Unlike the future events of the Marineford War, where Patrick Redfield and Byrnndi World were released by Blackbeard and the incident was concealed by the Government, the prison break involving Kaido, Dragon, and Byrnndi World became a sensational news story.
While the fact that the legend of Impel Down was shattered for the second time (after Shiki the Golden Lion) was quite embarrassing, Kaido's notoriety was too great to hide. Thus, the escape was openly announced.
However, the fact that Byrnndi World was eliminated by Alucard after being free for only two days sent another wave of shock across the seas, particularly among the Marines, who were stunned. They had just formed a task force to capture World and were preparing to issue a new wanted poster for the criminal from years ago. Now, before the new bounty poster could even be issued, the man was dead.
This left Sengoku and Tsuru unsure whether to be happy or sad.
Having spent considerable time dealing with the World incident, Ivalis and the others, who had been dispatched to Masuka, had already advanced far ahead. After nearly a month, they arrived at the destination island one step faster than Alucard.
En route, the Heart Pirates led by Trafalgar Law had also rendezvoused with the nearly two hundred members of the Immortal Pirates led by Ivalis. As they walked the roads of Masuka town, the sheer number of pirates intimidated the surrounding refugees, leaving them speechless. Many recognized Law as one of the perpetrators of a previous bloody incident, but due to the overwhelming numbers of the group, they dared not speak up.
"A Devil Fruit worth 2.5 billion... I can't wait to see it." Ivalis rubbed his gloved hands together, a flicker of excitement breaking his perpetually poker-faced demeanor.
"I doubt they'd still be there. It's been a month," Law remarked.
Law knew the reason he managed to escape Donquixote Doflamingo. Setting aside Tesoro, whom he didn't know much about, he believed that given Doflamingo's cunning, he wouldn't stay put, waiting for people to arrive.
Upon reaching the "entrance," the Immortal Pirates members showed similar reactions to Bepo and the other Heart Pirates crew members when they first saw it. Wasn't this entrance a bit too grotesque?
"Lead the way, Dark Circles Kid," Ivalis said.
Law's eye twitched. "Don't call me that."
Ivalis responded casually, "You can make me stop when you use your strength to shut me up."
"…"
Half an hour later, in the basement, seeing the vast, empty, desolate scene and the large gambling tables lying scattered on the floor, Law's eyebrows furrowed. "I told you they wouldn't be here anymore."
Ivalis bent down, lifted a corner of a large gambling table that had tipped over, then put it back down. He asked, "The item is with a man named Tesoro, right? Can we find him?"
"Finding him isn't easy, but from overhearing their conversation, I know he was in a partnership with someone else: one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Donquixote Doflamingo." Law's tone was almost a growl when he finally said Doflamingo's name.
"Oh, the Heavenly Yaksha. He's quite the flamboyant one. It should be much easier to find him."
Ivalis took the Den Den Mushi from a subordinate and said, "We need to notify Captain about this situation."
Law, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and his sword in one hand, watched Ivalis dial the Den Den Mushi. "Why are you so obsessed with this? Do you want to eat that Devil Fruit?"
Pere pere pere...
The Den Den Mushi began ringing. Ivalis replied, "I'm not interested in Devil Fruits. I just genuinely want to enjoy the pleasure of the journey."
As he spoke, Ivalis turned to Law. "Speaking of which, I don't understand you, kid. You've been frowning the whole way here. Do you have a grudge against Tesoro or Doflamingo?"
Law's eye twitched again. He turned his head away and didn't answer.
Click!
The sleeping Den Den Mushi suddenly stopped ringing and opened its eyes, indicating the call had been connected.
At this moment, Alucard, sailing in the first half of the Grand Line's magnetic sea, placed the Den Den Mushi on the small table next to him. "Ivalis, what's the situation?"
"Unfortunately, when we arrived, there was nothing of value here. They've fled," Ivalis reported. "However, the Dark Circles Kid says Tesoro is connected to Doflamingo. Following the Doflamingo lead should allow us to get the item. It seems Tesoro intends to sell that item to the World Government, so I don't know if we can seize it before he does."
Alucard set down the red wine glass in his other hand. After several minutes of thought, he said, "Hand the Den Den Mushi to Law."
Immediately, the Den Den Mushi transformed from Ivalis's sunglass eyes to Law's dead eyes, and Law's voice came through. "It's me."
"Do you know the extent of Tesoro's operations?" Alucard asked.
"I used to frequent the black market with the Donquixote Family. Give me some time, and I should be able to track it down. He is a businessman, after all." Law's tone held a hint of confidence.
"While you look for Doflamingo, find one of Tesoro's bases, and destroy one."
After succinctly delivering his orders, Alucard hung up the phone. He picked up his red wine glass again, gently swirling the liquid, a faint smile playing on his lips.
On the other side, Law put down the receiver and gave a look to the others around him, the meaning clear: "You all heard that, right?"
"Terrifying. Did that Tesoro offend Captain Alucard?" Ivalis was slightly surprised by Alucard's command. "Isn't he the user of the Gold-Gold Fruit?"
An older Immortal Pirates crew member explained, "That was the Devil Fruit originally prepared for Scarlett-san. Later, when we were preparing to take possession of it, it was stolen by a group of guys from who knows where."
"I see," Ivalis chuckled. "The Golden Emperor of the Grand Line and the Heavenly Yaksha, I imagine they'll make for excellent opponents."