New World. Dressrosa. The Royal Plateau.
Donquixote Doflamingo, wearing his signature sunglasses and pink feather coat, stared silently at the newspaper in his hands. Around the long table below him, the key officers of the Donquixote Family were assembled:
Trebol, user of the Paramecia Sticky-Sticky Fruit.
Pica, user of the Paramecia Stone-Stone Fruit.
Diamante, user of the Paramecia Flag-Flag Fruit.
Señor Pink, user of the Paramecia Swim-Swim Fruit.
Gladius, user of the Paramecia Pop-Pop Fruit.
Buffalo, user of the Paramecia Spin-Spin Fruit.
Violet, user of the Paramecia Glare-Glare Fruit.
Sugar, user of the Paramecia Hobby-Hobby Fruit.
Jora, user of the Paramecia Art-Art Fruit.
Baby 5, user of the Paramecia Weapon-Weapon Fruit.
Monet, user of the Logia Snow-Snow Fruit.
Lao G. and Dellinger.
Doflamingo had gathered them for one reason: Leo. After seeing the news, he'd immediately dispatched scouts to Totto Land. The reports confirmed everything. Doflamingo didn't care about Big Mom's fate. He cared about why Leo had gone there.
"Fufufu… Doffy, you don't think… Leo might come to Dressrosa?!" Trebol asked, his voice nasal as he tugged at his ever-dripping mucus strings. The Donquixote Family, while not on the scale of the Charlotte Family, was still a major power. And within the family were four beautiful women: Sugar, Violet, Monet, and Baby 5. Given Leo's established modus operandi, if he learned of them, it was almost a given he'd be interested. If Leo did come knocking, Doflamingo's strength alone—let alone Hancock's potential involvement—would likely be insufficient. Unless they handed the women over, the family would face Leo's cataclysmic wrath.
The officers paled as the gravity of the situation sank in. They were arrogant, but not foolish enough to dismiss Leo. Sugar, Monet, and Baby 5 grew visibly(anxious and restless), their faces etched with worry. As loyal officers, they were devoted to Doflamingo, recognizing him as their king and master. Even Leo's power couldn't sway that loyalty, but the yawning chasm in strength between them and him filled them with deep dread.
Only one officer in the hall maintained an air of calm: Violet. Not only was she unworried, she felt a flicker of anticipation. Her true identity was that of the former princess of Dressrosa. A decade ago, Doflamingo had used deceit and force to overthrow her father, King Riku, and stolen the throne. To protect her father, Violet had been forced to agree to Doflamingo's terms and join the family. But she had never forgotten the血海深仇 (deep, bloody hatred) of her ruined kingdom. Every day, she played her part, biding her time, waiting for a chance to kill Doflamingo and exact revenge. His strength had always made that impossible.
Now, an opportunity had arrived. If Leo desired women, she would use that. Compared to the fate of her nation and family, what was her own body? If Leo could kill Doflamingo and liberate Dressrosa's people, she would pay any price. A determined glint flashed in her棕褐色 (hazel-brown) eyes.
From his throne, Doflamingo's gaze swept over the four women. Aside from Violet, the later addition, Monet, Baby 5, and Sugar were his trusted confidantes, family in his eyes. He would never abandon them. Moreover, maintaining his dark grip on Dressrosa relied heavily on Sugar's unique ability.
"Fufufufu… Settle down, everyone," Doflamingo said, his trademark grin widening as he raised a hand. The chattering officers fell silent. "Fufufu… No need for concern. I've received word. Kaido has issued a kill order on Leo. The Beast Pirates are scouring the world for him."
He turned to Diamante. "From this moment, use every resource at the family's disposal. We must find Leo before he sets foot on Dressrosa." A (ruthless) light flashed in Doflamingo's narrow eyes. As an underworld emperor, his operations spanned the New World. With both the Donquixote and Beast Pirates mobilized, the entire New World would tremble. Finding one man, however powerful, was inevitable. They had fliers among their ranks. Unless Leo hid forever, any movement he made would be noticed.
