Vergo's Backup Plan

In a backstreet of Loguetown, on an abandoned street with no one around.

Makino, who had only run a few steps, heard the sound of someone being sent flying and couldn't help but worry about Linley. Just as she was about to turn back, she heard Linley's roar:

"Makino, don't look back, go!"

"Okay..."

Makino heard Linley's words. She didn't look back and didn't know what had happened, but she still mustered her courage and said, "Mr. Linley, be careful!"

After speaking, Makino ran towards the port.

"Don't worry."

Linley rubbed his neck, his gaze fixed on the tall man in front of him.

Mushroom cut, sunglasses, and a piece of hamburger patty stuck to his face—

Ghost Bamboo, Vergo, the highest executive of the Donquixote Family, a top expert in both Armament Haki and physical combat!

Looking at the Marine uniform he was wearing, he must have infiltrated the Marines as an undercover agent by now.

He never expected Doflamingo to send him to Loguetown personally!

Vergo looked in the direction Makino had left and smiled, "I thought she would be too scared to stand up, what a brave girl."

Linley grinned, "Yeah, she's probably met more important people than you."

"Hmm, sorry, I don't quite understand."

Vergo shook his head, gently swinging the bamboo staff in his hand, "But can you ask her to stop running? It'll be troublesome to find her later."

Hearing this, Linley's expression instantly turned grim. He knew very well that to prevent his identity from being exposed, Vergo would eliminate anyone who saw his true face.

"She didn't look back, she didn't see your face." Linley's brow furrowed. He didn't want Makino to get involved in bigger trouble.

However, Vergo shrugged, "Really? I don't believe it."

Upon hearing this, Linley's expression became completely calm.

He pointed to his cheek, signaling Vergo.

"You just ate a hamburger, right?"

"Yeah, it's my favorite. Loguetown's hamburgers taste good, just a bit small."

Vergo finally noticed the hamburger patty on his cheek. After taking it off, he found it covered in a lot of dust and couldn't eat it anymore. He could only sigh softly, "What a shame."

Then Vergo turned his gaze to Linley, "Would you like to introduce yourself?"

Linley nodded, "Linley Barek."

"Vergo."

Linley scratched his head, "So, Vergo, you..."

Hearing this, Vergo suddenly frowned and said coldly, "It should be, Mr. Vergo."

"It doesn't really matter, Vergo. By the way, weren't you full?" Linley suddenly asked.

Vergo looked a little confused but still nodded.

Seeing this, Linley laughed heartily, cracked his knuckles with a series of pops, and then his expression turned grim:

"If you're not full, then eat a few more of my punches!"

Bang!

Before he could finish speaking, the Icebound Domain activated, and a thin layer of frost covered the ground around them.

At the same time, Linley stomped his foot and charged forward, swinging his fists towards Vergo's head!

Hero Skill: Subdue with Might.

Two consecutive heavy punches, left and right, landed on Vergo's cheek and jaw, echoing with muffled thuds in the empty street.

Bang! Bang!

Following closely was a suppressed scream:

"Ah..."

Linley retreated several steps, creating distance between himself and Vergo. He then shook his hands back and forth, trying his best to dispel the pain.

"So hard!"

Linley couldn't help but exclaim.

Vergo, not far away, remained standing. His entire head was covered in Armament Haki, presenting a metallic black sheen.

"The Young Master was right, he's truly an arrogant man." He twisted his neck and exhaled lightly, "He wants to strut around on the world stage without even learning Haki."

"Don't underestimate me!"

Vergo roared, and the black Armament Haki instantly covered his entire body, tearing through his upper clothes. His body, along with the bamboo staff in his hand, turned black, reflecting a metallic luster.

This was Vergo's ultimate technique as the highest executive of the Donquixote Family—Full Body Armament Haki Hardening!

Facing Vergo in this state, ordinary swords and firearms would be completely useless.

Vergo's own thoughts at this moment were very simple:

Execute the backup plan.

That Kuro had already failed, so there was no need to use a warship to sneak them out of the sea.

As for Lynn Barek? Vergo felt that if he died, it would be more beneficial to his young master.

The primary objective of obtaining leverage over the World Government had failed. Since that was the case, figuring out how to maximize Doflamingo's profits from the situation became Vergo's priority.

Therefore, Vergo set his sights on Lynn.

After dealing with Lynn Barek, Vergo also planned to kill Kuro, Krieg, and any pirate executives who might know the inside story. Finally, he would arrest the pirates in Loguetown as a Marine.

With this as an opportunity, his reputation within the Marines would undoubtedly rise, and his path to promotion would become smoother.

Only by reaching a higher position would he have the chance to bring more benefits to Doflamingo.

And all these plans had one prerequisite—

Lynn Barek, who had contact with the Revolutionary Army and might know about Doflamingo's involvement in the Loguetown incident, had to die!

He absolutely could not leave any hidden dangers in his undercover operation!

"Not coming any closer?"

Vergo looked at Lynn, who had assumed a fist-clenching stance, and shook his head slightly. "So you're scared to attack now that you know the difference in strength."

Whoosh!

Vergo suddenly bent down and thrust the bamboo staff in his hand towards Lynn's throat.

Seeing this, Lynn leaped up sharply, dodging the attack. The bamboo staff then plunged into the ground.

With a loud boom!

The black bamboo staff created a large crater in the ground.

Lynn's eyes narrowed at the sight.

With the enhancement of Armament Haki, the hardness of the bamboo staff had far surpassed that of ordinary iron rods, turning it into an incredibly terrifying weapon!

Vergo, having missed his target, looked up at Lynn, already imagining the look of fear on his face.

However, Lynn's reaction was beyond Vergo's expectations.

He let out a few hearty laughs, his eyes shining with excitement, and roared, "Again!"

"Hmph!"

Vergo snorted coldly, gripped the bamboo staff, and swung it forcefully at the air. Lynn, unable to dodge in time, could only hug his arms to defend himself.

Bang!

Lynn was hit by the bamboo staff and was slammed hard onto the ground.

Boom!

Vergo laughed heartily as he watched Lynn slowly stand up from the swirling dust.

"Hahahaha, the young master was absolutely right!"

"You, Lynn Barek, are indeed a born warrior, but also the unluckiest one!"

"The Sabaody Arena strictly prohibits gladiators from learning or using Haki. That's why, even after fighting there for four years, you haven't even touched the threshold of Haki, nor have you ever fought against someone who could use it!"

Vergo continued, holding his bamboo staff:

"Lynn Barek, you've had 'four ruined years'!"