Simultaneous Questions

The Drum Kingdom's fleet pursued them relentlessly.

Standing on the deck of the lead warship were the Drum Kingdom's Chief of Staff and Administrator, and Wapol's two loyal subordinates—

Jace and Crocomon!

Both were dressed like jesters. Jace carried a large bow on his back, while Crocomon wore plush gloves.

They were Wapol's confidants and also supported his tyranny, believing it was the correct way to govern the people.

Therefore, these two were at odds with Dalton, but they had never found a suitable opportunity to overthrow him.

This time, although they had finally found an opportunity, this "opportunity" came at an extremely inconvenient moment.

"Dalton actually fled towards Alabasta? Is he trying to betray the country!"

"Hehehe, His Majesty the King is always right, so anyone who opposes him must be terribly wrong. Let's go catch him!"

"He really can't see the situation clearly. With 'him' by the King's side, Dalton is no longer needed..."

"Speaking of which, does this mean His Majesty doesn't need us anymore either?"

"..."

"I see Dalton's ship!"

"Fire! Let's try out our new weapons, fire!"

Whoosh—Boom!

Whoosh—Boom!

After two consecutive cannonballs, Jace picked up his spyglass and began observing the situation along the Alabasta coastline.

Against the fading light of the setting sun, he could vaguely make out a huge and imposing figure.

It looked like some kind of animal, or perhaps a sculpture of an unknown creature, with some black tendrils swirling around it.

An indescribable fear surged into Jace's heart, and he exclaimed in terror:

"What... what is that thing on the coastline?!"

Before Jace could react, a deafening roar approached from a distance.

The chaotic airflow, almost tangible, directly destroyed the main mast of their warship, shattering the massive piece of wood!

"What is that thing?!"

Jace watched as wood splinters rained down, a few drops of cold sweat forming on his forehead.

If that blast had hit their ship directly, he couldn't imagine what horrors would have ensued!

"Phew! Phew! Good thing it missed..."

Just as he caught his breath, another abnormal sound reached his ears.

The chaotic airflow was descending from above, pressing down on their warship!

Boom!

With a deafening roar, the warship carrying Jace and Crocomon was completely destroyed. Many people were sent flying far away, disappearing without a trace.

Jace and Crocomon were relatively lucky, falling into the sea one after another, barely managing to save their lives.

"Quick, quick, get on another ship and leave here!"

Jace pulled the unconscious Crocomon and paddled furiously. But before they could reach another ship, the chaotic airflow shifted again, sweeping towards the other vessels.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

After consecutively destroying four warships, the terrifying chaotic airflow finally subsided somewhat.

The only surviving ship was also riddled with holes from the scattered debris, making it almost impossible to sail.

"Monster... there's a monster!"

Jace's mind replayed what he had just seen.

It was him!

It must have been it that unleashed that terrifying airflow!

Extreme fear washed over him. Jace, holding the unconscious Crocomon with one hand, paddled with the other, managing to reach the precarious surviving ship.

As soon as he got on board, ignoring the soldiers who had fallen into the sea, Jace immediately ordered, "Run! Turn back!"

"..."

"Phew!"

The roaring gradually subsided.

A wisp of Ancient Armament Haki flowed from the corner of Lindsey's mouth, dripping onto the debris of wood chips and stones, scattering into a few black droplets.

The composite form slowly dissipated.

During this time, Lindsey returned to standing on two legs.

His body leaned forward slightly, but then he raised his head to the sky, spreading his arms wide to greet the setting sun.

The dark golden sunset glow gradually faded into darkness on his body.

Everyone on the coastline witnessed this scene.

Not only them, but even Bepo, who was flying with two people in the air, was drawn to attention.

Even the heavily injured Dalton seemed to sense something and slightly opened his eyes.

They all saw the same "it."

Inhuman!

But whether viewed from the sky or the ground, from any angle, or with whatever feelings, there was only one sensation...

Boundless exhilaration!

"..."

"How should I describe it?"

Years later, when Dalton recalled the event, he couldn't help but scratch his head.

"Perhaps, a divine feeling?"

The next morning.

The fleeing Navy ship of the Drum Kingdom finally returned to Drum Island before it fell apart.

After settling the still unconscious Crocomon, Jace ran straight back to the Drum Kingdom's royal palace and began complaining to King Wapol.

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty! There's a monster in Alabasta!"

"..."

"Hm?"

