August 24th.
Loguetown. This should have been just one of countless unassuming small towns scattered across the vast East Blue, characterized by its simplicity, tranquility, and peacefulness.
However, nothing remains unchanged forever. Recently, no, for quite a long time now, Loguetown's peace had been gradually disturbed, though it had become particularly lively lately.
It was all because of Roger, the "Pirate King" who had suddenly emerged.
Loguetown was the birthplace of the "Pirate King" and was soon to be his place of demise. Consequently, Loguetown, which should have been just one of countless unassuming small towns in the vast East Blue, began to shine brightly, attracting people with various motives from all directions.
"How ironic."
In a small café, Doflamingo leisurely sipped coffee, with Giolla and Pica beside him.
According to Spandine's inside information, the Marines had dispatched dozens of warships and tens of thousands of Marines, led by Marine "Hero" Monkey D. Garp, to gather in Loguetown.
On one hand, this was to ensure the smooth public execution of Roger. On the other, it also served to set traps and seize the opportunity to eliminate certain "seeds of evil."
Thus, before Doflamingo landed in Loguetown, he had hidden the Flamingo on a nearby island. He, Giolla, and Pica had no criminal records or bounties, so even if they appeared a bit strange compared to ordinary people, they wouldn't be targeted by Marine encirclement; at most, they would be questioned.
Trebol and Diamante, as former Pirate Supernovas, were too conspicuous, so they couldn't accompany him and were assigned to guard the ship.
"Oh~ hohohoho~ What do you mean, Young Master?" Giolla, bored, casually responded.
Doflamingo took a sip of coffee and said calmly, "I'm referring to the phenomenon of Loguetown. Everyone is exploiting Roger, and everyone expects to gain something from Roger, fufufufu~ Isn't that ironic?"
Giolla looked puzzled; she didn't understand.
"The residents of Loguetown constantly refer to Roger as 'the world's worst scoundrel' or 'a pirate brimming with evil,' as if they despise him so much. But in reality? In reality, they're secretly delighted! One hundred thousand? Hundreds of thousands? An unknown number of people, eager to witness the 'Pirate King's death,' have crowded this small place that people usually ignore. With resource scarcity, locals can even sell fresh water at high prices. They are all making a fortune from the unprecedented spectacle of Roger's public execution."
He seemed to be explaining to Giolla, yet also speaking to himself. Doflamingo's expression was playful. "The future residents of Loguetown will also benefit from Roger. Those who aspire to be the 'Pirate King' will hail Loguetown as a pirate holy land. If you don't visit Loguetown before entering the Grand Line, you won't even dare greet other pirates! The influx of people drives the economy, even if these people pose a danger."
"As for those who came to witness the 'Pirate King's death,' some don't believe the 'Pirate King' was truly arrested by the Marines, some want to admire the 'Pirate King's' grandeur, some want to investigate One Piece, and many more are simply here for entertainment, fufufufu~ That's right! Humans are such pathetic, lowly creatures. No matter how gentle their nature, there's certainly a dormant cruelty within them that revels in blood. Blood and death are the best entertainment! Especially the blood and death of a once majestic figure like Roger, how thrilling!"
Pica said blankly, "Including you?"
"Yes, Pica! Including me. I'm part of the 'everyone who expects to gain something from Roger,'" Doflamingo admitted without hesitation. "I can't claim to be noble or superior. What I expect to gain from Roger is 'witnessing a new era,' fufufufu~ That's why I know what will happen in Loguetown, and despite the Marines' heavy deployment, I still insisted on coming to Loguetown to await Roger's departure."
"Then what kind of era do you think... this 'new era' will be?"
A sudden question.
At an angle from the café, a young man shrouded in a green robe turned around, revealing a serious and capable face.
"Fufufufu~" Doflamingo laughed instead of answering. He had noticed the other party earlier but had no reason to initiate contact.
The young man met Doflamingo's gaze, waiting patiently.
"Then what do you think? Monkey D. Dragon, the son of 'Hero' Monkey D. Garp, a Marine Rear Admiral," Doflamingo casually threw Dragon's question back at him.
"Marine!?"
Creak~
Chairs scraped.
Pica and Giolla tensed, on guard.
"Sit."
Doflamingo gestured with one hand for Pica and Giolla to sit down, reassuring them there was nothing to worry about.
Dragon eyed Doflamingo suspiciously. "I don't recall being that famous."
"Chief of the Science Unit, personal bodyguard to Dr. Vegapunk, the scientist 'five hundred years ahead of human intelligence,' it's hardly a secret," Doflamingo said indifferently.
Dragon was silent for a while, then shook his head, returning to the previous topic, sighing, "I don't know, which is why I came to Loguetown."
"Haven't you already made your choice? When you abandoned your Marine duties," Doflamingo licked the corner of his lips. "Fufufufu~"
Dragon remained expressionless for a long time.
"Let's go." Setting down his empty coffee cup, Doflamingo led the way out.
Giolla and Pica guarded him cautiously, one on each side, until they were clear of the café and saw no unusual movements from Dragon.
"Young Master? Just now, you..." The preoccupied Dragon didn't notice, but Giolla did. For a fleeting moment, Doflamingo had exuded killing intent.
Doflamingo sighed, saying half-jokingly, "Nothing, I just suddenly felt like killing someone for fun, fufufufu~ On second thought, I won't. I can't afford to provoke his father, and I don't know his true strength yet."
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