The Rod Pirates' Monsters

"Rear Admiral Bastille, I'm sorry, I couldn't keep them here..."

Several defeated members of the Rod Pirates were gathered in a circle. Aside from Colonel Baro, who only sustained minor injuries and stood to the side, the others, disregarding their appearances, sat casually on碎石 and wooden crates.

"What nonsense are you spouting? I was defeated by them too. They even stole my great sword, Shark Cutter, which I've had for many years."

Several layers of gauze were wrapped around Bastille's head.

Shortly after the Rod Pirates left, he was found by Marines in the ruins and received timely medical treatment.

People in the pirate world are inherently tough. Bastille, a Marine Rear Admiral, was definitely not weak. Although he was knocked down directly by Rod's punch, he had recovered basic mobility after receiving prompt medical attention.

"These people are definitely not ordinary pirates. I have a premonition that they will stir up trouble soon."

In his many years as a Marine, Bastille had never encountered pirates like these.

They dared to challenge a Shichibukai right from the start, and possessed such immense strength.

"Have the basic details about them been compiled?"

"We've compiled their relevant information based on survivors from the Donquixote Family and other eyewitnesses from the town."

Baro flipped through the intelligence he had organized.

"This Red-haired Youth is their captain, Rod. He's likely not a Devil Fruit user."

Looking at the photo of Rod shown by Baro, Bastille felt a dull ache in his head.

He wondered which genius took the photo. The angle was perfect, capturing the moment he was sent flying by Rod, even showing half the back of his own head.

He was a terrifying brat. After just one glance, he learned Soru and used it dozens of times continuously in his subsequent fight with me. Whether it was his learning ability or his stamina, he was an absolute monster.

Not to mention, this monster also possessed the strength to defeat a Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral with a single punch.

"This long-haired one is Nerl. He might be related to Rod; they both have red hair and blue eyes. His Marksmanship is terrifying!"

Baro himself was quite skilled with firearms, but he felt he couldn't compare to Nerl.

Looking at Nerl in the photo, aiming his Black Spear, Drake felt a pain in his chest again.

Zoan Devil Fruit users had extremely strong recovery abilities, especially Ancient Zoans.

However, Nerl's damage was internal, which made his recovery very slow. Even now, he could feel the pain in his chest when he breathed.

"His Observation Haki is very strong!"

Bastille added.

His own Observation Haki was nowhere near as good as Nerl's.

Based on Colonel Drake's description, Nerl's Observation Haki might have reached a very deep level. But this was unreasonable.

Haki was a power related to willpower. How could someone who only operated in the North Blue, or even someone sailing for the first time, cultivate such powerful Haki?

Without dwelling on Nerl's situation, Baro continued to flip through the intelligence.

"This one wearing the spotted plush hat is Trafalgar Law. According to eyewitness reports, he seems to have some connection to the Donquixote Family.

Notably, he single-handedly took down a Donquixote Family executive, the user of the Explosion-Explosion Fruit, Gladius."

"Furthermore, he is also a Devil Fruit user. Based on the information we have, he can transfer any object within his ability's range."

"He took down Gladius... by himself?"

Bastille was slightly stunned, feeling his headache worsen.

Why did it seem like none of them were simple? How could so many little monsters suddenly appear from the North Blue?

"As for this one, I've heard about her before. Catwoman Nya."

The photo was clearly candid. Fortunately, the background wasn't Hina, but Manudo, a reserve executive of the Donquixote Family.

"She's a Zoan Devil Fruit user, the Cat-Cat Fruit, Black Cat Form. She was active at sea for a while, previously working as a pirate hunter and a freelance mercenary. We don't know when she joined their crew."

Hina touched her shoulder, a look of unwillingness on her face.

Nya was likely around her age, perhaps even younger, yet Hina had lost in a one-on-one direct confrontation.

"Besides them, their ship also has a polar bear and two sailors. Photos of them were not taken."

Closing the documents in his hand, Baro looked at Bastille.

"This is already troublesome enough. Hurry up and report this information to Headquarters. Please tell them to take this group seriously and issue bounties for them as soon as possible."

"Understood!"

New World, Dressrosa

King's Plateau

A tall man in a pink shirt lay on a beach chair, listening to the laughter from the pool nearby, a sinister smile on his face.

He was the King of Dressrosa, a Shichibukai, and the underworld's broker, Donquixote Doflamingo.

"Nee nee nee, Doffy, guess what news I just received."

A scruffy, disheveled uncle walked up, sidled up to Doflamingo, and whispered in his ear.

"You're too close, Trebol."

Doflamingo sat up and looked at the highest-ranking executive of his family.

"For you to come all the way here to tell me yourself, it must be something important."

"Bwahahaha~"

With a snot bubble about to burst, Trebol, oblivious, leaned even closer to Doflamingo.

"It's a message from Gladius."

"Gladius? He should be in the North Blue during this time."

"That's right, that's right. It's precisely because he's in the North Blue that he could discover something like this."

Trebol wore a smile on his face.

"He found Law, and said he'd beat him half to death before bringing him back."

"Law!"

Hearing the name spoken by Trebol, Doflamingo's expression shifted slightly. Then, the corners of his mouth rose high, revealing a wild grin.

"Fufufufufufu~~"

"It's been a long time since I've heard his name, Law!"

"Bwahahaha~~"

Hearing Doflamingo's laughter, Trebol chuckled along.

"Young Master, it's bad!"

Just then, a young girl in a maid outfit rushed in, shouting. She clutched a tattered piece of paper in her hand. Following behind her was a large man in a yellow coat. Both of their faces were filled with panic, and Baby-5 even had a few tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Baby-5, Buffalo, what's wrong with you two?"

Seeing the two with panicked expressions, Doflamingo's smile instantly vanished.

Could it be that some clueless fool has tricked Baby-5 again?

"Vivre Card..."

Reaching him, Baby-5 held the tattered paper in her hand up to Doflamingo's eyes, her voice tinged with a sob.

"Gladius's Vivre Card is burning!"