The voice of Sakazuki came through the Den Den Mushi with a faint chuckle:
"Alright, as long as you're fine."
"Get some good rest. You won't have such easy assignments in the future."
Karol also laughed:
"Understood."
"Good night, Admiral Sakazuki."
Sakazuki's voice replied:
"Good night."
Klak—
The sound of the Den Den Mushi being hung up echoed.
Karol put the Den Den Mushi down and looked toward the faint glow of firelight on the distant mountain peak:
"You've… grown up."
Unlike in the original story, where Robin wandered the seas, in this version she didn't roam for long before Karol brought her to his side.
Years passed in the blink of an eye...
The child had grown up… and it was time to leave.
...
North Blue, Donquixote Family base.
Behind Spider Miles Island, among the ruins.
Law sat hugging his knees, staring at the sea, his face expressionless, lost in thought.
Many days had passed, but that vile "bastard"!!!!
Every time he thought of Corazon, Law couldn't help but seethe with rage. These past days, he had suffered far too much at Corazon's hands.
But he hadn't given up. On the contrary, his determination had only grown stronger.
He was more resolved than ever to join the Donquixote Family. He would gain strength in the shortest time possible!!!!
To destroy everything!!!!
Gurgle gurgle—
His sudden surge of resolve vanished instantly, replaced by the growling protest of his stomach, dragging him back to reality.
The most important thing was still survival. Judging by the sun, it was about time. With some effort, he got to his feet.
He headed toward the Donquixote Family compound. At least… they provided food.
He hadn't gone far before Buffalo's shrill voice rang out:
"Dinner's ready!!!"
Law's face lit up with joy, and he quickened his pace.
But as soon as he entered the compound, he spotted that smoking "bastard."
He froze and ducked out of sight.
Only after Corazon had walked far away did he dare emerge again.
As he passed through the corridor, he noticed Corazon's discarded cigarette butt.
Clenching his fists in fury, Law stormed forward:
"That crazy bastard!"
He stomped hard on the cigarette butt!!!
At that moment, the young Senor walked up:
"So you're here. Doffy has something to ask you."
Law turned, still seething:
"Perfect! I have something to ask him too!"
"For what—"
Suddenly, he was hoisted off the ground. Turning his head, he shouted:
"You bastard, what are you—"
"Ahhhhhh!!!!"
Law felt a brutal blow to his backside as he was launched dozens of meters away, crashing into a pile of trash.
Senor sighed a little:
"Your dislike for children hasn't improved at all, Corazon-san."
Corazon waved dismissively and walked away.
But inwardly, he couldn't help but sigh. This boy… was far too stubborn.
Rosinante, who had become the second "Corazon," had spent years undercover in the Donquixote Family.
He had bullied away many adults and children who wanted to join.
But against this crazed little brat, it seemed completely useless...
Elsewhere.
Climbing out of the rubble, Law's arms and chest were cut open, bleeding profusely:
"I'll kill you… kill you… I'll kill youuuu!!!!"
...
The next day.
Law clutched a small knife he'd found somewhere.
He walked toward the ruined area by the shore. He knew that at this time, Corazon would be reading the newspaper...
"As expected."
Quietly sneaking behind the ruins, Law grinned as he spotted Corazon sitting on a boulder, cigarette in his mouth, newspaper in hand.
Stealthily he crept closer, leaping down from above!!!
The knife in his hand raised high, his face twisted with ferocity...
As the blade neared Corazon, he could no longer hold back:
"Die!!!"
Rosinante, cigarette between his lips, eyes glued to the newspaper, suddenly froze in pain and shock.
Careless… this boy actually…
With a thud he collapsed to the ground, motionless.
From the distance suddenly came a startled cry:
"Ah!!"
Law spun around in terror. Damn… he'd been discovered.
Buffalo stood there, wide-eyed:
"You brat, you broke the Blood Law!"
"The punishment of impalement is unavoidable!"
"I'll report this to the Young Master right now!!!"
With that, he turned to run.
Law's mind was a mess, but he forced himself to give chase:
"Bastard! Wait!!!"
Being rather overweight, Buffalo couldn't outrun Law.
Within two minutes, Law caught up. As he approached with the bloodstained knife, Buffalo staggered back in panic.
"You… you… what are you doing!"
Law tightened his grip on the knife, speaking each word with grim determination:
"You'll keep this a secret for me."
"I'll buy you an ice cream."
He stared intently at Buffalo. If this didn't work, then he'd have no choice...
Buffalo froze, then his face lit with arrogance:
"No deal."
Law clenched the knife, ready to strike.
"I want two. Triple-scooped!!!"
Law's face darkened, veins bulging, as he ground his teeth:
"Fine…"
...
After buying Buffalo his ice cream, Law returned to the shore, only to find Corazon's body gone.
His heart clenched. Damn, he had to run...
Not daring to waste a second, he bolted toward the harbor—but hadn't gone far before two officers seized him.
"Bastards! Let me go!!"
"Hands off!!!"
"Damn it…"
...
Boom—
With a dull thud, Law was thrown into the Donquixote Family's great hall.
"Got him back, Young Master."
"This brat tried to escape for some reason."
"When we caught him, he was already by the shore."
"Tch." Law clicked his tongue, scrambling to his feet.
But then his pupils shrank as he spotted the man beside Doflamingo. His thoughts spun frantically, desperately seeking a way out.
"That guy… he didn't die. Damn it."
"That stab went straight through him."
"And now he's standing there like nothing happened."
"What do I do… if I lose my life here, it'll be way too cheap a death."
"I even bribed Buffalo with ice cream."
"So it was this bastard who ratted me out."
"Damn it! Damn it!"
"What now, what now…"
At that moment, Doflamingo, lounging on the sofa, spoke:
"Law, I didn't call you here for punishment."
"It's to tell you that you've passed the test."
"The family is ready to accept you."
"You are now officially a member of the Donquixote Pirates."
Law froze. That guy… hadn't tattled?
Buffalo, licking his ice cream at the window, was so shocked he dropped it to the floor.
Doflamingo, smiling, continued:
"That extreme suffering you've endured."
"It's given you a gaze filled with hatred unlike any other."
"I think you have potential, Law."
Law lowered his head:
"Potential doesn't matter. I've only got three years to live anyway."
Doflamingo burst into laughter:
"Fufufufufu."
"Then it depends on your luck."
Law frowned in confusion:
"Luck?"
Doflamingo explained:
"We deal heavily in the black market."
"Trading Devil Fruits is common for us."
"The power of a Fruit can surpass human wisdom."
"There may very well be one that can cure your disease."
"If luck's on your side, within three years you might just find a Devil Fruit that saves your life."
"I'll train you as my right-hand man for ten years."
"Are you ready?"
Law drew a deep breath:
"I'm ready."
Doflamingo said:
"Take him to change clothes."
"Enjoy this last day of leisure."
A family officer led Law out. Before leaving, Law glanced back at Corazon, feeling strangely unsettled.
Corazon, however, simply sat there, head bowed, smoking… as the officers withdrew one after another.
Doflamingo suddenly looked at Corazon with a grin:
"Fufufufufu."
"Quite the resemblance, isn't it?"
"The first time I saw that brat."
"It was like seeing myself that night, right before my eyes."
"Truly…"
Corazon lifted his head with a small smile, nodding slightly.
But inside, his heart sank heavily… This was trouble.
---
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