Starfish World.
In the West Blue, on a lush green island near Kano Country…
A group of young men and women in black cloaks were gathered around a campfire, savoring roasted meat and wine as they talked and laughed. The atmosphere was lively and full of cheer.
But among the fourteen of them, there was also a strange creature.
It stood about 3 m tall, powerfully built, its entire body a shade of pink. Eight octopus-like legs extended from its form, two straight horns and two curved horns jutted from its head, which itself bore the features of a bull.
It was none other than the Eight-Tails from the shinobi world.
This was his domain, known as Eight-Tails Island.
"Shanks, can't you all stay a few more days?" Gyūki asked, his tone tinged with reluctance.
At the same time, one of his octopus legs curled around a sake bowl, pouring the contents into his mouth. A look of satisfaction instantly crossed his face.
"I promised to retrace the places the Roger Pirates once visited. We've rested enough—it's about time to set off again. What do you say, want to come along?"
Shanks laughed, a bottle in one hand while the other clapped Gyūki on the shoulder.
"This…"
Gyūki hesitated, tempted.
He had been living here for months, and the initial novelty had long worn off. Naturally, he wanted to get out and see more.
"Hm?!"
But just as he was about to agree, Shanks suddenly stood up, his right hand flashing to the hilt of the sword at his waist.
A wave of overwhelming presence burst from him, his sharp eyes locked intently on a point beyond the island's shores.
"What is it, Shanks?"
The other thirteen former students of the Celestial Dragons' Holy Academy immediately rose to their feet, on high alert.
"Someone's coming… and they're very strong!"
Shanks' voice was low and grim as he gave the warning.
"Are you here for me too?" Gyūki asked, suspicion and uncertainty in his tone.
Shanks didn't answer—but the blade in his hand gleamed coldly as half its edge emerged from the scabbard.
The other party's presence was drawing steadily closer, each step deliberate.
They clearly didn't consider Shanks and the others worth taking seriously at all.
Shanks sighed inwardly.
He could already sense that a tough battle was about to unfold.
The newcomer was, in all likelihood, here for them.
It was even possible they were a member of the God's Knights.
Damn it, they had lingered on Eight-Tails Island for far too long…
The air on the scene grew oppressively heavy, the tension palpable.
Before the figure even appeared, an odd, mocking laugh reached their ears first.
"Fufufufufu~~~"
The group exchanged wary glances, frowning in unison as they all drew their blades.
"I'm glad to meet you all—my fellow kin who dared to fight their way out of the Holy Land in the name of freedom."
From between the trees emerged a tall, pink-clad figure with a broad grin.
He stood over 3 m tall, with close-cropped golden hair.
On his upper body he wore a flamboyant pink feather coat, and on his lower half, crimson cropped trousers patterned with white stripes.
The hair on his shins was plainly visible, and his face was partially hidden behind a pair of dark red sunglasses.
The swagger in his posture and the deliberate rhythm of his steps radiated sheer arrogance.
He didn't look like a good person at all—yet he had just called them "kin"?
Could it be this man was also a Celestial Dragon?
A ripple of unease ran through the group, and Shanks felt his chest tighten as he thought grimly, So it really is a member of the God's Knights.
"Eh? Why is everyone so serious? Then I suppose I'll introduce myself first—fufufufufu~"
"My name is Donquixote Doflamingo. By order from above, I currently serve as the president of the Starfish Adventurers' Association."
From the very moment he appeared, Doflamingo took control of the exchange, delivering a lengthy self-introduction while explaining what the Starfish Adventurers' Association was.
"So, would you all be willing to join me in building and managing the association?"
Doflamingo stated his purpose outright.
"What?!"
Aside from Gyūki, who didn't quite understand, everyone present—Shanks included—was taken aback.
"You're not here to punish us?"
"You're not a member of the God's Knights?"
"You know our identities and our situation, and you still dare to approach us?"
In an instant—
The dropouts from the Celestial Dragon Academy were firing off questions at Doflamingo one after another.
Shanks, however, remained silent. He was thinking—and waiting for the man's answer.
"Fufufufufu~"
Doflamingo didn't seem surprised in the slightest. He waited for them to gradually quiet down before speaking again.
