The Straw Hat Pirates had gained a mysterious newcomer named Bartholomew.
That alone was enough to surprise Maud.
If the intelligence report had not omitted Bartholomew's signature Barrier-Barrier Fruit ability, Maud would not have been so puzzled.
What surprised Maud even more was that the Donquixote Family had somehow become involved with the Straw Hat Pirates at this point in time.
"The Donquixote intelligence agents have set their sights on the Straw Hat Pirates..."
That was a reminder contained in the final line of the note.
It was fortunate that the Revolutionary Army possessed an exceptionally capable intelligence network.
Otherwise, who would have thought that the renowned Donquixote Family would target a small pirate crew that had only just entered the Grand Line?
And the Straw Hat Pirates, having been targeted by the Donquixote Family, were probably completely unaware of it.
Maud frowned.
He clearly remembered that the first time the Straw Hat Pirates crossed paths with the Donquixote Family should have been shortly before they headed to the sky island.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Maud thought of something.
"Is it because of Usopp...?"
Maud's eyes narrowed, gleaming coldly.
Doflamingo's rebellious expression flashed through his mind, and Maud let out a quiet, mocking laugh.
"True. After all, I did pull out a few of your bones."
Without warning, Shadow Mist seeped from Maud's palm, wrapped around the note, and carried it deep underground.
Ever since Loguetown, his master-disciple relationship with Usopp had no longer been a secret.
With that in mind, there was a clear reason for Doflamingo to target the Straw Hat Pirates.
He was probably planning to destroy the Straw Hat Pirates, where Usopp was a member, just to disgust him.
If Maud had not wanted to stimulate Sabo's memories and thus commissioned Sabo to investigate the Straw Hat Pirates'