Doflamingo, having made his arrangements, returned to his room with Monet's gentle company, preparing for the upcoming great battle at Puerco Island. Doflamingo also planned to impart some battlefield insights to Monet.
In Doflamingo's room, Monet sat on a chair like an obedient student, listening to Doflamingo's instruction.
"Here, have a drink," Doflamingo handed Monet a glass of red wine.
Monet accepted it and, without hesitation, downed it in one gulp.
Doflamingo did the same. An unspoken understanding passed between them, yet neither spoke, savoring the tenderness of the moment.
Having had some red wine, Monet's little face was somewhat flushed. She put down her wine glass, her small hands somewhat helplessly wrapped around herself, looking a little lonely.
Doflamingo sipped his red wine, casually admiring Monet's beauty.
The room was very quiet; their heartbeats were clearly audible. Neither was willing to break the silence, enjoying the gentle intimacy between them.
"Let's begin!"
"Oh, alright," Monet replied after a moment's pause.
The teaching commenced.
Monet listened attentively to Doflamingo's instruction. For Monet, Doflamingo also put in a great deal of effort, imparting all the knowledge he possessed to her. To make Monet stronger, Doflamingo spared no pains in this regard. After all, the great battle was not far off; Monet couldn't afford to waste a single moment. She had to seize the time to become stronger.
The contest of the strong was truly extraordinary!
Monet listened earnestly to Doflamingo's teaching, but whether it was because the room was too hot or due to the wine, Monet, who had eaten the Snow-Snow Fruit, actually felt a sensation of heat.
Faced with Doflamingo's intensive instruction, Monet, who had neglected her studies for a long time, found the learning somewhat strenuous. After all, becoming strong wasn't so easily achieved.
However, Monet's endurance tonight was indeed much worse than usual. She kept getting distracted, making even Doflamingo unable to help but criticize her. If she couldn't even bear such a small amount of "pain" and couldn't focus, how could she become stronger?
Monet didn't argue, merely looking at Doflamingo somewhat apologetically, her voice soft, yet extremely earnest, "Young Master, I know I was wrong. I will focus. To become stronger, I can endure any hardship. This little bit of suffering is nothing. I want to become even stronger!"
"Very good, Monet! You must know, the battlefield is merciless. When the time comes, even I won't be able to help you." Doflamingo also gently stroked Monet's flushed cheek and thoughtfully wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
"Look at you, Monet. You lack exercise too much; you're already breaking out in a cold sweat. You were too weak before. Your time as a fugitive must have been very hard, but that's no reason for you to be a weakling!" Doflamingo reached out, his hand on Monet's forehead, and very carefully and gently wiped away the sweat. This made Monet look at Doflamingo with even more tenderness.
"Young Master! I can do it myself," Monet gently grabbed Doflamingo's large hand that was wiping her sweat, displaying her stubbornness. It was precisely because Doflamingo was wiping her sweat that she looked so embarrassed.
"What, still shy? What's there to be embarrassed about? I know you're very tired, but you must hold on," Doflamingo gently caressed Monet's face, making Monet blush deeply. She wanted to pull away, to create some distance between them, but due to her physical exhaustion, she ended up falling into Doflamingo's embrace.
"Young Master! Let us continue our training. I feel I've become much stronger again. Indeed, effort does not deceive me," Monet said somewhat shyly. Her eyes, shimmering like spring water, dared not look at Doflamingo, yet her mind hadn't forgotten his teachings, reviewing the content Doflamingo had imparted.
"Then let us practice once more. Remember, the sweat and effort required by the strong are appallingly vast. Monet, I believe you will become a strong person," Teacher Doflamingo instructed. When it came to teaching student Monet to become stronger, he was very serious, holding nothing back, imparting everything he knew to her.
"Young Master, I'll remember! No matter how difficult the road ahead, I will persevere! I will definitely accompany the Young Master to the peak!" Monet said, looking at Doflamingo seriously, her expression very earnest.
"I know, Monet. I have felt that fervent heart of yours, wanting to become stronger. I have seen all your efforts. We will definitely stand at the pinnacle of the world," Doflamingo said, his tone somewhat chiding.
