More and more pirate ships scrambled to the dock, each one loaded with carefully prepared gifts for trading Devil Fruits.
These were not just priceless treasures, but symbols of the enormous price they were willing to pay for greater power.
As the ships arrived, pirates leaped from the decks and rushed inland, desperate not to miss their chance to trade with Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors.
But this was a competition, and not everyone would get their wish.
Those pirate crews who were slightly slower, seeing themselves fall behind, were immediately filled with a furious resentment.
Without hesitation, they chose the most direct solution: open fire.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The roar of cannons erupted, igniting the sky and turning the entire island into a fiery battlefield.
Amid the explosions came agonized screams as waves of pirates were blasted away, turning the scene gruesome.
The air thickened with the stench of gunpowder, making it nearly impossible to breathe.
"Damn it! You bastard, sneaking up on us like that—there's no honor in this!" an injured captain roared, his voice thick with hatred and a burning desire for victory.
"Men, fight back!" He brandished his weapon, rallying his crew for a counterattack.
Meanwhile, another captain barked orders, his gaze icy and resolute.
"Hit them hard! Beat the hell out of them! Let them know the Kun Kun Pirate Crew isn't to be messed with!"
"Fight! Fight like hell!" More commands echoed from every direction, each word brimming with determination and force.
In an instant, the island became a massive, chaotic battlefield of gunfire and flashing blades, with barely a single spot left untouched.
This scene alone was proof of just how irresistible Devil Fruits were to these pirates.
.....
The next day, as the first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds and bathed the port of Jaya, a new group of pirates arrived.
They were seething with frustration, having expected to find the legendary Whitebeard Pirates here and hoping to gain immense wealth or strength.
Instead, they were met with a crushing reality: the island was eerily quiet, with no signs of recent large-scale pirate activity.
Still, unwilling to give up, they decided to stay and search for hidden secrets.
Just as they scattered to comb every corner of the island, a lavishly decorated and uniquely designed ship slowly approached the dock.
Instead of an iconic pirate flag, its hull bore the large golden characters spelling "Donquixote."
It was Doflamingo!
As the ship docked, Doflamingo stepped onto the shore.
Holding a Den Den Mushi mid-call, he listened intently with a stern expression before abruptly ending the connection.
Pointing southeast, he commanded, "Head there."
His tone held a hint of urgency and displeasure, as though the news he'd just received had greatly unsettled him.
The sudden order sent a ripple of unease through his officers, sparking their curiosity about what was to come.
Ten minutes later, Bellamy stood trembling before his idol, his face a mask of fear and anxiety.
After much deliberation, he had ultimately decided to tell the truth.
Lying to Doflamingo was like digging his own grave, after all.
Yet, when he finished his report, Doflamingo didn't react immediately.
Instead, he remained silent, his cold expression unreadable.
The oppressive weight of that silence filled Bellamy with a terror so great he was nearly scared out of his wits.
"Bellamy, there's no need to be so nervous." Surprisingly, Doflamingo spoke with a barely perceptible gentleness.
"This isn't your fault."
Fair in his judgments, his attitude seemed to soften slightly.
Then, lifting his gaze to the sky, a flicker of curiosity and contemplation flashed in his eyes.
"To think the Whitebeard Pirates would go for the legendary Sky Island."
Next, Doflamingo scanned his surroundings, noticing more and more people flooding toward Jaya.
Their purpose was clear: they all hoped to find the Whitebeard Pirates and seize the legendary second Devil Fruit ability.
"Hmph! A bunch of parasites of the sea, dreaming of obtaining a Dual Fruit Ability—they should take a piss and see if they're even worthy!" Doflamingo sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.
The other family members echoed his contempt with cold snorts, their eyes filled with scorn for the weak.
On this ruthless sea, only the strong survived.
The weak were trampled underfoot, mere stepping stones on the path of others.
Seeing this, Diamante quickly stepped forward and suggested.
"Doffy, there's nothing left for us here.
The Whitebeard Pirates will resurface eventually. When they do, if we're the first to arrive, we'll surely obtain the fruit we seek!"
Doflamingo fell into thought before slowly rising to his feet.
His gaze fixed ahead, deep and resolute, as if piercing through the fog of uncertainty to glimpse the future.
Yet, just as he was about to turn and leave, his brow suddenly furrowed, and a trace of doubt flickered in his eyes.
"What is that…?" he murmured to himself, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
The others followed his line of sight—only to see countless warships emerging on the horizon, swarming toward Jaya in a tightly encircling formation.
The flags on these warships gleamed coldly under the sunlight, giving off an ominous premonition.
"Marines?!"
"Why are these guys here!"
Doflamingo and his crew were suddenly surrounded by the navy, which took him completely by surprise and filled him with rage.
Their original plan hadn't accounted for a direct confrontation, but now the situation had clearly escalated beyond their expectations.
"This is bad—I've become a scapegoat!"
The other family members immediately realized that the marine's appearance was likely connected to the Whitebeard Pirates' previous actions.
Although they hadn't been involved, their presence on Jaya Island had apparently made them targets as well.
This feeling of being wrongfully implicated left Doflamingo deeply dissatisfied.
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