"Target has been shot down!"
Inside the ship's bridge, the observer's voice rang out.
Cheers erupted almost instantly.
After all, they had just taken down Donquixote Doflamingo—one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. And not just in any ordinary way, but from nearly two kilometers away.
How could they not be excited?
"Everyone quiet down! This is Commander Hina speaking!"
The cheers barely lasted three seconds before Hina's sharp voice cut through the noise.
A second later, the main screen lit up. Clearly, she had activated the radar connected to her Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki).
A faint blip still lingered, 1.8 kilometers out.
Weakened, but still present.
In other words—Doflamingo was still alive.
"Maintain bombardment on the Donquixote Family fleet! Move the ship in for a retrieval mission!"
"I want him alive or dead. Either way, bring back the body!"
She waved her hand decisively.
"Yes, Commander!"
---
Meanwhile…
At the black market auction hall on Volcano Island—
Ace returned with two large suitcases stuffed with beli. After handing them over to the black market agents, he finally received the sea prism stone they had come for.
But at that moment, Luo Lan, with his Observation Haki, felt countless hostile gazes falling on him.
He smirked.
Of course. The auction was only the warm-up. The real show was just beginning.
"So? Answer a few more questions and the Marines might be willing to offer Jun Lin some protection."
Momousagu—finally having cooled down—approached Luo Lan again.
"No thanks. Being protected by a crazy woman like you would probably get me killed faster."
"We're leaving!" Luo Lan waved his hand.
Ace and Zoro got up and followed without a word.
At the same time, members from other factions began to make their moves as well. Only those who hadn't finished their transactions stayed behind, leaving one person in place.
And then there was Momousagi—frozen, stunned.
"Crazy woman?"
The voice was different, sure—but that insult… and the tone…
It couldn't be... him?
Momousagi stood there, dumbfounded.
Even though Luo Lan usually called her "Sister Gion," whenever she really got on his nerves, he'd switch to calling her "crazy woman."
And just now, that exact tone—
It was identical.
"Vice Admiral Momousagi?"
Beside her, Vice Admiral Doberman noticed her spacing out and called out.
"Ah—sorry. I was just thinking."
"Vice Admiral, most of the factions are already making moves. What are your orders?"
"You stay here and wait for Vice Admiral Yamakaji. I'll go check things out. Also, contact the fleet—tell them to set sail immediately and move toward Volcano Island!"
"Understood!"
Doberman nodded, then pulled out his Den Den Mushi and made the call.
As for Momousagi—
She turned and walked out.
"Is it really you?"
"I'll find out for sure!"
---
"Luo Lan, why did you just call that female Marine a 'crazy woman'?"
Ace's question caused Luo Lan's previously good mood to freeze instantly.
"Crazy woman…? Did I really say that?"
"You did!"
Damn it…
How could I make such a stupid mistake at the last second?
Did she recognize me?
No… I purposely altered my voice. And that woman's not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. She probably—
Probably won't think too deeply about it.
Even if she does start to suspect something…
I'll just deny everything.
That's right. Denial is key!
---
Just then, Luo Lan's Den Den Mushi rang.
Bururururu...
"This is Luo Lan."
"Luo Lan, the Donquixote Family fleet has been wiped out. Their officers are in custody. However..."
"What happened?"
Luo Lan frowned slightly.
Someone saved Doflamingo? From Jun Lin's hands? How?
Jun Lin's battleship could reach speeds of over 30 knots. Even if someone did manage to extract Doflamingo, how would they escape the pursuit?
Only those with flying abilities—or people like Kizaru or Enel with lightning-speed movement—could pull that off.
Otherwise, it was impossible.
Hina soon explained everything in detail.
Turns out, after Doflamingo fell into the sea, just as they were moving in to retrieve him, a ship suddenly emerged from beneath the waves and snatched him up.
Then, it immediately dove deep—deeper than Hina's Observation Haki radar could reach.
Meaning, at least 5,000 meters deep.
Tracking was impossible.
So… who in the pirate world has submarines?
Well, Trafalgar Law came to mind.
But…
The timing was off, and more importantly—
Law's junky little sub couldn't possibly survive 5,000 meters underwater.
That left only one possibility.
It wasn't a submarine. It was a ship coated with bubble film—like those from the Sabaody Archipelago.
Ships like that could dive thousands of meters. Even tens of thousands—no pressure at all.
In terms of depth, they blew Hina's systems out of the water.
"Understood. For now, don't worry about Doflamingo. As for his officers—you know what to do. All Devil Fruit users get the R3 treatment."
"Got it. We're en route to Volcano Island. ETA one hour!"
"Perfect. I've got some guests—gotta go."
Luo Lan hung up.
Then turned around.
Sure enough, over a dozen representatives from various factions had appeared in his line of sight.
"Heh. What, couldn't even wait until we left Volcano Island to make your move?"
He scanned the crowd.
All of them were decently strong.
But… just decent.
Because in truth, only four truly powerful factions had shown up at this auction:
1. The Marines
2. The Donquixote Family
3. Baroque Works
4. The Jun Lin Organization
The Donquixote Family was done for.
Baroque Works was still at the auction hall.
The Marines… wouldn't make a move today.
Which left only small- and mid-sized groups—and lone wolves.
Frankly, Zoro and Ace could handle them just fine.
"You two have been holed up at base for nearly three months. Time to stretch your legs."
"Leave it to me!"
"Get out of the way, moss-head!"
"No way!"
Luo Lan pinched his forehead.
Here we go again…
"Fine, you two—whoever takes out the most enemies wins."
"Great idea. I'm in!"
Zoro grinned and slowly drew Wado Ichimonji.
"I'm in too. Today, I'll prove once and for all—my martial arts are superior to your swordsmanship!"
Ace rolled up his sleeves, his eyes gleaming.
They locked eyes.
Next second—both of them vanished in a flash, using Soru to lunge at their targets.
At that moment, a new figure appeared at Luo Lan's side.
It was none other than—Momousagi.