"They won't be coming."
Law: ??
Hearing Meiser's words, several question marks immediately popped up over Law's head. What did he mean, they weren't coming?
What exactly had happened?
"What on earth is going on?" Law said with a grim expression. "Why aren't they coming anymore?"
If Fire Fist Ace really wasn't coming to Dressrosa, then he felt there was no point in executing this plan.
After all, that would mean they had to face a lineup consisting of a Marine Admiral and the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea!
"Didn't I just say it?"
"Of course you didn't!" Law roared with a Shark Mouth.
Immediately after, his expression soured. Ever since meeting the Straw Hat Pirates, he really found it harder and harder to control his emotions.
"Ah~"
"Sorry, sorry."
Meiser said with a chuckle, "I guess I was talking a bit fast just now and forgot to mention it."
Law: ...
This bastard is definitely doing this on purpose!
Is he trying to test something?
At this thought, Law frowned.
Could it be that my intention to deal with Doflamingo has been seen through by him? Law wondered inwardly.
Had he shown any unusual behavior along the way?
Nico Robin's eyes flickered. Was he testing Law's true intentions?
She hadn't actually considered that point just now.
"Law..."
Meiser grinned and said, "Aren't you a bit too obsessed with Doflamingo?"
Upon hearing this, Law immediately confirmed his suspicion.
The other party had indeed seen through some issues.
Seeing that Law didn't speak, Meiser continued, "Our plan is indeed to deal with Hundred Beasts Kaido, but the feeling you give me..."
"It seems like your goal has always been to deal with Doflamingo."
Even facing such a dangerous situation, the other party hadn't given up on the plan, so... Meiser had reason to doubt his motives.
Nico Robin turned her gaze toward Law's face, trying to see if she could discern anything.
Noticing Nico Robin's gaze, Law didn't try to hide it. Instead, he said quite openly, "You're right. I indeed have some history with Doflamingo."
"However... the most important thing is still this plan."
"If we miss this opportunity, we might not get another chance to weaken Kaido's strength."
Law directly admitted his goal. Although he didn't provide further details, admitting he had a grudge against Doflamingo was enough.
However, he wasn't wrong about what followed. Missing this chance meant they truly might not have another opportunity to weaken Kaido.
"Very good, I appreciate your honesty."
Meiser smiled. "While Luffy might not care much about these things, as a crew member, I still need to help the captain figure these things out."
Is he warning me? Law thought to himself.
He could understand the other party's actions. After all, if the roles were reversed, he would have done the same.
He then said, "So, can you tell me now?"
"Of course."
Meiser nodded, recalling his previous conversation with Ace, and continued, "When Ace called me earlier, they encountered the BIG MOM Pirates."
"So he entrusted the task of seizing the Diamond-Diamond Fruit to our Straw Hat Pirates. Their Spade Pirates will instead intercept the BIG MOM Pirates, who are also here to snatch the Diamond-Diamond Fruit!"
Hearing Meiser's words, Law's expression turned somewhat ugly.
In other words, even if he proposed to give up, the Straw Hat Pirates would still continue to execute this operation?
So, Sunglasses-ya was not only testing his true intentions just now but also testing whether he would continue to carry out the operation?
Truly a terrifying man...
Although he didn't know what would have happened if he had given up, his intuition told him it definitely wouldn't have been anything good!
Of course, it was also possible he wouldn't even have had the chance to give up.
"I didn't expect the BIG MOM Pirates to come for this Devil Fruit as well," Nico Robin said, somewhat surprised.
If that was the case, the current Dressrosa was a very dangerous dragon's den!
Marine Admiral, Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, and the Four Emperors—what a dangerous free-for-all this was!
"Yeah, their appearance here at this time... I can't think of any other possibility besides coming to snatch the Devil Fruit," Meiser said.
He just didn't know if the Beasts Pirates, the Blackbeard Pirates, or the Red Hair Pirates would send people.
If they sent people as well, then Dressrosa would truly turn into a massive brawl.
By then, the entire island might be razed to the ground by them!
"Hey, hey, hey! If Ace and the others aren't coming, won't we be in huge danger?" Usopp shouted.
Listening to Usopp, Law, who had been thinking for a long while, turned his gaze back to the Den Den Mushi. He felt the other party might still have something left unsaid.
"No, that's not it."
Meiser said, "According to our guess, the Marines' target this time is Ace and his crew. So, while intercepting the BIG MOM Pirates, Ace plans to lure the Marines toward them!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Law's eyes immediately lit up.
That was it! If the Marines discovered that Fire Fist Ace appeared in another area, would the Marine Admiral leave Dressrosa to subjugate the Spade Pirates?
The answer was almost certainly yes!
Given the World Government's nature, there was a high probability they would send a Marine Admiral to surround and capture the son of the Pirate King.
As for the cooperation with Doflamingo?
Ace wasn't coming to Dressrosa anymore, so why would they cooperate with Doflamingo?
In this way... Doflamingo might lose his chance to become one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea again!
At this thought, a surge of wild joy filled Law's heart.
Even though capturing the Straw Hat Crew would also give Doflamingo a chance to become a Warlord... as long as no Marines come to interfere, the probability of Doflamingo catching the Straw Hat Crew isn't high, Law told himself inwardly.
This way, even if he didn't kill Doflamingo with his own hands, Doflamingo would still be finished off by a Marine Admiral or Kaido!
It was feasible!
This plan was truly feasible!
"You mean we won't have to face a Marine Admiral this time?!" Usopp said in surprise.
"If nothing unexpected happens, yes," Meiser nodded and said. "After all, Marine Admirals need to follow the World Government's orders."
So Meiser felt the probability of them going to catch Ace was higher.
As for whether Ace would be caught by a Marine Admiral...
