The next day, at high noon.
Inside the grand meeting hall of the Kingdom of Dressrosa in the New World.
On the main seat of the conference room, Doflamingo, draped in his signature flamingo-feather cloak, was reclining calmly on a chaise longue. He elegantly swirled a crystal goblet containing a small amount of fragrant red wine.
"So, in other words... not only did you fail to bring Caesar back, but Diamante, Lao G, and the others were all captured, is that right?"
Doflamingo's tone was exceptionally calm, and his expression showed no ripple of emotion. He even had the leisure to take a sip of the vintage wine.
However, the entire meeting hall was filled with an incredibly oppressive atmosphere. It felt as if even the sky outside the palace was gradually darkening.
Hearing Doflamingo's level-headed words, every pirate in the hall with any modicum of status in the family lowered their head in trepidation. Not a single person dared to answer. From the common officers up to the elites, everyone could feel a bone-chilling killing intent!
The pressure intensified.
Suddenly, veins bulged on Doflamingo's forehead, and a terrifying aura exploded from him. Simultaneously, with a sharp crack, the goblet in his hand shattered. Red wine spilled out, staining the marble floor.
"Doffy..."
Standing behind him, the top officer Trebol had a grim look on his face; the usual lewd smirk was long gone. In the entire hall, only he and Pica dared to speak.
The Donquixote Family had four top officers: Trebol, Pica, Diamante, and Vergo (who had been sent to infiltrate the Navy). Unlike the other family officers, these four shared a bond with Doflamingo that surpassed mere service—they were closer than blood.
Twenty years ago, when Doflamingo lost his status as a Celestial Dragon and fell to the world of "humans," it was these four who had lifted him up! From the moment Doflamingo personally killed his own father, the concept of "family" in a biological sense ceased to exist for him. A few years ago, even his own brother was killed by his hand for betrayal.
To Doflamingo, the family officers were his kin. And the top officers were the inner circle of that kin.
But now...
"Marine Godfather... Rowan, is it?!"
Doflamingo stood up, his boots clicking rhythmically on the floor as he walked to the window. Staring at the gloomy sky, his expression became gradually more demonic.
"The mentor of the Hero Garp and the Fleet Admiral... I underestimated him. I didn't expect one of my top officers and three officers to be no match for you..."
Doflamingo muttered, radiating endless killing intent and malice. Even knowing he was dealing with the man who raised the current Navy leaders, he felt no fear. Who was he? He was a Great Pirate with the Haki of Kings—a man with the disposition of a ruler! He was once a World Noble. No background or status held any weight in his eyes.
Even if it was Garp's father or Sengoku's teacher, no one could touch his family!
"Fuffuffuffuffu... since things have reached this point, let's have a grand and joyous disaster!!"
On the Grand Line, no news stays secret for long.
The report that Rowan had captured four of Shichibukai Doflamingo's officers spread across the sea like wildfire. No faction had expected such a violent spark between Rowan and Doflamingo. Because of their unique identities, every major power on the Grand Line shifted their focus to these two men.
On one side was the "King's Privateer" sanctioned by the World Government. On the other was the prestigious "Marine Godfather." No one could believe that four of Doflamingo's officers, including a man of Diamante's caliber, had been suppressed by Rowan in the New World!
What would Doflamingo do next? How would the World Government react?!
In the New World, countless underworld organizations tied to the Donquixote Family grew tense. This was no minor incident; this involved a Shichibukai and the very core of the Marine Headquarters!
"Next, the New World might witness a wave that turns the world upside down," a leader of a minor faction muttered to himself while standing on an observation deck, looking out over the churning coast.
But he had no idea that the coming wave would be far more violent than he could ever imagine!
New World, a nameless island.
The once lush, vibrant island was now a scene of total wreckage. The entire landmass was crisscrossed with sword gashes, the most terrifying of which sliced the island clean in two from east to west!
At the center of the island, atop a massive rock, the World's Greatest Swordsman stood with his black blade planted in the ground. His eyes were closed, and his expression was solemn. A chilling sword intent radiated from Hawkeye Mihawk, permeating every inch of the island. Any swordsman, even at the "Grandmaster" level, would have felt a primal shiver if they felt this aura.
Suddenly, Mihawk's brow tightened. Then, a blinding light ascended from his body, piercing the heavens!
ZING!
Like a divine sword leaving its scabbard, the sound of clashing metal rang across the island. The massive disturbance woke everyone on the Red Force, which was anchored nearby. The crew of the Red-Haired Pirates rushed onto the deck, staring in shock at the sword-light stabbing into the clouds.
"Hey, Captain. Looks like Hawkeye pulled it off," Ben Beckman, the first mate, leaned against the railing. He sounded calm, showing little surprise as he took a slow drag of his cigarette.
"Yeah. That guy... he broke through again. Unbelievable..." Shanks said with a wide grin, taking a swig of liquor.
He and Mihawk were rivals and friends. Seeing Mihawk reach an even higher peak in the Way of the Sword made him genuinely happy. It meant the Path was, as he suspected, endless.
"Boss! Mihawk got stronger! We can definitely have a banquet today, right?!" Lucky Roux asked, chewing on a hunk of meat, his voice muffled.
"Hahaha! Lucky, I'm afraid we can't have a banquet this time," Shanks laughed, patting Roux on the shoulder.
"Eh? Why not?" Roux looked confused, as if a canceled banquet was the ultimate tragedy.