Chapter 187: Chapter 187: Vergo's Reinforcement
As a spy for the Donquixote family, Vergo naturally carries Doflamingo's vivre card. What reassures him now is that Doflamingo's vivre card has been stable for a while and ultimately recovered. This clearly indicates that Doflamingo's life is not in danger today. The lack of contact, however, likely means he's been imprisoned.
Fortunately, as a vice admiral, Vergo has the backing of the marines, making it easier to seek support. After obtaining information about Shin, he's even more relieved he didn't confront him impulsively. After all, even Kaido, Doflamingo's formidable ally, was defeated. Shin's strength is undeniably at the level of the Four Emperors.
Though Wano's isolation kept full details of the battle from reaching the wider world, reports suggested that even if Shin's group had to gang up to repel Kaido, their power far surpassed the Donquixote family's by a considerable margin.
Due to Shin's impressive feats, the marine has now raised its assessment of the Whitebeard Pirates' threat level. Vergo's report prompted significant support from the marines, though the measures taken only strengthened defenses, heightening Vergo's vigilance.
As for the Donquixote family and Shichibukai Doflamingo? The marines extend their deepest regrets for his plight—and that's the end of it.
Vergo briefly considered passing this information to the World Government. Unlike the marines, the World Government views Doflamingo as more than just a Shichibukai—he holds many secrets of the Celestial Dragons. It would be one thing if he were dead, but imprisonment risks those secrets reaching their enemies. The government would not sit idle if they learned of this development.
Ultimately, however, Vergo abandoned this idea, feeling that the World Government would more likely suppress Doflamingo than rescue him.
Eventually, Vergo did secure solid reinforcements.
On the open sea, a fleet of ships resembling navy warships but flying a different flag moved forward.
"Ain, how far are we from Dressrosa?" asked a tall, muscular man with purple hair and a massive robotic arm, looking like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. He turned to a woman beside him with smooth, navy-blue wavy hair.
"Still about dozens of nautical miles away. We should arrive in an hour or two, Teacher Zephyr," the girl replied after checking her map.
Zephyr nodded, his eyes glinting with cold determination.
Standing nearby was a figure wearing sunglasses—Vergo himself, the spy known as the "Demon Bamboo." His reinforcements were none other than the former Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr and his crew.
Though Zephyr doesn't hold a high opinion of the Shichibukai system, Edward Weevil, the man who killed his students, is not among them. Therefore, Zephyr's grudge doesn't extend to Doflamingo.
Adding fuel to the fire is Shin's association with Whitebeard, whom Zefa has come to despise. Though Whitebeard never recognized Edward Weevil as his son, the man has wreaked havoc on the seas under the title "Whitebeard Jr." His signature mustache alone was enough to convince Zephyr of a connection to Whitebeard.
Driven by "hatred by association," Zephyr's resentment of Whitebeard Jr. has seemingly spread to the entire Whitebeard Pirates.
In the past, Zephyr had a realistic view of his own strength. No matter how confident he was, picking a fight with the Whitebeard Pirates was out of the question. With his declining health and the modest resources at his disposal, facing Whitebeard was a guaranteed defeat, where even Whitebeard's "sons" might be more than he could handle.
But now, with Shin out of the Whitebeard Pirates' territory, Zephyr is willing to take on what he perceives as an easier target. Although rumors speak of Shin's victory over Kaido, the marine's intelligence analysis leans towards Kaido's defeat resulting from a team effort.
Recently, the marines closely analyzed the battle between the Whitebeard and Beasts Pirates. At that time, Shin's strength, while noteworthy, was judged to be only on par with the Four Emperors' top cadre.
In such a short time, even if Shin has made progress, he would likely only rank as an "emperor's deputy." None in the navy believed he could singlehandedly defeat Kaido.
Although Zephyr's power has waned, he's still capable of challenging a high-ranking commander. The reports also suggest Shin has few strong subordinates, fueling Zephyr's confidence.
Many senior marine officers were trained by Zephyr, and Vergo is one of them. Despite his undercover role, Vergo is well aware of Zephyr's capabilities. With Zephyr's might, combined with Vergo's support and several navy lieutenants, Vergo feels assured of victory.
"Purple hair and a robotic arm?" Upon hearing this information from Violet, Shin rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "Vergo's really outdone himself, pulling in a former admiral as support!"
Violet's expression wavered, uncertainty clouding her mind. She couldn't decide if the marines's arrival would be a blessing or a curse for Dressrosa.
In her heart, she hopes for the entire Donquixote family's capture to liberate Dressrosa's people. In theory, she should be rooting for Zephyr.
Yet, she can't ignore Doflamingo's position as a Shichibukai and former Celestial Dragon. Could the marines remove him or will they back his rule over Dressrosa? It's a real possibility.
Shin could read Violet's concerns and found it somewhat amusing.
'With her strength, what good is overthinking? Thousands of thoughts won't stop an iron fist,' he mused.
Meanwhile, Kyros's expression was steady and focused. He seemed ready to face whatever may come. His resolve was clear: regardless of the battle's outcome, he'd stand firm, putting his full effort into the fight.
Shin estimated Kyros's outlook: if Shin won, Kyros would honor the arrangement; if Shin lost, he'd turn to the marines to accuse the Donquixote family of their crimes. Whether or not he'd succeed in seeking justice, he'd at least try.
Until then, Kyros was a warrior ready to play his part.
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