Orin has some fondness for this type of character. Although extremely weak, at certain moments their resolve is very strong, and they seem to carry great fortune with them, always managing to trigger something peculiar in desperate situations. One of Orin's close friends, Buggy, is exactly this kind of likable character.
"I-I-I… me?"
Facing Orin, Usopp could barely get his words out. The so-called Sniper God was merely a title he happened to obtain by chance two years ago. Being called Sniper God in front of the [Black Gun]… What Usopp instinctively thought of was not glory, but the trembling in his heart. He would definitely die, right!!!
Meanwhile, Doflamingo beside him wore an inscrutable expression. A title acknowledged even by Orin? Sniper God… How audacious!!!
Another subtle detail was that classic line, "Long time no see." Orin does not greet just anyone like that. Only when he encounters someone he finds extremely interesting does Orin say that habitual phrase.
"So, the Straw Hat Pirates' Sniper God…"
Doflamingo's face darkened, feeling this was extremely troublesome. His fingers kept twitching as sharp threads interwove at his fingertips, murderous intent surging within him. Yet in front of Orin, he still chose not to erupt and deal with this enormous threat. What he did not know was that this decision to temporarily spare Usopp would later make him regret it intensely.
Sadgeo, his face smeared with blood, had also taken an interest in the "Long-Nose Tribe" in his hands, even entertaining the thought of recruiting him. In the end, however, he gave up, because he could clearly sense that Usopp was simply too weak.
Placing Usopp on the ground, Sadgeo clutched his straw hat, clearly in a foul mood. Coming to Green Bit, he had gained nothing yet—first taking a beating, then having the Sea Kings taken away. It was only after Orin seemed to say something that he finally cheered up, his eyes even lighting up.
Under the effect of Observation Killing, Doflamingo, Sanji, and the others could not hear clearly. Only Usopp, who was standing slightly closer, vaguely caught fragments of the words. Something about Vegapunk, something about the true Nika…
Sadgeo left. He tricked a small portion of the Tontatta, taking his subordinates and the Sea Kings with him. Shirahoshi was escorted by two ultra-giant Sea Kings toward Fish-Man Island. Before leaving, she left several ultra-giant Sea Kings behind to continue following Sadgeo's command, which at least allowed him to barely possess the power of a Sea King.
"As for you few…"
Orin looked at Doflamingo and the others, scratching his head as if annoyed by the trouble.
"Whatever."
"What?!"
Usopp was terrified. Letting him, Sanji, and Law fight the Marines and Doflamingo?!
After that, Orin no longer bothered himself with them. Because in desperate situations, there is him… the only man who can clash head-on with Buggy's Conqueror-level luck.
And indeed, that was how it turned out. Usopp was successfully rescued by the Tontatta, Nami, Sanji, and the others escaped. Only Law refused to leave—perhaps determined to settle things once and for all—and was left behind by Doflamingo.
...
Elsewhere,
In the D Block colosseum,
The development of the story was equally bizarre. Not only was there the great swordsman duel between Zoro and Kuina, but Cavendish had somehow fallen asleep at the edge of the arena. A sinister aura instantly enveloped his body as his second personality emerged. He even deliberately locked onto the two figures wielding black blades.
After a barrage of fierce attacks, black-and-red Haki flashed across the arena. Cavendish, at some point, shifted from his original sinister visage to a white-eyed, unconscious state.
"This…"
Zoro frowned. Looking around, aside from Kuina and himself, no one else was still standing. That Haki just now was…
He looked at Yami Karasu, which he had switched into his hands, colliding with Kuina's Wado Ichimonji.
"What kind of terrifying Haki is hidden within this blade…"
Kuina was equally stunned. She looked at Wado Ichimonji, its blade dyed black after being suffused with Orin-sensei's Conqueror's Haki, her mind unsettled. The Haki that also belonged to Orin-sensei seemed to have collided just now…
After a brief moment of daze, she slowly sheathed her sword.
"What do you mean by that?!"
Zoro extended a hand, clearly confused. Kuina, however, smiled at him.
"You've already advanced, Zoro. Originally, I would only appear in the finals. All the other contestants in D Block besides you have already lost consciousness."
The collision between Yami Karasu and Wado Ichimonji seemed to have inadvertently triggered a terrifying power. Black-and-red lightning of the same origin raged across the field. These contestants—none of them even vice-captain level—including Cavendish, had all lost consciousness.
"...I understand."
As if holding back a breath, Zoro removed the bandana from his head, looking at Kuina with some unwillingness.
"I'm really looking forward to deciding the winner with you in the finals."
Kuina nodded as well.
"I believe it will be a pleasant surprise for you, Zoro."
...
At the same time,
In another sea of the New World.
Desserts and fragrances filled everything; songs and laughter rang out genuinely. Unlike Dressrosa's turmoil, the intricate atmosphere here made Totto Land feel like a true paradise, forever brimming with joy.
"Mamamamama~"
A huge, corpulent figure sat upon the throne, holding the latest newspaper. Teacup homies around her danced merrily.
"Mom, did something happy happen?"
"Yeah, yeah, you look really happy!!!"
The Homies chattered in front of their queen.
"Mamamamama~ Yes~ and it's more than just one thing~"
Big Mom was smiling broadly. The first newspaper she held showed a young man wearing a straw hat, his smile brilliant.
"A criminal labeled as extremely heinous by the World Government actually has a hobby of collecting races—this is totally to my taste. And he even injured a Marine Admiral…"
"If there's a chance, invite him to a tea party~"
Laughing happily, Big Mom then looked at another sheet of paper—an intelligence report.
"And also…"
"The marriage alliance with the Vinsmoke family of the North Blue—if successful, we'd be able to seize their technological power, wouldn't we?"
"Pudding is to marry…"
"Oh?!"
As if seeing something astonishing, Charlotte Linlin froze for a moment, then her eyes shone brightly.
"It's actually… Orin's son?!"
She thought of that invitation to have children many years ago, which had ended in failure.
"Regrets and such… perhaps they can be made up for a bit after all~"
----------------
Fanfic is finished on Patreon (609 chapters in total.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)