Most importantly, even if Big Mom were alive, Kaido wouldn't let anything happen to Doflamingo. Their secret trade in artificial Devil Fruits, facilitated by Caesar Clown whom Doflamingo controlled, was too vital. Kaido's position as an Emperor relied heavily on his army of artificial Devil Fruit users. A (amused) smile touched Doflamingo's lips. He'd call Kaido soon, invite him to be Dressrosa's 'guardian beast.' He was confident Kaido, however reluctantly, would agree. Their fates were intertwined. If Doflamingo died, Kaido's supply of artificial fruits dried up. Instead of waiting passively, they would set a trap.
"Violet!" Doflamingo's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Y-Young Master?" she replied, her face an emotionless mask.
"From now on," he commanded, "use your ability. Watch the skies. The moment you spot Leo, notify me immediately."
As the user of the Paramecia Glare-Glare Fruit, Violet's eyes could surveil everything within a 4,000-kilometer radius—a true千里眼 (clairvoyance). This was why Doflamingo had spared and recruited her. Her fruit had no combat power, but its utility was immense.
"Understood," Violet nodded, her tone as cool and detached as ever.
The meeting adjourned. As officers filed out, Doflamingo picked up a Den Den Mushi and dialed Kaido's private line.
New World. An Uninhabited Island.
"THAT MADMAN LEO! HE KILLED BIG MOM TOO!!"
Blackbeard's eyes were bloodshot, his hands crumpling the newspaper in fury. After his ignominious retreat from Marineford, he'd entered the New World. While Leo had stolen the Gura Gura Fruit, Teach wasn't one to give up. After decades of patience and scheming within the Whitebeard Pirates, he wouldn't let his plans crumble now. Losing the tremor power was a blow, but the seas held other powerful fruits.
With this mindset, he'd led his crew into the New World,意气风发 (full of ambition). Yet, after nearly a month of searching, they'd found nothing. He'd memorized the Devil Fruit encyclopedia and knew of many potent abilities, but aside from those already claimed, he'd encountered none. This fruitless search had already put him in a foul mood. Now, seeing Leo not only in the New World but having toppled an Emperor… the rage boiled over. If Leo truly had the power to seize Devil Fruits, and if he set his sights on Teach… the precious Dark-Dark Fruit he'd worked so hard for could be stolen in an instant.
"Damn it!!" Teach snarled, his eyes venomous as he glared at Leo's picture in the paper. If he thought he stood a chance, he'd go kill Leo himself right now.
"Hic—Captain," the giant drinker Vasco Shot slurred, taking a swig. "Leo just entered the New World and wiped out an Emperor crew. Who knows what insane thing he'll do next. We should leave, go to another sea, lay low. Avoid getting caught in the crossfire." Fresh from the darkness of Impel Down, he wanted no part of this storm. Let others fight Leo; they could return when it was over.
Seeing Teach's沉默 (silence) and wavering resolve, Shot gave a meaningful look to the others.
"Captain, he's right," Lafitte the Demon Sheriff chimed in smoothly, adjusting his hat. "A living tree fears no lack of firewood. In our current state, if Leo targets us, we cannot win."
"Indeed, Captain," the sniper Van Augur added, pushing his scope up. "We've found nothing here. Why not try the Paradise half of the Grand Line, or the Four Blues? If the fruits you seek are there, who could stop us? Once we're stronger, we can return. Then, even Leo will kneel at your feet."
"ZEHAHAHAHA! GOOD!" Teach's eyes lit up, thoroughly convinced by Van Augur's logic. He was right! Gather more power, then return triumphant! Let Leo fight the other big players in the meantime. Hopefully, they'd all weaken each other. Vividly imagining the scene of himself crushing Leo underfoot, Teach stood and waved his arm. "ZEHAHAHA! Crew! Set sail for the Grand Line! If I remember right, there's a Swallow-Swallow Fruit on Drum Island! We'll take it first!"
"Captain is wise!"
"Hahaha! Gya-gya-gya! Let's go!"
"We'll deal with you later, Leo!"
Jesus Burgess and others cheered, inwardly relieved. For them, finding fruits was secondary; avoiding Leo was paramount. They all knew the value of the Dark-Dark Fruit. If Leo came for it, Teach was doomed, and they'd be left with a terrible choice. Leaving the New World to avoid Leo's锋芒 (sharp edge) was the best option.
