Tiger Shark Island
Central Business District
"The prices you're asking are highway robbery!"
Nia planted a foot on a crate, looking down imperiously at the shopkeeper before her, attempting to intimidate him into offering a discount.
"Small business, no haggling tolerated."
Undaunted by Nia's blatant pressure, the shopkeeper remained impassive, his gaze unwavering. He even offered Nia a subtle warning.
"You'd do well to remember this is Tiger Shark Town. No matter who you are, you adhere to the rules once you set foot on this island."
"Tch—"
Weighing the potential repercussions of causing a scene, Nia clicked her tongue in displeasure.
If she weren't concerned about attracting unwanted attention with excessive commotion, she would never back down from such a greedy merchant.
"Fine, we'll take it."
Nia gritted her teeth and paid the exorbitant sum, refusing the overpriced trolley the shopkeeper tried to upsell. Together with Penguin and Shachi, she hefted the heavy crate and began walking towards the coast.
As for Grey, his small stature rendered him useless for carrying heavy loads.
Moments after Nia and the others departed, the shopkeeper retrieved a small transponder snail from his drawer. He glanced at the photos he had secretly taken, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips, before using another Den Den Mushi to make a call.
"I have information on Catwoman Nia here, along with photographic evidence. The usual arrangement?"
"No problem, as long as the information is accurate."
"Of course, my livelihood depends on my reputation."
"Mine too."
A wide smile spread across the shopkeeper's face as he swiftly described the general appearance of the group and transmitted the covertly captured images to the other party.
On the distant sea, two Marine warships sliced through the waves.
"Lord Gula, intel from Tiger Shark Island. Catwoman Nia has been sighted there."
"Is the information reliable?"
"Affirmative, with accompanying photographs."
A man with short, vibrant purple hair took the offered photograph from his subordinate. The person in the image was unmistakably Nia.
"She looks... more mature now."
Gazing at the familiar face in the picture with a hint of longing, a fleeting moment of tenderness flickered in the eyes of the man named Gula.
Bang—
Suddenly, he lashed out with his foot, sending the subordinate before him sprawling. In a swift blur, Gula appeared directly in front of the fallen Marine, his voice a cold command.
"Remember this, you will refer to her as Lady Nia!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Contact the lead warships. The plan has changed. The target is no longer in Holgas Town. Adjust the course! We're heading to Tiger Shark Island."
Watching the subordinate scramble to relay the new orders, Gula addressed another Marine standing at the doorway.
"Tell Neo to report to me immediately."
Once his subordinates had dispersed, Gula stared intently at the photograph in his hand, his voice a low murmur.
"It's time for your little pirate game to end, Nia!"
The two warships carved a wide arc in the ocean, their bows now pointed firmly towards Tiger Shark Island.
Holgas Town
Northern Port
As a flamboyant pink flamingo-themed sailboat docked at the pier, several figures disembarked.
Leading the group, a man draped in a pink feathered coat and sporting crimson sunglasses strode confidently towards the town center, his steps radiating arrogance.
"Hey, hey, did I just see that right...?"
"Why would someone of that caliber come to a place like this...?"
"Is something big about to go down again?"
"..."
Witnessing the arrival of the peculiar group, everyone at the port ceased their activities. Some wore expressions of fear, others bewilderment, while a few even displayed a fanatical admiration.
"His Majesty, the Shichibukai, Donquixote Doflamingo! What brings you to our humble town?"
Having received the news, Marine Colonel Gris, the commanding officer stationed in Holgas Town, rushed to the scene. He stared at Doflamingo in the distance, beads of sweat involuntarily tracing paths down his temples.
Doflamingo didn't even deign to acknowledge the Marine's presence. He swept past Colonel Gris, heading directly towards the center of town, where the Donquixote Family also maintained property.
"There's no need to report our movements to the Navy."
Baby-5, trailing behind Doflamingo, stated matter-of-factly. She and Buffalo then followed their captain towards the town's heart.
Watching the group that so openly disregarded his authority, Colonel Gris's face cycled through shades of blue and red. Finally, he lowered his arms in resignation and muttered an order to his adjutant.
"Keep a close watch on their whereabouts and report anything unusual to me immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
The adjutant swiftly departed with several Marines, leaving Colonel Gris to silently ponder the reason for Doflamingo's unexpected appearance.
Individuals of the Shichibukai's stature typically operated within the Grand Line, rarely venturing into the relatively calmer waters of the Four Seas.
Could it be related to what happened some time ago?!
As a Marine stationed in the North Sea, Colonel Gris was naturally aware of the incident that had occurred recently: cadres of the Donquixote Family had been defeated by a fledgling pirate crew in the North Sea!
In fact, as the base commander in Holgas Town, the North Sea island closest to the Grand Line, he had even received a direct order from Marine Headquarters to ensure the annihilation of this upstart pirate group.
However, he was acutely aware of his own limitations. Even if the Rhode Pirates were to appear before him, he wouldn't stand a chance.
Colonel Gris was brutally honest with himself in this regard. After all, even Rear Admiral Bastille had fallen to their strength.
I wonder when reinforcements from Marine Headquarters will arrive.
Gris mused silently.
Whether it was the suddenly prominent rookie pirate crew or the formidable Shichibukai Doflamingo, neither was an opponent he was equipped to handle.
"Young Master, I've just received urgent news!"
Doflamingo had barely stepped onto his property and settled down. Before he could even uncork the bottle of wine, a subordinate rushed in to deliver a report.
"What is it?"
Doflamingo calmly opened a bottle of red wine, slowly pouring it into his glass.
His plan was simple: wait here, and when Law inevitably appeared, he would subdue him and bring him back to the New World.
"The Rhode Pirates have appeared on Tiger Shark Island!"
"Tiger Shark Island!?"
Doflamingo's hand froze mid-pour.
If his memory served him correctly, that was a small island located west of Holgas Town, quite close to the Calm Belt. When they had traversed the Calm Belt from the New World to the North Sea, they seemed to have passed by that very island.
And that island was certainly not on the direct route from Spedamiers Town to Holgas Town.
Could it be that they don't intend to enter the Grand Line through Holgas Town?!
The realization dawned on Doflamingo, and a surge of anger coursed through him.
"Those damn brats are actually thinking ahead!"
Even with their fastest ship, it would take a full day to reach Tiger Shark Island from their current location, and it was clear that the pirates wouldn't linger there for such an extended period.
"Buffalo!"
Doflamingo called out to Buffalo, who had just settled onto a sofa, ready to indulge in a large bucket of ice cream.
"Take me to Tiger Shark Island!"
"Huh?"
Buffalo, clutching his ice cream bucket and poised for the first spoonful, was utterly bewildered.
"Didn't we just sail past that island yesterday?"
How does this revised chapter read? The tension is building!