get close to the royal family.
As she scanned a local newspaper advertising for a court tutor, Robin began to form a plan for the future. But first, she had to deal with the immediate problem in front of her.
“Lizzi, you handle them yourself.”
“Inte~leon…”
“Hey, don’t look at me. They’re after you, after all.”
At this moment, the two were surrounded by a large group of Kung-Fu Dugongs. The Dugongs were even mimicking Inteleon’s attack stance, forming their small, rounded hands into finger guns just like Lizzi.
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