Ceruledge's attack has a special effect: because its twin blades are made of cursed flames, any creature wounded by Ceruledge will continuously lose life energy.
As a dragon born from the replicated Lineage Factor of Yamata no Orochi, it possesses a certain regeneration ability. However, this ability is countered by Ceruledge's greatsword.
If it had been the original version of the ability, the effect might not have been so obvious. But this is merely one of Vegapunk's imperfect creations, and against those life-draining flames, the dragon's regeneration ability was completely nullified.
"Let's continue, Sir Tiger. This island seems even more complicated than I thought."
Passing through a sea of fire, the two soon arrived at a frozen lake. From this point on, the island was starkly divided into two halves. On the other side of the lake, the frigid air had already turned that region into a world of ice and snow.
Tiger caught a few sharks from the lake. After a brief, friendly talk, they agreed to serve as mounts, helping Misu and Tiger cross the lake.
Originally, this lake didn't exist on the island, but because of the battle between Akainu and Aokiji, it created a massive crater in the island's center.
Seawater flooded into the crater through the island's fissures, eventually forming this lake. As a result, many creatures that usually lived only in the sea could now be found within it.
"Permanently altering geography, is this the power of an Admiral? In this kind of environment, that dragon's regeneration ability is completely useless. Just where did it hide to survive?"
"Regrettably, Sir Tiger, I don't know the answer to your question. But I think I've spotted something even more interesting. Is that… a whole new species?"
On the far side of the lake appeared a large number of "centaurs." Various animal limbs were attached to human bodies, creating a bizarre sight.
"Never heard of such a species. Though it does resemble that drug developed by Sir Queen."
Tiger was referring to a drug created by Queen that could alter the form of Zoan users. Many female Devil fruit users, seeking a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, chose to use the drug, resulting in centaur-like forms.
These individuals were prisoners abandoned on the island by the World Government, and the leakage of the experimental gas had paralyzed their lower bodies.
After Caesar returned here, he equipped these incapacitated prisoners with mobility-assisting devices, earning their gratitude. After Law arrived, he went so far as to replace their limbs with those of animals.
"Wait a second... are those people holding a... welcome banner?"
Rubbing his eyes, Tiger thought he saw something truly strange. The "centaurs" didn't attack; instead, they pulled out a banner. If conditions allowed, they even seemed ready to beat drums and gongs in celebration.
"Pardon the delay, sir and madam. There was a slight mishap earlier. The young master sent me to welcome you."
Monet had also landed in front of the two.
Although Punk Hazard had ended up in this state, the central control area still had the ability to monitor the entire island.
The researchers inside had noticed the ship's arrival, but due to Monet's Den Den Mushi having a problem, they had to send someone out to deliver the message in person.
It wasn't until Misu and Tiger began fighting the dragon that Monet finally received the message and rushed over.
As for why those prisoners had welcome banners...
Caesar often gets carried away, but he was well aware that all the privileges he currently enjoys are thanks to Doflamingo. So, he naturally cannot afford to neglect people whom even Doflamingo treats with caution. Thus, he arranged for these people to act as a welcoming squad.
"Thank you."
With Monet leading the way, Misu quickly arrived at one of the remaining laboratories on the island, where she found the person she had come to see.
"What's wrong? Don't recognize me, Law?"
Once inside the lab, the temperature returned to normal thanks to the thermostatic system. Misu also released her ability, revealing her true appearance.
Doflamingo knew Misu was coming to see Law, but he hadn't informed Law in advance. Even Caesar, who was only involved due to their cooperation, knew a distinguished guest was arriving, yet Law remained completely unaware.
When Misu appeared before him, he still had no idea what was going on.
"Sir Tiger, I'll need a bit of privacy. Could I trouble you to step outside?"
Looking at the slightly dazed Law, Misu turned to Tiger beside her.
"Don't worry, Sister. No one will disturb you."
Tiger said nothing and silently walked out of the room. Monet, who had led the way earlier, was also sent out.
Or rather, it was people like Monet that Misu specifically wanted to be gone. To her, Tiger was a trustworthy believer, but people like Monet were different.
"Law, you've grown taller. The little kid from back then is now an adult."
Misu measured the height difference between herself and Law, then continued:
"I heard from Lami. She said she met a strange man at the Sabaody Archipelago who tried to hit on her with some very crude pickup lines and acted rather oddly."
