A moment later.
Watching the Donquixote ship and Merlin's ship moving further and further away from the island, Gion's eyes were solemn, her expression heavy: "Sister Tsuru! Are we really just letting them go like this?"
Tsuru, at this moment, was stripping the abnormal power from the bodies of the dozen or so gathered subordinates.
"With Merlin that guy present, we can't keep them here. If we continue to fight, if they fight desperately, I'm afraid the casualties won't be small.
"And in the end, I can't guarantee that we will definitely keep those two."
"Then do we continue chasing?"
"Mmh, chase for a while longer. That kid probably won't give up on the nobles in the Volgala Kingdom. By the way, see if we can find some helpers to come over."
"Our Headquarters is currently a bit overwhelmed because of Fisher Tiger, and those big pirates in the New World are also restless.
"For a while, I'm afraid we can't spare suitable powerful personnel."
"The Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea)."
Tsuru's eyes were deep, "It's time for those guys to put in some effort. Lizard King Hafnaz, Desert Crocodile Crocodile, and Gecko Moria..."
"..."
"Will they come?" Gion narrowed her eyes slightly: "By the way, Sister Tsuru, I heard the Headquarters is preparing to recruit Hawkeye Mihawk as a Shichibukai.
"How is the progress on this matter?"
A touch of solemnity flashed in Tsuru's eyes: "That guy hasn't continued hunting Marines recently. But, presumably it will be soon!
"Borsalino was arranged to pursue Fisher Tiger. Sakazuki is stationed at the G1 Branch in the New World.
"Kuzan was arranged to communicate with Hawkeye Mihawk a few days ago. If nothing unexpected happens, it won't be long..."
Numancia Flamingo.
In the hall of the first-floor cabin.
Except for a few lightly injured ones sailing the ship outside, the rest of the Donquixote Family members were squeezed here.
Black flames dissipated from everyone's bodies, and their injuries vanished.
By this time, the solemn atmosphere here also relaxed.
Doflamingo looked at Merlin with burning eyes, grinning: "Really not considering joining my family?"
"Who is the Joker?"
Merlin said with a smile.
——
Doflamingo raised his eyebrows and chuckled: "This ship is mine, the people here are also mine, what do you think?"
Seeing this, Merlin shrugged, "I don't like being small. It seems you don't like it either.
"Then, let's just maintain this cooperative relationship."
Doflamingo smiled, a strange look flashing in his eyes as he looked at Merlin: "You caused quite a ruckus this time. I did you a big favor!"
"That's not right. Without me, would you have chosen to clash head-on with Tsuru? Besides, I gave you plenty of face this time.
"Look, when they threw me such an excellent olive branch, I didn't choose to betray you."
Merlin laughed indifferently.
Doflamingo's mouth twitched, but he nodded: "True. Then we are even. No one owes anyone this time."
He was a smart person. Of course, he knew that with Merlin's strength, if it weren't for the cooperation agreement with him, he would definitely be the kind of person who comes and goes without a trace.
However, at this time, Doflamingo looked at Merlin solemnly: "Based on my understanding of Tsuru, with you here with me, she probably won't let it go easily.
"The threat of us together is great, and I don't plan to go to the Grand Line yet.
"Are you still going to deal with the nobles in the Volgala Kingdom?"
Merlin's lips curled into a smile: "Those who can be top nobles of a country are definitely not absolute idiots.
"The high-level officials of those three countries involved in the destruction of the country have become like that. As long as the nobles in Volgala are not completely stupid, they will definitely leave that country during this period.
"I don't know if Tsuru will continue to chase us, but presumably, she probably won't leave the waters around Volgala recently.
"They can't do anything to us now, but it doesn't mean they can't call for people. After all, they are backed by the Marine Headquarters.
"Tell me, your thoughts?"
Talking to smart people was comfortable. Doflamingo laughed: "Let's roam around in this sea area together for a while first to draw their attention, and then we split up!
"We split up and act separately. In this way, the target won't be too big. Even if people from the Marine Headquarters come, they won't stay for long.
"We act separately, contact via Den Den Mushi if anything happens. Once something happens, we can also support each other."
Listening to his plan, Merlin narrowed his eyes slightly, then nodded and said: "Okay.
"However, if it's just me and Monet, it's not very convenient for us to do things.
"Allocate a few executives from your family to me to help sail the ship. In this way, I don't have to worry about you betraying me later."
As soon as the words came out, the atmosphere in the cabin became quiet.
They looked at Merlin with subtle gazes. However, it wasn't without eager looks.
Doflamingo narrowed his eyes. This guy is actually this cautious? But at this moment, he grinned and said: "Who do you want to go with you?"
"Statement in advance, at most not more than three."
Merlin looked around, a smile rising on the corner of his mouth: "I need a sparring partner for swordsmanship recently. This Diamante is barely passable.
"Also need a ship doctor. I know Law inside out, give me Law. As for the last one!"
Saying this, he looked at Gladius and smiled, "This guy's gunnery is okay, and his skill at the helm is also not bad. Just the three of them!"
"Hey hey hey? Are you mistaken? What do you mean my swordsmanship is barely passable?
"I am a Sword Master!"
Diamante's eye corner twitched, looking unkindly, "And..."
At this time, Doflamingo pursed his lips, "Diamante won't do, he is the navigator. Gladius won't do either, he has other tasks. As for Law...
Doflamingo's eyes were inexplicable: "He suffers from Platinum Lead disease, it's safest with me.
