"These guys... is it really necessary to go so far?"
Having awakened his Conqueror's Haki at a young age and participated in the Summit War, Doflamingo was no stranger to grand scenes. Naturally, he knew that the splitting sky wasn't some strange phenomenon, but the result of a clash between two powerful Haki.
"The strength of that Haki... it's no weaker than her freak father. And the other one is Redfield? After being imprisoned for so many years, his spirit hasn't weakened at all?"
"Fuffuffuffu, this is getting more and more interesting. Hey, King Riku, do you see that? In the face of such power, what meaning does your rebellion even have?"
Doflamingo stepped aside, showing King Riku the situation in the sky. It was at this moment that Pica belatedly received a report.
"Doffy, I've figured it out. It's the finals of the Corrida Colosseum that just started."
As he spoke, Pica turned on the Proko beside him, and the scene of the Corrida Colosseum appeared before them.
Not long ago, before the start of the Corrida Colosseum finals, different people were busy with various things. No one was actually resting. After all, it wasn't necessary.
Aside from Buggy and Rebecca, the others hadn't used up much stamina, especially those whose matches had ended early.
During this period, everyone had other things to do. For instance, the three Katakuri brothers. Although Daifuku didn't come to compete in the tournament, he had another task.
"There's been a problem with the Punk Hazard laboratory. That Caesar should've come here along with Straw Hat and Law, right? Daifuku, go find him.
If you can't find him, forget it. But if you do, bring him back.
Mama's money isn't that easy to earn. Now that the research island's gone, if he can't produce results, he'll have to pay his debt with his head."
"I understand, Brother Katakuri."
While these three brothers were assigning tasks, another trio of brothers was having a reunion.
"Sabo! Where the hell have you been all these years? We thought you were dead!"
"Yeah! Since you were alive, why didn't you come back? And you never even contacted us all this time!"
"Ah, that… sorry. I hurt my head back then and lost my memory. If it weren't for you guys causing so much commotion over the years, I wouldn't have remembered. I saw your news in the newspaper, and my memories finally came back.
As for these past years, Luffy, I've been with your dad. Mr. Dragon saved me, and he taught me a lot."
Sabo still carried that same polite demeanor. Everything about him felt just like the day the three brothers had first met.
"Dad? Oh right, I do have a dad, don't I? So he's the one who saved you? Hah, what a coincidence."
Luffy hesitated for a while before confirming that he did, in fact, have a father.
"But Sabo, why are you here? Do you also want Uncle Whitebeard's devil fruit?"
"No, that's not my main goal. Our Revolutionary Army has been taking action recently. I'm just tracking some weapon trade routes, and that trail led me to Doflamingo.
But Ace must really want this fruit, right? So I came to participate. Since you want it too, of course I'll help you."
The Quake-Quake Fruit wasn't Sabo's primary objective. His coming here was the result of multiple factors. Though he had lost his memory for years, he hadn't lost his intelligence. He still understood just how important the Quake-Quake Fruit was to Ace.
"But Luffy, what about you? Did you come here just for the Quake-Quake Fruit?"
"Ah, that? Me and Tra-guy's goal is something like… taking down Doflamingo and becoming one of the Four Emperors, I think?"
Luffy never really understood what a plan was. Even though Law had nagged him about it the whole way, he didn't remember much. Most of the details had already slipped his mind.
In a way, the fact that he could even recall the final objective l was already a huge improvement.
"What an exaggerated ambition. That guy's clearly messing with you. Taking down a Shichibukai doesn't make you a Four Emperor. Otherwise, the term 'Four Emperors' wouldn't have become history the moment Pops died."
Hearing Luffy's goal, Marco immediately poured a bucket of cold water on him.
If becoming an Emperor of the Sea were that easy, the Whitebeard Pirates wouldn't have lost their emperor's title right after Whitebeard's death.
However, they didn't dwell on that topic for long, since the finals had already begun.
No matter what, any business they had would have to wait until the issue of the Quake-Quake Fruit was settled.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and toys! The long-awaited finals has officially begun! Among the sixteen contestants are some world-famous pirates, some unknown old monsters, and even a few incredibly lucky individuals!"
"No matter who they are, they've all overcome countless trials to reach the finals!"
Gatz held a throat-soothing medicine in his hand. The intense commentary had taken a toll on his voice, but he refused to give up this opportunity. After all, a grand occasion like this might never happen again in his lifetime.
"Our contestants have appeared!"
"First up, the winners of A Block — from the Big Mom Pirates, the first of the Three Sweet Commanders, Katakuri, and his younger brother, Oven!
Next, the winners of B Block — Red and Rebecca!"
Redfield's true identity was known to Doflamingo, but not revealed in Gatz's commentary. To most people, Red was still just an unknown but extraordinarily powerful old man.
Meanwhile, Rebecca's appearance alongside Red drew a wave of boos from the crowd. The audience still didn't welcome her.
"Next up, the winners of C Block — from the Whitebeard Pirates, Marco the Phoenix and Fire Fist Ace!
And from D Block — Straw Hat Luffy and the former pillar and leader of the Happo Navy, Chinjao!"
"Straw Hat boy, you got lucky and escaped last time. But this time, you won't be so fortunate."
Chinjao glared at Luffy with murderous intent, his eyes burning with years of resentment.
"Hey, what are you trying to do to my little brother? You old geezer, are you volunteering to be the first one knocked out?"
Chinjao's words immediately angered Ace. Anyone who threatened his brother made his blood boil.
"You can try, brat. If you dare to interfere, I'll take you down along with him."
The smell of gunpowder began to spread, making the already tense atmosphere even more suffocating.
"Our contestants seem unable to hold back any longer! A bloody battle is inevitable! And now, the winners of E Block — the former Head Jailer of Impel Down, Shiryu of the Rain!
One of the Shichibukai, Buggy the Clown!
And joining them, the winners of F Block — from the Beasts Pirates, Mizerka and Speed!"
Buggy was the first to rush onto the arena. The murderous aura radiating from Shiryu made his skin crawl. Just standing next to the man felt like he could be sliced in half at any moment.
Though Shiryu wanted to cut down Buggy, Mizerka and Speed's taunting words were even more provoking.
"B*stards of the Beasts Pirates, I'm really indebted to your officers for their care back then."
"Oh, so you're that Shiryu. You actually survived Brother King and Sister Shayna's attack, yet instead of hiding, you dare show your face and spout nonsense? Are you really that eager to die?"
TN: Hey guys, I've picked up a new One Piece novel. You can search it: One Piece: The Undying King.
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