"On pause? What do you mean by that!!!"
Hearing this, not only Crocodile, who had just rejoined the crew not long ago, but even Mihawk lifted his gaze and silently stared at Orin.
This explanation…
Why does it sound so much like the previous 3D2Y incident?
"What's with those looks you're giving me?"
Orin swallowed the steak in his mouth, feeling slightly choked, and quickly grabbed the orange juice on the side, gulping it down in big swigs.
"You mean… you're breaking up the crew?"
Mihawk sensed something different about Orin's tone this time. It wasn't the first time Orin had said things like this before — there had been instances when Orin would just wander off alone for a while.
But this time… he had a bad feeling. Somehow, he knew this wasn't going to be that simple.
Especially when he recalled what Orin had once said about "setting them all free"…
"That's a pretty heartless way to put it, don't you think?"
Orin disagreed with Mihawk's statement, thinking that using the word "breaking up" was far too sentimental.
It made it sound like…
If they didn't sail together, they wouldn't be spending his money anymore.
"Well… how should I put it? I just feel like all of you have your own ambitions, so there's no need for you to keep following me around forever."
"For example, you, Little Hawk. Most of the time, I'm just wandering around looking for fun. In the vast majority of cases, I don't even run into other renowned swordsmen around the world."
"Compared to staying with me, wouldn't you prefer a quieter life, challenging swordsmen from all over on your own terms?"
Mihawk was left speechless by that question.
As the aloof little hawk he was, he actually did prefer that kind of life — tending a small garden in a secluded castle, cooking his own meals, and quietly practicing his swordsmanship every day.
Of course, he didn't dislike Orin's company at all. In fact, if Orin was willing to join him and live that kind of life — becoming his sparring partner for swordsmanship — that would be even better.
After all, Orin's Observation Haki was the advanced "Micro Observation" level, capable of instantly mastering most techniques.
Fighting against Orin was like fighting against another version of himself. It played a significant role in discovering his weaknesses and improving his swordsmanship.
Besides their years of friendship, that was one of Mihawk's main reasons for staying with Orin — the "mirror training mode" Orin provided.
Orin was, in Mihawk's mind, the perfect training tool.
But since Orin had said this much, the cool and reserved Mihawk didn't push back. He simply nodded silently, acknowledging it without words.
"And you, Little Croc," Orin turned to Crocodile, "haven't you always wanted to build your own power? To create an organization or even a nation — one that's wealthy, militarily strong, and untouchable?"
"If you stick with me, I'm not interested in conquering territory and playing king, you know~"
Hearing that, Crocodile frowned and thought about it for a moment.
It was true.
"And besides… it's not like we're cutting ties completely. You'll still always be welcome as guests on the Sabaody Archipelago. The only difference is that we won't be acting as a single unit anymore. If you miss me, you can always come find me anytime."
From the moment Orin made his decision, he had already made peace with it in his heart.
In the coming New Era, both Mihawk and Crocodile would inevitably have their own roles to play — not simply as "Orin's subordinates."
Letting them return to the sea was, in Orin's eyes, an investment in making the New Era even more interesting.
And it wasn't just about them.
Orin had no intention of chaining up all the powerful figures under his command, turning them into domesticated livestock.
Whether it was Doflamingo, Tesoro, or the six kings of the Underworld, Orin had decided to give them all a certain degree of autonomy.
The idea had been forming in his mind since the moment Doflamingo and Tesoro started showing signs of ambition and making small moves behind his back.
Rather than keeping a naturally evil flamingo like Doflamingo caged up like a farm chicken, it was better to let him roam free — as long as Orin kept him under supervision and had final control when necessary.
Go!!!
Since the tides of this era were inevitable, then let them stir up chaos across the seas!!!
As long as they acknowledged Orin as their king, as long as the seas never drifted away from Orin's rhythm, as long as everything remained interesting to him…
Then they were free to go wild!!!
Orin's idea of freedom was nothing like Nika's dream of liberating the world.
It was a more neutral kind of freedom — the freedom born from pure enjoyment, watching everything unfold with a smile.
"A brand-new era is coming. How could I possibly bear to stop my dearest companions and subordinates from going out there and making waves?"
However, on the other side of the coin, Orin wasn't about to let them abuse the Black Emperor's name to recklessly gain power and profit.
From this moment on…
Orin's mindset had shifted.
He no longer wanted everything to revolve tightly around himself. Instead, he found amusement in sitting back like a mastermind in the shadows, watching the growth and development of those under him.
...
Some time passed.
After giving Crocodile a large sum of startup funds and sponsoring Mihawk with a wooden ship, the two of them decided to set out on their own journeys.
After passing through the Sabaody Archipelago, Orin entrusted the Oro Jackson to Rayleigh for maintenance.
After all, they all held deep affection for this ship. Orin rarely sailed it personally, and besides, if it appeared too frequently, its value would be diminished.
It would make a much bigger splash during the Era of Extreme Evil if the ship only showed up at critical moments.
"Fuffuffuffu… Orin-sama, I promise you, your visit to Dressrosa this time will be nothing short of perfect."
Boarding Doflamingo's ship, Orin officially took temporary residence with the Donquixote Family.
"Hey, Doffy… you know, you've always been one of the subordinates I've had the highest hopes for…"
In truth, when Doflamingo first heard Orin's words of dissatisfaction earlier, he had been startled for a brief moment. But he quickly regained his composure.
Because if Orin-sama was still willing to let him host and entertain him, it meant one very important thing — Orin hadn't given up on him yet.
Moreover, with Orin-sama personally boarding his ship, Doflamingo knew exactly what kind of signal this would send to the outside world.
It meant that even though Orin had publicly expressed displeasure toward him before, deep down, he still valued the Donquixote Family.
Otherwise, Orin wouldn't be here.
As long as Doflamingo could spin this narrative correctly, and with the Donquixote Family's rapidly growing power, establishing a foothold in the New World would no longer be an issue.
His family would not fall so easily.
After all, Orin-sama's name still offered him some degree of protection.
And with that, Doflamingo — the underground's unrivaled Joker — still lived on!
Accepting a glass of juice from the little maid, Orin reached out and patted her head.
"Your name's Baby-5, right?"
"Yes, Orin-sama!!!"
Downing the juice in one go, Orin set the glass down and glanced at Doflamingo's faintly tense expression. After a long pause, he spoke slowly.
"You've got a group of loyal and capable subordinates, Doffy… so…"
"Don't let me down."
Orin's crimson eyes locked onto Doflamingo, and an oppressive aura — one that felt like death itself — pressed down on him, sending cold sweat dripping down the man's back.
"From here on out, I won't put too many restrictions on your growth. But hiding the fact that you had the Hobby-Hobby Fruit…"
"I expect that to be the last time you pull something like that."
"You… understand me, don't you?"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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