"But although I don't know what you want with Golden Lion, I feel that even if you find him, he may not agree to whatever you're planning," Hawkeye said calmly.
Although he had never t Golden Lion personally, as soone who had witnessed the end of the Roger era, Hawkeye still held a certain understanding of the legendary figures of the last age—especially the man who once stood shoulder to shoulder with Roger and Whitebeard: Golden Lion.
Golden Lion's character was just like his title.
Proud—like a lion.
There were very few people in the entire sea whom he acknowledged or admired.
And if you didn't catch his eye, he would look down on you without a second thought.
Let alone consider working with you.
Hearing this, Mio sneered faintly, his tone indifferent. "It doesn't matter. I'll take it as I wish."
Golden Lion was undoubtedly powerful, but compared to his pri, he was now much weaker. Mio never took the original story at face value—he didn't believe for a second that Golden Lion had declined to the point of being defeated by soone like Luffy.
That said, Golden Lion, having lost his legs and spent years in Impel Down, was no longer at his peak.
And that was exactly why Mio had the confidence to confront him.
If he couldn't take him alone, he wasn't alone on his ship.
He would only act when absolutely certain of victory.
If a one-on-one wouldn't work—then a group fight would.
After all, he was a pirate.
"Heh." Hawkeye shook his head with a chuckle. "As long as you're sure."
That night, the two of them drank well into the early hours before finally calling it a night.
The next morning, the weather over this part of the sea was clear and bright—perfect sailing weather.
But what surprised Mio that morning was the arrival of yet another familiar face.
From the sky, a figure drifted down.
When Mio saw who it was, his eyes widened slightly in surprise. But a mont later, the corners of his mouth lifted into a smile.
"Another friend of yours?" Hawkeye asked, spotting the newcor as well.
"Yeah, you could say that," Mio replied casually.
As the man landed on the deck, Mio offered a faint smile. "Dover."
"Hiya, hiya, hiya... my friend, long ti no see," Doflamingo greeted with his trademark twisted grin. A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes when they landed on Hawkeye.
"Why are you here?" Mio asked directly, seated cross-legged on the deck.
"I was originally attending the World Expo, but I arrived a little late," Doflamingo said, shrugging. "I just happened to hear you were nearby, so I ca over. Besides, I've got so news for you."
"Oh?" Mio raised a brow, interest sparked. "What kind of news?"
Doflamingo glanced briefly at Hawkeye.
Without a word, Hawkeye stood and walked to the side, giving them privacy. He understood the two were about to discuss sothing important.
Once they were alone, Doflamingo sat down across from Mio and said in a low voice, "Judge's experint is almost complete. The first batch can be trial-produced soon. But we'll still need to run further experints afterward."
"No rush," Mio nodded, unconcerned. "This sort of thing can't be hurried. Success doesn't co easy. As long as there's progress, that's good enough."
Though he didn't say it out loud, Mio knew exactly what Doflamingo was referring to—a replica of Pluto.
He was very interested in such a weapon, but he was in no hurry. This wasn't sothing that could be forced.
Doflamingo nodded, then leaned in slightly. "There's another matter I think you'll be very interested in."
"Go on." Mio's eyes sharpened with curiosity.
"Fufufu..." Doflamingo chuckled darkly. "It's about the Poneglyph."
"Huh?" Mio's eyes lit up at the ntion and he asked in a low voice, "You've found one?"
"I stumbled across it," Doflamingo said, glancing aningfully toward Nico Robin, who stood in the distance. "You have Nico Robin on your ship, the only survivor of O'Hara. So I figured you were interested in the Poneglyphs. Looks like I was right. I didn't want to ntion this through a Den Den Mushi in case the World Governnt was listening. So I ca to tell you in person."
After all, if the Governnt overheard it... fufufufu...
Doflamingo's grin turned cold, and Mio understood the unspoken threat.
Still, what mattered more right now was the information. His brows furrowed as he asked, "Where?"
"The North Blue," Doflamingo whispered. "On an island there. If you're planning to go, you'd best take care of your affairs in the New World first. The journey will be long, and a round trip will cost you valuable ti."
Poneglyphs existed all across the world, so Mio wasn't surprised to hear there was one in the North Blue.
The material of the Poneglyphs was heavy and extrely hard to move. It wasn't sothing he could just take along. He'd have to go in person.
Mio cared deeply about the Poneglyphs because he wanted to understand what "The King" truly was.
If his instincts were right, then "The King" was one of the trump cards of the World Governnt. Maybe not their only trump card, but definitely a major one.
Only by understanding it could he plan to eventually confront the World Governnt.
Mio fell into silent contemplation.
A few monts later, he looked up, eyes burning with resolve. "It'll take so ti to finish things here in the New World. Have soone guard the Poneglyph. We can't risk any accidents or the Governnt catching wind of this."
"Fufufu, no worries. I'll make sure everything's prepared." Doflamingo nodded. He had no interest in being hunted by the Governnt—it would an a life sentence in Impel Down, and that was sothing he definitely wanted to avoid.
"Anything else?" Mio asked.
The Poneglyph news was more than enough. There was no need to drag out the topic.
"Ah, right," Doflamingo added. "As for those things I'm helping you collect—luck's been a bit bad recently. Hard to find what you're looking for. But I did get so leads. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll get so of the goods you're after soon."
"That can wait." Mio nodded, then his eyes glead again. "But help locate Golden Lion. I need to speak with him."
"Golden Lion?" Doflamingo frowned at the na. That was no easy task. The man's Sky Island base drifted constantly through the skies. Sotis people spotted it, but most of the ti, it remained hidden high above the clouds, unreachable.
Still, since Mio had asked, Doflamingo wouldn't refuse.
"I'll help you search," he agreed. "But don't get your hopes too high. Even the World Governnt doesn't have solid intel on his location—so what can you expect from ?"
"I understand," Mio replied with a faint smile.
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