Aboard the Ark Maxim, although the Donquixote Pirates were filled with fighting spirit, laughter, and cheers, some still harbored worries. And for some, even if their faces were wreathed in smiles, the sorrow in their hearts could not be dispelled.
Doflamingo was aware of their concerns, but everything was already set in stone. The few of them just needed to ensure their own safety.
"Alright, rest assured. Isn't it just one confrontation with the Marines? Such a situation was bound to come sooner or later; it has merely arrived a bit earlier now," Doflamingo said comfortingly, looking at the still somewhat worried Ibes and Robin.
"Young Master, I believe you will definitely return safely!" Baby 5 clenched her fists, staring intently at Doflamingo.
"I definitely will!" Doflamingo lifted his head and said a sentence to the sky.
The others also looked at the sky. Besides the dazzling sun, there were only birds flying freely.
"He definitely will!" The others also understood Doflamingo's meaning and murmured in unison.
"Alright, now it's time for us to prepare as well," Doflamingo withdrew his gaze and looked at everyone once more.
Ibes, hearing Doflamingo's words, also understood his meaning. After clearing her throat, she began to state: "Next, the island we will reach is Puerco Island. It is a lawless island. For the Marines, it's the most suitable place for them to set up an ambush."
"Puerco Island, huh? The Marines sure know how to pick a spot," Doflamingo mused after hearing this. The others also looked thoughtful.
"Then, Doffy, are we just going to swagger right into their ambush?" Diamante asked in return.
"Of course, we'll just fight our way through! What encirclement? We'll smash it directly!" Enel, a firm believer in brute force, thought that schemes and tricks were worthless in the face of absolute strength.
"I think we should wait and see. Falling into their encirclement is not a good thing," Gladius also voiced his opinion. After all, their lives were at stake; if things went wrong, it would be over for them. How could they not be cautious?
If they were as reckless as Enel, the Donquixote Pirates would truly be annihilated.
"Young Master, why don't we avoid the Marines? Since we already know they're on Puerco Island, can't we just not go?" Buffalo raised a question.
What Buffalo said was indeed true. However, to the ears of Enel and the others, it sounded different.
"Buffalo, you little brat, what do you know?!" Enel was furious. Wasn't this suggesting they flee before even fighting? Did they not even have a shred of courage to fight? Were they scared just by seeing the Marines' lineup?
"I…?" Buffalo was too intimidated to speak.
Regarding Buffalo's words, Robin and the others didn't think much of it; on the contrary, they felt it was quite right. But for Doflamingo and his core group, this was a battle they could not evade.
Whether they could win or not, they had to fight at least once. Constantly fleeing was ultimately useless. Only by making the Marines understand that the Donquixote Pirates were not to be trifled with would they feel fear.
They had to let the Marines know the strength of their Donquixote Pirates. This was the reason Doflamingo was willing to fight them.
Enemies themselves weren't terrifying. Only when you beat them until it hurts, until you kill them, will they fear you. Similarly, only by making them recognize the strength of the Donquixote Pirates would they not target the Donquixote Pirates so easily in the future.
If they wanted to deal with the Donquixote Pirates again, they would have to think thrice, weighing the gains and losses.
"Alright, no more talk like this in the future. We do not fear the Marines or anyone else. It's time to let the world know the great name of our Donquixote Pirates!" Doflamingo interrupted Enel's scolding of Buffalo.
"Doffy is right! It's time to let them know that not every pirate crew can be easily dealt with by them! We, the Donquixote Pirates, are not ants they can casually crush!" Diamante echoed.
"Right!" Enel said excitedly.
"When we reach Puerco Island, we'll give them a big surprise directly! Rather than passively enduring, it's better to take the initiative to attack!" Doflamingo also made his decision. As for how to take the initiative, they would know when they reached Puerco Island.
"That's how it should be!" Enel strongly agreed with Doflamingo's statement.
"Since that's the case, I'll go check on Law first," Ibes, knowing Doflamingo and the others had made their decision, said no more and naturally took her leave.
As the caring big sister, she naturally had to comfort the vigorously growing little seedling of the Donquixote Pirates.
Doflamingo nodded, indicating he understood.
"Now, we just wait for them to come!"
After concluding their discussion, everyone went about their own business – some polishing weapons, others adjusting their mindset. Everyone was very busy, preparing for the upcoming great battle.
Elsewhere, at the stern of the Ark Maxim, leaning against the deck, Law sat alone, his fists clenched tightly. Law wasn't dissatisfied because Doflamingo and the others weren't taking him along; rather, he was dissatisfied with his own weakness.
Although his wanted poster boasted a bounty as high as two hundred million Berries, Law, knowing the truth, understood that this was fundamentally a bounty for the Op-Op Fruit; he himself was not yet qualified to enjoy such high treatment.
"Law, are you still sulking? Doffy is also doing this for our own good," Ibes walked over to Law's side and sat down with him.
"I know. I just feel that I'm too useless, too weak! When will I ever be able to truly help Young Master Doflamingo?" Law said, his head bowed, his voice low.
"Law, you mustn't say that! We've all seen your efforts. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Doffy is fighting so desperately precisely to protect the Family. What we should do is obey Doffy's orders and not burden him further. That in itself is helping Doffy." Ibes stroked Law's head, comforting him.
"But I don't want to help like this!" Law peacefully enjoyed the warmth between family members, yet his heart was still filled with unwillingness.
