Chapter 362: It Really Is Doflamingo
"I think they haven't left yet!"
Boa Hancock suddenly spoke up. "Although I don't know much about the Germa Group, they came for money. Attacking the Dragon Hunter Pirates' territory should count as completing their commission, right? Then they'd definitely need to find the broker to collect their payment..."
"That's right!" Ian slapped his forehead and said, "So if we find that underworld broker, we can figure out where they are!"
So Ian turned around and asked Crocodile, "You said last time, what was that broker's name again?"
"That guy's alias is 'the Bug'!" Crocodile was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, smoking a cigar. He replied, "He's pretty well-known in the underworld, but do you know how to contact people in the underworld?"
"Isn't that why you're here?" Ian asked suspiciously. "Since he contacted you back then, you should know his Den Den Mushi number, right?"
"Unfortunately!" Crocodile said with a tone of schadenfreude, "We made a big splash coming back to the New World this time. He might already know about it. People in the underworld have the best information networks. If you and I, the victim, are showing up together, do you think he'd still dare to answer my call?"
"Tch!" Ian felt a headache coming on. Crocodile was right. This broker called the Bug might already be trying to hide everywhere.
In this situation, Ian would have a hard time finding him.
Looking at the people present, Ian realized this was tricky. The only one connected to the underworld was Crocodile. As for the others, whether it was Jinbe or Boa Hancock, they probably had no dealings with the underworld.
But just then, Ian suddenly thought of someone.
Doflamingo!
If there was anyone deeply connected to the underworld, it had to be Doflamingo. Ian had been suspecting all along that the commission might have been issued by Doflamingo, with the broker called the Bug just taking the fall for him.
So Ian started planning.
Counting Ian himself, there were four Warlords present, plus Ace, Uncle Fujitora, and Sabo, the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff. With all these high-end combatants, dealing with the Germa Group was more than enough.
With this fierce group of experts, Ian could completely crush Sanji's siblings into the ground! Even if their father Gaji had come along, Ian was confident he could beat him too!
So, in Ian's view, it was rare to have so many helpers. It would be a waste to use them only on the Germa Group. He needed to find a way to give Doflamingo some trouble.
After a bit of thought, Ian quickly came up with an idea and turned his gaze to Baby-5.
At that moment, Baby-5 was standing not far from Crocodile, also smoking a cigarette. The two heavy smokers had gathered together.
When Ian's eyes fell on Baby-5, Crocodile also noticed the girl in the maid outfit.
Finally finding a smoking buddy among the Dragon Hunter Pirates, Crocodile actually found the girl quite agreeable.
"Baby-5, you have Doflamingo's Den Den Mushi on you, right?" Ian asked.
Baby-5 had already joined Ian's Dragon Hunter Pirates, but when Ian left for the East Blue, he had entrusted her with the Den Den Mushi that Doflamingo had given him.
Baby-5 was startled, then nodded. "I do. I have to say, Young Master Ian, finding Doffy is a wise choice."
Although Ian had tricked her into joining the Dragon Hunter Pirates, Baby-5 still hadn't changed how she addressed Doflamingo. The funny thing was, she now also called Ian "Young Master."
She stepped forward, handed the Den Den Mushi to Ian, and then returned to her spot. As she leaned against the wall again, Crocodile beside her handed her a cigar box filled with the cigars he usually smoked.
Without turning his head, he said to Baby-5, "Want to try one?"
Ian and the others didn't notice this scene. As he took the Den Den Mushi, Jinbe frowned and said to Ian, "Brother Ian, you want to ask the Heavenly Yaksha for help? I have to warn you, that man is very dangerous. Among the Warlords, he's the most unpredictable one!"
Not only Jinbe said this, but Boa Hancock also nodded in agreement.
Ian smiled and said, "Don't worry. I've dealt with Doflamingo many times. I know exactly what kind of person he is."
So Jinbe and the others stopped talking and watched as Ian connected the call.
"Fufufufufu!" Doflamingo's signature laughter came from the other end. "Ian, I didn't expect you to contact me as soon as you returned. You really are a good partner!"
Ian sneered inwardly but kept a straight face as he said, "Doffy, you already know what happened on my turf, right?"
"Of course. I actually wanted to come and help, but I had a business deal that I couldn't get away from," Doflamingo said. "But I figured that with your crew's strength, nothing serious would happen, so I didn't step in. You're not mad at me, are you?"
"Mad? Of course not!" Ian wasn't bluffing; he replied with a smile. "But now that I'm back, they have to spit out what they took. The Germa guys dared to attack my island while I was away. They need to give me an explanation. Doffy, you have a wide network. Can you tell me where that guy called the Bug is now?"
"..."
In the country of Dressrosa, Doflamingo's face, hidden behind his sunglasses, instantly lost its smile. He never expected Ian to find out about the broker Bug. He started wondering how much Ian had uncovered about this whole affair.
"Doffy, why aren't you talking?" Ian knew perfectly well but pretended to be puzzled. "You wouldn't refuse such a small favor, would you?"
"How could that be!" Doflamingo finally snapped back to reality and laughed again, "Fufufufufu! It's just finding someone. Don't worry, leave it to me. I'll find him soon!"
"Alright, I'll wait for your news!" Ian said and hung up.
Done!
Back in Dressrosa, Doflamingo held the receiver, staring at the now-silent Den Den Mushi. He suddenly asked Trebol beside him, "Where is that Bug guy now?"
"He should be on Rollers Island right now," Trebol said, drooling. "Doffy, are you really going to bring him back?"
"No!" Doflamingo sneered. "Send Gladius over. Kill him!"
"Haha, I understand, Young Master!" Trebol said. "That way, there's no evidence!"
"Exactly!" Doflamingo laughed "Fufufufufu" a few times, resting his hands on his knees. "Not only kill him, but make it look like the Germa Group did it out of anger for not getting paid. Got it?"
"Understood!" Trebol also laughed. "Perfect. Gladius's Pop-Pop Fruit ability can mimic the effects of Germa's weapons. No one will suspect a thing. But this might make the Germa people suspicious."
Doflamingo didn't care at all. "So what if they're suspicious? They're already caught in the net, and it'll tighten around them! Hmph, back then, the countries of the North Sea united to overthrow Germa's rule, and now that old man Gaji still wants to revive Germa in the North Sea. The North Sea is our home. Even if a ruler is to appear, it can only be our Donquixote Pirates. Germa is already a thing of the past. Since Ian is making a move this time, we'll use his hand to cripple Germa!"
"I never expected that kid to bring Crocodile, Jinbe, and the Pirate Empress to help!" Trebol said with some amazement. "I wonder what the Marines will think when they find out... A coalition of Warlords is a huge threat to them."
"Don't worry. That kid Ian has already reported to the Marines," Doflamingo said. "Even if he gathered so many Warlords, so what? They're still obediently being manipulated by me, acting according to my plans. I'm a String-String Fruit user, after all. Manipulating others is what I do best..."
With that, Doflamingo and Trebol couldn't help but burst into laughter...