As long as Ace and Katakuri weren't idiots, they would flee the moment they encountered a Marine Admiral, so there was no need to worry about their safety.
"Damn it, you should have said something so important sooner!" Usopp said, somewhat exasperated. "You made me worry for nothing."
If he had known there was no danger, he wouldn't have been afraid.
Wait... he wasn't afraid at all; he was just worried there was a flaw in the plan!
That's right, how could a brave Sea Warrior like him be afraid!
At this thought, Usopp straightened his back.
Nico Robin: ??
What's wrong with this guy now?
Meiser, on the other hand, smiled. Say it sooner?
If he had said it sooner, how could he have tested Law's true intentions?
He then said, "It's the same saying it now."
Usopp rolled his eyes in annoyance. Same, my foot.
"Alright, I have no more problems on my end," Law said. "We will continue to execute this plan."
After speaking, Law paused for a moment and then continued, "Is there anything else you need to convey?"
He was really afraid this guy was still hiding something.
"No more."
Meiser shook his head and said, "The rest is just executing the plan. However..."
Standing on the roof, Meiser scanned the surroundings with a frown. "We haven't found the location of that factory yet, so we might need a little more time."
"It doesn't matter."
Law looked up at the sun. "There's still some time before three o'clock. We can make it."
After speaking, he paused and then continued, "I will also try to stall for as much time as possible for you guys."
If he really ran into Doflamingo, he would do his best to hold the guy off and give Sunglasses-ya and the others time to destroy the factory.
"OK~"
"Let's leave it at that for now. Contact me if anything happens."
Kacha~
Looking at the hung-up Den Den Mushi, Law was silent for a moment before silently tucking it back into his robe.
After doing this, Law looked down and slapped Caesar across the face, waking him up by force.
"Hmm?"
"Is it dawn?"
Caesar, who had just opened his eyes, was still a bit dazed. Then he remembered what had just happened and felt his face burning.
"Hey, Law!" Realizing what was happening, Caesar looked at Law angrily. "How dare you treat me like this!"
"I'm an important prisoner!"
"Oh."
"Oh?"
Caesar's blood pressure spiked from anger. What did this bastard mean?
"Don't forget that your heart is in my hands," Law said calmly. "So you'd better behave yourself."
As soon as these words were spoken, Caesar immediately froze.
Right, his heart was still in the other's hands, so he had no way to resist.
At this thought, Caesar felt like he wanted to cry but had no tears.
Damn you, Trafalgar Law!
Ignoring Caesar, Law looked toward the distant town and said, "Let's go. According to the plan, we'll head to the town ahead to scout the situation."
"Mm."
Nico Robin and Usopp nodded, indicating they understood.
Then, the three of them led Caesar toward the town ahead.
What on earth is going on? Caesar thought, frowning as he noticed their expressions. What did these three do while I was unconscious?
Damn it, this feeling of not being in control is absolutely terrible!
Joker... save me quickly!
Soon, the three entered the town and found a café closest to the broken bridge.
After sitting down, they signaled the waiter to bring them each a cup of coffee. Taking the opportunity, they asked him about Green Bit.
"Green Bit?" The waiter grinned. "I don't know if you're researchers or explorers, but I wouldn't recommend going there."
"Is it dangerous?"
"Pretty much."
The waiter said, "So unless it's a matter of life and death, you should give up."
"Can you explain in detail?" Usopp said nervously.
The presence of the Marines was already dangerous enough; he hoped nothing even more dangerous would pop up.
"Because a school of Fighting Fish has moved into the waters around Green Bit," the waiter said.
"Fighting Fish?"
Caesar put down his coffee and asked curiously, "What are those?"
"They're a fierce species of fish with horns on their heads," the waiter said seriously. "Their strength is terrifying. They can even capsize ships!"
Although he hadn't seen a Fighting Fish himself, that was what everyone said. Over time, everyone came to know about it.
"Is that why one can't go to Green Bit by boat?" Law said softly.
Now he understood why his partners had told him they couldn't take a boat to Green Bit. It was because of those terrifying Fighting Fish!
"Then can't we cross via that bridge?" Nico Robin pointed to the bridge not far from them.
If they couldn't take a boat, going across the bridge should be fine.
Hearing Nico Robin's words, Usopp, Caesar, and Law also turned their gaze toward the bridge.
However, unlike the calm Law, Usopp and Caesar showed looks of fear.
If the Fighting Fish attacked the bridge, walking across it would also be very dangerous.
"I advise you to give up, miss," the waiter said. "Although that bridge was reinforced two hundred years ago and looks very sturdy... it doesn't do much."
Robin was somewhat surprised. Were those Fighting Fish really that fierce?
Usopp said fearfully, "Are you saying those Fighting Fish can even knock over an iron bridge?"
"Hehe, people have indeed said similar things."
The waiter said with a chuckle, "But only someone who has walked across and come back would know the truth. Unfortunately... I don't know anyone like that."
After that, the waiter said no more and turned to leave with a smile.
As for these people?
If they insisted on looking for death, he wouldn't stop them.
After watching him leave, Law frowned. The Fighting Fish were indeed a problem.
But given Long-nose and Nico-ya's strength, defeating those guys shouldn't be an issue, Law thought to himself.
If it really didn't work, he could just remove Caesar's Seastone Chains for a bit.
At this thought, Law relaxed for a moment.
Then, he intended to say something, but before he could speak, he found Usopp leaning close to him.
"Hey, Tra-guy," Usopp said in a low voice. "This is too dangerous. Change the trade location immediately!"
"He's right!"
Caesar also whispered, "Consider the safety of an important hostage like me, you bastard!"
If they were killed by those Fighting Fish while crossing the bridge, everything would be over!
He didn't want that to happen, so they should call and change the trade location.