"When you grow up, it will be alright. This sea will sooner or later know your renowned name! Don't be too anxious. We aren't anxious, so why are you? Besides, we seniors aren't dead yet; where would it be your turn? You are the seedling of our Donquixote Family!" Ibes once again gently stroked Law's head.
"But…" Law, hearing Ibes's words, still wanted to say something more, but Ibes pinched his mouth shut with her hand.
"Ibeh… Ih-ter… wha… ah… oo… oing… Weh… goh… meh…" Law, his mouth pinched by Ibes, could only speak indistinctly.
"Haha, Law, you look so funny like this!" Ibes looked at Law's expression and burst out laughing.
"Hmph!" Law actually blushed, turned his back, and ignored Ibes.
"What's wrong, Law? Are you feeling much better now?" Ibes patted Law on the back.
"Thank you, Sister Ibes!" Law said, turning his head.
Ibes once again patted Law's head.
"Sister Ibes, if you keep patting my head, I won't grow taller! I want to grow up quickly!" Law pouted and grumbled, though in his heart, he was quite enjoying it.
"Ah! Is that so! I won't do it next time." Ibes covered her mouth, chuckled secretly, then gave Law a promise, though her hand movements didn't stop.
Law also enjoyed it with a proud look on his face. The scene was exceedingly harmonious.
Just as Doflamingo and his crew were settling on their countermeasures, the World Government's summons was rapidly transmitted to the various Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Amazon Lily. The youngest and most beautiful of the Seven Warlords, Empress Hancock, also received the World Government's order.
Hancock, arrogant, conceited, and disdainful of the World Government, had no interest in obeying their commands. She simply left the Marine personnel sent to deliver the message hanging. In any case, Amazon Lily was located in the Calm Belt; the Marines currently had no way to reach it and could only wait outside for the Empress's reply.
Apart from Elder Nyon of Amazon Lily, who constantly tried to persuade Hancock, no one else dared to open their mouth to advise her. However, Elder Nyon's efforts were also in vain. How could Hancock, who extremely detested the World Government, possibly help them?
Thus, Hancock and Elder Nyon remained at a standstill, while the Marines could only wait tens of miles away for the Empress's reply. For the Marines who might catch a glimpse of the Empress's beauty, such a wait was not boring at all; it could even be said to be a cushy assignment.
Florian Triangle, the habitat of the Thriller Bark Pirates. Gecko Moria also received the World Government's message. For Moria, who had an inexplicable obsession with the corpses of strong individuals, there was nothing better than war. He was also very willing to stir the muddy waters and joyfully accepted the World Government's order, preparing to head to the Holy Land Mariejois for a meeting.
Old Sand Crocodile, ever since being defeated by Whitebeard, had been constantly searching for the secret weapon, placing all his hopes on it, which had caused his own strength to stagnate.
Crocodile similarly received the World Government's call, but he had no interest. Right now, he was completely focused on Pluton; he had obtained some clues and had no time to dally with the World Government.
He refused without any surprise! The World Government could do nothing about it, though the extent of their frustration and resentment was immeasurable.
Mihawk, drifting on the seas, had originally planned to seek out the Donquixote Pirates. Upon receiving the World Government's summons, it was a perfect alignment of plans. He immediately changed the course of his boat and headed off to meet with the other Seven Warlords.
Tyrant Kuma, needless to say, had been waiting for a long time.
Holy Land Mariejois. In a meeting room, the Seven Warlords of the Sea arrived one after another.
Vice Admiral Tsuru, as the host, naturally had to keep an eye on these people.
"When can we depart?" Mihawk asked, looking at Vice Admiral Tsuru, his sharp eyes fixed on her, speaking bluntly.
"When all of you have arrived," Tsuru replied unhurriedly.
"Kishishishishi! Then they might never all arrive!" Gecko Moria said with a laugh.
Tyrant Kuma remained silent, not speaking, as if everything had nothing to do with him.
"This isn't satisfactory to me. If you Marines don't plan to make a move, then I can go first myself," Mihawk said, rising. The Black Blade Yoru on his back glinted with a cold light, inspiring awe.
"All of you, be patient. You will be notified soon enough," Tsuru said calmly, not taking Mihawk's words to heart.
Mihawk, seeing this, also sat down again, closing his eyes and waiting for news.
Vice Admiral Tsuru, seeing this, also relaxed. The Seven Warlords of the Sea – a nice title, helpers of the World Government – were actually all a bunch of troublemakers. Tsuru naturally didn't have a good impression of them, but for the sake of the mission, she had to endure.
In the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku answered a call. "How are things?" he inquired.
"Everything is proceeding systematically under your arrangements. Right now, Donquixote Doflamingo and his crew are still on Erergo Island. It won't be long before they reach Puerco Island," the voice on the other end of the line reported truthfully regarding Doflamingo's intelligence.
"Good. We absolutely must not let Doflamingo and his crew escape!" Sengoku replied with satisfaction.
"Yes, sir!"
Sengoku also hung up the call and said to himself, "This time, let's see how you run, Donquixote Doflamingo. Just surrender obediently!"
While the Marines were busy with their intense preparations, Doflamingo was leisurely waiting for his prey.
Time passed, second by second. However, only five days remained before the great battle at Puerco Island.
At that time, the curtain on the great war would be raised.
_______
+50 chapters on: patreon.com/Shinobi_Scrolls