"You won't do it? Then let me help you."
Doflamingo grinned playfully.
The wheel floated in front of Alibn and began to spin.
The pointer circled again and again, gradually losing momentum until it slowed to a halt—
It was about to stop in the Skull Zone.
Alibn's wolf-like eyes widened. His nostrils, the only part of his body he could still move, flared violently as he desperately tried to stir the air, hoping to push the pointer just a bit further.
As if in response to his silent plea, the pointer skipped past the Skull Zone.
But it landed on the Spine Zone.
"Fufufufufu~ Congratulations, you won't die... for now."
Doflamingo beamed, a smile full of cruel sunshine. Two thin threads pierced into the back of Alibn's neck.
"AAAHHHHH!"
A wretched scream tore from his throat. The blood vessels in his eyes bulged to the point of bursting, and every muscle in his contorted face screamed with agony.
Shhk!
A thick, bone-white section of spine—streaked with blood—was ripped straight out of his back.
Alibn's limbs went limp. He had lost all control over his body.
This living dissection sent a chill through both the slavers and the slaves. Not one dared to keep watching—they averted their gazes and held their breath.
Zzzzzzz!
Under Alibn's wrathful glare, Doflamingo's two threads spun like grinders against the spinal bone.
In a flash, they shaped it into a key, which shot into the air.
Clack!
The warped cage creaked open.
The three Boa sisters were gently lowered onto the deck by threads.
Hancock managed to stay composed.
Sandasonia and Marigold, however, collapsed the moment they landed, clutching their mouths and falling to the ground.
Slavers were wicked, no doubt—but the one who saved them didn't seem much better.
"What's wrong? Aren't you grateful?"
The moment those words hit her ears, Hancock jolted, snapping back to reality.
She dropped to her knees and forced her sisters down as well, shouting:
"N-no, we're very grateful, Doflamingo-sama! Thank you for saving us!"
"Fufufufufu~ That's more like it!"
After toying with the emotions of the future Pirate Empress, Doflamingo resumed his bloody entertainment.
...
Thirty nautical miles away—
A massive ship was speeding toward the scene, dragged by two sea serpents.
The vessel, entirely crimson, was adorned with intricate carvings and traditional architecture. Its eaves curved skyward with an ancient elegance.
But now, the ship bore the marks of an unimaginable battle—dented, battered, its former beauty lost.
Even the sea serpents beneath it had scales peeling off their bodies.
Piled gold and treasure on the deck spoke volumes: the Kuja had won the recent war.
"Tritoma! You need to return to Amazon Lily and recover. Leave the search for Hancock and the others to Rayleigh."
Granny Gloriosa, herself wounded, leaned on her serpent staff and scolded loudly.
In her condition, Tritoma was in no shape to continue fighting.
"You mean to tell me I should abandon my people?!"
Tritoma, current Empress of the Kuja, lifted her proud head and kicked Gloriosa aside.
Then she turned and barked orders:
"Pursue them! Full speed ahead!"
To dare set foot on her ship and traffic in human beings—did they think she, the Kuja Empress, would let that slide?
"Yes, Hebihime-sama!!"
Despite their injuries, the surrounding warrior women shouted with fervor.
Truly, worthy of the title Hebihime. Even while dragging such a broken body, she still stood tall for her people.
Every generation of Empress carried the title Hebihime.
But unlike the future Hancock, Tritoma's attire was simpler and more practical.
Only a breastplate, battle skirt, gauntlets, and boots—designed for mobility in combat.
Combined with her exposed snow-white skin and flowing golden hair, the contrast was wild and striking.
She radiated a primal allure, the kind that sparked a desire to conquer.
The most eye-catching, however, were her long legs—an inheritance of Kuja genes. Just her bare legs alone looked to be nearly 180 centimeters long, impossible to ignore.
Yet, not everything about her was perfect.
Her chest and abdomen were tightly wrapped in bandages, stained red with blood that still seeped through.
Her wounds remained untreated.
Gloriosa leaned against the corner, clutching her chest and looking anxiously toward the direction of Sabaody Archipelago.
That kick from Hebihime just now had nearly knocked her ancient bones unconscious.
Now, she could only hope Rayleigh and Shakky would learn of the Kuja's crisis soon.
If not, this Empress's recklessness might get her killed.
...
Sabaody Archipelago.
Shakky's Rip-Off BAR was unusually closed.
A sign on the door read Resting.
Out back—
Rayleigh and Shakky were crouched beside an unconscious octopus Fish-Man on the ground.
"I've checked Hachi's condition. Nothing life-threatening. The wound on his chest—it's not from the Donquixote Family. That shark Fish-Man is the one who did it."
Shakky exhaled a puff of smoke and passed over a photo.
She knew Rayleigh had a soft spot for the fish who once saved his life.
But if he flew off the handle and started a war with the Heavenly Yaksha now—that wasn't something relics of the old era should be doing.
Rayleigh had just escaped from the auction house, and the explosive collar still clung to his neck.
He frowned at the photo of Arlong.
"What the hell happened on Fish-Man Island? What was Donquixote doing there?"
Arlong was Hachi's mate. Why would he suddenly turn on him like this?
And how did Doflamingo even know about Hachi saving him?
"No idea."
Shakky pointed to a garishly pink Den Den Mushi sitting on the table.
"Why not just ask directly? If he went out of his way to send Hachi here, he probably doesn't mean harm."
"You're right. No matter the reason, we owe that guy."
Rayleigh nodded and pressed the button on the pink Den Den Mushi.
Gulu gulu...
After a brief wait, the line connected.
"Fufufufufu~ Rayleigh-san, did you enjoy the gift?"
"AAAAAHHHH!"
Rayleigh's expression darkened at the screams echoing from the other end.
That alone confirmed it—Doflamingo was no saint.
Suppressing his irritation, Rayleigh asked,
"Doflamingo? What is it you want from me? Roger's secret? The location of One Piece?"
If he could dig up his connection to Hachi, then Doflamingo had probably been eyeing Roger's legacy for a long time.
"NONONO. That's all too superficial."
Doflamingo flatly rejected the idea. He had no interest in that fate-driven nonsense like One Piece.
What he truly desired... was Rayleigh himself.
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg