"Could the Marines have actually launched a Buster Call on us?"
As the first wave of shelling rained down, large sections of the branch were reduced to rubble. The sheer destructive power sparked this terrifying thought in the minds of many Marines.
However, comparing the current assault from the New World Headquarters' First Fleet to a Buster Call was an insult to the First Fleet. After all, a Buster Call consisted of only ten large warships; their combined firepower didn't even match the single battleship Akainu currently commanded. That was not to mention the cruisers, destroyers, and frigates accompanying the fleet.
Overall, if the First Fleet unleashed its full power, its destructive capacity would be more than ten times that of a traditional Buster Call. It wasn't just the number of cannons, but the potency of the shells themselves.
Three minutes later.
As the eleventh wave of strikes concluded, the already riddled G5 Branch finally reached its breaking point and collapsed with a thunderous crash.
"Fleet, dock! All combat personnel, land and search the island!"
"Yes, Admiral!"
Seeing the G5 Branch completely leveled, Akainu ordered the shelling to cease.
Somewhere amidst the ruins, a man clad in black pushed aside a massive slab of stone pinning him down, panic flickering in his eyes.
'These bastards actually went through with it... they used a Buster Call-style attack!'
'But based on the timing, Doflamingo should be arriving soon.'
'As long as Doflamingo holds that secret, even Sean wouldn't dare act recklessly, right?'
'In that case, leaving shouldn't be a problem. It's just a shame...'
'The G5 Branch I spent so much effort infiltrating... gone.'
Through a gap in the rubble, Vergo saw the Marine fleet approaching and realized they were preparing to land. He immediately pulled out his Den Den Mushi.
'Purupurupuru...'
"It's me!"
"Doflamingo, it's Vergo. The fleet under Sean's command launched an attack on the G5 Branch similar to a Buster Call. The entire branch has been destroyed. I suspect less than ten percent of the personnel survived."
"What? They leveled the entire G5 Branch?"
"Yes. The fleet is already docking; it looks like the next step is a ground search for survivors... Damn it, why is 'he' here?"
"What is it, Vergo? Who did you see?"
"It's Akainu. I saw Akainu disembarking!"
Vergo felt his composure crumbling. In this situation, the two people he least wanted to see were Sean and Akainu. He had assumed neither had come because the fleet had relied solely on shelling. Normally, if either Sean or Akainu had been present, they would have simply charged in and suppressed the G5 Branch single-handedly.
He hadn't expected Akainu to be aboard. This complicated things significantly. While Akainu might hesitate to move against Doflamingo due to certain reservations, he would show no mercy toward a spy like Vergo—even if Doflamingo intervened.
"This is problematic..."
"Vergo, has the Marine encirclement been completed?"
"Not yet. They are landing, but the operation hasn't started."
"That's good. Retreat immediately from the opposite direction. Jump into the sea and swim away; I will intercept you from that side. Once you're on board, we'll head straight back to Dressrosa," Doflamingo instructed after a moment's thought.
If he waited until he reached the G5 Branch, Vergo would likely be captured. Even if he wasn't, Akainu wouldn't allow him to get close enough to rescue him. Since Vergo wasn't an Ability User, swimming was the safest bet. Doflamingo would alter his course, pick him up from the rear of the island, and vanish.
Once they reached Dressrosa, even Akainu would be powerless. Dressrosa was one of the World Government's Affiliated Nations; Akainu wouldn't be bold enough to attack an Affiliated Nation without cause.
As for why he didn't tell Vergo to use Moonwalk to escape—escaping through the air made him too large a target and far too easy to spot.
"Understood, Doflamingo. I'm moving now."
After hanging up, Vergo acted immediately. Using the ruins of the G5 Branch as cover, he began stealthily moving toward the back of the island.
'''
Half an hour later, a Rear Admiral approached Akainu.
It was Duan, the former Commodore who had accompanied Akainu to the 16th Branch and participated in that sparring match. Now promoted to Rear Admiral, he was temporarily serving as Akainu's adjutant, as Akainu's original adjutant had been sent back to the training camp for "re-education."
"Admiral, we still haven't found any trace of Vergo. However, several G5 Branch Marines reported seeing Vergo heading toward the north side of the island!"
