Duke rode the Woolly Hippopotamus and changed course for the harbor, not even bothering to read anymore. The future Supreme Combat Power of the Marines had personally come to capture him. Though flattered, Duke decisively chose to leave this troublesome place. There was no room for hesitation now. If it had been any other vice admiral, Duke would not have feared them, but Kuzan was different—a man wearing a vice admiral's rank while being an Admiral Candidate. If Duke lost, he would either die or be sent to Impel Down. If he won, the Marines' next pursuit would surely be even fiercer. They might even dispatch all three Admiral Candidates at once, and that would be quite the spectacle. So, at this stage, it was best to avoid an opponent like this whenever possible.
"What rotten luck!" Duke sighed. He had not even gotten halfway through his medical studies in Drum Kingdom before being forced to leave the island. At the same time, he became even more aware of the importance of strength. If someone like Whitebeard or Kaido had come to Drum Kingdom to study medicine, Fleet Admiral Sengoku might have thrown a party at Marine Headquarters overnight, hoping they would stay there for the rest of their lives.
Harbor!
Duke hid behind stacks of cargo and peeked out a few times. Apart from Marine soldiers patrolling back and forth, several hidden agents lurked in corners with good visibility. Some were disguised as laborers, others as sailors. They gathered together and chatted, but their gazes constantly scrutinized the crowd.
Duke had considered forcing his way through and hijacking a ship to sail out to sea, but the two warships offshore made him abandon that thought. The cannons aboard them were no decorations. Touching the bundled cargo before him, Duke