Baby 5 stood where she was, watching Doflamingo's receding figure, silently cheering herself on.
"I will definitely come back soon, Young Master!" Baby 5 shouted into the distance, though no reply came.
As if in response to her cry, the birds and beasts of the island erupted into a frenzy.
"Here they come," Baby 5 murmured, her expression turning serious as she watched the commotion approaching from the depths of the island. She unconsciously clenched her fists.
The events on the deserted island were no longer Doflamingo's concern. He trusted that Baby 5 would fulfill his instructions and eventually return, a true victor.
He had come and gone in a flash.
Back on the ark, apart from those busy with their training, everyone else was in a relaxed state. Enel and Pica often sparred, but the limited space made it difficult for them to use their full power. After their last major battle, everyone who fought had gained something.
But the one who had gained the most was likely Diamante. Under the pressure of his fight with Mihawk, his path of the sword had broadened considerably.
Aboard the ark, Diamante was engaged in his daily swordsman's meditation.
Knock, knock, knock.
Doflamingo knocked on Diamante's door.
"Is that you, Dof? Come in."
Diamante sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, a longsword resting across his lap, in a state of deep meditation. Though his eyes were shut, his Observation Haki had already sensed Doflamingo's presence.
Creak.
Doflamingo opened the door, walked in, and asked the meditating Diamante, "What did you gain from that battle?"
"Only today do I truly know myself," Diamante said, opening his eyes to look at Doflamingo. "The way of the sword is truly profound and vast. All this time, I was merely a frog in a well."
"This realization is a good thing," Doflamingo said, standing before him. "I can't help you much on the path of the sword; you can only explore it on your own. However, the path to strength is the same for everyone. It requires you to break through everything that stands in your way."
"You're right. A swordsman must cut through all obstacles before him. Dof, you understand this more deeply than I ever knew," Diamante said, feeling humbled.
Hearing this, Doflamingo sat down beside him.
"I'm expecting you to become one of the World's Greatest Swordsmen," Doflamingo said encouragingly.
"Dof, you really have immense faith in me," Diamante said with a wry smile. "After fighting Mihawk, I realized just how vast the gap is between a Master Swordsman and the World's Greatest. I'm still far from it."
"What's wrong? Did that one battle defeat you?" Doflamingo asked.
"Not at all," Diamante replied quickly. "Our goal has not yet been achieved. The Donquixote Family has not yet stood at the highest point in the world. How could I retreat or be defeated?"
"That's good to hear. As long as your spirit hasn't been broken, I believe you will definitely become one of the Greatest Swordsmen," Doflamingo said, patting Diamante's shoulder in encouragement.
"Since you've said so, Dof, it would be unacceptable for me not to achieve it," Diamante said with a heroic air, looking at Doflamingo.
"Fuffuffuffu. That's the spirit."
"Hahaha."
The two looked at each other and laughed, their mood light and easy.
After a while, their laughter subsided. Doflamingo stood up and said, "It's time to visit that place. We're not in a hurry to set sail right now, anyway."
"Shimotsuki Village? The place where that peerless swordsman lives in seclusion?" Hearing Doflamingo's words, Diamante quickly recalled what Doflamingo had told him before.
"That's right. I believe you'll gain something there," Doflamingo said.
"Alright. I happen to be at a bottleneck right now. Getting some guidance from a master is a good choice," Diamante understood Doflamingo's meaning and accepted the suggestion without further protest.
"Get ready. I'll go with you," Doflamingo said.
"Haha, there's nothing to prepare. A sword is all I need!" Diamante laughed heartily.
"Then let's set off immediately."
"Alright."
Doflamingo informed Ibes, Robin, and the others on the ship, and then prepared to head for the East Blue with Diamante.
In truth, Doflamingo wasn't really going to see Zoro's dojo. The real reason was that, according to a report from the White Dove, the Arlong Pirates had already entered the East Blue. He didn't know if they had reached Cocoyasi Village yet, but for the sake of that crew, Doflamingo had to make the trip himself.
The Arlong Pirates, now a target of Doflamingo's, had just crossed Reverse Mountain and were preparing to enter Loguetown.
"Arlong-san, Loguetown is just ahead. Where should we make landfall?" Hachi asked Arlong.
"Let's go see the Pirate King's execution platform first. As for where to land... that will depend on which lucky soul catches our eye," Arlong said, standing at the bow of the ship and looking at Loguetown with a fierce, arrogant expression.
"Set sail! To Loguetown!"
