Most pirates in the world chose the second path to reach the New World, but for someone like Kaito, who could fly freely through the skies, the first path was far more convenient.
Dressrosa — a tropical island bursting with color and life. It was known across the seas as the Land of Love and Passion. Couples filled the streets, music echoed through the air, and laughter danced with the wind. Yet beneath the bright surface, the island hid the dark hand of Donquixote Doflamingo.
Landing silently along the deserted coast, Ayanami Kaito began walking the dirt path inland. The trail soon gave way to smooth, well-laid stone roads as crowds of tourists and locals thickened around him.
Kaito didn't rush to confront Doflamingo right away. Instead, he made his way toward the casino district, remembering that in the original story, Fujitora had once gambled here using Observation Haki.
Couples walked hand-in-hand, toys with eerily human expressions moved through the streets, and muscular fighters gathered from across the seas for the upcoming Colosseum tournament.
Kaito's sharp gaze flicked over them. He knew these "toys" weren't truly artificial — they were once humans, victims of Sugar's Devil Fruit, transformed and enslaved.
The western part of Dressrosa was notorious. Behind its glittering casinos and luxury halls lay arms deals, slave trading, and black-market auctions, all quietly run under Doflamingo's control.
Kaito wandered through a casino, scanning the area. No trace of Fujitora. When he finally exited, the sun was high overhead.
After grabbing a quick meal nearby, he looked toward the distant King's Plateau, where the royal palace stood tall and gleaming. His eyes hardened, a cold light flashing in them.
"Now, Doflamingo… it's your turn."
With that whisper, Kaito's body lifted into the air. Ripples shimmered beneath his feet as he strode upward through the sky, each step parting the air beneath him like water.
At the top of King's Heights, Violet stood on the high wall, watching in disbelief as a figure approached through the clouds. Her brows knitted. Without a word, she turned and hurried back into the castle.
Inside the grand palace, Doflamingo and his top executives sat gathered around an elegant dining table, laughter echoing off the golden walls.
"Dover sama!" Violet called, voice steady but tense. "Someone is flying this way!"
"Flying?" Trebol's slimy body quivered in surprise. "You sure about that, Violet-chan?"
"There's no mistake," she replied firmly. "It's that man — the one with a bounty of one hundred million Berries! He killed Gladius not long ago!"
Doflamingo's smile widened into that twisted grin of his. "Fufufufu… So it's him. If I'm right, this visit is for revenge."
Though he laughed, his tone carried a hint of tension. As one of the most powerful brokers in the underworld, Doflamingo's intelligence network was second to none. He already knew what had happened at Water Seven — how Kaito had defeated Akainu and several Vice Admirals.
"Dover, is he really that strong?" Diamante asked in disbelief. "His bounty's only a hundred million."
Doflamingo's sunglasses glinted. "Don't underestimate him. The Marines sent Admiral Akainu and 5 Vice Admirals all at once. And still, he survived."
The room fell silent. Each name struck the officers like thunder.
Jora's jaw dropped. Buffalo froze mid-bite. Even the ever-arrogant Pica clenched his fists.
They all knew what that meant. That was a Marine war force, powerful enough to destroy entire fleets.
"Y-young master," Buffalo stuttered. "Then… the result?"
Doflamingo's grin stretched wider. "Result? Akainu was captured. The Vice Admirals barely escaped alive. And that was just a few days ago."
The officers' faces paled.
"Yesterday," Doflamingo continued, his voice sharp as glass, "he was still in Sabaody — extorting the Marines. And now he's here. Quite the surprise, isn't it?"
"Dover-sama, what should we do?" Rao G asked, his tone grim.
"Fufufufu…" Doflamingo's laughter echoed through the hall. "If he's come as a guest, we'll welcome him. But if he's come to make trouble… then we'll settle Gladius's revenge along the way."
He leaned back, confidence radiating from him.
"Don't worry," he added, seeing the unease in his officers' eyes. "Jack from the Beasts Pirates will arrive soon to collect a new batch of SMILE Fruits. With the two of us together, not even an Admiral would stand a chance."
"Trebol," he called lazily.
"Yes, Dover-sama?"
"Contact Jack. Tell him to hurry. And warn him — we've got a strong visitor."
"Understood!" Trebol replied immediately.
After issuing his orders, Doflamingo stood and stretched, cracking his neck with a smirk. "Alright, everyone. Our guest has arrived. Let's give him a warm Dressrosa welcome."
He strode confidently toward the courtyard, his subordinates following close behind.
In the open courtyard of the King's Heights, Ayanami Kaito descended from above, landing lightly on the stone tiles.
"Fufufufu… welcome," Doflamingo called as he emerged from the palace, his voice dripping with arrogance. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Kaito?"
Kaito's reply was quiet — almost calm. "Murder."
The single word froze the air.
"Murder?" Doflamingo's grin darkened. "And who exactly are you planning to kill?"
"You," Kaito said coldly. "Or rather, your entire family."
The Donquixote officers tensed instantly, spreading out behind their leader.
"Fufufufu! What a big mouth," Doflamingo sneered. "You think just because you beat Akainu, you can run wild in my territory?"
Kaito tilted his head slightly, a smirk curving his lips. "Why don't we find out?"
The next moment, he vanished.
"Fufufufu! Don't bother trying tricks like that in front of me!" Doflamingo laughed — but his expression faltered a second later. His Observation Haki spread out like a web… and found nothing.
His instincts screamed.
"String Style — Spider's Web!"
Thin, gleaming threads burst from his hands, weaving rapidly into a massive net that surrounded him and his crew.
"Let's see you break this, wherever you're hiding!" Doflamingo shouted, his grin returning.
The courtyard fell silent. The air itself seemed to tremble.