"Okay, okay! We definitely will, Young Master!" Monet also replied, somewhat fatigued. The two then immersed themselves in the "teaching."
When the "teaching" ended, Monet lay on Doflamingo's chest, her small hand gently caressing the scar there. She asked tiredly, "Young Master, did I become much stronger today?"
"Monet, your progress is indeed obvious!" Doflamingo was also very satisfied with Monet's performance, praising her generously.
Monet was also very satisfied, the blush on her face never quite disappearing. Who knew if it was shyness.
"However, don't become arrogant. Strength isn't achieved overnight. Next time, you will be even stronger. I look forward to your progress," Doflamingo's tone shifted as he warned Monet.
"Okay then, Lord Young Master!" Monet seemed not to have heard Doflamingo's warning, her words extremely gentle, almost causing Doflamingo's old "injuries" to relapse.
"It's time to rest!"
After the frenzied "teaching" session, the two quietly embraced and slept.
A long time later, Doflamingo was asleep, but Monet was not. Her eyes were open, gazing at Doflamingo's handsome, sharply defined face, her own expression one of infatuation.
Monet cradled Doflamingo's head, placing it upon her own soft pillow. Doflamingo's stern face relaxed; after all, having a pillow was very comfortable. Without one, one could easily get a stiff neck.
"Rest well, my dear Young Master," Monet murmured, her tender, boneless little hand gently caressing Doflamingo's face.
Tonight was destined to be an extraordinary night. Some were frenzied, some were joyful, and some were troubled.
Marine Headquarters, Marinfod. It was already deep into the night, yet the lights in the Fleet Admiral's office were still on.
Sengoku diligently reviewed the reports, maps, and intelligence in his hands, analyzing everything. He had to ensure there were no mistakes, absolutely not allowing Doflamingo to escape.
This was an excellent opportunity. The World Government taking the initiative to attack – this was very rare. They absolutely could not miss this chance. Otherwise, if Doflamingo escaped, such an opportunity might not come again until the year of the monkey and the month of the horse.
"Damn Sand Crocodile and Nine Snakes Empress! How dare they not come! Such audacity!" Sengoku muttered, looking at the latest intelligence on the Seven Warlords, feeling indignant.
After speaking, he once again looked at the map of the ambush site. As for the residents on the island, they were not within Sengoku's considerations.
As long as Doflamingo could be brought to justice, such a small sacrifice, in Sengoku's and their view, was completely worth it. At worst, they could sink the island afterward and blame it on pirates. As expected of the World Government's loyal dog, even the excuse was already prepared.
Evidently, they had done such things many times.
"Those two fellows, so ungrateful. I'll give them one last chance tomorrow!" Sengoku murmured to himself. Having made his arrangements, he meticulously checked everything once more.
Finally, the lights in the Fleet Admiral's office also returned to darkness.
The next day, the newborn sunlight shone upon every member of the Donquixote Pirates.
Baby 5 looked at Monet curiously. She felt that Monet today was exceptionally beautiful, with an indescribable charm in her every movement.
"Monet, you look in such good spirits today! Your skin is even better than mine! How did you do it?" Baby 5 praised Monet.
Hearing Baby 5's words, Monet's face also turned somewhat rosy, her eyes curving like crescent moons, unable to hide her joy in the slightest.
"Ohohoho, Baby 5, this is an adult matter. You'll understand when you grow up," Monet bent down, leaned close to Baby 5's ear, and said with a mischievous smile.
"Hmph! Monet, you bad thing!" Baby 5, not getting the answer she wanted, was indignant for a moment.
The playful banter between the two made everyone feel quite cheerful. With a great battle imminent, a lighthearted atmosphere was much better than a grave one. Excessive pressure would overwhelm them.
"It's time to set off. We will now split into two groups. Robin, Ibes, Law, you three just need to ensure your own safety," Doflamingo said to those who were about to depart.
"I understand, Brother."
"We will, Young Master!"
"I await your good news, Young Master Doflamingo."
