The Dark Raven

A piece of biscuit might not prove anything, but it could become a crucial clue someday.

Back in Dressrosa, Hailan didn't inform Vice Admiral Tsuru or Garp about the biscuit to avoid alerting the enemy. Instead, he quietly conducted his investigation.

Following the leads, he finally arrived at a high-end hotel. According to the hotel owner, a group of intimidating people had stayed there. Based on the owner's description of their appearance and attire, Hailan deduced that three of them were Doflamingo, Pica, and Trebol.

However, there was a fourth person, a man dressed in red, whom Hailan had never seen. This man had participated in the bullfighting tournament but lost to a mysterious swordsman in the finals. The tournament staff confirmed this information.

"So, it seems there's another member of the Donquixote Pirates who has never shown his face..."

To ordinary people, the Donquixote Pirates seemed like superhumans. If they wanted to hide, no one could notice them. Thus, the trail ended there.

"Aunt Tsuru, what are your plans now?" Hailan asked casually upon returning to the ship.

"After leaving Dressrosa, I will take these two pirates to the Marine G1 base in the New World for interrogation. You and Garp can head straight back to Marine Headquarters," Tsuru replied calmly.

"Not taking them directly to Headquarters?" Hailan asked, puzzled.

Tsuru gave Hailan a deep look, "Hailan, there are some things you shouldn't ask about for now."

Hailan nodded, not wanting to make things difficult for Tsuru. He could always ask Sengoku later...

At Marine Headquarters, in Admiral Sengoku's office, Garp was munching on doughnuts while bragging about his and Hailan's heroic deeds in Dressrosa against the Happo Navy. Sengoku always tolerated Garp's provocations, knowing that dealing with these official pirates from the World Government's allied countries required such methods.

For some reason, Sengoku, who was usually very busy, didn't drive Garp out today. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, listening to Garp's animated storytelling. Occasionally, his gaze would shift to Hailan, showing affection, approval, and a hint of envy.

If only Rosinante had Hailan's combat talent, I wouldn't have to worry so much about his undercover mission, Sengoku thought.

The sudden silence made the air tense. Garp, running out of things to say, left only the sound of him chewing doughnuts.

"Uncle Sengoku, why hasn't Rosinante visited me?" Hailan suddenly asked.

Sengoku, five years older than Zephyr, was like an uncle to Hailan. Rosinante, who was also older, was more like an elder brother to him. Despite Hailan surpassing him in strength, Rosinante never stopped looking out for him.

Hailan didn't know about Rosinante's mission; he was just making small talk.

Sengoku replied naturally, "Rosinante has a mission. He probably won't be back at Headquarters for a long time."

A long time? Hailan felt a pang of suspicion since Rosinante rarely undertook challenging missions.

"What mission is it?" Hailan pressed.

"Oh, the slave trade situation in the Sabaody Archipelago has been severe lately. I sent Rosinante and Vice Admiral Borsalino to investigate," Sengoku explained.

Sensing something amiss, Hailan continued probing, "Sabaody Archipelago isn't that far, is it?"

"Not far, but troublesome. You know how slave trading always involves the Celestial Dragons," Sengoku replied, then added, "Alright, I have a lot of work to do. You two should leave now."

He issued a dismissal.

Unwilling to give up, Hailan said, "I might have some information that could help Rosinante."

"Hailan..." Sengoku stared at Hailan's determined eyes briefly before whispering, "...What have you discovered?"

Sengoku knew Hailan was very intelligent and curious—a trait that was both a strength and a potential drawback in certain situations.

"Garp, leave us," Sengoku ordered.

"Me? Leave?" Garp was surprised, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, go on," Sengoku insisted.

Though grumbling, Garp left the office. He wasn't as curious as Hailan; if Sengoku didn't want to tell him something, he didn't push it.

"Alright, Hailan, what did you find?" Sengoku asked.

"When chasing Doflamingo's subordinate, I found a biscuit, here," Hailan said, placing the biscuit Vergo had dropped on Sengoku's desk.

Sengoku was exasperated, "What use is this?" He had expected something more substantial.

"The key point is that this person avoided showing his true face from the moment he saw me. Also, no information about this person was found in the investigation," Hailan explained. "Uncle Sengoku, you know the Marines have exposed numerous spies sent by pirates since the start of the Great Pirate Era. If a new recruit at Headquarters suddenly likes this type of biscuit, it's worth being cautious."

Hailan's words reminded the overworked Sengoku: if the Marines could plant spies, so could Doflamingo. While a single biscuit might not reveal much, it could potentially expose the enemy at a critical moment.

"Uncle Sengoku, I'll leave this biscuit with you. Please give my regards to Rosinante," Hailan said.

A few days later, the Marine G1 base in the New World experienced a large-scale prison break. A strange mute man dressed like a raven injured the guards and escaped. In the chaos, Pica and Diamante, recently captured by Vice Admiral Tsuru, also fled.