"By the way, none of the Supreme Executives in the family will do. They each have important tasks."
Safe?
Merlin sneered in his heart. Probably planning to keep Law as leverage against me. Who on the ship doesn't know my relationship with Law.
However, Merlin didn't plan to ask for these people originally. It was just a tactic , used to probe Doflamingo's bottom line. At this time, Merlin's mouth rose, "In that case? Then who do you think is okay?"
Doflamingo narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking in his heart. In the quiet atmosphere of the cabin, one minute later, he said: "Pink, Lao G, Machvise, Baby 5, Buffalo. Among the five of them, you choose at most three."
Merlin's gaze moved slightly, scanning the few people he mentioned. Only Lao G and Buffalo were not inside.
At this time, seeing the expectation in Baby 5's eyes, and the dissatisfaction in Law's eyes.
Merlin chuckled lightly, "Then Pink and Baby 5!
"One can be a helmsman, one can be used as a substitute gunner. By the way, give me a white anti-eavesdropping Den Den Mushi.
"After all, the situation is not good now, have to take some precautions."
Doflamingo pondered, glanced at Senor Pink wearing sunglasses and Baby 5, hesitated for a few seconds, but finally nodded. However, he added: "They are all my most precious family members. I hope you can take good care of them."
As soon as the words came out, Merlin nodded calmly, "Don't worry, won't use them as cannon fodder.
"After all, if people die, no one will look good."
Not far away, Senor Pink smoking at the cabin entrance twitched the corner of his mouth.
And Baby 5 had a look of joy.
Hearing this, Doflamingo's eye corner also twitched.
However, at this time, as if thinking of something, he said to Baby 5: "Go get that Great Grade sword from the treasury. This is the thing promised to Merlin."
"Okay, Young Master!"
Hearing this, Baby 5 left happily. Seeing this scene, Doflamingo always felt he seemed to have forgotten something.
However, at this time, Merlin's eyes flashed and deliberately asked him: "By the way, that kind of Taijutsu (physical arts) Tsuru and Gion used just now, do you know what it is?"
Doflamingo's thoughts were pulled back, and he said immediately: "That is the Marine Rokushiki (Six Styles), a kind of Taijutsu technique that can assist in breaking through the limits of the human body.
"What? You are interested."
Merlin nodded, "Very practical.
"By the way, you have dealt with them for so long, have any of you learned it by watching?"
Doflamingo grinned, his eyes flashed, and then he laughed loudly: "I only have research materials on Tekkai (Iron Body) and Geppo (Moonwalk) here. Do you want them?
"If you want, exchange with me."
"Exchange?"
"Mmh, that visualization method you taught Law before is very practical. I think it's pretty good. Diamante also likes it quite a bit."
Technology exchange?
"Deal."
Merlin nodded. It was nothing to teach them. As for Fiore, Merlin had asked long ago. The other party also said that external transmission was allowed, but there were two modes.
One was shares. For every person taught, a commission of 500,000 must be given to him.
The other was buyout. Give him 20 million Berries, and teach freely in the future.
And after giving his money to Fulvio to manage, Merlin told him he wanted to buy out the visualization inheritance.
Not long after, he exchanged for the research materials of Rokushiki Tekkai and Geppo.
Merlin looked at the very detailed research materials recorded on the paper in front of him, his eyes flashing. It seemed he didn't fake this.
A smile rose on the corner of his mouth. In this way, his mobility and defense could be greatly improved in the future.
After all, Gion's pectoral muscles, combined with Haki, were truly tough.
His full-strength slash only opened a cut, merely a light injury.
Just like this.
In a flash, two months later.
During these two months, Merlin and the others constantly roamed the waters around Volgala, occasionally colliding and exchanging blows briefly with Tsuru and the others.
Through fighting with Gion, Merlin experienced his newly learned Tekkai and Geppo.
Regarding this, Gion was greatly shocked.
Regarding Merlin's "talent" of learning two of the six styles just by observing herself, she became increasingly wary.
And in two months, the reinforcements they called for also entered the scene.
Shichibukai.
Gecko Moria.
Desert Crocodile, Crocodile.
One from the West Blue, one from the Paradise of the Grand Line, they came to the North Blue one after another.
Today, March 20th, 10:00 AM.
The sun was shining brightly. Merlin, Monet, Senor Pink, and Baby 5, the four of them, sailed the ship and officially split up with Doflamingo and the others.
Leaning against the railing.
Holding a piece of intelligence in his hand, Merlin's eyes shone with a peculiar luster.
"Did both Shichibukai come? Gecko Moria!"
"By the way, this Snow Demon Storm is your opponent in the Kano Country (Country of Ice), and also robbed your family's precious metal veins. Why haven't you solved him yet?"
Pink glanced at Merlin and said helplessly: "That guy is very strong. He is an ability user who can create blizzards. Although the specific fruit type is unknown, it is certain that he is not a Logia type.
"He is an old pirate who retreated from the New World more than ten years ago.
"And he is located in the Kano Country near the Arctic Circle where it snows all year round. His ability makes it very difficult for us to deal with."
"Are you really sure you want to go to the Kano Country? Snow Demon is very difficult to deal with there.
"He is also the leader of an old pirate family in the North Blue, established even longer than our Donquixote Family."
"Are you really sure?"
"Sure?"
Merlin smiled: "Isn't this what Doflamingo told me?
"I cooperate with you, you pay what I want, I do things for you."