The attack by the Ceruledge has a unique effect; because its fiery blades are composed of cursed fire, the life energy of creatures slashed by the Ceruledge will continuously ebb away.
As a dragon born from the replication of the bloodline factor of the Yamata no Orochi, it inherently possesses a certain regenerative ability, but this ability is countered by the Ceruledge's great sword.
If it were the original ability, the effect wouldn't be so dramatic, but this is merely Vegapunk's imperfect product. Faced with that life-draining fire, the dragon's regenerative ability turned utterly futile.
"Continue, Lord Tiger. This island seems even more complex than I imagined."
Passing through the sea of flames, a frozen lake soon appeared before the two. From this point, the island was distinctly divided into two halves; on the other side of the lake, the frigid air had already transformed that area into a snowy world.
Tiger caught a few sharks from the lake and after a friendly communication, they agreed to serve as transport tools, assisting Misu and Tiger in crossing the lake.
This lake originally didn't exist on the island; it was formed due to the massive crater created by the battle between Akainu and Aokiji in the island's center.
Sea water poured into the crater along the island's fissures, eventually forming this lake, thus filling it with many lifeforms originally found only in the sea.
"Permanently altering geography, is this the power of an Admiral? In this environment, the dragon's regenerative ability can't function at all. Where on earth did it hide to survive?"
"Sorry, Lord Tiger, I don't know the answer to your question, but I seem to have spotted something even more interesting. Is this an entirely new race?"
Across the lake, a large number of "centaurs" appeared, with various animal limbs protruding from human bodies, looking extremely eerie.
"Never heard of such a species, but it does resemble the potion made by Lord Queen."
Tiger referred to Queen's drug that altered the forms of Zoan-type Ability Users. Many female ability users opted for this potion for aesthetic reasons, ultimately resulting in this centaur-like appearance.
The identity of these people is that of prisoners abandoned by the World Government on the island; the experimental gas leak paralyzed their lower bodies.
Upon returning here, Caesar equipped these immobilized prisoners with devices assisting their mobility, thus earning their gratitude, and when Law arrived, they were fitted with these animal limbs.
"Wait, is that... a welcome banner in their hands?"
Rubbing his eyes, Tiger seemed to see something very odd; instead of attacking, those "centaurs" pulled out a banner, and under different circumstances, they seemed inclined to beat drums and gongs.
"You two, sorry for the mishap earlier. The young master sent me to greet you."
Monet also descended before the two.
Though Punk Hazard had become like this, the central control zone still retained the capability to monitor the entire island.
Members inside the research institute had noticed the arrival of ships, but Monet's Radio Snail experienced a slight glitch, forcing them to dispatch someone to convey the message.
It wasn't until Misu and Tiger engaged in battle with the dragon that Monet received the news and rushed over.
As for why those prisoners had a welcome banner...
Caesar tended to get carried away, but he was also aware that everything he enjoyed now was thanks to Doflamingo. Even people Doflamingo treated cautiously couldn't be taken lightly by him, so he arranged for these individuals to serve as a welcoming party.
"Quite a hassle."
With Monet leading the way, Misu soon reached Punk Hazard's remaining laboratory and found the person she came to visit.
"What's wrong? Don't recognize me, Law?"
Upon entering the laboratory, the temperature returned to normal under the regulation of the thermostat system, allowing Misu to lift her ability and reveal her original appearance.
Doflamingo knew Misu was coming for Law, yet he hadn't informed Law in advance, even though Caesar knew due to the collaboration that a distinguished guest would arrive, Law remained unaware.
Misu's appearance left him puzzled about what was happening.
...
"Lord Tiger, I need a bit of privacy now. Could you please step out?"
Looking at the somewhat stunned Law, Misu then turned to Tiger beside her.
"Don't worry, Sister, no one will disturb you."
Tiger didn't say anything, silently leaving the room, and Monet, who had previously led the way, was also driven out.
To be precise, Misu specifically targeted people like Monet, whereas Tiger was regarded as a trustworthy follower, unlike individuals like Monet.
"Law, you've grown taller. The little fellow from back then is now an adult."
Misu gauged the height difference between herself and Law and then continued:
"I heard from Rami, she said she encountered a strange man on the Shampodi Islands, using very primitive methods to try to chat her up, acting quite oddly."
