Chapter 517: There Is No Turning Back for Us

Chapter 517: Chapter 517: There Is No Turning Back for Us

Ignoring Law, who was sulking, Nico Robin looked at the Den Den Mushi and said, "In other words, that Marine Admiral did not move against you after confirming your identities, correct?"

"Yes."

Meiser nodded and said, "That’s why I suspect he has deeper motives."

"First: Doflamingo might have specifically told the Marines that he wants to kill us himself, which is why Fujitora didn’t act."

"Second: Fujitora didn’t want to alert us prematurely, so he chose to let us go for the time being."

"As for the third..."

At this point, Meiser suddenly paused, and the conversation he previously had with Franky flashed through his mind again.

"What’s the third?" Usopp asked hurriedly.

He was desperate for any piece of information right now.

"Third is that Doflamingo might also be one of Marine Admiral Fujitora’s targets."

As soon as those words were spoken, Usopp was stunned.

Doflamingo was also one of the Marines’ targets?

What did that mean?

Hadn’t it been said that Doflamingo had already reached a cooperative agreement with the Marines?

Meanwhile, a sharp glint flashed in Law’s eyes.

"You mean..." Understanding Meiser’s point, Law said, "Because Doflamingo resigned from the Warlords, the Marines feel their reputation has been slighted, so they intend to take Doflamingo down as well?"

"We can’t rule out that possibility," Meiser said. "Don’t forget that both our crew and the Spade Pirates are not weak. There is a chance Doflamingo could lose."

"Given that premise, it’s possible the Marines intend to take the opportunity to arrest Doflamingo as well."

As for the agreement Doflamingo reached with the Marines?

If Doflamingo were defeated or if both sides were severely weakened, who would care about such an agreement?

After all, only the two parties involved knew about it. Furthermore, since Doflamingo was no longer a Warlord, there would be no issue with arresting him.

As for the other Warlords?

He wasn’t arrested while in office, so why would the others care?

At the end of the day, they were all pirates. As long as their own interests weren’t threatened, no one gave a damn about anyone else.

"I see," Law nodded. "That would explain why Fujitora didn’t make a move."

For them, this was a good thing.

Upon hearing Law’s words, another thought occurred to Meiser.

Could it be that Luffy’s act of kindness influenced Fujitora to refrain from attacking us? Meiser wondered to himself.

However, Meiser quickly dismissed the thought. He felt that someone at the level of an Admiral wouldn’t let their stance be swayed by such small matters.

"Wait, I don’t get it," Usopp interjected quickly. "Normally speaking... even if Doflamingo is one of the Marines’ targets, they shouldn’t just let us go, right?"

They were pirates, after all.

"It’s simple," Nico Robin said. "The Marines want us and Doflamingo to fight it out until we’re both exhausted!"

"Mutual destruction?"

"Yes." Nico Robin nodded. "Only if we fight Doflamingo will the Marines have the chance to arrest both sides."

Only a battle between them and Doflamingo would result in one or both parties being heavily injured or killed, which might be why the Marines chose not to act for now.

One had to admit, that Marine Admiral named Fujitora was indeed quite cunning.

"They want to sit back and reap the spoils?"

This time, Usopp understood.

"Correct."

Usopp fell silent. Would the Marines really resort to such a scheme?

He hadn’t encountered this kind of thing before.

Law’s eyes began to flicker. If things were truly as they suspected, then as an avenger, this situation was actually advantageous for him.

After all... his goal from the very beginning was to deal with Doflamingo!

As for Kaido?

That was merely a choice to be made after Doflamingo’s defeat.

However, a Marine Admiral is still a problem, Law thought to himself.

After all, there was a possibility that the Admiral could team up with Doflamingo to deal with him.

"Hey, let’s just give up," Usopp suddenly looked up and said again. "Although I don’t know if that Marine Admiral will go to Green Bit, even a slight possibility is too dangerous!"

He didn’t want a Marine Admiral to suddenly pop up while they were trading with Doflamingo. That would be catastrophic.

This time Law didn’t speak; his gaze merely became conflicted.

Give up?

To be honest, he was unwilling.

