Doflamingo let out a thunderous roar.
In such a short time, two of the people he trusted most—whom he regarded as family—had been slain by that unknown man-eating monster. But it wasn't grief for their deaths that fueled his fury—it was humiliation. The fact that his enemy toyed with him like a fool… that was what drove him into a rage.
Rumble…
Just then, from inside the House of Toys, a horde of pirates and New World fighters who had regained their human forms burst forth.
"It's Doflamingo!"
"Don't be afraid—let's fight him!"
"You trapped me in that place for nearly eight years! Doflamingo, I'll kill you today, I swear!"
The crowd of furious pirates roared and surged toward Doflamingo like a tidal wave.
"Jora, Señor… You two, stay outside—and shut the damn door on your way out."
Doflamingo raised his head with a grim, icy expression, staring down the fools rushing at him.
Jora and Señor Pink exchanged a glance, then closed the broken door and stood in front of it, blocking the entrance.
Even so, they couldn't block out the gut-wrenching howls and wails coming from inside.
…
"Savior! Savior!"
As he hurried over, Kyros suddenly spotted Lance in the distance and waved frantically.
"Kyros. Seems you've regained your body."
Lance glanced at him coolly, a cigarette between his lips.
"Thank goodness you're safe, savior!"
"I thought you were going to confront Doflamingo head-on. I was on my way to assist you… but now I see, you're even wiser than I imagined."
Kyros let out a sigh of relief.
"I already said… it's not time yet. I want Doflamingo to feel that kind of pain. To taste the torment of being toyed with."
A cold gleam flashed in Lance's eyes.
"Come on. Let's go find a new hideout. After tonight, Doflamingo's rage will reach its peak. He'll do anything—even come after us himself."
"The abandoned factory's no longer safe. I need a more hidden location. And during this time, make sure Rebecca doesn't mention me too much. You know better than anyone what consequences that could bring."
Lance spoke expressionlessly.
"Savior, I understand! Thank you for everything you've done. I, Kyros, will never forget your grace!"
Kyros bowed deeply to express his gratitude.
Not only had Lance saved Rebecca from the traffickers, he'd also destroyed the House of Toys and returned Kyros to human form.
Now, he could face Rebecca not as a one-legged soldier—but as her rightful father, living openly beside her.
"If you want to thank someone… thank Doflamingo. His tyranny is what brought him this disaster."
…
The next day, the entire event was kept under wraps. No one knew what had really happened in Dressrosa that night.
But due to Sugar's coma, the contracts were lifted. Many began recalling lost loved ones—people who had vanished years ago.
Doflamingo did his best to suppress the news. Even though memories were restored, there was little the victims could do after such long absences.
Still, from that day onward, a deep unease settled over Dressrosa.
On the seventh day after Trebol's death…
Another of Doflamingo's officers, Machvise, the Ton-Ton Fruit user, was found dead in the recently reopened Corrida Colosseum.
By the time anyone found his remains, it was already the next day… and all that was left was a bare skeleton.
On the tenth day…
Yet another officer, Dellinger—the half-fishman with fighting fish genes and an awakened body—was found dead in the Colosseum's lounge.
His body had also been completely devoured, not a trace left behind.
On the twentieth day…
Gladius, the Pamu-Pamu Fruit user with explosive powers, was killed during a night patrol in the center of Dressrosa.
This time, it wasn't a mystery.
In broad daylight, his heart was pierced clean through and swallowed by a bandaged monster.
The soldiers accompanying Gladius were all killed on the spot. Their corpses were devoured just as thoroughly.
By the time Doflamingo arrived—only a pile of bones remained.
Blood soaked the streets. It felt like Dressrosa was being gripped by a giant, invisible hand.
There was no escape.
Anyone marked by the man-eating monster—whether officer or soldier—was doomed. None survived. None were left whole.
On the thirtieth day…
Late at night, in the skies over Dressrosa, a large, chubby figure wearing thick chains and a heavy overcoat patrolled the area. A pirate emblem was engraved into his teeth.
Riding on his back was a woman in a maid outfit, eyepatch, cigarette between her lips.
They were longtime partners—Buffalo, the Spin-Spin Fruit user, and Baby 5, the Arms-Arms Fruit user.
"Buffalo, you think that monster can't reach us in the sky, right?"
Baby 5 scanned the streets below while puffing smoke, searching for anything suspicious.
"Relax. That freak may be powerful, but he can only attack people on the ground… Still, he's terrifying. Gladius, Machvise, Dellinger—they all died without even sending a flare. That says enough about how strong he is!"
"Baby 5, I'm telling you—if we see him, don't engage! Fire the flare right away! I don't want to face him directly. That guy scares the hell out of me!"
Buffalo trembled.
"Fine, fine."
"Big body, tiny courage."
Baby 5 rolled her eyes.
"Dellinger was brave—look how that turned out."
Buffalo replied, "Only the Young Master can stop him now. We don't stand a chance. Let's just focus on finding him."
As the two discussed, they didn't notice what was right below them…
On a nearby rooftop, three black, ghostly figures crouched silently—gazing up at them.
(End of Chapter)
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