Chapter 37: The Devil’s Daughter and the Gene Collector
The tavern didn't look like much from the outside—run-down walls, a creaky sign, and flickering lights. But the moment Mio stepped inside, he was hit by a wave of heat, the smell of booze, and the loud, rowdy laughter of pirates enjoying their final night in port.
"Hahaha! Come on, drink up, then grab more booze—we're off to the Grand Line next, hahaha!"
"Hehe, what the hell's going on with the navy in Strait Town? They've gone nuts, locked down the whole port."
"What else? I heard the Devil's Son showed up in Strait Town. That's why martial law got slapped on so fast."
"Devil's Son? Ain't he only ten years old? But they say he's already got an 80 million bounty and is scary strong."
"Damn right. Escaped from the hands of a Buster Call, after all."
Mio scanned the room, his calm gaze moving through the drunkards and brutes. He glanced at Warwick, who silently pointed to a dimly lit corner.
Following his companion's direction, Mio spotted a pirate crew sitting around two tables—seven or eight members in total. But what caught his eye was someone small and cloaked among them. Too petite for a regular pirate.
Nicole Robin.
The name flashed in Mio's mind. A glimmer of interest appeared in his eyes as he stepped forward.
He had asked Warwick to locate Robin earlier. With Warwick's heightened senses and instincts, it didn't take long to confirm her presence in town. What Mio hadn't expected was for Robin to be traveling with a pirate crew.