The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
The Ope Ope no Mi…
It was the greatest loss the Donquixote Family had ever suffered. A meticulously laid plan had ended in betrayal, snatched away by their own—by the Young Master's younger brother, the Marine spy, Corazon.
"Wasn't it Law who ate the fruit?" Doflamingo's expression darkened, his grin fading.
Vergo then reported Law's current status, adding that another—Creed—was displaying strange powers. He could slice people apart, even sever their heads, without killing them, leaving no blood, while the victims could still speak.
Doflamingo's pupils shrank. "Are you certain?"
"Certain!" Vergo answered firmly.
Doflamingo's fingers drummed against the table. Could Law have died, and this Monkey D. Creed inherited the Ope Ope no Mi?
"No… Law still lives. This Creed's power only mimics it. There are countless strange abilities in the world. Similarity doesn't mean it's the Ope Ope no Mi."
Tap… tap… tap…
The sound of his fingers on the table echoed through the silent hall. None of the family dared to interrupt.
Suddenly the tapping stopped.
"Vergo. Where is this Creed now?"
Doflamingo leaned forward, fingers steepled, his eyes glinting. This was tied to his dream of eternal life—he could not ignore it.
"He's been sent by Sengoku to the New World, placed in charge of the newly founded G-K Branch."
"Fufufufu… so he's come to the New World already," Doflamingo laughed, but the cold curve of his lips sent a chill down the room.
…
Elsewhere, events unfolded.
Sword Dragon Island—
A colossal iron fortress sprawled across the land, swarming with gaunt workers hauling stone and timber. Whips cracked down from pirate overseers at the slightest hesitation.
This was the base of the Sword Dragon Pirates.
The island, once known as West Sea Island, with its peaceful West Sea Town, had been seized half a year ago. Renamed Sword Dragon Island, the town renamed Sword Dragon Town, it now groaned under tyranny.
The townsfolk's wealth was stolen, their bodies enslaved to build the fortress. Anyone who resisted was executed with brutal cruelty, their death screams etched into memory, cowing the survivors into submission.
Now, after months of suffering, the fortress was nearly complete.
"Hah, the boss was wise—claiming a base first, then expanding outward, island by island," one overseer sneered, lashing a villager's back.
Blood seeped through torn clothes. The man collapsed, groaning.
"What are you staring at? Want to die too?" The pirate drew his pistol, glaring at the onlookers. Fear froze them in silence.
"Oi… what's that? A Marine warship?" From the coast, a ship approached.
"Impossible! Isn't G-5 the only Marine branch in the New World?"
"Probably just here to resupply," another scoffed. "Relax. The boss and cadres are in town. Marines won't dare meddle in the New World—the pirates' paradise."
But then—
"No… look! They're fighting!"
From the harbor, flames erupted. Pirate ships exploded, swallowed by fire.
…
Within the town, explosions thundered. One by one, the Sword Dragon Pirates' vessels went up in blazing ruin.
"They're trapped now. Shut the door and beat the dogs," Lieutenant Allen licked his lips.
The carnage sent Sword Dragon's men storming out of the seized houses. Enraged, they rushed toward the shore—only to see the Marines had landed.
And emblazoned on their sails was the mark of justice.
"Marines!?"
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!]
[[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]