Corazon had just reached the bottom of the ship when a voice startled him, sending cold sweat down his back.
"Corazon."
He looked up and saw Doflamingo by the railing, his face expressionless as he stared down at him.
Corazon's heart tightened. 'Why is he back so early today…' He gritted his teeth.
Doflamingo continued calmly, "Get on the ship. We're setting out. The Marines have caught up to us again. It's that Vice Admiral Tsuru from headquarters. Move quickly."
Then he turned and walked back toward the cabin.
Standing below the ship, Corazon was drenched in sweat. Relief washed over him as he discovered Law hadn't run to expose him.
Just then, the boy stepped out from under the ladder, a crooked grin on his face.
"This makes us even," he said with a mocking tone. "Two years ago when I stabbed you, you kept it secret for me. Consider this payback. Hehehehe."
With a mischievous laugh, he ran back up the ship.
Corazon let out a long breath, his body relaxing as he collapsed onto the ground. Watching the brat run up, he made a silent decision in his heart.
Doflamingo's voice came again from above.
"Hurry up, Corazon!"
* * *
The North Blue.
After hours of fleeing, the Donquixote Family finally shook off Vice Admiral Tsuru's relentless pursuit. Their escape was clumsy, leaving them battered and scattered, but they managed to survive.
However, two people were missing, Law and Corazon.
During the clash, no one had the chance to look for them. Now that things had settled, they searched every corner of the ship but found nothing.
Senor Pink walked out from the cabin holding a piece of paper. "Young master, I found this in Corazon's hammock."
Doflamingo took the paper. Written across it were simple words:
"I've taken Law to find a cure. –Corazon."
Rip!
The paper shredded into countless pieces between his fingers as a strange fury welled up inside him. For the first time, suspicion arose in his heart toward his younger brother.
Thinking back, he realized that ever since Rosinante returned a few years ago, the family's growth had been oddly hindered. Somehow, the Marines always seemed to find them. And now, this chase.
'I hope I'm wrong,' Doflamingo thought. 'After all, you're my only brother…Corazon…'
* * *
Somewhere in the North Blue.
A small wooden boat drifted across the sea with its sail raised.
Tied up tightly, Law was thrashing and cursing, "You bastard! Let me go! What are you trying to do, Corazon?! Untie me! Hey! Say something, damn it!"
Purururu~ Purururu~
The sound of a Den Den Mushi rang out.
Law's eyes lit up with excitement. "Pick it up! That must be Doflamingo! Help! Save me!"
But Corazon didn't react. He ignored the call completely, sitting silently as he read the newspaper, searching for news of famous doctors.
Time passed.
At last, Law fell asleep out of exhaustion. Corazon also set the paper down with a sigh, frustrated that he had found nothing useful.
He picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed a secret number.
* * *
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Inside his office, Sengoku was happily munching on rice crackers when the sound of a Den Den Mushi buzzed from his drawer. His eyes brightened.
He extended his Haki to check the surroundings, then picked it up.
"Crackers."
On the other end, Rosinante's calm voice answered, "Cookies."
After confirming the code, he added, "It's me."
Sengoku asked right away, "How's it going, Rosinante?"
"Everything's fine," he said. "But I'll need to suspend the mission for a while."
Tossing another cracker into his mouth, Sengoku mumbled, "Ran into trouble?"
"A personal matter I need to handle," came the reply.
Sengoku nodded. "I see. And what about the kids? Still not leaving no matter how badly you treat them?"
Rosinante let out a quiet hum. "Those three won't work out."
Sengoku leaned back, sensing someone approaching. "They've already made quite a name for themselves. Be cautious. I'm leaving this entirely in your hands. Do as you see fit. I'll wait for your next report."
Click.
The call ended just as two figures appeared outside the office door.
"Reporting, Admiral Sengoku! That officer who requested transfer has arrived."
Sengoku tidied his desk. "Let him in."
Clack, clack, clack.
The crisp sound of polished shoes echoed in the room as a young man stood before Sengoku.
"So it's you," Sengoku said, examining him. "I've heard your first year in the Marines has been outstanding. You want to transfer to G-5, is that right? What's your name?"
Click.
The young marine stood at attention, his shoes snapping together.
"Yes, sir. My name is Vergo."
* * *
The North Blue.
Lorca and Robin were aboard a merchant ship headed toward the Grand Line.
Under a parasol, cold drinks sat on the table. The two of them rested in chairs, studying a map.
Robin glanced at the circles drawn on the Grand Line map, curiosity in her eyes. "These circles, are they the places you've already visited?"
Lorca smiled and gave a nod. "Yeah. The Grand Line's weather is unpredictable and the dangers keep rising, so I couldn't visit every island. From Sabaody to Reverse Mountain, I never went back. I sailed straight into the Blues instead."
Robin's eyes widened. "That's still so many islands. I wonder how the Grand Line compares to the four seas."
Lorca chuckled. "Each has its own charm. It's beautiful, dangerous, and full of strength. Anyway, most of the strong in the world all head for the Grand Line eventually."
Robin nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Then where are we going now?"
He spread the map on the table. "The Grand Line has several routes. I've already sailed along the outer one. This time, we'll take the middle path."
He picked up a pen of another color and began circling islands, starting from Reverse Mountain all the way to the Sabaody Archipelago.
* * *
The Grand Line. Amazon Lily.
Not long after returning, Boa Hancock became the island's empress, relying on both her beauty and her powerful Devil Fruit abilities.
But deep inside, she was still terrified of people discovering her past as a slave.
To hide her fear, she put on a mask. In front of everyone, she showed herself as an arrogant tyrant. Proud, willful, and utterly scornful of others. Even passing by a harmless little animal, she would cruelly kick it aside.
Every act reinforced her image as empress. Yet because of her beauty, the people adored her even more. Slowly, she began to lose herself.
Now, as the new ruler, she prepared for a military campaign unlike any in the history of Amazon Lily, one that would cement her position and authority.
* * *
Meanwhile, "Marine Hunter" Dracule Mihawk crossed blades with Red-Haired Shanks. Their duel raged, but midway through, Beckman rushed in, whispering urgent news to the latter.
With a grave expression, the red haired pirate bid farewell.
Disappointed, Mihawk once again set out on his lonely search for a worthy opponent.
* * *
Months later. The Grand Line. Alabasta.
After the purge in the East Blue ended, Sakazuki dismissed the other nine warships to return to headquarters. He took Bullet and Enel with him, sailing a single ship to…
Rainbase, the stronghold of Crocodile.
As soon as they arrived, black-clad men poured out, clearing the streets and forcing residents away. One man, clearly the leader, walked up, humbly welcoming them.
The sight was unsettling. Crocodile's men, hailed as heroes by the locals, looked utterly servile here. Feeling bitter, residents muttered angrily, glaring at Sakazuki and the marines trailing behind him.
Enel raised an eyebrow at the hostility. "This guy's stirring trouble already."
Sakazuki snorted coldly. "Throw a dog a few bones and it thinks it deserves a seat at the table. A dog is still a dog. It never remembers the beating."
In the crowd along the street, a man and woman tried to stay hidden. Robin's body trembled, frozen in fear.
Lorca gently stroked her back, trying to comfort her. She only began to calm down once Sakazuki walked past.
But before they could slip away, Sakazuki unexpectedly returned with his men.
His eyes fell on Lorca, who was holding Robin, and on her back turned toward him.
Then, like a demon whispering straight into her ear, his voice reached Robin.
"Are you... afraid of me?"
**
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