While the family was stockpiling supplies, prior to their departure for the North Blue, Giolla, who fancies herself an artist, was still quite adept at discovering and praising beauty, even though her affected girlish demeanor at her advanced age was... not quite as beautiful.
The journey against the flow of the Grand Line had lasted nearly a month, and the Flamingo's cruising speed was extremely slow.
This was mainly due to Doflamingo's unprecedentedly strong urge to attack.
Any pirates or adventurers that appeared within the Flamingo's sight, as long as they weren't affiliated with a Yonko or the World Government, were subjected to a baptism of slaughter.
According to incomplete statistics, over fifty ships and hundreds of people had met an unfortunate end.
Considering the regret of not passing through Fish-Man Island when entering the New World, Doflamingo, upon reaching the Red Line, refused to request passage over Mariejois by virtue of his Warlord of the Sea title. Instead, he opted for coating at the deep-sea black market factory run by Umit, who specialized in "deep-sea currents," and dived ten thousand meters to take a look at Fish-Man Island.
"I wonder if the Whitebeard Pirates have left yet," Smoothie lazily slumped on the sofa arranged on the deck, yawning.
Doflamingo held a book in one hand, diligently studying the medical arts of Crocus and Dr. Kureha, which he hadn't fully grasped yet. His recent human experiments had hit another bottleneck. "They should have left. The location recorded in the newspaper's photos of 'Desert King's' crushing defeat was near the end of the New World... and the clash between Big Mom and Whitebeard ended almost half a year ago, didn't it?"
"I see the Whitebeard Pirates' flag, Doffy!" Diamante excitedly bounced around. "It's all over Fish-Man Island! Looks like they really treat Whitebeard as their guardian deity."
"Fufufufu~ Naturally! The damage caused by the Great Pirate Era to Fish-Man Island far exceeds that of any other island in the Grand Line. Whose fault is it that its location is the first stop in the New World? The World Government doesn't care, and they finally managed to latch onto a powerful ally. How could they not cherish it?" Doflamingo closed his book, stretched out his arm, and turned to admire the beautiful scenery of seaweed and fish outside the coating.
Urouge pondered, "How strange, Young Master? Fish-Man Island, no! The Ryugu Kingdom is clearly one of the World Government's affiliated nations, so why doesn't the World Government care?"
"It's a historical issue," Doflamingo said with a half-smile. "Do you know who dug the smuggling tunnel under Mariejois?"
Urouge's ever-present grin widened even further. "It couldn't be..."
"That's right! Just as you imagined, it's the very evil created by the Fish-Men and Merfolk themselves," Doflamingo continued. "A long time ago, they were enemies of the World Government. This smuggling tunnel wasn't even for pirates; I don't think there were even pirates back then? It was for easily deploying troops during their wars with the World Government, fufufufu~ The World Government, in an effort to maintain racial harmony, allowed them to join as affiliated nations. That's quite generous of them."
"Is that so?!" A soft voice chimed in.
Doflamingo glanced sideways. "Fufufufu~ There's a lot about the truth you don't know, Robin-chan! Study hard."
It was Doflamingo's oversight; Robin was indeed a genius. At eight years old, she passed the "Doctor's Exam" with a perfect score to become an archaeologist. However, her accumulated knowledge in the study of ancient languages was still too little, not yet reaching the point of fluent and proficient translation of the Poneglyph content.
Doflamingo guessed it was because Dr. Clover had strictly forbidden Robin from contacting ancient languages. How much could she learn by stealing knowledge? And the only Poneglyph preserved in Ohara was just one. The content and script of each Poneglyph were different, so he could only patiently cultivate Robin, not rushing her to translate the two rubbings of Poneglyphs he possessed.
Fearing Doflamingo, Robin unconsciously shrank behind Giolla, and with a mischievous streak, kicked Weevil, who was dozens of times larger than her, to make him move aside for her.
"Ow, ow, little, Robin-chan..." Weevil complained, sniffling discontentedly.
Robin rolled her big eyes and offered her palm—candy.
"Hehehe~~~ Sweet, so sweet!" Weevil instantly became overjoyed, even though a tiny piece of candy was barely enough to get stuck in his teeth, he was happy.
Doflamingo found it amusing, saying mockingly, "Fufufufu~ 'A small bribe.'" He snapped his fingers, admonishing, "Weevil. Did you forget something? Continue training according to the Rokushiki that Lao G taught you! Your performance in the last battle against the enemy disappointed me; it was too crude, relying solely on your inherent talent."
Weevil instantly became quiet, obediently running onto the deck to join Tesoro, who was silently like a mute, fiercely training himself every day except for necessary eating, sleeping, and going to the bathroom, as well as the diligently working Gladius.
"What are you waiting for, Urouge?" Doflamingo's eyebrow-less brow arched, saying unkindly, "I don't want to collect your corpses someday!"
"No need to be so strict, Young Master," Giolla advised. "We've finally reached Fish-Man Island, and we..."
Doflamingo waved his hand. "Sorry, Giolla! This trip is merely a glance. It's still a sensitive period, and the aftermath hasn't subsided. Fish-Man Island doesn't welcome pirates like us. With Whitebeard's banner, there will inevitably be some self-righteous types preparing to 'counterattack' us pirates! Of course, we don't need to fear their strength, even if the fish-men in the sea are all impressive, but the problem is their speed. If they target our coating, harassing us day and night, it's impossible to guard against, like a toad on your foot—it doesn't bite, but it's disgusting."
"What a shame," Giolla said, cupping her face. "I really want to see my sisters. I am a mermaid princess, after all."
Everyone: "..."
Fish-Man Island, the smuggling tunnel, the journey was uneventful.
And the Flamingo reached the first half of the Grand Line, surfacing...
"Doffy! Someone's there!"
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