Leaving Green Bit, Doflamingo quickly led Law and the others back to where the Ark was docked.
Onboard the Ark Maxim, the moment Doflamingo appeared, all the members of the Donquixote Pirates erupted in cheers. As the spiritual leader of the family, Doflamingo's return was an event that demanded a certain level of fanfare.
"Young Master, you've finally returned," Monet said, her eyes full of affection as she stepped forward before anyone else to express how much she had missed him.
"Doffy, it's great to see you're okay," Enel added, the worry in his heart finally put to rest now that he could see Doflamingo was unharmed.
"Brother!"
"Young Master!"
"You were all worried, but everything is fine," Doflamingo said, glancing at the crew and giving them a reassuring look to calm their emotions.
Seizing the moment, Diamante spoke up. "To welcome Doffy back, let's throw a party!"
He looked to Doflamingo, seeking his approval. Doflamingo had no objections and nodded in agreement.
With the Young Master's consent, the members of the Donquixote Pirates let out a joyous roar.
"Party time!"
"Welcome back, Young Master!"
As night fell, the sky was dotted with stars, but the Ark Maxim was bustling with lively celebration. Doflamingo took the rare opportunity to relax, releasing all the stress he had been under recently.
While the Ark was filled with joyous revelry, the neighboring island of Dressrosa was plunged into darkness, the sounds of fighting and cannon fire rising in a stark contrast.
On the Ark, a faint smile played on Doflamingo's lips as he watched his subordinates celebrate with abandon. After a while, he left the company of Monet, Ibes, and the others, and walked alone toward the ship's cabins.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Doffy?"
A voice came from inside the room. It was Vergo, who had been waiting here for several days.
"It's me," Doflamingo replied.
Creek.
Vergo opened the door and invited Doflamingo inside.
The two men sat opposite each other, speaking with ease.
"It's been many years. You've worked hard, my brother," Doflamingo said gratefully.
Vergo's expression was as stoic as ever, like ancient ice that never thaws. But upon hearing Doflamingo's words of thanks, a subtle change softened his features. "We're family, Doffy. Nothing more needs to be said."
"Do you want to come back, Vergo?" Doflamingo asked quietly.
"Come back?" Vergo was surprised for a moment before replying, "Now is not the time for me to return, though I wish I could."
"Then I'll have to keep troubling you," Doflamingo said, his tone heavy with meaning.
"I understand, Doffy. Don't worry," Vergo stated solemnly.
Doflamingo picked up a bottle of red wine from the table and poured two glasses, one for Vergo and one for himself. He raised his glass to Vergo in a silent toast.
Vergo understood immediately. He quickly picked up his own glass and clinked it against Doflamingo's. Then, they met each other's eyes and, in a single, unspoken motion, drained their glasses.
With the pleasantries over, it was time to discuss business.
"So, Vergo, you've acquired it, haven't you?" Doflamingo said, his expression turning serious.
"Fortunately, I have not failed my mission, Doffy," Vergo replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "Following your instructions, I haven't neglected my training in the Rokushiki all these years, and I was even fortunate enough to awaken Life Return."
"Vergo, I knew I wasn't mistaken about you," Doflamingo said, rising to his feet with a pleased look and praising his subordinate.
"Doffy, do you need me to hand it over now?" Vergo asked, noticing Doflamingo's excitement.
Doflamingo reined in his enthusiasm and walked over to Vergo, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Get some rest," he said calmly. "We still have time. There's no rush."
Without waiting for a reply, Doflamingo pulled the door open and left.
He had a long night ahead, and a few lovely ladies were waiting to be comforted. He had no time to stay here. Besides, practicing techniques late at night was for fools.
And so, Doflamingo made his way to the rooms of said ladies. As for what happened next, it was an exchange of emotion and a comforting of souls between man and woman. We'll leave the rest to your imagination.
The next morning, after a night of revelry, the Donquixote Pirates returned to their usual routine, their spirits lifted by Doflamingo's return.
Doflamingo left Robin and Diamante in charge of monitoring the situation on Dressrosa, content to let them handle it. He and Vergo, meanwhile, made their way to a small, deserted island for a bit of training.
The two men descended from the sky, landing one after the other on the barren island. Doflamingo was back in his usual attire: his flamboyant pink feather coat, loafers, capri pants, and an open-chested shirt that showed off his physique, all of it accentuating his unique charisma.
Vergo followed Doflamingo in silence, stopping only when he did.
"Alright, Vergo," Doflamingo said, looking at his old friend. "Let's see how strong you've become."
