Six months is a curious length of time—neither short nor long.
During this period, the Donquixote Pirates remained stationed in Water 7 with no intention of leaving, though Doflamingo and a few others had ventured out several times.
The sight of the gleaming, gold-plated Ark Maxim naturally attracted the attention of numerous pirates and passing merchants in Water 7. However, none dared to make a move on it. As Doflamingo's fame spread, the Ark Maxim became well-known to the public. Of course, there were always those fearless enough to covet its gold, but after witnessing the Donquixote Pirates' bloody methods, they were scared witless and no longer dared to harbor such thoughts.
Without the pirate attacks, however, life had become rather monotonous for Law and the others. Doflamingo's reputation was now so great that the pirates in Paradise knew the Donquixote Pirates were not to be trifled with. Upon seeing the iconic ark, they would steer clear, unwilling to provoke them.
Seeing this, and not wanting Law and the others' training to stagnate, Doflamingo and Enel each took a group out to sea for some real-world practice, raiding other pirates.
Through these raids, Law, Baby 5, and Monet made rapid progress. This, however, was unfortunate for the pirates heading towards Water 7. Once word got out, there was a period where no one dared to choose the route to Water 7 at all. Doflamingo didn't take them too far from the city, so all pirates in the vicinity were affected. Any pirate crew that passed through the waters near Water 7 was invariably annihilated, which ended up being a great help to the Marines.
Commodore Albert had, of course, long since reported the presence of the Donquixote Pirates to Marine Headquarters. However, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, upon receiving the news, could do nothing. Doflamingo was a massive headache. Since he was behaving for now, they decided to leave him be. They were truly helpless.
When Albert received Sengoku's order to remain stationed and not engage, he was overjoyed. The last thing he wanted was to die. Being able to coexist peacefully with Doflamingo was the best possible outcome.
As for Doflamingo's business partner, Iceburg, he had no time to wonder why Doflamingo was still there. He was completely focused on the Sea Train. For Franky's sake, he and Tom were working themselves to the bone, day and night. He had even neglected his work at Tom's Shipyard, leaving everything to Kokoro.
One night, as darkness fell, Doflamingo stood at the bow of the ark with Law, looking out over the quiet city of Water 7.
"Give it a try, Law," Doflamingo said to the young man beside him.
"Alright, Mr. Doflamingo," Law replied respectfully.
"Room."
A transparent surgical space rapidly expanded, enveloping the entire city of Water 7.
As the space stretched out, Law's initial ease gave way to increasing strain, and his forehead became beaded with sweat.
"Hold on, Law," Doflamingo instructed, his tone sharp and unforgiving. "Think about what you're fighting for. If you can't even control a small island like this, how will you improve your strength? How will you ever get your revenge?"
"Expand!" Law roared, the determination in his eyes clear as he strained to push the surgical space open, struggling to maintain its stability.
On the quiet ark, only Law's heavy breathing could be heard.
"Hah... hah..."
After a while, Law finally had a moment to rest. He steadied his breathing and said, "I did it, Mr. Doflamingo."
"Very good, Law. From today on, except for when you sleep, you are to maintain your surgical space at all times—whether you're eating, resting, or training. And you must extend it to its absolute limit," Doflamingo commanded.
"I understand," Law answered without a hint of hesitation. Out of his trust for Doflamingo, he was prepared to follow the instructions without reservation. This was a rare opportunity. Doflamingo seldom personally instructed anyone anymore. If he could learn more from him, the benefits would be immeasurable.
"I have another mission for you, Law," Doflamingo said, pleased with Law's attitude.
"I'm ready, Mr. Doflamingo. Just give the order," Law said seriously.
Doflamingo patted Law's shoulder encouragingly. "Keep a close watch on Tom. When he takes out the Pluton blueprints to give to Iceburg, you are to steal them without anyone noticing. I've already had Diamante prepare a fake set for you."
"Don't worry, Mr. Doflamingo. I will complete this mission," Law said with determination.
"I believe in you."
And so, Law's solo training began. From his initial struggles to the effortless control he achieved six months later, he endured hardships that ordinary people could not imagine. Under the constant strain of his surgical space, Law not only had to live and train normally but also monitor Tom's every move. This intense training also awakened his Observation Haki.
Having reaped such benefits, Law's admiration for Doflamingo's genius only grew, and he trained even more diligently.
During this time, Doflamingo naturally didn't neglect Monet's training. After all, she was desperate to become stronger.
On the coast, Doflamingo was supervising Monet's practical training.
"Begin, Monet. The path to strength is not so simple," Doflamingo said sternly.
"I know, Young Master," Monet replied with equal seriousness, all traces of their playful banter under the moonlight gone.
