"Admiral Kuzan!"
"It's Aokiji!"
From afar, those who looked like pirates, mixed in with the Navy, rushed forward one by one, drawing their weapons and aiming at Renedia and Weevil.
"Stay away from our Vice Admiral!"
"And from Tashigi. Keep away from her!"
Law took away the Straw Hat Gang, but Tashigi stayed behind, frozen in a layer of ice when injured by the explosion.
"Ah-la-la, don't speak like that. I'm no longer an Admiral, nor 'Aokiji'."
Kuzan scratched his head, saying: "To some extent, she and I are on the same side, so if she wants to deal with you, I won't interfere."
Upon hearing this, the group of surrounding Navy members paused, their forward actions halted.
Renedia looked at Kuzan cautiously:
"So, what are you planning? Standing behind me for no reason—careful, I'll suspect you. Sage said you've got a record, you wandering loli-loving drifter!"
"How am I a loli lover?" Kuzan asked confusedly.
"Sage said you've been obsessed with Nico Robin for twenty-two years, not just a loli lover but a nurturer-type perverted loli lover!"
Kuzan: "..."
"Am I really talked about so terribly? It's..."
He sighed, "Irrefutable."
"Ha! You actually mean it!"
Renedia gripped the Mechanical Hammer, baring her small canine teeth as if she were angry, "Stay away from me, or I'll call Sage!"
"Ah-la-la..."
Kuzan indeed stepped back two paces, raising a hand to appease, "No need to be so agitated, I'm not interested in those things now, just here to have a look."
He pointed to Smoker, who was lying on the ground, saying: "That guy is my friend, let him go."
After speaking, a slight movement from his foot dispelled the surrounding icy fog, including the ice sculpture-like Tashigi, who lost her ice cover at this moment, only leaving the damage from the explosion as she fell down.
Renedia glanced at Tashigi, then looked at Smoker in front of her, shrinking the Mechanical Hammer and attaching it to her waist, clicking her tongue:
"Your friend should really learn from you—the difference in Logia-type powers is vast!"
"Not that exaggerated, just this place..."
Kuzan had his hands in his pockets, glancing around lightly, "Happens to be my doing."
Renedia nodded, looking up at the cold, icy sky above, clicking her tongue: "The fight with Akainu before? So it was here..."
"Ah-la-la, you don't seem surprised. I thought I'd see a shocked expression." Kuzan said.
"What needs shocking, it's just ice and fire, my family's occasional storms and lightning are more impressive! You guys have to keep releasing powers to achieve this, Sage doesn't; he just needs to show up!"
Renedia rolled her eyes, showing Kuzan a dismissive look.
"Hey, non-Logia Smoker, for the sake of the loli lover, let's forget it. You're a Navy—what's your business with pirates? Is the Straw Hat your dad or mom?"
She's not afraid of Kuzan—as an Inner Three Phase member of the Disaster Pirates, she's unafraid of anyone in this world.
But this guy won't make a move, and she's willing to show Kuzan respect.
Because Sage has a good relationship with him; Sage used to treat him to meals, and he has associates with Teach, so he's not considered an enemy.
All said, they're just small fries...
Not involving their interest.
As for lessons, Renedia had already given them—a complete freeze of all, the ship destroyed by one-third, albeit not perfect for escaping, but not to the point of disgrace.
Super Rookie?
Just a small-time pirate now.
Escaping—let them escape.
With their different status, different thoughts accompany, if met again, punishment can be imposed should the mood be bad.
Besides, they still owe a debt...
If the person dies, who'll repay the money?
She spit at Smoker, ready to leave with Weevil but suddenly sensed something and looked skyward.
Up in the sky, a figure in a pink fur coat similar to Renedia's seemed to be pulling something, swiftly soaring through the sky, transforming into a shadow rapidly landing.
A huge figure not all that different from Weevil's size, with a rotor spinning above its head, quickly flying towards here, transforming into a shadow rapidly landing in mid-air.
"Heh-heh-heh-heh, quite the party, Renedia, Weevil, and..."
With a face adorned with sunglasses, bearing the deepest malice, Doflamingo twitched his fingers, revealing transparent and sharp strings, aiming for the fallen Smoker and Tashigi, but fixating ahead.
"Kuzan!
Kuzan moved slightly, his steps causing a slight sound on the ground.
"Weevil, block it."
With the slight sound evoked, Renedia shouted first, and Weevil quickly ran to the forefront, establishing a defensive posture.
Whoo!
The freezing wind rose, instantly turning Weevil and Doflamingo nearby into ice sculptures.
The wind spread over the surrounding ground, adding another layer of chilling frost, and as it dispersed, those quick to react jumped up, while the slower ones were also frozen into ice sculptures.
