The execution of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, had finally concluded. The curtain had risen on the Great Pirate Era!
For the Marines, it was the dawn of the worst of times. But for pirates, it was the best. For dreams, for treasure, for everything their hearts desired, the fearless would now surge towards the sea!
News of Roger's death and his final words about the One Piece were swiftly disseminated by Morgans, who arranged it all perfectly. After all, Morgans wasn't exactly a paragon of virtue; a man obsessed with landing the next big scoop wouldn't let the Marines rest easy for long.
Watching the jubilant, surging crowds, Doflamingo led his crew away.
"Doffy, do you also aspire to become the Pirate King?" Enel voiced the question lingering in his mind. The others listened intently. Though Enel had only recently arrived in the Blue Sea, he understood the significance of the title.
"Pirate King?" Doflamingo scoffed. "Let whoever wants it have it. This world is vast! Being Pirate King is merely the pinnacle of the pirates' own little festival. Why should we limit ourselves? Set your sights higher. What could possibly hold more allure than becoming King of the World?" He spoke with unshakeable conviction, revealing his true ambition.
"King of the World..." Enel echoed, excitement flashing in his eyes, captivated by Doflamingo's words. "Yes, if you're going to aim for something, aim higher!"
Diamante and the other core members gazed at Doflamingo with unwavering adoration, their faith absolute. Even Ibes looked at him with worshipful eyes, her heart pounding, utterly mesmerized by the man before her. The rest of the crew stared in shock; those less familiar with Doflamingo were hearing their Young Master's dream for the first time. Though it sounded impossibly grandiose, a fire ignited within them nonetheless. One had to have a dream, right? What if it actually came true?
"Pirates! Don't think you can escape! You're under arrest!" "Trying to leave? Did you ask permission from the Justice on our backs?!"
Marines enforcing their justice were everywhere. Naturally, plenty of unlucky pirates were captured. However, the stronger pirates feared the Marines little, easily dispatching the weaker soldiers in moments before swaggering away.
Doflamingo had no desire to get entangled with the Marines right now; he had far too much to accomplish.
But even if Doflamingo didn't want trouble, that didn't mean trouble wouldn't find him. While the major pirates from the New World were drawing the attention of the Marines' top brass, that didn't mean figures with high potential like Doflamingo went unnoticed. Whether it was Red-Hair Shanks, Hawkeye Mihawk, Doflamingo himself, or even Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army – a far greater threat to the World Government – all were considered significant dangers by the Navy.
"Donquixote Doflamingo! Surrender peacefully!" There were always those unafraid of death who sought trouble. Doflamingo looked at the Marines blocking his path and truly wanted to ask who gave them the courage.
"Leave this to me, Doffy. You go on ahead," Diamante quickly stepped forward, engaging the Marines. Beside him, Enel, practically vibrating with excitement, could wait no longer. He was eager to test the standards of the Blue Sea's strong fighters.
"How thoughtful of you, Diamante." Doflamingo watched silently as the two went to hold back the Marines, then prepared to lead the others away quickly.
"Stay close to me, Ibes." As the only female member currently – and with negligible combat strength for now – Doflamingo knew he had to protect her. The time to enhance her power hadn't arrived yet. The crowd was chaotic, with pirates retreating everywhere. If they were accidentally separated, the vulnerable Ibes wouldn't survive long.
Down by the Loguetown coast, numerous pirate ships were docked. But the Marines weren't fools; they had long since stationed forces there, hoping to intercept fleeing pirates, dampen their spirits, and eliminate as many as possible. Of course, those who ultimately suffered were the weaker crews. After all, the weak are destined to be prey.
"Brothers, charge! Break through the Marine encirclement! Once we're on our ships, we're free!" "Yeah! Fight the Marines! Show them we're not to be messed with!" "Let's do it! Who's afraid?!"
Pirates roared encouragement to each other, mustering their courage for a desperate, bloody clash with the Marines.
The sounds of cannon fire, shouting, and brutal fighting filled Loguetown. Today, the town was truly experiencing unprecedented chaos.
