Hearing Doflamingo finally give the word, the middle-ranking officers behind him, who had long been unable to contain their excitement, surged forward.
They were like a pack of hungry wolves that had just spotted a kill, their eyes wide with avarice and ambition.
"Then I'll choose the Glint-glint Fruit!" Diamante's eyes blazed with fervor as he tightly grabbed one of the glowing yellow fruits, his excitement barely concealable.
He could already envision it: his invincible cape defense combined with the speed of light.
He would be untouchable, the greatest hero the Corrida Colosseum had ever seen!
"I say, I say, the Ice-Ice Fruit is the most powerful! I'll be the strongest man!" Trebol unhesitatingly snatched one of the frosty blue fruits.
Pica stood before the table, his brow slightly furrowed as he gazed at the tempting pile, a rare wave of indecision stirring in his heart.
His eyes swept back and forth.
His Stone-stone Fruit was unique, allowing him to become one with his fortress.
But the power of an Admiral... After a long moment, he took a deep breath and finally picked up an Ice-Ice Fruit, murmuring to himself in his high-pitched voice.
"Swimming in ice isn't exactly losing my previous abilities. It's just a different kind of terrain to merge with."
Bellamy, on the other hand, showed zero hesitation.
His gaze was firmly fixed on the two pale pink Float-Float Fruits.
He reached out and grabbed one, shouting loudly, his voice thick with emotion.
"I choose this one! This time, I will definitely succeed!"
One by one, a total of six people selected Devil Fruits.
The remaining fourteen members of Doflamingo's inner circle, including those not present, would be bound by the other contracts, their loyalty and service pledged in exchange for future abilities or benefits.
This was a necessary precaution.
If these replicated fruits were to spread to the outside world without control, it would cause disastrous consequences.
Ron, in particular, had no intention of letting Doflamingo drive up prices or use the fruits to swindle and deceive others.
After all the necessary contracts were signed on the glowing, golden leaves from the Tree of Covenant, the entire space seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. The deal was done.
Once all the contracts were finalized, Doflamingo bid farewell to the group, his mind already racing with plans for his newly empowered crew.
However, just as he turned to take his first step, Ron's gaze fell upon him.
He spoke slowly, his voice calm and casual, yet every word landed with the weight of a mountain.
"Joker. One last thing. If you ever wish to sign a contract like Shiki's… to bind yourself to me in exchange for true, guaranteed power… my door is always open."
"..."
Doflamingo froze for a moment, then slowly raised his hand and gently pressed his long, spider-like fingers to his forehead, as if trying to physically process the sheer audacity of Ron's words.
The offer was a temptation and an insult, a golden opportunity wrapped in a velvet-lined cage.
Immediately after, his signature, wild, high-pitched laughter echoed through the space.
"Fufufufufu! Vice-Captain Ron, you drive a hard bargain. But this Heavenly Yaksha will quickly gather the 100 billion Belly for a proper, guaranteed enchantment!" He would not be leashed.
"As for the other contract, let's not mention it again. Fufufu... aren't we already partners? All my subordinates have signed contracts with your crew. We are bound, in our own way."
Ron nodded slightly, his expression unchanged, and said calmly.
"That works too."
With that, he turned his head slightly and looked at Kingdew.
"Kingdew, escort our guests out. Make sure they leave safely."
"Yes, Vice-Captain."
....
On the sparkling, sun-drenched sea of the New World…
A majestic ship, its single mast flying the flag of a Yonko, cut through the waves, sailing steadily forward.
The atmosphere on board was generally quite lively.
A group of bold, unrestrained, and passionate pirates sat together, laughing and drinking merrily.
Amid the bustling scene, the skull-and-crossbones flag with three prominent, vertical red scars over the left eye stood out strikingly.
It was the ship of the Yonko, Red-Haired Shanks.
"Shanks, we're about to see Uta. Can you wipe that miserable scowl off your face?" Benn Beckman shouted with a weary laugh, his voice echoing across the deck.
"Yeah, Captain, do you really want Uta to see you looking like you just lost a drinking contest to Kaido? She'll definitely be upset," Lucky Roux chimed in, tearing into a massive leg of meat.
"That girl must miss you a lot, Captain. It's been so many years. She's old enough to understand what happened back then," Yasopp added, taking a big gulp of his drink.
Shanks stood quietly at the bow, his one arm resting on the railing.
He gazed into the distance where the outline of a small, elegant island was gradually coming into view.
Elegia, the island of music.
His eyes were filled with a deep, profound concern, his thoughts involuntarily drifting back to that terrible day.
That incident… it couldn't be explained in just a few words.
It was like a deep, festering scar carved into his heart.
And that thing… the monster they had sealed away… it absolutely must never be released.
"I only wish for Uta to live a happy, normal life," Shanks spoke slowly, his voice tinged with a helplessness and melancholy that was rare for him.
Yet deep down, he knew this might just be a futile hope.
Uta had become a world-renowned singer, a global idol, her voice shining like the brightest star in the night sky.
She was steadily advancing toward her own dream, her own "New Genesis," with an unwavering, almost fanatical determination.
Her dedication made him both proud and deeply, deeply anxious.
Under such circumstances, how could a girl with that much passion, and that much power, possibly be content with an "ordinary" life?
Beckman watched his captain's desolate figure and gently patted his shoulder.
"Whatever happens, happens," he said with profound sincerity. "Let nature take its course."
.....
Marine Headquarters, New Marineford…
The previously destroyed fortress, a symbol of the Marines' greatest victory and greatest loss, was nearly reborn.
The new, central tower now stood fully erect, its external structure complete.
It shimmered with a bright, metallic luster under the sunlight, a defiant proclamation of the Marines' indomitable will.
Inside, however, restoration work continued at a frantic pace.
Marines moved busily throughout the structure, meticulously attending to every detail—from wall painting to floor installation, from weapons testing to communications setup.
At the current pace, the new headquarters would be fully operational within a week, standing majestically over these waters once more.
While veterans moved materials, the new generation was being forged in fire.
In another area, the new recruit training ground was a vibrant, intense scene of brutal exercise.
A large group of recruits, the future of the Marines, underwent rigorous training under the scorching sun.
The entire ground had become a massive steamer, yet they stood in neat, unwavering formations, their uniforms soaked with sweat.
Their drill instructor, a battle-hardened Vice Admiral, stood before them, his voice booming with the power of a cannon.
"All of you, stay focused!" his voice echoed across the training ground.
"If you don't want to be slaughtered by pirates, you train harder! Your books, your families, your sweethearts… they might all deceive you! But your body and your efforts never will! Push past your limits, or die!"