"So... she really is Rami, right..."
Law had already come to this realization, but he still wanted to hear the nun's confirmation.
"Yes, Trafalgar Rami, your biological sister, she is still alive, but her brain has been affected by the platinum lead and trauma, she has completely forgotten everything about Freyvans.
I'm very sorry, I believed that those memories were painful, so I hid everything from Rami. She knows nothing about the past, including you and your parents."
Standing from Misu's perspective, she believed that this was the best outcome, but for Rami's brother, who is also her only true family left in this world, this outcome is undoubtedly cruel.
"It's okay, Sister, Rami being alive is the best ending. At that time, I was hidden among dead bodies and got sent out, how did you leave?"
"We were lucky to encounter the Lord, His followers took us out of there and cured the platinum lead disease through special means. But Law, I have a question.
You should have already recognized Rami's identity, but so much time has passed since then, and you haven't made any moves. If I hadn't seen that you became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, I wouldn't have known your whereabouts.
What exactly are you planning?"
"Sister, this is my personal matter. If I succeed, I will definitely go to find Rami, but if I fail... please help take care of Rami in the future."
"She is living very well now and doesn't need anyone else's care. But Law, tell me, what exactly are you planning to do?"
Misu was familiar with the personalities of the children from the monastery back then. Law was a bit of a younger sister aficionado, and now seeing his sister, he wants to remain independent, coupled with those words like entrusting someone, it's clear he's up to something.
"Sister, the Lord you speak of, is from the Hundred Beasts, right?"
"Law, I have to correct your mistake, the Lord is not from the Hundred Beasts. It's just that when the Lord descended, Mr. Kaidou became the chosen emissary.
Because there is the Lord, there is today's Hundred Beasts. Pay attention to the sequence."
Misu's words were gentle, but this tone gave Law a headache. When he was a child attending monastery classes, Misu mentioned the Lord with the same attitude, and he disliked this subject the most.
"Sister, you know my..."
"It's different, Law, before it was just from textbooks, but now what I say and what you hear are truly existent."
Listening to Misu's devout tone, Law felt a headache growing.
He knew well how devout Misu's faith was, to make such a Misu change her faith, it must be a significant and unshakable event.
Regardless, the sect Misu is currently associated with is closely linked with the Hundred Beasts, and the Hundred Beasts have certain connections with Doflamingo.
In this situation, he didn't want to reveal his inner thoughts to Misu. The nun was their childhood mentor along with Rami and a fellow survivor of Freyvans. Other than that, they had no additional relations.
Furthermore, Law's hatred towards Doflamingo stems from Rosinante. Rosinante has no relation with Misu or Rami.
Moreover, his identity is Navy, while Misu initially joined the pirate faction. In essence, they are opponents.
Thinking from the situation if he were the nun, he wouldn't dispose of his original trading partner for such matter. It doesn't fit the interest.
According to Law's impression, Misu wouldn't betray him. But he dared not gamble; Law didn't know what changes Misu's personality went through over the years. Any slight negligence and his plan might fall into the abyss and never be realized.
"Sister, you specifically came here to find me, what do you intend to do?"
"On one hand, it's to see you, on the other hand, Law, be thoughtful before taking actions. I don't know what you are planning, you seem unwilling to divulge, but I must remind you, Rami is your only family now.
Rami's memory still has the possibility of recovery, consider the consequences before doing these things."
"Sister Misu, I want to take you... to see something."
Listening to Misu's words, Law pondered for a moment, then made a new decision. After gaining Misu's consent, Law released a Room to envelop the entire laboratory, and he brought Misu to another room known as the Cookie Room.
The room was filled with younger children, but their body size surpassed that of ordinary people. If unaware, one might think this was the territory of the Giant Race.
"Sister, do you know that this island is Caesar's experimental base, filled with places where he conducts experiments.
Including the artificial fruits Doflamingo sold, one of its core products is also generated from this island.
However, Caesar is not a good being, these children are his test subjects. He injected human gigantification agents into them, a dangerous drug Caesar does not know the outcome of and cannot guarantee there's no side effects."
Law was making an attempt; he wanted to see if Misu was still the Misu he knew. If she was, perhaps he could find another way to sever the relationship between Doflamingo and the Hundred Beasts...