The next day, the Wind Rider continued sailing toward the Florian Triangle.
On deck, Kalifa led Nami and the other women in practicing the Rokushiki.
Caelan lounged on a beach chair, admiring the graceful yet powerful forms of the women. Suddenly, a wave of guilt hit him.
So many women, and he liked every single one. That didn't fit the image of Heracles at all.
Even though Heracles wasn't exactly a model of virtue in mythology, he wasn't the kind of scumbag who indulged in indiscriminate lust like Caelan was now.
In the Five Labors of Fate, Heracles only had eyes for Illya. He was a total daughter-con.
"But this is who I am!"
Caelan whistled and chuckled softly.
He had only acquired the template of Basaka. That didn't mean he had become someone else. How could his nature change?
Aside from his power, he was just a willful young man who wanted to enjoy everything life had to offer.
If anyone was to blame.
Then it was all Tokiomi's fault!
Caelan grumbled inwardly and conveniently pinned the blame on the root of all evil from the far-off Type-Moon world.
Shaking off his thoughts, Caelan let himself relax and calmly enjoyed the sight of the women training.
"But now that Kalifa's here, could someone else also be targeting me?"
Caelan glanced at Kalifa, who was teaching with full concentration, and a name popped into his mind.
That name was Aokiji, Admiral of the Navy Headquarters.
In the original timeline, Aokiji appeared while the Straw Hat Pirates were en route to Water 7. Since the Wind Rider was heading straight to the Florian Triangle, they shouldn't cross paths.
But considering Kalifa's sudden appearance, Caelan wouldn't be surprised if Aokiji showed up too.
After all, he hadn't gone to Water 7, but CP9 still came after him.
Part of it was because of him, and part of it was because of Robin.
In that case, would Aokiji, who had been tracking Robin for twenty years, also come?
"It's definitely possible. That guy's been chasing Robin for two decades without success."
Caelan muttered to himself and activated his A-rank Observation Haki, scanning the surrounding sea.
Sure enough, in the distance, he spotted a narrow ice path floating on the sea—just wide enough for a bicycle.
There was only one person in the world who could do that.
It was one of the Navy's top brass, an Admiral, and the Ice-Ice Fruit user—Aokiji.
"That guy actually showed up."
Caelan's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but complain.
It was like calling the devil, mention him and he appears immediately.
From the original story, he knew Aokiji had been keeping an eye on Robin. Half of it was an excuse to slack off, and the other half was out of a desire to see her live a safe life.
This time, there was likely to be a fight.
"I guess it's time to meet the highest combat power in this world."
Caelan wasn't afraid and had no intention of avoiding him.
On the contrary, he was eager. He'd just made great strides in power and was itching to stretch his muscles.
Aokiji, an admiral who could go toe-to-toe with a Yonko, was the perfect match.
Just thinking about it made Caelan's blood stir.
But then, among the clouds above, Caelan noticed a pink figure.
"Doflamingo?"
"Compared to Aokiji, I really don't feel like fighting that guy."
Caelan shook his head, not taking it too seriously.
If it were just Doflamingo, he might be interested in a little skirmish.
But now that Aokiji was here too, Doflamingo just didn't cut it.
…
Out at sea, a tall man pedaled leisurely on a bicycle.
"Well, looks like I'm about to meet her."
Aokiji yawned lazily.
He had been silently keeping watch over the girl his best friend Saul had once sacrificed everything to save.
On top of that, whenever he wanted to slack off, he used the search for Robin as a perfect excuse and it always worked.
"Come to think of it, I might be even lazier than Kizaru. That's kind of embarrassing."
"But hey, this is lazy justice."
Aokiji chuckled at himself, though there wasn't a hint of shame on his face.
After the Ohara incident, he had grown disillusioned with the Navy's definition of justice. Slacking off had become the norm, and he was used to it by now.
"Robin, have you found yourself another companion?"
"This Caelan guy… he sounds pretty reliable."
Aokiji recalled Caelan's achievements and smiled.
Sweeping through the East Blue and into the Grand Line, capturing countless pirates—even Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Such strength and potential had already impressed Aokiji.
But what pleased him even more was Caelan's conduct.
In Aokiji's eyes, Caelan's behavior reminded him of his own younger days, full of ambition and righteousness.
If Robin had a companion like that, he wouldn't need to worry anymore.
"But I'll confirm it with my own eyes."
Aokiji pedaled forward, opening his Observation Haki, and headed in the direction of the Wind Rider.
…
Above the clouds, Doflamingo used his String-String Fruit to anchor ultra-fine threads into the sky, pulling himself toward the Wind Rider.
"Caelan, huh? You beat up my men and acted like I didn't exist. I've finally found you!"
Doflamingo's expression was dark.
He'd received the news the day after Bellamy was defeated by Caelan.
Beating Bellamy was already a bold move. Even though Bellamy was just a fringe member, he wasn't someone just anyone could lay hands on.
What made Doflamingo even angrier was that Caelan had publicly made provocative gestures in Mock Town.
It was a blatant slap in the face, and Doflamingo couldn't tolerate it.
"You got lucky last time and escaped to Skypiea, but not this time."
Just thinking about it made his blood boil.
Caelan had beaten his men and vanished, only to reappear with a ton of Berries in hand.
But Caelan's luck had run its course.
Once he caught him, Doflamingo would not only reassert his dominance but also take that money for himself.
"You beat Crocodile and now think you're hot stuff? How naive."
Doflamingo looked at the approaching Wind Rider, a savage smile spreading across his face.
He was Donquixote Doflamingo, Heavenly Yaksha!
A master of all three Haki types, with a Devil Fruit ability nearing full awakening. Even Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, had dealings with him.
In terms of strength and status, Crocodile wasn't even in the same league.
Dealing with Caelan would be as easy as breathing.
(To be continued.)
***
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