"Cough, cough!" Perospero clutched his chest and coughed violently, blood seeping between his fingers.
Then he looked up at Gern, who was slowly approaching, and forced a twisted smile onto his face, adding a hint of deliberate wonder.
"Perorin... what a... terrifying ability!" he said between gasps.
"No wonder, no wonder Blackbeard, who stole Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit power...
dared to approach Mama to negotiate after recovering from his serious injuries... looks like he's already experienced that world-destroying power..."
Gern had been about to reach out and pick up this "candy gift," but those words stopped him. His brows knitted tightly, and he crouched down to question him.
"Blackbeard... met with Big Mom?" His words came faster.
"That guy's current target should be Ochoku, who holds the pirate island of Hachinosu. Why would he suddenly come looking for Big Mom?"
Seeing that Gern not only knew about Blackbeard but even had a clear idea of his likely next target,
Perospero could not help feeling a little surprised, but understanding quickly followed.
After all, with the Navy's intelligence network spanning the seas, it was hardly strange that he knew these things.
So Perospero tried to follow that thread and muddy the waters.
"What exactly he discussed with Mama was private. I don't know anything else, but..."
Before he could finish, Gern's hand shot out, seized his head, and lifted his entire body off the ground!
The sudden force made Perospero's face tighten, forcing him to look straight into Gern's eyes.
"I have to say, Perospero, you really are clever." Gern's voice grew colder, his words slowing.
"Even in this predicament, you can still 'casually' mention Blackbeard's meeting with Big Mom. Are you trying to drag me into this mess of yours?
You want me to pay attention to Blackbeard. Are you trying