"Snow World."
A massive amount of snow and ice erupted from Monet's hands, spreading rapidly towards the churning sea, attempting to freeze it solid.
The Snow-Snow Fruit, also known as the lesser Chilly-Chilly Fruit. Doflamingo's advice to Monet was naturally to emulate Aokiji. However, the power Monet could wield was nowhere near as great.
After a great deal of effort, a layer of frost did form on the surging seawater, but the area it covered was pitifully small.
It was, after all, a lesser version of Aokiji's fruit, and Monet's strength was no match for his. Moreover, in Doflamingo's opinion, Aokiji's fruit had almost certainly been awakened. How else could he freeze miles of ocean with his hands in his pockets?
Although she couldn't compare to Aokiji, if Monet could awaken her fruit and master two forms of Haki, she could at least reach seventy or eighty percent of his strength.
The idea was wonderful, but reality was cruel. Monet looked at her handiwork with a wry smile, then glanced sheepishly at Doflamingo, hoping for his guidance.
Seeing her pitiful, evasive eyes, Doflamingo reprimanded her seriously. "Monet, you disappoint me greatly. Who was it that said they would stand with me at the pinnacle of the world? Who was it that said they would kill all my enemies?"
"Don't say any more, Young Master. I know what I have to do," Monet said, interrupting him as she looked at him with renewed determination.
"It's good that you recognize your own weakness. From today on, when you can freeze the sea around Water 7, you will have succeeded."
"Yes, Young Master!"
With that, Doflamingo left without delay, heading to his next appointment.
The combat maid, Baby 5, was waiting for him.
"Young Master, where are we going today?" Baby 5 asked excitedly. The last time Doflamingo had taken her out to annihilate pirates, she had been thrilled. She thought today would be more of the same.
"I'm taking you somewhere fun," Doflamingo smiled.
"Yay, yay!"
Looking at the currently excited Baby 5, Doflamingo had a wicked thought, wondering if she would be crying soon.
High in the sky, Doflamingo and Baby 5 flew one after the other. Doflamingo led the way, while Baby 5 struggled to keep up behind him.
The Arms-Arms Fruit naturally allowed for flight. Doflamingo had no idea how Baby 5 had developed it before; her vision had been too narrow. He couldn't bear to watch, so he had to teach her himself.
"Baby 5, keep up!" Doflamingo urged leisurely from the front.
"I know, Young Master!" Baby 5, transformed into a rocket, propelled herself forward, chasing after him.
After a long time, the two of them landed on a deserted island nearby.
Doflamingo was, of course, perfectly fine. But the flight had been strenuous for Baby 5; the constant propulsion had drained her stamina.
The moment she landed on the island, Baby 5 collapsed, clutching Doflamingo's pant leg and gasping for fresh air.
"Baby 5, look at you now. You're a mess," Doflamingo said bluntly. "How can I need you when you're like this?"
"Need...? I just want to be needed by the Young Master! Young Master, I... I..." Baby 5 panted heavily, clutching his pant leg, her wide eyes fixed on him, unable to form a coherent sentence.
"Alright, rest for a bit. Work hard, Baby 5. That's how you'll be needed by me. Don't forget what you yourself said," Doflamingo reminded her.
"I... I know, Young Master," Baby 5 said earnestly.
After she had rested for a while, Doflamingo continued, "See this island?"
Baby 5 nodded like a chick pecking at grain, her small hand still gripping his pant leg tightly, refusing to let go.
"Have you remembered everything I taught you?" Doflamingo reminded her again.
"I remember it all! Nuclear Explosion, Atomic Bombing, Falling Roar, White Hot," Baby 5 said, counting on her free hand.
"Very good. This island will be your training ground. Start by practicing Falling Roar and White Hot. When you've made all the animals on this island deaf and blind, you'll have mastered them. Finally, use Nuclear Explosion and Atomic Bombing. When you've destroyed this island, you can come back," Doflamingo commanded.
"Young Master, are you abandoning me?" Baby 5 asked pitifully, her grip on his pant leg tightening as her voice filled with grievance.
"Silly girl, what are you thinking? There's plenty of food here; you won't starve. When you've mastered what I've taught you, you can come back. Don't you know the way?" Doflamingo said, rapping her on the head.
"Oh..." Baby 5 mumbled, rubbing her head.
"What 'oh'? Let go," Doflamingo said in annoyance.
"Heehee," Baby 5 let go, looking embarrassed.
"Well then, Baby 5, come home quickly. We'll all be waiting for you."
Without waiting for her to react, Doflamingo quickly flew away, leaving Baby 5 all alone with the ferocious animals of the island.
The grueling battle had begun.