A few minutes later.
Vergo, who had been moving swiftly through the snow, suddenly stopped. His thick sunglasses hid his eyes, but the slight tension in his body revealed his vigilance.
He studied Kaku's youthful yet composed face. Information flashed through his mind, and his gaze sharpened.
"You're... one of the Adams Pirates' brats?"
Though Kaku had yet to be officially wanted by the World Government, his status as a member of the Adams Pirates had long been recorded by Doflamingo's family, who had a grudge against Adams.
The instant he recognized Kaku, alarm bells rang in Vergo's mind. Since Kaku was here, was that silver-haired man whom even Doflamingo deeply feared also hiding on the island? What was their objective? Were they after the Op-Op Fruit as well?
As thoughts raced through his mind, Vergo spoke probing words, deliberately keeping his tone calm.
"Why are you here? Why are you blocking my path?"
He had deliberately said "you people," intending to test whether anyone else was lying in ambush.
Though Kaku was young, his mind had long since matured. How could he fail to notice the probing intent in Vergo's words?
A mocking curve formed at the corner of his mouth as he answered.
"You recognized me as a pirate and you're still asking such a stupid question? How laughable. Do pirates need a reason to attack Marines?"
He completely ignored Vergo's implication about "you people," as though this had merely been a chance encounter.
Before his words had faded, Kaku moved. Without hesitation, he raised both legs. Swift as lightning, his movements swept up the snow beneath him. His fierce kicks tore through the air, unleashing several sharp vacuum slashes straight at Vergo.
"Rankyaku!"
Vergo's eyes narrowed slightly behind his sunglasses. He knew there was no point in