Marine Headquarters – Fleet Admiral's Office.
"Confirmed? …Alright, but for now, don't do anything rash with Doflamingo!"
Sengoku slammed down the receiver, veins bulging on his forehead. His teeth clenched as he glared at Garp.
"Senbei sure tastes good."
Garp leaned back, legs crossed, happily munching rice crackers, pretending he hadn't heard a thing.
"Look at the mess your idea caused! You're the one who suggested sending him to the New World—now he's beaten another Shichibukai!" Sengoku growled.
Garp just laughed. "You say that, but isn't it proof my grandson Creed has at least the qualifications of an Admiral? Maybe even your seat someday. A rising star like him—shouldn't you be protecting him?"
The crackers crunched loudly in Garp's mouth, his grin wide.
"I'm happy he's growing stronger," Sengoku admitted, rubbing his temple, "but does he always have to cause this kind of headache? I only just explained things to the World Government after Crocodile… now this again! Argh, my head!"
He quickly dialed another line.
"Kizaru, where are you? …Good. Bring them back to Headquarters. I'm entrusting this to you."
He wasn't about to force Creed to release Doflamingo immediately. Instead, he had Kizaru retrieve him first. Though Akainu was closer, Sengoku still chose Kizaru—last time, Vice Admiral Tsuru had warned him about Akainu's temper.
"You're still laughing?!" Sengoku barked at Garp. "Think of an excuse for the World Government, damn it!"
…
After the call, Creed turned to the purple chest he had obtained.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have received: Devil Fruit Ability Extraction Card (x1)."
Another extraction card! Creed smirked. It was far better than useless boosters.
"I already have control over lightning and the Ope Ope no Mi (Operation Fruit). I don't really need another right away. This card can wait."
Doflamingo's awakened String-String Fruit couldn't even defeat him. He wasn't impressed.
Only truly legendary powers tempted him. "The Ice-Ice Fruit? The Flash-Flash Fruit? Or maybe the Quake-Quake Fruit that could destroy the world? Even the Dark-Dark Fruit would suit my Rinne Sword techniques…"
Images of these abilities flashed through his mind.
"My Strength attribute is close to breaking through. Until they arrive, I'll focus on training Strength."
He devoted himself to harsh physical training.
…
At Orange Town's battered port, a massive Marine warship docked.
Creed and Ain handed over Doflamingo, Diamante, and Machvise to Kizaru.
"So terrifying… truly, a hero among the young," Kizaru said sincerely.
This was high praise. For him to call Creed the next "hero of the Marines," a title once reserved for Garp, showed how highly he thought of him.
Creed responded modestly while secretly scanning Kizaru's stats:
[Name]: Borsalino
[Attributes]: Strength: SS | Agility: SSS+ (Fruit bonus) | Endurance: SS | Spirit: SSS
[Abilities]: Armament Haki SSS | Observation Haki SSS | Kick Techniques SSS | Swordsmanship SSS+ | Rokushiki S | Martial Arts S
[Devil Fruit]: Flash-Flash Fruit (near awakening)
[Overall Strength]: SSS+
"Kick Techniques, SSS level… no wonder he always asks enemies if they've ever been kicked at the speed of light. Extract!"
"Ding! Using Devil Fruit Ability Extraction Card… Target: Borsalino… Extracting Flash-Flash Fruit ability…"
Lightning crackled through Creed's mind as the power began merging with him.
The control over lightning he had gained from Xiao Zi wasn't true elementalization, only bursts of speed. The Ope Ope no Mi gave teleportation but within limited range. With the Flash-Flash Fruit, those flaws would be erased.
After a few words, Kizaru boarded his ship with the captives, leaving Creed and Ain with a small boat.
"Creed, I'll come for you again," Doflamingo muttered darkly as he was dragged aboard. Defeat had not broken his pride—it had only filled him with rage.
"Next time, you die." Creed's eyes narrowed as he answered coldly.
"Good grief… I'll never understand you young people. Can't you just live peacefully?" Kizaru sighed, shaking his head.
Soon, he departed with the prisoners. Creed and Ain also left Orange Town, sailing deeper into the New World.
Only when they were gone did the pirates hiding in the mountains and ruins crawl out, cheering in relief that they had survived.
…
Meanwhile, at sea, Kizaru's warship sailed toward the Red Line.
On deck, Doflamingo suddenly stood up, his voice calm but cutting.
"Borsalino, take me to the Gorosei."
Kizaru raised an eyebrow. "Doflamingo, I'm already treating you as a guest. Don't push it."
"Fuffuffuffu~ That's not up to you."
Doflamingo smirked.
"Oh dear… how frightening. But with seastone cuffs on, what can you do?" Kizaru said lazily.
"Heh. My ride's already here."
A massive ship appeared, slicing through the waves. Its black flag bore five dots connected in a cross—the unmistakable insignia of the World Government.
Kizaru's eyes narrowed. "When did you send word out…?"
"Fuffuffuffu~ Thank you for the escort, Borsalino." Doflamingo's laughter echoed across the sea.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!]
[[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]