Wapol turned his head, still chewing on a piece of hard steel.

He was a Paramecia user of the Gulp-Gulp Fruit, possessing the special ability to eat anything and integrate and transform it.

Therefore, for Wapol, there was almost nothing in the world he couldn't "eat," and he particularly hated being disturbed while eating!

"What are you panicking about!"

Wapol glanced at Jace and grumbled, "I told you to chase Dalton, that traitor. Where is he?"

"He ran off to Alabasta... No, that's not important, Your Majesty!"

Jace exclaimed in fear, "There's a 'monster' in Alabasta, and all our Navy ships are destroyed!"

"Ah?"

Wapol was quite displeased with Jace's answer and turned to rush to the sofa on the other side, angrily shouting, "What's going on? You'd better explain it to me!"

Sitting on the sofa was the "person" Jace was referring to.

He was tall and sturdy, wearing a white checkered coat, sunglasses, and had lightning-bolt-shaped sideburns.

The lower half of his face was covered by a mask, hiding his true features.

But if Evan Lindsey were present, he would have recognized him instantly.

He was one of the top executives of the Donquixote Family under Doflamingo—

[Demon Bamboo] Vergo!

At this moment, he had paused his mission to infiltrate the Navy and was acting as a "black market arms dealer" as an advisor in the Drum Kingdom, waiting for an opportunity.

"Your Majesty, allow me to ask a few questions."

Vergo turned his gaze to Jace and casually asked a few questions.

Including the monster's appearance, its techniques, and its subsequent reactions...

After a round of questioning, Vergo understood. He then got up and bid farewell to Wapol, returning to his temporary residence in the palace.

He took out a Den Den Mushi and contacted the person he truly served.

Buru buru buru...

Buru buru buru...

Click!

The Den Den Mushi connected, and a characteristic laugh came from the other end.

"Fufufufufu, Vergo, how did things go?"

Vergo said calmly, "[Sand Crocodile] has returned to Alabasta, with [Demon] accompanying him."

"It's fine, this also happens to prove our speculation."

Doflamingo grinned and replied, "Hide the Den Den Mushi next, and don't hang up. I want to hear the stupid king's next plan before making a decision."

"Understood."

Vergo hid the Den Den Mushi in his embrace, then returned to Wapol's throne.

At this moment, Wapol was in a panic over the sudden appearance of a "monster."

"What should I do? How can there be a monster in Alabasta? Can't they just obediently pay me more tolls instead of being difficult?"

Hearing this, Vergo couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

A fool is a fool. His thought process doesn't qualify him to be a king!

Just then, hurried footsteps could be heard from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, something bad has happened!"

Suddenly, another soldier arrived, reporting the latest news from the sea.

"All our merchant ships have been destroyed!"

"What?!"

Wapol was furious upon hearing this. "It must have been the people of Alabasta! Don't they know my current strength!"

"Several of our merchant ships have been destroyed."

Alabasta, Nanohana, temporary conference room.

A member of the King's Army was reporting the situation to Cobra. "We've actively searched and rescued, but we haven't found any survivors yet."

Compared to the previous provocations, this attack was no different from a full-blown war!

"..."

Cobra's brow was tightly furrowed, and he remained silent, seemingly contemplating something.

Beside him, Bepo and Jaka were filled with rage, growling:

"Damn it, it must have been those bastards from the Drum Kingdom!"

"..."

Cobra still didn't speak.

He glanced at Crocodile, and both of them sensed something in each other's eyes.

Could this all... really be the work of Wapol of the Drum Kingdom?

Drum Kingdom, Vergo's room.

After listening to Wapol's boring battle meeting, Vergo continued his call with Doflamingo.

"Young Master, your plan to sow discord is indeed perfect. If you attack the merchant caravans of both sides separately, the rift between them will only grow wider."

"..."

"Young Master?"

"..."

There was still no response from Doflamingo.

After a long silence, Doflamingo finally spoke:

"Vergo, there's something you need to know."

The expression on Doflamingo's Den Den Mushi became unusually serious, and he said slowly:

"My goal is not to make these two countries go to war, so... this attack was not arranged by me."

Vergo: "..."

After a moment of thought, Vergo shivered.

Although not in the same location, it was almost the same time.

Cobra, Crocodile, Vergo, Doflamingo... and even Ivan Lindsey!

They were all pondering the same question at the same time--

Who was the one who planned the attack on the merchant caravans?