Just as he had thought moments ago, this might be the only chance he would get in his entire life.

Nico Robin remained silent, calmly observing Law and the Den Den Mushi.

She wanted to know what Law’s choice would be, and even more so, she wanted to see if Meiser had any other ideas.

If she wasn’t mistaken, Meiser’s side was likely very close to finding the factory.

"Law, what are your thoughts?" Meiser asked.

"I’m not giving up."

Law took a deep breath and said, "While I don’t know if Fujitora’s targets include us, as long as he hasn’t captured Fire Fist-ya, Doflamingo won’t be able to reclaim his Warlord title. In that case, the Marines won’t help him deal with us."

"So, there’s no issue with continuing the plan."

"What do you mean?"

Usopp sniffled. What did he mean by the Marines not helping Doflamingo deal with them?

Could he be a bit clearer?

This time, Law didn’t ignore Usopp and explained directly, "Because before he becomes a Warlord again, Doflamingo and the Marines are not on the same side!"

Seeing that Usopp was still confused, Law patiently continued to explain, "The prerequisite for Doflamingo to become a Warlord is to capture Fire Fist Ace or... Straw Hat Luffy. You should be clear on that by now."

"Yeah, I got that part," Usopp nodded.

Meiser had already explained that very clearly.

"Then it’s simple."

Law nodded and continued, "As long as Doflamingo fails to capture those two, he cannot obtain the Warlord title, which means he won’t be in a position to demand anything more from the Marines!"

From the Marines’ perspective, why should a pirate who just threw away his Warlord title be allowed to make so many demands?

If it weren’t for the current cooperation, they would have probably moved against him the moment they arrived in Dressrosa!

"Is that how it works?" Usopp asked doubtfully.

"More or less."

"But if that’s the case, then there was no need for the Marines to come here at all," Usopp said. "After all, Doflamingo has to capture Ace or Luffy himself."

At those words, Law hesitated again.

True, if it were really as he had just thought, what was the point of the Marines appearing?

"To add an extra layer of insurance," Nico Robin speculated.

"Nico-ya, explain in detail."

"What’s going on, Robin?"

Seeing both of them turn their gaze toward her, Nico Robin smiled and continued, "Let’s analyze this based on the premise that the Marines and Doflamingo have already reached a cooperative agreement."

"From the Marines’ perspective, Doflamingo is a guy who just resigned his Warlord title; he’s a pirate who isn’t necessarily trustworthy."

"So even if the Marines agreed to his plan, they wouldn’t trust him one hundred percent."

"Therefore, it’s very logical for the World Government to send the Marines here."

After saying this, Nico Robin paused briefly before continuing, "And the Marines’ purpose for doing so is also quite simple!"

"First: Oversight!"

"To oversee Doflamingo and see if he executes this operation according to what both parties agreed upon."

"If Doflamingo fails to do so, the Marines have the right to act against him."

"Second: A backstop."

"This backstop isn’t for Doflamingo’s benefit, but to prevent the plan from failing!"

"The plan failing?"

Usopp frowned. Wasn’t that still acting as a backstop for Doflamingo?

"You haven’t understood my meaning." Nico Robin glanced at the Den Den Mushi and said, "Just as he said earlier, the Marines’ targets might have included Doflamingo from the very start."

"From this point of view, it’s easy to understand."

At this, Nico Robin’s expression became serious as she continued her explanation, "Once the Marines discover that Doflamingo has been defeated or is unable to continue the operation, they will take immediate action."

"They will strike at all the pirates in Dressrosa at the first opportunity, and at the same time, they will arrest Doflamingo, the failure!"

"And that is the Marines’ backstop!"

Listening to Nico Robin’s explanation, Law’s eyes began to flicker. If things were truly as Nico-ya and Sunglasses-ya said, then he had much more room to maneuver.

At the very least, he didn’t need to abandon the operation immediately.

Usopp, meanwhile, showed a look of sudden realization. Wasn’t this pretty much what Meiser had said? Robin just explained it in more detail.

"In other words, we can exploit the lack of mutual trust between the Marines and Doflamingo?" Usopp said.

"Yes, that’s what I mean as well," Meiser nodded.

