"Someone just evacuated from here!"
As soon as the small boat docked, Robin spoke up.
Because this island was too close to the entrance of Reverse Mountain, and its area wasn't very large, no one stayed here for long.
After all, ships like those of pirates heading from the North Blue to the New World had to pass by here.
Its area was also insufficient to support the construction of a Naval Base.
If a Naval Base could really be built here, it might become a place similar to Loguetown in the East Blue.
But now, a single glance revealed a large number of fresh traces of activity.
"They ran pretty fast!"
Cyrus released his Observation Haki, but he could no longer detect the departing ship.
"Are you saying the people who were here before were with those guys?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Cyrus chuckled at her words and jumped off the boat.
"They were probably commanding from behind. They fled after seeing their entire force wiped out."
Cyrus said, turning his head to look in the direction where he had attacked.
With the naked eye, he could only see rising smoke, but the glare of the fire was no longer visible.
"What's this?"
Robin's surprised voice sounded, and then she walked back holding several photographs.
"They're photos of you, very clear ones!"
Robin handed what she had found to Cyrus.
Taking them, Cyrus recognized at a glance where they had been taken.
At Naval Base G-16 in the East Blue.
"These people really seem to have left in a hurry!"
"Not necessarily!"
Holding the photos, Cyrus shook his head slightly. "Nothing else was left behind, so why would they leave a few photos?"
"On purpose? Why?" Robin was surprised.
"Perhaps as a reminder for me!"
Cyrus looked at the photos, then on the back of one, he discovered a red lipstick mark.
"Left by a woman!"
Robin saw it too and said at once.
"In that case, I probably know who it is," Cyrus said after a moment of thought.
If these photos were indeed left intentionally, and by a woman, then on Doflamingo's side, there was only one candidate.
This was the advantage of having foreknowledge.
Doflamingo's group of subordinates was very loyal to him, but there were exceptions.
For example, that princess of a fallen kingdom.
Coupled with her special Devil Fruit Ability, it was quite normal for her to be stationed here.
"Are you sure?" Robin asked curiously, hearing Cyrus's words.
He guessed who left it just by seeing the photos? Could it be someone he knew from before?
"Not sure, but it doesn't matter. If it is her, we might be able to get some detailed information in advance. Even if it's not, it won't affect our operation this time."
Cyrus waved his hand. After sweeping the island with his Observation Haki and confirming there was nothing else special, the two rested briefly before setting off again.
"The sea chart I saw might not be detailed, but the direction should be correct for the area around Reverse Mountain."
Robin said, pointing out the direction for Cyrus.
Here, Robin was now acting as a semi-navigator.
"Mm, we'll investigate for information when we reach an inhabited island," Cyrus nodded in response.
He controlled the boat to follow the direction Robin indicated, speeding away with a jet of fire.
...
"The entire force has been wiped out!" Violet said gravely into the Den Den Mushi.
"He's really something!" a somewhat deep voice came from the Den Den Mushi.
"So what? Now that we've found him, he can't leave our sight again. As long as he stops at an inhabited island, we'll know."
Lao G's voice rang out.
Violet listened to their conversation quietly, not interjecting.
"Can you get a rough idea of his strength?"
The voice from the Den Den Mushi sounded again, this time clearly asking Violet.
"Very strong. He's at least a Master Swordsman and has the ability to control flames."
This couldn't be hidden. Violet answered after some deliberation.
"A flame-related ability user, and a Master Swordsman? Diamante was killed by him, so he's at least stronger than Diamante. It seems this mission is going to be troublesome. I need to report to the Young Master. Violet, your mission is complete. Come back for now."
"Understood!"
After Violet replied, the Den Den Mushi was hung up.
Staring at the silent Den Den Mushi, Violet lowered her head in thought.
She wondered if he had noticed the hint she left.
Although that person had shown great strength, this time there were two senior executives, and they knew his whereabouts in advance.
Should she find another chance to warn him? Violet wondered.
But Cyrus wasn't really paying any mind to these things.
In the face of absolute power, such schemes were useless.
Of course, this only applied to the members of the Donquixote Family.
Unless Doflamingo came personally, Cyrus wouldn't give them a second glance. As for the others...
After clashing with Aokiji and Chinjao, Cyrus's confidence was quite high.
"So, it's because of this that you clashed with the Shichibukai, two of them at that," Robin said in a helpless tone as the boat docked.
"That's enough. There's no need for so many complicated reasons."
Cyrus turned his head to look at Robin.
"Go gather information."
Robin nodded at his words and was the first to leave after disembarking.
Cyrus closed his eyes and fully released his Observation Haki.
The pier, along with the town that occupied most of the island behind it, was enveloped by his Observation Haki.
In an instant, countless pieces of information were perceived by Cyrus.
A dozen or so people were watching him, intentionally or not, and some were following Robin.
Cyrus opened his eyes, picked up his sword, and walked ashore into the town.
Manda Island in the North Blue.
According to the information Robin had seen, this was considered the last stop for pirates leaving the North Blue.
Because of this, it was a place where all sorts of people gathered.
Just as Cyrus was wondering whether to grab a few people to interrogate, Robin, who had just left not long ago, returned in a hurry with a grave expression.
Returning, Robin saw Cyrus who had just entered the town. She walked over and handed him a newspaper.
"I think you should see this."
Seeing Robin's expression, Cyrus was a little surprised.
He took the paper and after a few glances, his expression turned to one of astonishment.
"Germa 66 is in contact with the World Government, and an Admiral came too? Kizaru Borsalino? Are they going to become a World Government affiliated nation?" Cyrus said after reading it through, a hint of surprise in his tone.
"It seems so!"
Robin nodded, then looked at Cyrus with some worry.
"There's an Admiral in the North Blue right now. If Germa 66 and the World Government are negotiating, it won't be concluded in a short time. That means this Admiral might stay in the North Blue for a long time. If you launch an attack on Doflamingo's arsenals, you might attract their attention. Moreover, Germa 66 has been constantly waging wars in the North Blue these past few years. It's hard to say if they have dealings with Doflamingo."
"Your speculation makes sense!"
Cyrus nodded.
The original story didn't seem to mention it, but Doflamingo had stayed in the North Blue for a long time before, so it was indeed possible he had cooperated with Germa 66.
"So what's your decision?" Robin asked, wanting to know his plan.
"Continue!" Cyrus answered decisively.
This wouldn't stop his actions.
Putting aside that it was just speculation, even if it were true, it wouldn't change his mind.
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