"ZEHAHAHA! Raise the anchors! We sail for the Grand Line!"
"OOOH-OH!! To the Grand Line!"
Grand Line. The Revolutionary Army Headquarters.
Baltigo, the Isle of White Earth.
On this island of endless wind-swept sands stood numerous sturdy buildings. Inside, Revolutionary Army personnel bustled about their duties.
In the central meeting room, the Army's top officers had gathered. At the head stood their leader, Monkey D. Dragon, his face stern, clad in a deep green cloak, the red square tattoo on his left cheek prominent. As the proponent of a philosophy of freedom that had liberated dozens of nations, he was the World Government's most wanted criminal, dubbed "The World's Worst Criminal."
"Any news on Leo?" Dragon's voice was异常平静 (unnervingly calm). As a leader, he had to maintain rationality and composure at all times. Even if grief tore at him, he couldn't show it openly. But this time, he was truly angry. Even if Garp and Luffy had chosen different paths, held different ideals, the three of them shared the same blood—a familial bond that could not be severed.
"Sir," a低沉 (low) voice answered immediately from his side. The speaker had blond, curly hair and a large scar over his left eye. Sabo, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army. Also, sworn brother to the late Ace and Luffy. The first of the three to set out to sea, his initial voyage ended in an attack by Celestial Dragons that left him gravely wounded and amnesiac. Dragon rescued him, and under his guidance, Sabo rose to become the Army's second-in-command. After the Summit War, seeing the news of his brothers' deaths and their pictures in the paper provided a双重刺激 (double shock) that miraculously restored his memories. He'd never gotten to reunite with them before they were gone forever.
"Leo went to Totto Land. The Emperor Big Mom is dead," Sabo reported. "But he has since disappeared."
"Big Mom… dead?" Dragon's eyebrow raised in (surprise). There were only so many top-tier powers on the sea. For them to fall one after another to Leo's hands… was he planning to slaughter his way across the entire world?
"Sir, what are your orders?" The commander of the South Army, Lindbergh, asked, his voice tight with indignation. The Revolutionary Army's mission was to spread the ideology of freedom and overthrow the World Government. But their leader's son and father had been killed by the same man. That debt could not be ignored!
Other officers clenched their fists, eager for action. One word from Dragon, and the full might of the Revolutionary Army would be unleashed against Leo. While the Four Emperors were the most famous powers, few realized the Revolutionary Army's strength matched or even surpassed any single Emperor crew!
Dragon(pondered for a long moment). "Karasu," he said finally, addressing the commander of the North Army. "Dispatch your men to the New World. Keep close watch on the Red Hair Pirates, the Beast Pirates, and other major underworld players. The moment Leo's location is confirmed, notify me immediately."
"Understood, Sir," Karasu nodded, his voice a rasp from within his crow-like cloak.
"Good. We'll leave the Leo matter there for now." Dragon reined in his anger, changing the subject. "Sabo. What is the status of the Doflamingo operation?"
"Sir, several days ago, Koala, Hack, and Mota set out for Dressrosa. They should be arriving soon based on their schedule. We've already gathered some leads. This trip should yield concrete evidence of Doflamingo's smuggling operations," Sabo reported faithfully.
A flicker of relief passed over Dragon's stern features. Finally, some good news.
"Sir, I also have a report." The commander of the East Army, Belo Betty, spoke up.
"Go ahead," Dragon gestured.
"I've just received word that several of Whitebeard's former division commanders—Marco the Phoenix, Vista, and Jozu—are actively seeking out the Revolutionary Army. They've put out feelers about a potential… alliance."
"An alliance?" Dragon frowned, then quickly understood. Until now, the Revolutionaries and Whitebeard Pirates had operated separately, neither interfering with the other. Their sudden interest could only be about one thing: Leo. Their father, Whitebeard, had also died by Leo's hand. They shared a common enemy.
"Find Marco. Bring him to me," Dragon ordered without hesitation. With Whitebeard's death, his once-mighty crew had fragmented and fallen from Emperor status. But the strength of commanders like Marco was still formidable. If they could be brought into the Revolutionary fold, it would be a significant boost to their power.
"Right away, Sir." Betty nodded and left to carry out the order.
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T/N :
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