The Marines didn’t necessarily trust the Warlords, let alone a guy who wasn’t even a Warlord yet.

The only reason they gave him a chance to cooperate was likely because he offered enough and because he was a former Warlord.

Therefore, Meiser wasn’t really that worried about this matter.

Of course, the most important factor was confidence in their own strength; otherwise, he wouldn’t be thinking about continuing the plan.

"But..."

Usopp made a bitter face. He really didn’t want to continue with this plan.

Even though the mutual distrust between the Marines and Doflamingo gave them enough time to operate... it was still too dangerous!

"There are no ’buts’!"

Law suddenly looked up and said, "Long-nose-ya, the plan has reached a point where there is no turning back."

He had also considered the thought of giving up, but the moment the thought appeared, he crushed it.

The reason was simple. Not only was this his only chance for revenge, but he also had to prevent Doflamingo from doing something desperate!

After all, Doflamingo’s SMILE factory was still here!

So... even if they took Caesar away, Doflamingo would have enough time to track them down, and they would be truly vulnerable then.

As for whether Doflamingo could find them?

Don’t be ridiculous. He was an underworld broker who excelled at gathering information; how could he not find them?

Of course, they could choose to leave this place and head straight for the Land of Wano to attack Kaido!

But there was a problem: would Doflamingo, upon hearing that news, secretly lead his men to the Land of Wano to join Kaido?

Although Kaido might just seize Caesar for himself, Doflamingo wouldn’t give up his only chance.

At that point, they might have to face a lineup consisting of a Four Emperors crew plus a Warlord crew, which was not something he wanted to see.

As for Doflamingo’s Warlord title...

Although there’s a chance Doflamingo might be defeated by Fire Fist Ace, what if he succeeds? Law thought.

Then he would regain his Warlord title, which was something Law could not accept.

Moreover, if Fire Fist Ace were defeated, the Straw Hat Pirates would instead end up going to Dressrosa or Impel Down to rescue him!

In that scenario, the option of going straight to the Land of Wano would cease to exist.

At that time, would Law follow them to the rescue or not?

If he didn’t go, the alliance would be completely shattered!

So, there was no choice other than to continue the plan. At least here, they had a chance to complete all their objectives and rescue Fire Fist Ace at the same time.

"Law is right," Meiser spoke up. "We really can only continue with the plan now."

He didn’t care about what happened to Doflamingo; he cared about the promise he made to Ace.

Since he had promised to help the other man steal that Devil Fruit, he naturally had to keep his word.

"Why are you like this too..."

Usopp was nearly moved to tears. If even Meiser was saying this, what else could he say?

Thinking of this, Usopp squatted in a corner and started drawing circles on the ground.

Law: "..."

Law looked at Usopp speechlessly. This guy was acting like a child.

Meiser, on the other hand, chuckled, clearly not surprised by Usopp’s behavior.

Then, Meiser said, "However, there is a possibility that the Marine Admiral will show up on your side."

"Why do you say that?" Law asked quickly.

If the Marine Admiral were to appear where he was, he would need to carefully consider his next moves.

"Have you forgotten that the news of our alliance was in the papers?" Meiser said. "In this situation, don’t you think the Marines might suspect that you’re also planning to give up your Warlord title?"

At those words, Law’s expression darkened immediately.

True, with such an event occurring, the Marines had reason to doubt his motives.

Seeing the change in Law’s expression through the Den Den Mushi, Meiser smiled and continued, "So you also need to be cautious."

"I understand, Sunglasses-ya."

This time Law nodded very seriously, clearly taking Meiser’s words to heart.

When he thought about it, there really was such a possibility.

But it was only a possibility. After all, the Marines had more important things to do, didn’t they?

I just don’t know if Fire Fist Ace and the others have arrived in Dressrosa yet, Law muttered to himself.

If Fire Fist Ace had already arrived in Dressrosa, then he could fish in troubled waters.

Thinking of this, Law quickly asked, "Sunglasses-ya, do you know where the Spade Pirates are now?"

Hearing this, Nico Robin glanced at Law, clearly seeing through his thoughts.

However, she didn’t say anything, intending to see how Meiser would respond.

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