Doflamingo and his group gradually neared the coastline. He paid no mind to a few fodder Marines. His priority was to leave while no high-ranking Marine officers were present.
While some pirates were trapped in dire straits, others navigated the chaos successfully, encountering no resistance from the Marines.
"Why aren't you attacking him?! Are you really just bullying the weak and fearing the strong? Some 'Marine Justice'!" one pirate yelled indignantly, watching Crocodile swagger away unhindered.
"What do you know, idiot?!" a Marine retorted, clearly hitting a sore spot. "That's Crocodile! Is he someone you can compare yourself to?!"
"Is that your Navy's justice? Laughable!"
"Die! Our justice isn't something the likes of you can question!"
Such minor incidents were happening everywhere. Doflamingo saw it but couldn't be bothered to comment.
First Crocodile left, then Hawkeye Mihawk and others followed, none daring to block their path. Renowned powerhouses were simply outside the scope of what the rank-and-file Marines could handle.
"They're back. Let's move," Doflamingo said as Enel and Diamante, having covered their retreat, rejoined them. No more delays. Surrounded by his subordinates, Doflamingo headed towards their ship.
"Stop right there, Donquixote Doflamingo! Where do you think you're going?" A female voice carried from a distance, making Doflamingo jolt. He instantly knew who it was. Really? Grandma Tsuru's 'affection' is truly hard to dodge!
Why is she always haunting me like a persistent ghost, constantly hitting my weak points?! Doflamingo fumed internally, utterly exasperated to encounter Vice Admiral Tsuru here of all places.
"Fuffuffuffuffu," Doflamingo stopped, turned, and forced a smile at the approaching Vice Admiral. "Vice Admiral Tsuru. Long time no see."
Tsuru, flanked by numerous Marines, slowly approached, moving to surround Doflamingo's group.
"Donquixote Doflamingo, you've certainly made me search high and low," Tsuru stated calmly, her tone methodical. She was supremely confident about capturing him this time. "Come now. Be a good boy, be reasonable. Come with me." Initially, Tsuru hadn't planned on coming to Loguetown herself. But on second thought, she realized an event as momentous as the Pirate King's execution would attract practically every pirate with ambition. Doflamingo wouldn't miss such an opportunity. And indeed, just as she predicted, Doflamingo wasn't dead – he had walked right into her net. There was no way she'd let him escape this time.
Tsuru still felt some self-reproach for failing to capture him previously. This time, she intended to exert her full effort. The seas were chaotic enough already. Having Doflamingo, a rogue Celestial Dragon, running around causing trouble would only add to the mess. If his true identity as a Celestial Dragon were ever exposed, the scandal would be immense, and the pressure from the World Government unbearable. Capturing Doflamingo was far more critical than apprehending other pirates.
"Fuffuffuffuffu. Vice Admiral, careful those don't misfire," Doflamingo chuckled, glancing at the dark muzzles of the Marine rifles aimed uniformly at him. He subtly gestured for Diamante and the others to withdraw immediately. Understanding the signal, Diamante didn't hesitate, instantly beginning the retreat.
"God! Please be careful!" Ibes cried out anxiously as she was pulled away.
Doflamingo waved a hand, seemingly impatient, urging her to leave quickly. He knew the island was crawling with Marine powerhouses right now; just Garp alone could probably beat him until he couldn't take care of himself. Escaping while burdened with his crew would be extremely difficult. However, thanks to the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Doflamingo was confident few could actually stop him if he decided to leave alone.
"Donquixote Doflamingo, be reasonable. Come with us," Tsuru said, watching Doflamingo dismiss his subordinates without interfering.
"Now, that won't do," Doflamingo replied nonchalantly. "How could I let myself be caught by you just like that?"
"Then you're choosing not to be a good boy, Doflamingo," Tsuru stated, her gaze hardening, ready to make her move at any second.
Though their verbal exchange was brief and deceptively calm, both stood firmly by their words. The tension between them grew heavy, palpable. Sensing the imminent danger, the remaining nearby pirates quickly fled the area, wanting no part in the confrontation between these two formidable figures.
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