Tsuru paused and said, "A snake has its path, a rat has its path. From your perspective, what will happen to the pirates in the future?"
"Heh heh heh heh, what will monsters do when they've lost their food?"
Doflamingo let out an evil chuckle, "The deal is broken, Kaido won't be satisfied, and Sage won't settle for the status quo!"
"Besides, who else stands at the top of the sea? The smartest of the Seven Warlords of the Sea? The brats of the Worst Generation? The Pirate Emperors of the sea? Or your Navy, the overlord of the sea?"
"Losing food means losing balance. Those going out to hunt will inevitably clash, and it's unclear whether the hunter or the hunted will have the last laugh..."
"Especially that monster..."
The true nature of Sage, fools cannot see it!
Doflamingo knows, that guy... is the real monster that wants to devour everything!
Especially after losing the cage called 'deal,' it has already extended its claws, ready to open its mouth!
Kakalala!
The chains suddenly shook, Doflamingo excitedly said, "It's coming soon, this era of extreme chaos! I entered Impel Down for this very reason!"
"You'll regret it. Those guys up in the sky will regret it! They will soon... be pulled down! Fuhuhuhuhu, hahahahaha!!"
...
In the outskirts of the town, on a small hill.
A group of pirates acted as a wall, blocking King Liku's family of four, who were bound, from the approaching crowd of people in the distance, not allowing them to get close.
And next to King Liku, Lily stood there, gazing at the field ahead, silently.
The advance of the Birdcage Line, though it didn't destroy the buildings here, had also severed a large number of farmlands.
King Liku glanced back at the crowds milling in the distance, sighed, and said to Lily, "Anyway, thank you for agreeing to our request to spare our benefactor."
Luffy, while unconscious, had already been moved by his companions.
"I just ignored it."
Lily said casually, "He defeated Doflamingo, that's his ability."
"Are we still unable to escape death? I don't understand..."
Perhaps with death approaching, King Liku was still a bit unwilling, "If it's because the people want to elect me as king, then my death alone is enough. Rebecca, Viola, Kyros, they are innocent."
Lily was about to speak, but suddenly paused, looking into the distance to see Issho tapping the ground with his cane, walking slowly toward them.
"Stop!"
Bellamy clenched his fist, "Your Navy should be retreating now, this is not a place for you!"
"I just wish to clarify the confusion. If you do not settle my heart, it won't be so easy for you to kill..." Issho said slowly.
"Bellamy, let him in."
Lily gestured for her men to clear a path, allowing Issho to come closer.
"King Liku, I know you are a good king. If it were slaughter or massacre, I would take you away even at the risk of punishment."
Issho said this and then turned to Lily, "I would also like to hear your reasons!"
Lily glanced at him, then turned her head to look at the field, where a light breeze lifted her wavy golden hair. Her revealed profile left King Liku startled.
If she stayed quiet, she was no different from the noble ladies in his memory.
"Though I am not inclined to explain to you, I must admit, Riku Doldo III, you are a good king. Among the kings and nobles I have met so far, only you and Cobra of Alabasta count as good kings."
Lily's voice slowly resounded.
"Since that's the case..."
King Liku had just started to speak when Lily continued:
"When we first conquered O'hara, no, Gares... I was also well-intentioned. Like Sage said, those who voluntarily give up power and status can be spared."
"But I soon realized I was wrong. Even those with a compassionate heart like yours have subordinates who think otherwise. I came across a boy only fourteen years old, just as innocent and romantic as your granddaughter, who had done nothing."
"But simply because of his lineage, his claim, those opposing us propped him up as a banner against us. Even after we killed those dissenters and crushed the rebellion, there were still some discontented individuals who hid the boy underground."
"They no longer opposed us, but they used that claim secretly to oppress others. In the end, even that innocent, romantic, and pure boy came to feel that he was naturally entitled to rule."
"There are too many, too many of such people..."
Lily clenched her fist, "So many that they will only quiet down if I kill them all!"
"Do you think those swept along are evil people? No, they're also unaware, but as long as one exists, this flame of sin will inevitably rekindle!"
"Because of claims, because of lineage... I have to admit, we cannot change people's ingrained impressions, at least not until those with lineage disappear. But we are merely pirates, pirates not recognized by anyone."
"To rule, to spread Sage's command without hindrance throughout his domain, we can only kill!"
"If that's the case, I'm willing... no, I can die, but Kyros and the others are innocent. You can let them leave this country, never to return!" King Liku shouted.