"I will protect the safety of all Lord Executives!" Red-Leg Zeff, as a new addition, volunteered bravely.
"Just you?" Law, hearing Red-Leg Zeff's words, was somewhat unconvinced. He hadn't fallen so low as to need someone else to protect him.
In Law's mind, he was the one who should be protecting these people. His responsibility was very heavy; this was a man's duty.
"Then let us have a bout," Red-Leg Zeff, also somewhat proud, challenged. A mere greenhorn brat dared to question him.
Doflamingo watched the confrontation between the two with considerable amusement. Anyway, they weren't lacking this little bit of time; he might as well patiently watch their fight.
Thus, everyone also cleared a large space for the two to exchange blows.
"Captain, go for it! Don't lose to Lord Law!" The Cook Pirates, having already accepted their fate, still had their loyalties and cheered for Red-Leg Zeff.
"Law, don't lose!" Baby 5 and Buffalo also cheered for Law.
"Come on, Law!"
"I was just thinking of seeing your kicking skills!"
The situation between the two was instantly explosive. They rapidly closed in on each other.
A clash of fist and leg. Ginger is indeed spicier when old; Law was still far too inexperienced! Just one simple collision, and Law was repelled by Red-Leg Zeff.
"Damn it! Again!" Law gritted his teeth and said angrily, his hands not stopping, as he charged forward once more.
"Well met! Careful now, loin!" Red-Leg Zeff reminded Law, his leg also striking towards Law's waist.
"In your dreams!" Law, having seen through Red-Leg Zeff's intention, naturally wouldn't be hit so easily. He quickly dodged, then threw a straight punch directly at Red-Leg Zeff's face.
Red-Leg Zeff, unhurried, quickly kicked out, aiming for Law's arm joint. Just as it was about to connect, he eased up on the force. Truly a rotten old man, very naughty! If that kick landed on the joint, he would be instantly defeated.
Law, of course, wouldn't fall for it. He uttered softly, "Room: Takt!"
Red-Leg Zeff, who had already secured victory in his mind, lost track of Law.
"In physical combat, I am not your opponent. However, I am also a Devil Fruit user," Law said, appearing behind Red-Leg Zeff.
"A Devil Fruit user, huh? Indeed, a powerful ability. However, I won't be defeated so easily," Red-Leg Zeff muttered.
"Then you'd better take this seriously!" Law wasted no more words. Within his surgical space, several invisible slashes shot towards Red-Leg Zeff.
Although Red-Leg Zeff couldn't see them, he could sense them to some extent. Relying on astonishing intuition, he dodged them and then closed in on Law.
"Very impressive. However, this is where it ends! Scalpel!" Law, seeing Red-Leg Zeff closing in, showed no panic whatsoever, directly teleporting himself and simultaneously digging out Red-Leg Zeff's heart.
He very easily obtained Red-Leg Zeff's heart. Zeff, due to the loss of his heart, also lost his strength and temporarily collapsed to the ground.
The victor was already very clear!
The sound of clapping echoed – Clap, clap, clap.
"Nicely done, Law! A very powerful move. However, your physical skills are still too weak. Work hard to become stronger!" Doflamingo clapped his hands and encouraged.
"Yes, Young Master Doflamingo!"
"I've lost," Red-Leg Zeff, collapsed on the ground, was also somewhat in disbelief. Just moments ago, he had been full of vigor, yet after just one round, he was down.
"Room. You are very strong; Red-Leg Zeff's name is not undeserved. I merely relied on the power of my Devil Fruit." Law also returned the heart to Red-Leg Zeff. After all, he was one of their own now. Although he didn't know what Doflamingo wanted them to do, he wouldn't doubt Doflamingo's intentions.
"Power is power. That's no excuse for self-deception." Red-Leg Zeff graciously accepted his defeat. He now clearly saw the gap between himself and these powerhouses of the sea. Accepting Doflamingo's suggestion was probably the best decision of his life.
All in all, not bad.
The farce ended!
Doflamingo, leading the Donquixote Pirates, also prepared to set sail.
"Alright, brats! Let's depart!"