"Right," Vergo replied crisply and made the first move. He knew that his meager skills were nothing in Doflamingo's eyes, so he had to seize the initiative from the start.
"Super String Whip!"
Vergo knew he couldn't hope to land a hit on Doflamingo without Armament Haki, so he infused his strings with it the moment he attacked.
Doflamingo stood with his hands relaxed at his sides, his expression calm as he ignored the threatening whip. Just as the attack was about to connect, his body flickered, retreating a safe distance and causing Vergo's attack to strike empty air.
Impossible, Vergo thought, his eyes narrowing as shock rippled through him.
"Vergo, your instructors must have told you about it," Doflamingo said lightly. "An application of advanced Observation Haki—the ability to see the future."
"So this is seeing the future," Vergo murmured, a new understanding dawning in his eyes as they seemed to shine a little brighter.
"Can you go again? Show me everything you've learned in the Marines. We can deal with your Devil Fruit abilities later," Doflamingo said to the pensive Vergo.
"I understand. Then let's start with Rankyaku!" Vergo nodded, his focus returning.
He launched a swift kick, sending a blade of compressed air flying. As he did, he explained to Doflamingo, "Rankyaku is created by contracting and extending the leg muscles at high speed to generate kinetic energy. The kick then surpasses the speed of sound, creating compressed air in front of the leg and releasing a sharp 'vacuum' slicing wave."
Doflamingo listened to Vergo's explanation and understood immediately.
As Vergo's Rankyaku wave shot toward him, Doflamingo lifted his right leg and perfectly copied the move.
"Rankyaku."
Swish, swish, swish!
Several air blades shot forward and collided with Vergo's. However, Doflamingo's Rankyaku seemed even more powerful; after neutralizing Vergo's attack, his continued on their path.
"Kami-e."
Vergo's body went limp like a sheet of paper, allowing him to gracefully evade Doflamingo's Rankyaku. The blades struck the empty ground behind him, causing a loud explosion.
"Doffy, I can't believe you learned Rankyaku so quickly," Vergo said in amazement.
"It's nothing," Doflamingo replied dismissively, completely ignoring the years of bitter effort Vergo had put in. "The Rokushiki are all just techniques. As long as your physical abilities are up to par, you can perform them easily."
He wasn't wrong, but not everyone was a monster like Doflamingo. He had been able to learn it so quickly, firstly, because of his own incredible speed, and secondly, because his physical conditioning far surpassed that of an ordinary person. Since he already knew Soru, Rankyaku was a simple matter.
"Doffy, what about Shigan, Kami-e, and Tekkai? Do you still need to learn them?" Vergo asked. He knew Doflamingo had already mastered Geppo, so he didn't bother mentioning it.
Shigan, the art of focusing all one's strength into a single finger to unleash a strike as fast as lightning, with the penetrating power of a bullet.
Kami-e, a basic form of Observation Haki, and Tekkai, a basic form of Armament Haki. After a moment's thought, Doflamingo decided they were unnecessary.
"Vergo, show me your Life Return," he said, deciding the Rokushiki were of little use to him.
"Understood," Vergo answered plainly.
Doflamingo unleashed his Observation Haki, focusing it entirely on Vergo to sense the changes in his body.
Vergo's hair began to grow rapidly, whipping through the air like the snakes of Medusa.
"Go!"
As if they had eyes of their own, strands of his hair shot directly toward Doflamingo.
"Interesting." Doflamingo allowed Vergo's hair to attack, his Observation Haki still probing the changes within Vergo's body.
The attack passed harmlessly through Doflamingo, but to give him a better opportunity to understand the ability, Vergo pushed the technique to its limits, all the while explaining the principles of Life Return and how it felt to awaken it.
"Vergo, how far have you progressed with Life Return?" Doflamingo asked, retracting his Haki. Combined with Vergo's explanation, he now had a clear understanding of the ability.
He had to admit, the World Government was truly formidable. The Rokushiki were no joke; they laid a profound foundation for awakening Life Return. Of course, without mastering the Rokushiki, awakening Life Return was nearly impossible. Then again, there were people who could use it without training in the Rokushiki at all—the most classic example being Luffy. But he had to endure countless beatings from Garp to get there.
"I can only control my hair so far. Making any further progress is still proving difficult," Vergo said honestly.
"Vergo, focus more of your energy on Life Return," Doflamingo instructed him.
"Understood!"
Just as Vergo finished speaking, Doflamingo threw out a new question that caught him by surprise.
"Vergo, have you managed to awaken your Devil Fruit ability?"
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