Hachi's cry for help pierced the sky, drawing the attention of Sam and his crew.
The moment they heard the name "Doflamingo," the color drained from their faces. All their previous arrogance and pride vanished.
"Since you've begged so sincerely, I suppose I have no choice but to reluctantly save you. Who told me to be such a kind person, after all?"
Doflamingo's voice reached the ears of everyone present, yet no one dared to refute or mock him. This was the confidence and deterrence that came with absolute power.
Doflamingo and Diamante appeared on the deck, calmly observing the scene.
Seeing his savior appear, Hachi was ecstatic, still murmuring, "Save us!"
Sam and his crew, upon seeing Doflamingo, were filled with apprehension and fear. They knew what a ruthless man he was; they were no match for him.
"Mr. Doflamingo, we'll stay out of each other's way. Why must you stick up for these lowly fish-men?" Sam asked with a placating smile.
"Whether fish-man or human, it's all the same. There is no high or low, no base or noble. In my world, there are only the strong and the weak. And you... are the weak," Doflamingo said coolly, ignoring Sam's fawning.
His words didn't have much of an impact on Sam and his crew, but for the fish-men who had endured so much abuse, it was a redemption for their souls. If at first they had only feared Doflamingo's strength, now, their respect came from the bottom of their hearts. Even the beaten Arlong looked at Doflamingo with reverence, moved by his words. Finally, there was someone in this world who did not reject the fish-men.
All are born equal; no one is inherently superior or inferior. The fish-men only wanted to live under the same blue sky as humans, but even this simple wish was so out of reach. In the end, to realize a dream, one must speak with strength. But the fish-men did not have this strength and could only compromise and endure.
"Haha, Mr. Doflamingo, you're absolutely right. You see, we work for the World Government. Could you possibly spare us this one time?" Sam continued to grovel. After all, if he didn't, he would die. He would really, truly die.
"The World Government? You want to use them to pressure me? You don't really think I'm afraid of them, do you?" Doflamingo sneered.
"That... Mr. Doflamingo, I absolutely had no such intention! As long as you let us go this once, I'll do whatever you want!" Sam said, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead and speaking with extreme caution.
Doflamingo glanced at him with contempt. "Good. There happens to be one thing I want from you. I wonder if you'll give it to me?"
"Yes, yes, yes! Of course, I'll give it to you!" Sam replied anxiously.
"Then good. Diamante, do it," Doflamingo commanded.
"Heh heh, I've been waiting impatiently for this," Diamante said, cracking his shoulders and giving Sam's crew a wicked grin.
"Mr. Doflamingo, didn't we have a deal? How can this be?" Sam said, not giving up hope.
"Didn't you just agree? The only thing I want... is your life," Doflamingo said, his face devoid of emotion, yet filled with mockery and ridicule.
"You... you... Doflamingo, you damn pirate!" Sam shrieked in desperation.
Hearing Sam's curses, Diamante's face instantly darkened. To dare insult our Young Master... you deserve to die!
"You bastard! How dare you insult our Young Master! Half-Moon Send-Off!"
Diamante swung his sword, and a massive green slash, dozens of meters wide, shot towards Sam and his men.
"Run!" Seeing this, Sam knew it was hopeless. The only option was to jump ship and try to survive. Fortunately, none of them were Devil Fruit users; otherwise, it would have been suicide.
But would it really be so easy?
Slash. A spray of blood erupted from Sam's body.
"How...?" he said in disbelief. He had clearly dodged Diamante's sword slash. He had even noted Diamante's position; given the distance between them, he should have had enough time to escape.
"The sorrow of the weak. There are many things you can't even imagine," Diamante said coldly, appearing behind Sam before sheathing his sword.
Thump.
The men Sam had brought with him fell to the deck. While they were dodging the sword slash, Diamante had given each of them a taste of his blade, sending them to the afterlife.
Clap, clap, clap. The sound of applause echoed. Doflamingo clapped his hands and said, "Diamante, it seems your swordsmanship has improved again."
"This is all thanks to you, Dof. If you hadn't brought me on this trip, I wouldn't have gained so much," Diamante said humbly, without a trace of pride.
"My role was insignificant. It was all your own strength."
Diamante was about to say more, but Doflamingo stopped him with a wave of his hand.
The Arlong Pirates watched the scene, utterly shocked. The opponents they had fought so desperately against had been defeated by Diamante with such ease, in a single move.
Is this what a truly strong person is like? Arlong thought, lying on the deck and looking at the effortlessly cool Doflamingo and Diamante, his eyes filled with envy and admiration.
With Sam and his crew gone, Hachi and the others quickly struggled to their feet, helping each other up.
"Thank you for your help, Mr. Doflamingo," Hachi said, bowing respectfully.
The others quickly followed suit, offering their most sincere thanks.
"It was nothing. Those who are strong in your eyes are nothing to us. Remember this humiliation, Arlong," Doflamingo said, looking at Arlong, who was being supported by his crewmates. "If you want to control the fate of the fish-men, if you want to fight for a better tomorrow for all of your people, then work hard. Don't give up."
"I understand, Mr. Doflamingo. You will forever be the most respected guest of Fish-Man Island. We welcome you to visit anytime!" Arlong said gratefully.
"Of course. I certainly wouldn't miss the beauty of Fish-Man Island," Doflamingo said with a smile.
Fish-Man Island was a place Doflamingo had already marked as his own. He had no intention of being a mere guest; he planned to be its master.
"Then we will look forward to your arrival!" all the fish-men said eagerly.
"That day will come," Doflamingo said coolly.
He glanced at the fish-men present and prepared to take his leave.
"You should all get treated first. We must be going as well. The rest of the journey you must walk on your own. I hope that by the time I arrive at Fish-Man Island, you will have achieved everything you desire."
"I understand," Arlong said, nodding at them. They were, after all, on different paths. He had to walk his own road. It wasn't good to always rely on others.
"Let's go, Diamante," Doflamingo said to his companion. He then transformed into a flash of lightning and shot off into the distance.
"Everyone, see you on Fish-Man Island," Diamante said his farewells, then manipulated his body to rise into the air and fly away.
Arlong and his crew watched Doflamingo's carefree departure, their eyes filled with respect and gratitude.
"We will meet again, Mr. Doflamingo."