"Miss Catherine, what do you think? Should we let her come up?"
Seeing that Violet was so confident in saying this, Monbuma and the others couldn't help but feel uneasy. They were somewhat convinced of the truth in her words, but they didn't dare to make the decision to let her board the ship on their own. So they tried to get Catherine's opinion and let her, the person who was the first and most deeply involved with Luo Chen, make the decision.
"Phew... Let her come up. Even if she's an enemy, a mere woman can't cause any trouble. Let's wait for Luo Chen to return to confirm if what he said is true. Alright, let's get back to work..."
Upon hearing this, Catherine remained silent for a moment before sighing and speaking.
"Yes!!"
After receiving her reply, the three continued with their work. Monbuma and the other man carried Pica and Buffalo inside, while Lulith went to the fence and lowered the rope so that Violet could climb up.
Catherine herself felt incredibly depressed after hearing her words. Without saying another word, she went back to her room, closed the door, and didn't want to talk to Violet.
"Hey~ Catherine, everyone, we're back~"
A short while later, everyone heard Luo Chen calling out. Then, Luo Chen and the other two emerged from the edge of the forest and jogged towards them.
"Oh, great! The captain and the others are finally back!!"
Lulith and Monbuma others were overjoyed to see Luo Chen and his companions return, and they were very excited.
"Hmm!! He's finally back? Now, what should we do next..."
Unlike the reactions of Lulith and the others, Violet was not particularly happy to see Luo Chen and his two companions return. Instead, she secretly encouraged herself, preparing to face Luo Chen's questioning head-on.
Swoosh...
Ta-da!!
When they reached the shore and were not far from the Isel, the group leaped up and jumped back onto the deck.
"Yeah, it's so good that you're all alright. I thought Doflamingo would attack while I was away, but it turns out he still has some integrity befitting a strong person!"
Luo Chen glanced at the three of them, then nodded with a relieved expression and smiled as he spoke to them.
"If it were that guy Doffy, he would have already sent his men here, and he seems to be on his way... Mr. Luo Chen!!"
Violet interjected, and as she gracefully approached, she spoke to them with a light laugh.
"Hmm... it's you, Violet. What are you doing here? I've already taken care of Doflamingo's spies for you. Shouldn't you be going back to him and continuing to be your subordinate?"
Luo Chen was greatly surprised when he saw the person's face clearly.
"What?"
Upon hearing Luo Chen mention something about cadres, Lulith and the others were immediately taken aback and made defensive gestures, looking at her warily.
"Captain, you just said this woman is one of Doflamingo's subordinates, right?"
Miss, why did you lie to us just now? If you don't give us an explanation, we won't be able to leave here safely!
After learning about the other party from Luo Chen, the three of them, including Lulith, scoured Violet with their eyes, looking ready to start a fight if she didn't get an explanation.
"Shouldn't you be asking your captain that? Mr. Luo Chen, do you remember what you said to me in town? You may have forgotten, but I remember it perfectly well. You said you wanted me to be your woman, and this matter won't end so easily!!"
Violet didn't reveal any trace of color removal; her beautiful eyes met Luo Chen's directly, and she spoke softly from her cherry lips.
"Uh... that was just a joke, you didn't take it seriously, did you... Besides, what's the point of following a small-time pirate like me? I'd just be swimming and suffering in the sea anyway. I'd be better off going back to him, serving him properly, and enjoying a wonderful life!!"
Seeing that Violet had turned the topic to him, and under the curious gazes of Lulith and Phil, who had returned with him, Luo Chen finally couldn't help but reply to her.
"Of course. The more beautiful a woman is in Dressrosa, the more loyal she is to love, and the more she cherishes it. Although you said it was unintentional, when I made up my mind to come after you, neither of us had a way out. Either I kill you and start a new life, or you kill me and end this fruitless love. There are only these two choices."
Moreover, when I made that decision, I had no other choice. Although you helped me defeat Dellinger, Doffy's spy, things would eventually come to light. Only by following you will Doffy not act rashly, and only then will Father and Rebecca's lives be safe!
Violet nodded in agreement with his words and then began to explain to them the reasons for her actions.
"I see... Alright then, you can stay on the Isel for now. By the way, Violet, you just said Doflamingo is here too, is that true?"
Luo Chen thought for a moment and agreed to Violet's request to stay on the ship, but then seemed to remember something and hurriedly asked her to confirm again.
"Hmm... I used my abilities to see that Doffy has already left the palace and is rushing here. It looks like he might arrive here in less than half an hour..."
Violet nodded, then used her ability to peer ahead and saw Doflamingo rapidly approaching, connected to the clouds by threads.
"Oh!! Then what are we waiting for, my little ones~"
"Europe!!"
Let's go!
"Oh~"
At Luo Chen's command, the group split up and slowly steered the Isel out of the waters near Dressrosa, heading towards the open sea.
Shortly after Luo Chen and his group left the waters near the forest aboard the Isel, a black Shadow Flash and landed on silken threads at the spot where they had been standing.
"Fufufu~ Am I too late? Looks like even Pica and the others failed~"
Fufufufu~ Luo Chen, you guys are really getting more and more interesting to me..."
The figure was none other than Doflamingo, who had chased after them from the palace. He had used his ability to speed up his journey for quite a while, but he still hadn't caught up with them, which made his heart sink slightly. Then he raised his head and said with a sinister smile.
Swoosh...
After laughing, Doflamingo's fingers twitched slightly, and several threads, barely visible to the naked eye, flew out and tied to the clouds drifting in the sky not far away. Then, with a gentle pull of his arm, he propelled himself forward, simultaneously unleashing his full Observation Haki to search the surrounding sea for any trace of them.
"Hmm... this is..."
As he traveled and used his Observation Haki to probe, he suddenly sensed several familiar voices not far from him, which made him rush over.
Swoosh...
Swoosh...
Swoosh...
Doflamingo's shoes slid through the invisible threads, propelling Vice Admiral forward. He leaped and bounded, and soon a small wooden boat appeared on the sea below, carrying several specially made buckets. Inside lay the four people he had sent to capture Luo Chen's companions, Catherine Pica.
Swoosh...
clatter!!
Doflamingo swooped down and landed directly on the deck of the ship. Looking at the four unconscious Pica squatting in the barrels filled with seawater, veins bulged on his forehead, and an extremely powerful aura emanated from him and soared into the Soaring Skyward, shaking the clouds above.
Bang...
Under this powerful force, the bubbles from the snoring of the four sleeping Pica were burst, and they slowly awoke from their deep sleep.
" Doffy, I'm so sorry you failed the mission you assigned us. We should atone with our lives!!"
When Pica saw that it was Doffy who had arrived, and noticed the veins bulging on his otherwise calm face, he knew that the four of them had disappointed him. He looked ashamed and said to him.