Law—the Ope Ope no Mi (Operation-Operation Fruit) user—had once met Creed when he was still young. Back then, Creed used a Devil Fruit ability to extract the Ope Ope no Mi lodged within Law's body.
Hunted by Doflamingo for years, Law survived, grew, and mastered the power of the fruit. Now he had returned for revenge.
But he never imagined Doflamingo would end up like this.
"Creed…?"
Seeing Doflamingo and several of his family officers reduced to this pitiful state, the killing intent raging in Law's heart ebbed away.
Killing these old, broken remnants would be less satisfying than letting them crawl on in disgrace until death—let retribution strike harder.
"Corazon, can you see this from the heavens?"
Law murmured.
Corazon had died protecting his escape; that wound would never heal. Even now, Law often dreamed of that day—crouching helpless in a crate, drowning in grief and horror like an unending nightmare…
The next moment, flames kindled in his eyes—
and within the blaze surged a burning will to kill.
Even if Doflamingo had become like this, Law still wouldn't spare them.
Because the sins they'd sown were far too great.
"Ahhh!"
Amid dying screams, Law shouldered his long blade and walked out of the prison. In his hand he carried a paper bag that looked like it might be filled with fruit.
"Creed!"
New World—on a small island only three to four li across, Creed finally rendezvoused with Crocodile and the others.
Seizing the chance, Creed reorganized his people, dividing them into five divisions:
First Division, under Crocodile;
Second Division, under Moria;
Third Division, under Bartolomeo;
Fourth Division, under Cavendish;
Fifth Division, dedicated to support and battlefield medical aid, under Robin with Perona assisting.
He also appointed Redfield to be vice-captain.
Creed had thought these subordinates—most of whom had barely met—would need time to truly come together and form fighting strength.
Who knew that the moment he appeared, everyone's eyes brimmed with respect and awe; they were utterly obedient.
Crocodile deserved some credit, but the biggest reason was obvious: news of Creed defeating Big Mom on Fish-Man Island had spread.
In that case, the campaign to overthrow should be accelerated—put on the agenda as soon as possible.
But before that, Creed needed to escort Princess Shirahoshi to Whitebeard, then deal with his own business.
To be honest, Creed wasn't fully certain about taking down Big Mom; after all, he didn't know whether Big Mom and Kaido had allied, and adding Shiki into the mix…
So, he planned to use this escort mission to see if he could form an alliance with Whitebeard.
If Whitebeard offered aid, then even if Kaido backed Big Mom, Creed had nothing to fear.
On this trip, he'd also sound out Whitebeard—whether he had any interest in joining forces to topple the World Government.
After sharing oath cups with all his men and feasting to their hearts' content, Creed privately sought out Crocodile to ask about recent developments and informed him that he'd be away for a while.
He also laid down new restraints for the ranks: no division was allowed to raid or plunder; all time was to be spent on drills and combat training—push battle-readiness to the peak in the shortest span.
"In that case, our coffers only last two months," Crocodile said, troubled.
Everyone knew pirates didn't produce; to live, they robbed and plundered.
And with Creed demanding intensified training, rations and supplies had to rise accordingly—consumption would skyrocket.
Even with Crocodile and Moria's considerable hoards, plus some windfalls these past days, it would only cover about two months.
After all, that many mouths had to eat.
"No problem. I've got thirty billion belly here—take it as contingency funds."
With a flip of his hand, Creed produced several chests of cash and handed them to Crocodile, making the latter's eyes go wide.
As if thirty billion belly was nothing but drizzle to Creed.
If he knew Creed still held around a hundred billion more, along with peerless treasures worth far beyond that, his eyeballs would probably pop out.
"Alright, everything's in your hands. Oh, and don't raise the banner of 'toppling the World Government' just yet. We'll talk after I unify the New World."
Creed spoke these world-shaking words as casually as small talk, leaving Crocodile inwardly thunderstruck and fervent.
Such grand claims should've sounded absurd, yet from Creed's mouth they felt natural—inevitable.
Perhaps he'd seen too many impossibilities turned to miracles by this captain and grown numb.
For two decades the Four Emperors had ruled the New World; no one had ever successfully challenged them—Creed had done it with ease. And those unlucky Marine admirals…
"By the way, Captain—the Revolutionary Army just got in touch. Their leader, Dragon, hopes to meet you."
A moment later, Crocodile delivered a piece of news that set Creed thinking.
The leader of the Revolutionary Army was called Monkey D. Dragon—Garp's son. He'd once been a Marine; who knew what he'd experienced to abandon the Marines and take the road of overthrowing the Celestial Dragons.
Toward this elder he'd never met, Creed was quite curious and didn't refuse. "Give me his contact. I'll reach out myself."
Even without being told, Creed could guess Dragon's aim: most likely to join forces against the World Government.
If history hadn't swerved too far, the Revolutionary Army's situation was poor right now under the Government's intensified suppression—caught in a bind.
So it was normal for Dragon to seek an alliance with a newly crowned Fifth Emperor and use Creed's strength to break the stalemate.
(End of Chapter)
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