Loguetown was as bustling as ever. Even after the execution of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, its popularity had not waned but had instead increased. Every year, countless pirates came to pay their respects.
After all, it was the birthplace of a legendary figure, the Pirate King. Most people showed it some respect. Although Loguetown was lively, its public order wasn't particularly good. If it weren't for Garp's frequent visits home, the pirates of the East Blue would likely be even more rampant, and the people's lives even more miserable.
However, Garp couldn't be everywhere at once. There were times when he was away, and corruption within the Marines was not uncommon. Heaven is high, and the emperor is far away; there were too many places beyond their reach.
The Arlong Pirates quickly disembarked in Loguetown. The townspeople looked at them with curiosity. Living in a remote place, most of them had never seen a fish-man before and were naturally captivated by their strange appearances.
"Look, look! They look like fish!"
"It's true! They look exactly like fish!"
"How can there be such strange people? And him, his nose is so ugly!"
Walking through the crowd, the Arlong Pirates naturally heard the residents' comments.
Unfortunately for them, Arlong had a notoriously short temper. He couldn't stand their remarks. Besides, this wasn't the Grand Line anymore. He was no longer afraid. It was time for him to make his grand debut.
"Insignificant humans! How dare you defile us, the great fish-men! Die!" Arlong's brutality was on full display. The moment the words left his mouth, he killed the people who had just spoken ill of them.
Bodies littered the street, blood flowing freely.
With a terrified scream, the surrounding crowd scattered, fleeing the scene in a panic.
Watching the fleeing residents, Arlong's face was full of contempt, a cruel smile on his lips that was chilling to the bone.
"Arlong-san, should we chase them?" Hachi asked.
"A bunch of trash. Not worth our time," Arlong replied.
"Alright then," Hachi relented.
With the departure of the residents, the once-bustling street immediately fell silent.
The commotion naturally did not escape the notice of the Marines stationed in Loguetown. Receiving reports from the townspeople, they rushed towards Arlong's location.
Soon, a group of Marines armed with rifles and cannons arrived, and a tense standoff ensued.
"Damn pirates! How dare you kill people in Loguetown! Prepare to die!"
"Shahahaha! Such self-important Marines. If you have the guts, come and try me!" Arlong said arrogantly, showing them no respect.
"How arrogant! Fire! Kill them!"
Bang, bang, bang!
Gunshots rang out, and a volley of powerful bullets flew towards the Arlong Pirates.
"Let me show you the difference between humans and fish-men!" Arlong said with excitement.
The combat strength of the Marines in the Four Blues was still lacking. Although the initial volley was fierce, Arlong paid it no mind. After all, a fish-man's physical strength was ten times that of a human. Arlong was deeply proud of this fact.
CRACK!
With Arlong's immense strength, the Marines fell one by one. There were no surprises.
"How is this possible?!" the remaining soldiers stammered in panic, their hands trembling as they gripped their guns.
"Just a bunch of trash! Die!" Arlong declared, as proud as a victorious general.
Just as Arlong was about to finish off the remaining soldiers, Hachi reminded him, "Arlong-san, if we do this, won't we attract the attention of the Marines from the Grand Line?"
Hearing Hachi's reminder, Arlong stayed his hand. "Impossible," he said. "This is the weakest sea. The Marines from Headquarters wouldn't come here so easily."
"But I heard that the Marine Hero, Garp, often comes to the East Blue," Hachi said uncertainly.
"That..." Hearing Garp's name, Arlong broke out in a cold sweat. "Forget it," he said, a hint of fear in his voice. "Let's spare them. We'll see the Pirate King's execution platform and then get out of here. I don't believe that guy would bother with us."
"You're right, boss!" Chew and the others chimed in.
"Get lost! I'm letting you go today," Arlong said impatiently.
"Damn pirates," the Marines muttered under their breath.
Arlong led Hachi and the others to Roger's execution platform to see the monument.
"Tch. Nothing special to look at. The Pirate King, Roger, was just a loser in the end," Arlong said with utter disdain, looking up at the tall platform.
"Where are we going now, Arlong-san?" everyone asked, waiting for his command.
"First, we get some money. Let's go, boys!"
The Arlong Pirates came and went quickly. The Marines in Loguetown had no idea where they had gone.
However, just as Arlong and his crew were leaving Loguetown, Doflamingo and Diamante were entering the East Blue, arriving once again in the town where dreams begin.
The place was the same, but the people had changed. A new generation had replaced the old. This was a new era.