"Additionally, intelligence just reported that Doflamingo's ship has begun its return journey!"
"Given these facts, I believe Vergo escaped by swimming from the rear of the island and was intercepted by Doflamingo after reaching a certain distance. Otherwise, Doflamingo wouldn't have turned back without recovering Vergo."
Duan presented the search results and intelligence, offering his deduction.
Akainu nodded in agreement. In truth, Akainu had intentionally stayed back, relying on the fleet's firepower. Aside from wanting to experience commanding the world's strongest fleet, he had deliberately let Vergo escape.
After all, if Vergo wasn't rescued by Doflamingo, what excuse would Akainu have to storm into Dressrosa? It was an Affiliated Nation; even an Admiral couldn't attack one without a sufficient justification.
"That deduction is likely correct."
"Leave three companies of Marines behind. Let Sieglin stay in command to continue the search and capture any remaining G5 Branch personnel."
"The rest of you return to the fleet immediately. We're taking a trip to Dressrosa!"
'''
About ten nautical miles from the G5 Branch, several ships had their sails unfurled, sailing at full speed toward Dressrosa.
"Vergo, since your cover is blown, you'll return to the family and resume your role as the head of the Heart suit!"
"Very well, Doflamingo. Though, I must admit, I feel a bit unsatisfied."
"Indeed. It took so many years to finally penetrate the core of the Marine."
Hearing this, Doflamingo nodded, sharing that sense of regret. He had invested an enormous amount of effort—both in intelligence and material support—to push Vergo up the ranks over the years.
More often than not, the Donquixote Family would proactively eliminate formidable pirate crews, only to arrange for Vergo to claim the military credit for the victory.
This calculated strategy eventually propelled him to the rank of Vice Admiral and granted him control over a G-series branch in the New World, situated right on the outskirts of Dressrosa.
Everything had been going smoothly—until it wasn't.
Fifteen years of meticulous effort had vanished in an instant.
It would be abnormal if he didn't feel a deep sense of resentment.
"But Doffy, you set sail for the G5 Branch only to double back to Dressrosa halfway through. Between that and my disappearance... I'm afraid Sean and Akainu can probably guess that you were the one who rescued me. Do you think..."
Vergo spoke with a hint of worry, but Doflamingo remained entirely unbothered.
"It doesn't matter. As long as I hold that certain piece of information, the Five Elders won't dare touch me. Even if Sean actually storms Dressrosa, I can force the Five Elders to order him to get lost immediately!"
Doflamingo continued, "Besides, we have Sugar. Even if the Five Elders can't control Sean, and even if we are outmatched in raw power by him and the New World Marines, we have plenty of ways to eliminate him—without facing any repercussions whatsoever."
Hearing this, Vergo felt a wave of relief.
It was true; as long as he didn't interfere with the core interests of the Celestial Dragons, Doflamingo—with his leverage in hand—had nothing to fear.
Even in the worst-case scenario where Sean ignored the Five Elders' orders, Sugar's ability provided countless ways to erase him. And the best part? There would be no consequences.
Because... no one would even remember that a man named Sean ever existed.
Sugar's power was simply that broken.
'Purupurupuru...'
Right then, Doflamingo's Den Den Mushi began to ring.
"It's me!"
"Doffy, it's Trebol."
"What is it?"
"You ordered Princess Violet to keep an eye on the G5 Branch, right? She just reported that Akainu left only a small contingent of Marines behind for cleanup, while the First Fleet of the New World Marine has already set sail again. Their destination is Dressrosa!"
"Akainu wouldn't be reckless enough to launch a direct attack on an Affiliated Nation. This is likely Sean's doing. Trebol, notify Sugar to stand by at the harbor. If the worst happens, I'll need her to step in."
"Understood!"
Doflamingo hung up, his expression darkening. After a moment of silence, he picked up the Den Den Mushi once more and dialed a number.
The call connected. Without giving the person on the other end a chance to speak, Doflamingo spoke sharply.
"Akainu is planning an attack on Dressrosa—he's coming for my head. I trust you understand the consequences if you fail to stop him?"
Without waiting for a response, he abruptly cut the line.
At that same moment, within the Room of Authority in the Holy Land, a storm of furious shouting erupted...