Ever since the Golden Lion escaped from Impel Down, he had vanished without a trace. No one knew where he was hiding, or even whether he was alive.
But Ye Chen had escaped alongside him. Shiryu had transferred all his hatred for the Golden Lion onto Ye Chen, convinced that the two were in league. Besides, everyone knew Ye Chen now carried the two Famous Swords the Golden Lion had once kept at his side.
"Hm?"
After a moment, Ye Chen turned around and finally noticed Moria and the others. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts about the blood pool that he had not paid them any attention.
Moria and his companions had all lost their former ease and confidence. Not one of them was smiling anymore, though Moria himself remained composed, with no sign of fear or nervousness on his face.
Even so, Ye Chen caught the resentment and desolation that slipped through in his eyes.
This was a man who had once harbored towering ambitions and dared to challenge Kaido of the Beasts. Even after a crushing defeat, Moria remained a Shichibukai whose name struck fear into people.
Only days ago, he had fought Doflamingo alongside Ye Chen. Now he had been captured, and not one of his companions had escaped either.
Last time, Moria had only a pitiful handful of companions with him. Now there were clearly more. Ye Chen thought it over and immediately guessed what had happened: Moria's home base had been raided.
Doflamingo really would not stop until he got what he wanted. He must have taken his men straight to Thriller Bark.
It was a ruthless move. Moria had slipped away from the ambush on the road right under Doflamingo's nose, using his own fruit powers with help from Absalom, the