Simon Sandi's heart sank upon hearing the news.
Because... it wasn't impossible. A whirlwind of thoughts tore through his mind.
Could it be that Devil Fruit?!
He suddenly recalled a possibility.
The Devil Fruit in Barofia's possession had originally been discovered on an island jointly controlled by two noble families. Though the agreement stipulated joint ownership, the Donquixote Family had paid a hefty sum to secure it—planning to ship it to Swallow Island.
To ensure the fruit's safe delivery, they had even dispatched Diamante, one of the highest-ranking officers in Doflamingo's inner circle!
That alone confirmed how precious the fruit was to them.
But wait...
Even if that were the case, a formal deal was already underway. Why stir up trouble now? Were they afraid we'd go back on our word?
If the Donquixote Family was really trying to claim both the fruit and the profits...
Hmph! Even if it's them, so what? If they dare touch our interests, they'll pay dearly for it!
He shook his head. There was no point lingering on mere speculation. It was better to meet Diamante face-to-face.
Simon Sandi raised his arm and declared, "Let's head to the Donquixote Family's headquarters!"
With a unified roar, his men charged forward with purpose.
But unbeknownst to them, waiting there were members of the Divination Club, sent by Yuno. Under Yuno's command, they had infiltrated the Donquixote Family's estate, disguised as loyal members, ready and alert.
As Simon Sandi and his crew approached, he raised his hand, halting them.
Scanning the area, he frowned—no sign of Diamante.
With a harsh glare, he barked, "Who are you people?"
From the shadows, Old Witch Sharon stepped forward, her black cloak concealing most of her face. In a rasping voice, she replied, "We are with the Donquixote Family. Who are you?"
Simon Sandi's eyes narrowed. Something wasn't right... but he couldn't pinpoint it.
Truthfully, he was unfamiliar with the inner workings of the Donquixote Family. He only recognized a few top officers—and this cloaked woman certainly wasn't one of them. But Doflamingo had countless lackeys, making it hard to verify anyone's identity.
"I want to speak to Diamante," he snapped. "Bring him out. I need answers. Also... what about the bounty hunter?"
"Bounty hunter?" Sharon's eyes flashed beneath her hood. Though startled, she concealed her reaction well.
Simon Sandi remained silent. Instead, his bearded lieutenant stepped forward and growled, "Locals saw the bounty hunter enter this place—and never come out. Are you hiding him? Trying to avoid accountability?"
"Ridiculous!" Sharon barked, her voice suddenly sharp. "When has the Donquixote Family ever done something so dishonorable?"
Simon Sandi gestured for the bearded man to step back. But his eyes never left Sharon—his killing intent now suffocating.
"No more games. Bring out Diamante—now. Let him explain everything."
Sharon flinched beneath the pressure of Simon Sandi's bloodlust, but she held her ground. Pushed to the front by Basil Hawkins, her resolve was forged in steel.
Taking a deep breath, she responded, "Lord Diamante isn't here. I suggest you leave."
Simon Sandi, despite his brutish appearance, was no fool. His mind was sharp, and Sharon's words only confirmed his earlier suspicion—something was definitely off.
He recalled the bearded man's earlier concern... and suddenly, the puzzle pieces fit.
His face twitched, betraying his inner turmoil.
But before he could act—
BOOM!
A chain of explosions rocked the area, cutting off his thoughts and shaking the earth beneath their feet.
Then came the panicked shouts of Simon Sandi's men:
"Bombardment! Someone's firing!"
"Oh no! It's an ambush! We've fallen for it!"
"How dare they?!"
"Damn the Donquixote Family! Are they really turning on us?"
The barrage, of course, came from the Divination Club—a mysterious organization aligned with Yuno.
Explosions tore through the area, blasting over a dozen of Simon Sandi's men to pieces in horrific fashion.
Simon Sandi's heart sank—but then fury overtook him.
"Those Donquixote bastards... Are they really trying to start a war?!"
"What are you all just standing around for?! Kill them!"
He couldn't afford to hesitate. They had to be dealt with first!
Simon Sandi charged out, his gaze locked on Sharon, fury written across his face.
"Donquixote Family—you've got guts!"
Sharon ducked away as Simon rushed past her, several burly underlings moving in to block his path.
Despite his bulky frame, Simon Sandi moved with incredible speed—leaping forward and punching each one directly in the face, knocking them out cold.
With a bounty of 80 million berries, Simon Sandi was no weakling. His power was overwhelming for these small-time North Blue gangs.
But as he fought, his brow furrowed.
"You're not from the Donquixote Family… Who the hell are you people?"
He knew well that the Donquixote Family, an underworld power once led by Donquixote Doflamingo, wouldn't dispatch such weaklings.
Their real forces were far stronger.
Simon reached out to grab Sharon, intending to capture her.
Sharon's eyes widened in fear as his thick hand lunged toward her. She wasn't a fighter—only a strategist. And now she was cornered, unable to escape.
Just then—
A long knife shot through the air toward Simon Sandi's chest!
If he hadn't stopped, it would have skewered him.
"Who's there?!"
Simon quickly pulled back, eyes sharp, scanning the direction the blade had come from.
A figure leapt down from a nearby rooftop.
It was a young man, his face marked with black streaks, and his hair half-blond.
It was Yuno.
From his position, it was clear that he was the one who had thrown the knife.
In the shadows, Basil Hawkins observed the scene quietly.
He had been wondering about Yuno's intentions all along—but upon seeing him take direct aim at Simon Sandi, an idea struck him.
"Could it be… the Quincy is trying to start a war between the Donquixote Family and others?"
"Is he plotting against Doflamingo, one of the Shichibukai?"
Hawkins, born in the North Blue, was very familiar with Donquixote Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
But the "Shipping King" (likely Simon Sandi) was less known to him.
Still, watching Yuno manipulate the situation from the shadows made Hawkins tremble with awe.
"To openly challenge a Shichibukai and incite war… What kind of power and influence must he have?"
Hwakins then also leapt from the shadows.