Bang!
Weevil's ice sculpture shattered, revealing his Haki-covered body beneath.
"It's so cold, big sis..." he turned around and said, somewhat aggrieved.
"Hey! Kuzan! Control yourself when you're attacking!" Renedia popped her head out from behind Weevil and shouted displeased.
"Sorry, that's the way it is when releasing it instantly."
Kuzan apologized to Renedia and added, "I also believe in your capability, if you can't even handle this, then Inner and Outer Three Phases of Disaster, wouldn't that be quite undignified."
If it really doesn't work, he can undo it, but if he accidentally freezes Renedia... he might get scolded by Sage later.
Bang!
At this moment, another explosion sounded, Doflamingo emerged from the shattered ice crystals, adopting a combat stance towards Kuzan:
"We're somewhat considered allies, Kuzan."
With Sage's comprehensive collaboration, coupled with Sage's actions being open, he knew a bit more, including Kuzan's current movements.
"I don't have allies, only friends, and... you're not included."
Kuzan exhaled icy mist, pulled out a hand from his pocket, and stared silently at the opponent.
After a moment of staring at each other, Doflamingo finally assumed a proper stance and said, "Forget it, I don't want to fight you, but... what exactly are you now?"
"A wanderer." Kuzan shrugged, his voice calm.
"Hahaha, a wanderer's not supposed to have that kind of look..."
Doflamingo chuckled softly a couple of times, walked past Kuzan with his arrogantly unique stride, and looked towards the laboratory.
There, a green figure flew out.
Monet folded her wings and landed, bowing her head, "Young Master."
"Vergo, is he dead?" Doflamingo said.
"Yes, Mr. Vergo... has already passed away."
Doflamingo's grin disappeared for a moment, and after a brief silence, it spread again:
"Hmm hmm hmm hmm, and even escaped, escaped from the attack of Inner and Outer 'Wind Phase'. He's grown... Law."
He chuckled quietly, continuing, "Forget it, let's see what terms he wants, he'll definitely call me."
"Don't forget to get Monet's heart back."
Renedia didn't delay Kuzan and Smoker's catching up, leading Weevil over, saying, "You actually showed up here."
"Hahaha, I had to come; my important subordinate died, Caesar was captured too. Originally thought you guys would be fine... wouldn't Sage's deal be affected?" Doflamingo chuckled.
"Talking is talking, don't be so sarcastic... that's your deal, not ours. Dofla, I'm not your subordinate."
Renedia rolled her eyes, "We've already gotten our return anyway, Sage's attitude towards the Universal Medicine is to invest if possible, doesn't cost much. As for major achievements, if there are any, there are; if not, it's fine."
Research on the subsidiary products of the Universal Medicine is still abundant, and compared to the investment, the formula of the medicine is sufficient.
As for that all-healing Universal Medicine, it's too illusory; losing it is losing it.
In this aspect, Renedia is in charge.
Her current position has changed from the original nascent Military Minister to 'Minister of Military Technology', overseeing everything related to weapons and technology within O'hara.
Including anything scientific, she is responsible, with even Hogback under her jurisdiction.
Though technically and knowledge-wise it differs from the weapon-focused area she's mainly responsible for, being science-related, she can understand some, making correct judgments.
The Universal Medicine isn't realistic, coupled with Caesar's recent diminished output, considerably less than before; it's foreseeable he has nothing much left to develop, and the remaining research can be undertaken by the apprentices.
Though it might take some detours, it benefits from gaining experience.
So Renedia also doesn't feel any loss, especially as... she doesn't like Caesar.
Even more annoying than that pesky long nose!
"Hahaha, as long as you have decisions, it's fine. I need to talk to Sage about this, any problem? Law took away Caesar, if it goes wrong, I'm facing not a simple situation."
"Whatever, we'll just head back. You guys want to catch a ride? The laboratory's about to explode.. though I feel with Kuzan here, it won't."
"Hahaha, if it's along the way, that's best." Doflamingo chuckled.
As for the laboratory, since Caesar is gone, this place is useless.
But conversely, as long as Caesar is around, with or without the laboratory, it doesn't matter, he can still produce 'SAD' and complete transactions.
The reins held are not easily let go, that's also the foundation for his livelihood.
The group returned to the ship, setting sail.
Originally, Renedia wanted to ask Kuzan if he was leaving, but seeing he was catching up for quite a while, she let it be; this guy rides a bike roving the ocean, not needing to worry about his comings and goings.
Not long after setting sail, and even before Doflamingo could call Sage, his Radio Snail began to ring.
The Radio Snail had the likeness of wearing a spotted furry hat, with a small beard on the chin.
Law!