"..."
Although Rosinante didn't know where Nicolas had heard that term, he remained silent in the face of Nicolas's words.
Seeing Rosinante's nonchalant demeanor, Nicolas couldn't help but feel curious.
"According to the script, you shouldn't be answering 'In a City of Blue,' right?"
"Where did you hear that!?"
The cigarette in Rosinante's mouth fell to the ground as his heart churned with turmoil. If the previous mention of "A whale in the sky" surprised him, then Nicolas mentioning " In a City of Blue" made him panic. After all, only he and Sengoku knew about that code, and not even the Marines were aware of it. How could this guy in front of him possibly know?
As for the idea that Nicolas was an undercover agent for Sengoku, Rosinante was skeptical. Could someone like Nicolas really be undercover to that extent? Perhaps even Sengoku would be taken out in a one-on-one fight!
"Where I heard it from doesn't matter. What matters is, in the presence of a superior, shouldn't you greet them?"
Nicolas said mysteriously. He found such moral teachings quite amusing.
"What are you trying to do!?"
Rosinante pulled out his flintlock pistol, his expression serious.
The fact that Nicolas knew about his private communication with Sengoku and even his rank within the Navy sank Rosinante's heart. It meant that Nicolas's intelligence network had penetrated even the Navy headquarters. It even suggested that Sengoku's every move might be under this guy's surveillance.
"I am the Butter Knight, sent by Admiral Sengoku to assist you."
Nicolas said earnestly.
Bang!
Faced with Nicolas's words, Rosinante chose to open fire.
"Rosinante, you're quite the impertinent one."
Nicolas held the still-hot bullet with his fingers, looking at Rosinante.
"Corazon, Left Division of the Navy Headquarters, Navy ID: 01746. Do I need to continue?"
Facing Nicolas's words, Rosinante, or rather Corazon, lowered the gun.
As for Giolla and Gladius, who were lying motionless on the ground, they wore expressions of disbelief. They couldn't believe that the long-lost younger brother of their boss turned out to be an undercover agent sent by the Navy.
"Rosinante, you scoundrel! How dare you betray the Young Master!"
Giolla angrily berated Rosinante. In their eyes, Doflamingo had been exceptionally lenient towards his younger brother, even in cases of failed missions or trouble brought to the family.
Nicolas stepped forward and kicked Giolla in the head.
"Can't you just lie down quietly?"
He then kicked Gladius beside him.
If he didn't want to extract the Devil Fruits from these two, Nicolas would have dealt with them long ago.
"What do you want to do, Nicolas?"
Corazon looked at the unconscious Giolla and Gladius, then back at Nicolas.
"Oh, I just want you to pass a message to Sengoku for me. What he sees may not be as invincible as he thinks."
Nicolas turned his head towards the direction of the Red Soil Continent and spoke.
Corazon, on the other hand, looked puzzled, not understanding what Nicolas meant by "not as invincible."
It seemed that seeing Corazon's confusion, Nicolas continued, "You don't need to know. Just pass this message to Sengoku, and he'll understand. Also, leave Dressrosa after tonight. Your skills aren't suitable for undercover work. Or is it that Sengoku doesn't understand Doflamingo's character? Don't you understand Doflamingo's character? If you really anger Doflamingo, even you will die."
After saying that, Nicolas ignored Corazon's contemplation and walked towards the cages where the little people were imprisoned.
With a wave of his hand, the cages holding the little people shattered.
The Winter Tontatta tribe quickly gathered together as they escaped from the cages, cautiously eyeing Nicolas.
For them, the recent events, where nearly the entire tribe was captured, had left them wary of the larger human races.
"Thank you, sir, for your help. The Winter Tontatta tribe will remember your kindness."
Supported by the little people, Elder Gancho of the Winter Tontatta tribe trembled as he walked out, speaking sincerely to Nicolas.
"It seems that, because of this incident, the goodwill Noland left in your hearts for humanity has been completely exhausted."
Seeing Gancho's respectful demeanor and the subtle estrangement in his words, Nicolas couldn't help but feel emotional.
Originally, with the help of Noland and the Riku Family, the relationship between the little people and humans was decent. But with the recent actions of the Donquixote Family, the relationship had once again deteriorated.
After all, even the simplest folks would become wary after being tricked multiple times.
Hearing Nicolas's words, Gancho asked in surprise, "Eh? Do you know Noland?"
"I don't. After all, that guy died who knows how many years ago."
Nicolas said with a strange expression. They were from completely different eras. Wouldn't it be strange if he knew Noland?
Upon hearing the news of Noland's wrongful death, the Winter Tontatta tribe burst into tears, as if they had suddenly learned that their best friend had died unjustly.
"... In the 100 years of historical blankness thereafter, we don't know what happened, but the world was filled with turmoil, and even the Donquixote Family left Dressrosa.
"After that, a new king appeared in Dressrosa. He learned about our Tontatta tribe, who had been enslaved by the Donquixote Family for centuries, forced to engage in inhuman labor underground. He shed tears and apologized to us."
"After the apology, the new king took action, which was redemption. After that, our Winter Tontatta tribe no longer had to labor and could freely obtain essential items in this country."
"When people found their belongings missing, the king calmed them with fairy pranks, spreading fairy legends throughout the country."
"Governed by the tolerant and kind Riku Family, the country, though not very wealthy, was indeed a beautiful land of peace and prosperity. They never hesitated to assist neighboring countries in crisis."
"Until a few days ago, when suddenly a group of people broke in, one who could control sticky liquids, and another who could manipulate rocks. We were captured by those two individuals who could use the strange powers of the larger races..."
Seeing Gancho about to continue rambling on, Nicolas finally couldn't help but interrupt him.
"In fact, I sympathize with the plight of the Tontatta tribe, but I'm mainly here to seek the help of your tribe's princess, Mansherry."