Marine Headquarters, Junior Training Base.
"Whoa! Everyone, check out the news! The legendary pirate Shiki is dead!"
A young boy in a Marine uniform stretched his arms out, grabbing the gate to launch himself into the base with a newspaper in hand...
He successfully vaulted through the classroom window.
This was usually the time for the junior class's cultural studies.
Luckily, classes had already ended, or he'd have been punished for sure.
All eyes turned to the reckless boy.
A freckled black-haired boy stood up with a sigh:
"Luffy! What got you so excited this time?"
"Ace! Look at the paper! It says the legendary pirate who stood alongside Gol D. Roger and Whitebeard was taken out at Egghead!" Luffy dusted himself off casually before looking up excitedly.
"And it was Michael who did it!"
"Keep your voice down!" Ace bonked Luffy lightly on the head—though it didn't hurt thanks to Luffy's Devil Fruit powers.
Luffy obediently quieted down.
The kid might be simple, but he had one good quality...
He listened to his brother.
"First, Uncle Michael's been discharged from the Marine! Don't just casually bring him up!"
"Second... your news is way behind. We read that paper two days ago."
"Huh? This is two days old?" Luffy stared at the newspaper in confusion.
"But it looks brand new!"
"Ah, Luffy... with a brain like yours, you might as well give up on cultural studies." Nami smirked as she walked over, patting Luffy's shoulder.
"Let me tell you, a muscle-headed guy like you catching up to Michael? That's gonna be tough!"
"Really tough?" Luffy tilted his head before grinning. "But I still wanna be a Marine who surpasses Michael!"
The entire junior class collectively sighed at Luffy's declaration.
Sometimes, they genuinely envied him.
Pure goals, incredible talent...
Though they teased the not-so-bright Luffy, every one of them knew...
Out of everyone here, he was the most likely to actually pull it off.
"To think he actually took down the legendary Shiki... This proves that Michael has fully recovered since being besieged by two Marine Admirals and nearly all Vice Admirals back then," Ulti mused, resting her chin on her hand.
"I just wonder how Yamato-nee is doing by his side?"
"Since when did you become the caring type, sis?" Page One stared at his sister like she was a ghost.
"Page one, I'd advise against provoking your sister right now," Sugar said with a mischievous grin.
"Unlike me—who only gets pampered by my sister—you'll actually get pinned to the ground and beaten."
"Dammit!" Page One clutched his head in agony. "Why couldn't my sister be as gentle as Monet-san?!"
"Maybe... it's fate?" Law, who always carried a long nodachi, deadpanned without expression.
"Blame it on being blood-related siblings."
"Then at least give me a little sister like Lami!"
"Sigh... But Lami only wants Law as her brother."
"Enough! Everyone, settle down!" Reiju and Nojiko, the responsible class president and vice-president of the youth division, spoke in unison.
"Even if you don't care about the Marine's stance, at least show some respect for the teacher!"
As they spoke, they pointed toward the figure sitting behind the lectern, watching everyone with a gentle smile...
Vice Admiral Tsuru.
Such were the privileges of the youth division.
Martial training under Zephyr and Garp, academic guidance from Tsuru and Vice Admiral Koumei...
"Don't mind me, carry on, carry on."
Tsuru had always been this indulgent with the children.
Except... toward the troublemakers who skipped class.
The moment she spoke, everyone immediately fell silent.
Even Luffy, who was the worst at reading the room shut his mouth.
After all...
Hanging from the clothesline behind Tsuru was a row of unlucky souls punished for skipping class.
The Vinsmoke's four brothers and Sabo.
"In the youth division, you're free to speak your minds—after all, I watched Michael grow up too... But until Michael and the Marine truly make waves across the seas, you must still hold some reverence for that name... Understood?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral Tsuru!"
"Now, someone help take these troublemakers down. It's time for class..." Tsuru adjusted her glasses with a smile.
"Where were we last time? Ah, yes—the historical impact of the Fish-Man Island Agreement..."
...
Far, far away from Marine Headquarters, in Dressrosa...
"Achoo!"
Doflamingo sneezed, then rubbed his nose.
"How strange... Why do I feel oddly refreshed after that sneeze?"
"As if someone just repeated my past mistakes!"
But after muttering to himself, his expression turned serious as he stared at the newspaper in his hands.
"Michael, Michael... You really never rest, do you? The emergence of the new Flying Pirates must have been outside your predictions and schemes—otherwise, you wouldn't have made such a drastic move! Logically, staying hidden in the shadows would be far more efficient for you now..."
At this thought, Doflamingo's eyes gleamed.
Shiki is dead, and the New Flying Pirates have scattered like birds and beasts.
Many major forces in the New World have taken this opportunity to replenish their ranks with fresh blood...
However, to this day, there has been no trace of the powerful pirates who once followed Shiki among the remnants of the Flying Pirates.
There have been no reports of them joining other pirate crews.
'Does this mean... there's a chance to recruit them under my banner?'
'After all... even though preparations have been made to betray Kaido when the time is right, the forces at hand are still insufficient...'
It must be noted that Kaido's Beasts Pirates are undoubtedly the biggest beneficiaries of the Flying Pirates' dissolution this time.
They've gained over a hundred successful SMILE fruit users out of thin air!
"It seems... it's time to set the hidden Doflamingo Family into motion."
Doflamingo muttered to himself.
...
Unbeknownst to him, in a building far from Dressrosa, a beautiful woman removed her hand from her face.
She was none other than the current Prime Minister of the Dressrosa Kingdom, the youngest daughter of the former King Riku.
Violet.
As a user of the Glare-Glare Fruit, she had been recruited by Rosinante as an informant shortly after Doflamingo became king, tasked with monitoring his every move.
After deactivating her fruit ability, Violet immediately took out a Den Den Mushi.
"Calling Little Mikan, calling Little Mikan, this is Violet."
The voice that responded was none other than Rosinante.
"Little Mikan received, go ahead."
Violet then proceeded to report to Rosinante about Doflamingo's recent activities.
"Thank you for your hard work, Lieutenant Commander Viola!"
"I'm just serving the people!"