"One at a time. No need to rush."
"First, I'm not a member of the God's Knights. Second, while your Celestial Dragon status has been revoked, the higher-ups haven't sent anyone to capture you. So there's no need to be overly tense."
Hands in his pockets, Doflamingo's gaze passed over the group and fixed directly on Shanks.
"And frankly, I'm not all that interested in the rest of you. I'm here mainly for that former crewmember of the Roger Pirates—Shanks."
"Mihawk told me your talent is on par with his, though your head's been somewhat warped by Roger and his lot."
"To the World Government, that's obviously a big problem. But to me—and to my association—it's nothing worth fussing over. After all, it's not like you can actually do anything. Fufufufufu~"
His words were grating, and that laugh only made them more unpleasant.
Yet Shanks' expression didn't change as he asked flatly, "And why should I agree to this?"
"If all you have is a threat of force, that's not enough. Every one of these people standing here fought their way out of the Holy Land for the sake of freedom!"
Doflamingo merely grinned and asked, "Don't you want to see other worlds?"
At that, Shanks' pupils contracted sharply to the size of pinpoints.
Doflamingo's words didn't just stir something in Shanks's heart—they struck a chord with every Celestial Dragon present.
"Fuffuffuffuffu~"
Noticing Shanks's reaction, Doflamingo grinned and went on in a teasing tone.
"Looks like you're interested. But with your current situation, there's no way you'd be allowed through any Dimensional Gate—unless you're thinking of forcing your way through by strength."
Shanks and the others fell silent, and even Gyūki was beginning to understand.
The friends he had just made… were actually the legendary Celestial Dragons!
But because they had stormed the so-called Holy Land by force, they'd already been stripped of that status?
While Gyūki was torn in hesitation, Shanks's composure returned.
Since Doflamingo wasn't here to arrest them, then everything could still be negotiated.
"Why are you looking for me? Aren't you afraid that person will hold it against you?"
Shanks rested his hand on his blade, stepping forward until he was right in front of Doflamingo, looking up at him.
"I told you—Mihawk mentioned you. And with your current situation, I think you'd fit right in with the association. As for that person holding it against me—fuffuffuffuffu—kid, you think far too highly of yourself!"
Looking down with a cold, sharp grin, Doflamingo added, "Your brother has neither the power nor the authority to interfere in my affairs, and as long as you don't do anything too outrageous, your father won't take action."
Shanks's brows furrowed deeply.
"All right then—let's hear about this association of yours."
Shanks shook his head and slid 'Griffin' back into its sheath.
"But let me be clear first—we have no intention of taking orders from the World Government. And next, I'm taking them on a tour around the world."
Doflamingo, however, didn't mind in the slightest.
"Fuffuffuffuffu~ That's fine. The association is my association, not the World Government's. You only need to follow my orders. As for the higher-ups, I'll handle them."
"As for the issue of not being able to join right away—that's not a problem."
"The Adventurers' Guild headquarters has only just had its design plans finalized. By the time all the basic infrastructure for the entire island is completed, it'll take about a year."
After careful thought, Shanks finally agreed.
"In that case, the rest is simple. Where is your association's headquarters, and what exactly are we supposed to do?"
Doflamingo's Adventurers' Guild made Shanks see a group similar to pirates on the verge of rising to prominence.
Adventurers!
An identity officially recognized by the World Government!
Of course, any adventurer who committed crimes would be placed on the wanted list by the Ministry of Public Security, turning them into pirates and becoming prey for other adventurers seeking extra income.
"Fuffuffuffuffu~"
"The headquarters will be on Whiskey Peak Island, in the first half of the Grand Line."
Doflamingo introduced the location with clear satisfaction.
"Whiskey Peak… that really brings back memories. But yes, it's certainly fitting."
Shanks nodded thoughtfully.
"In addition to that, I plan to appoint four vice presidents beneath the guildmaster, each responsible for establishing branches in the East, South, West, and North Blue."
Doflamingo raised his hand and pointed at Shanks.
"And you… you are my chosen president of the West Blue branch!"
"Fuffuffuffuffu~ Fuffuffuffuffu~"
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