After Hanba brought the new boat over, the group began moving their things.
Once all their belongings had been transferred from the old ship to the new one, the crew each chose a room to settle in, preparing to depart.
During this time, Mio also made a trip to Water 7 to purchase some essential supplies.
When everything was finally in order, Mio turned to Hanba and gave a command.
"Let's go, Hanba. Head in that direction."
He pointed toward a distant point on the sea—not toward the Sabaody Archipelago, but toward an uninhabited island.
This island was Erica's destination.
As for Mio…
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. If all went according to plan, his true destination this time would be Impel Down.
The Black Glory quietly left Water 7 and headed toward the open sea.
Not long after their departure, Tom stepped out of his small workshop. Taking a few swigs from a wine bottle, he stared in the direction where the Black Glory had vanished.
He shook his head gently and turned to head back.
But before he could retreat indoors, Tom suddenly paused and looked off in another direction—his eyes widening in surprise.
There, standing silently on a nearby shoreline, was a figure.
It blended so seamlessly into the surroundings that one could easily overlook it at first glance.
The figure was clad in a flowing white robe, with strange rippled eyes that stared in the same direction the ship had gone.
What truly shocked Tom was the terrifying sense of pressure emanating from this being. It made his heart beat wildly.
Sensing Tom's gaze, the figure turned and looked directly at him.
Cold, emotionless eyes met his—and Tom felt as if death itself had glanced his way. He quickly turned away and rushed back into his workshop, breathing heavily.
Inside, Tom muttered to himself.
"Who… is that person…?"
What Tom didn't know was that after he returned inside, the mysterious figure pulled out a Millet Den Den Mushi and dialed a number.
The Den Den Mushi connected immediately.
A deep yet respectful voice sounded from the other end.
"Lord Imu, do you have any orders?"
With a voice cold and slow, she replied,
"Tom of Water 7… after the completion of the sea train, retrieve the Pluton blueprints and kill him."
The old man on the other end did not hesitate.
"I shall obey your will."
The Den Den Mushi clicked off.
After storing the snail away, the figure turned and left without a trace.
At that moment, in Mariejois, the headquarters of the World Government, inside a lavish hall of the Holy Land—
Five old men dressed in black suits were gathered.
Some stood while others sat with their hands to their chins, all gazing at the silver Millet Den Den Mushi on the table before them.
After a long silence, one of them finally spoke in a deep voice.
"Tell Tom to speed up the project."
"Indeed. Since Lord Imu has given the order, we'll let him die sooner."
"I didn't expect Lord Imu to pay personal attention to this matter… is it about Pluton?"
"Most likely. Tom has long been suspected of possessing Pluton's blueprints. The CP9 agents stationed there have been monitoring him for years. Still, he's never revealed anything. Honestly, I'm starting to doubt whether he still has them."
"Once we get the Pluton blueprints from Tom, send Agent No. 0 to eliminate him. No loose ends."
"Agreed."
Meanwhile, Mio had no idea what was being discussed in Mariejois.
Two days later—
He was now on the deck of the Black Glory, sitting at the bow with a fishing rod in hand.
The sun was warm and gentle today.
It was the perfect day for fishing—
And the perfect day to wait.
He was waiting for Aokiji.
"I threatened Vice Admiral Gion… Even if Aokiji let me go the first time, he's bound to come again. And this time, he'll be alone—without backup."
As Mio fished peacefully—
Buru Buru Buru
The Millet Den Den Mushi rang.
Mio answered with a grin.
"Ming-ge."
"Hi hi hi hi… My friend, it's done," Doflamingo's sly voice echoed from the snail. "But tell me—what the hell are you up to? I paid a huge price just to make a Celestial Dragon change his travel plans halfway to the Sabaody Archipelago."
"Just a small trick," Mio replied casually. "You'll find out soon enough."
"Fine, just don't forget what you promised me," Doflamingo chuckled darkly.
With a faint smile, Mio responded, "Naturally, I'll keep my word. But what you've done so far doesn't quite match what I promised."
"Fufufufu… Don't worry. I know it's not enough yet, that's why I agreed to your extra condition—Giant Beast Island, right? Starting one week from now, I'll send a group of pirates there every month."
"Still not enough."
"…Hmph. Then I'll help you collect ten Devil Fruits," Doflamingo said after a pause.
Mio smiled. "Deal. I'll give you what you want then."
"Fufufufu… I'll be waiting."
The Den Den Mushi call ended.
In the North Blue—
The current base of the Donquixote Family—
Doflamingo sat alone on a lavish sofa, swirling a glass of red wine.
He had just ended the call, but his mind was spinning.
"Celestial Dragons…"
"Aokiji…"
"What exactly are you planning?"
Yesterday, Mio had contacted him with a specific request: help locate Aokiji and strike a deal.
A deal so tempting that Doflamingo couldn't refuse.
Aokiji's location wasn't difficult to find. He was already in the first half of the Grand Line, and since he rode a bicycle across the sea and made no effort to hide, it was easy to pinpoint his position.
As for the Celestial Dragon… Doflamingo had paid a high price to manipulate one into changing course mid-journey.
And what would Doflamingo gain in return?
Something valuable, no doubt.
He recalled the recent message he had received from the World Government, and the information about Vegapunk that he had once helped Mio uncover.
His eyes glinted behind his sunglasses.
"What are you scheming, Mio…?"
Then, Doflamingo leaned back, chuckled, and sipped his wine.
"Fufufufufufu… Feels like you're playing a really big game."