"So… she really is Lami…?"
Law had already realized the truth in his heart, but he still wanted to hear the confirmation from the nun.
"That's right. Trafalgar Lami, your biological sister. She's still alive. It's just that her brain was affected by Amber Lead and trauma, and she's forgotten everything about what happened in Flevance.
I'm very sorry. I believed that those memories were painful, so I hid everything from Lami. She knows nothing about the past, including you and your parents."
From Misu's perspective, she believed that this was the best outcome. But for Lami's brother, her only true family left in the world, this result was undeniably cruel.
"It's okay, Sister. Lami being alive is the best outcome. I was hidden in a pile of corpses and smuggled myself out. How did you get away?"
"We were fortunate to encounter the Lord. His followers took us away from there and used special means to cure the Amber Lead Syndrome. But Law, I have a question."
"You must have recognized Lami back then. But so much time has passed, and you've made no move. If I hadn't seen you become a Shichibukai, I wouldn't even have known where you were."
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
"Sister, this is a private matter. If I succeed, I'll definitely go find Lami. But if I fail... please take care of her in the future."
"She's living quite well now and doesn't need anyone's care. But Law, tell me, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Misu was familiar with the personalities of the children from the monastery back then. Law had always been a bit of a sister-complex type. Now, even after reuniting with his sister, he insisted on acting independently, and coupled with these words, it was obvious he was planning something.
"Sister, the 'Lord' you speak of… he's with the Beasts Pirates, isn't he?"
"Law, I need to correct your misunderstanding. The Lord is not one of the Beasts Pirates. Rather, when the Lord descended, Mr. Kaido became his chosen representative."
"It's because of the Lord that the Beasts Pirates exist as they do today. Remember the order."
Misu's words were gentle, but her tone gave Law a headache. When he was a child attending classes at the monastery, Misu talked about the Lord in the same way, and it was the class he liked least.
"Sister, you know I…"
"It's different, Law. Before, it was just words in a textbook. But what I speak of now, and what you're hearing, are real."
Listening to Misu's devout tone, Law's headache worsened.
He knew just how deeply Misu believed in her faith. For someone like her to change faiths, it must have been due to something earthshaking and unshakable.
No matter how you look at it, the religion Misu belonged to now had deep ties with the Beasts Pirates, and Doflamingo has some connection with the Beast Pirates.
In such a situation, Law didn't want to reveal his inner thoughts to Misu. She had been the mentor to both him and Lami in their childhood, and was a fellow survivor of Flevance. Beyond that, they had no deeper ties.
Law's hatred toward Doflamingo came from Rosinante, and Rosinante had no connection to Misu or Lami.
On top of that, he was a Marine, while Misu had joined a pirate force from the beginning. In fact, it was more accurate to say they were enemies by nature.
Putting himself in her shoes, if he were the nun, he wouldn't jeopardize an existing deal over something like this. It just wasn't in her interest.
In Law's memory, Misu wouldn't betray him. But he didn't dare bet on it. He had no idea what kind of person Misu had become after all these years. One misstep, and his entire plan could be ruined, never to be realized again.
"Sister, you came all this way to find me. What is it you're after?"
"Partly to see you. And partly to say this, Law, think carefully before you act. I don't know what you plan to do, and clearly you're not willing to say. But I must remind you, Lami is your only family left.
There's still a chance her memories could return. Before you do anything, think about the consequences."
"Sister Misu, I want to show you something."
Hearing Misu's words, Law fell into thought for a moment, then made a new decision. After getting Misu's consent, Law activated his Room, enveloping the entire lab, and brought Misu with him into another room—one known as the Biscuits Room.
Inside the room were many young children, but their bodies were far larger than normal. If one didn't know better, they'd think it was a territory of the Giants.
"Sister, did you know? This island is Caesar's research base. Everything here is where he carries out experiments.
Even the artificial Devil Fruits sold by Doflamingo—one of their core components is produced on this island.
But Caesar is no good person. These children are his test subjects. He injected them with a gigantification drug—a dangerous drug whose consequences even Caesar doesn't fully understand, and which may have harmful side effects."
Law was doing a test. He wanted to see if Misu was still the same person he once knew. If she was, then maybe…just maybe, he could find another way to sever the ties between Doflamingo and the Beasts Pirates.
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