Corazon, upon landing below the ship, broke out in a cold sweat from a voice...
"Corazon."
Looking up, he saw Doflamingo at the railing, staring at him with a blank expression.
Corazon's heart lurched. Why was he back so early today? He gritted his teeth.
Just then, Doflamingo continued to speak:
"Get on the ship quickly, we're preparing to depart."
"We've been spotted by the Marines again, it's that Tsuru from Headquarters."
"Hurry up."
He then turned and walked towards the ship's cabin.
Corazon, drenched in sweat below the ship, breathed a sigh of relief. That kid... he didn't rat me out.
Rao emerged from beneath the ladder, a sinister grin on his face:
"We're even this time."
"After all, you kept quiet about me stabbing you two years ago."
"Heheheh."
He then ran back onto the ship with a wicked smile.
Corazon let out a soft sigh, his mind at ease, and collapsed onto the ground.
Looking at the brat running upwards, Corazon made a decision...
Doflamingo reappeared at the railing:
"Corazon, hurry up!"
"Hey! Corazon!!!"
---
North Blue. After half a day of fleeing.
The members of the Donquixote Family finally managed to escape Vice Admiral Tsuru's pursuit in a disheveled state.
However, both Rao and Corazon were nowhere to be found.
Busy with the battle earlier, they had no time to look for them, and now, after turning the ship upside down, they couldn't find anyone.
At this moment, Diamante emerged from the ship's cabin holding a piece of paper:
"Doffy."
Doflamingo took the paper. On it was written:
"I've taken Rao to get treatment, Corazon."
*Tzzt—*
The paper turned into a flurry of confetti. An inexplicable anger surged through Doflamingo, and for the first time, he felt suspicion towards his own brother, Corazon, Rosinante.
A brief recollection would reveal that ever since Rosinante returned these past few years, the family's development had been far from smooth.
Moreover, the Marines always seemed to find their location, coupled with this pursuit.
He hoped his suspicion was wrong, after all, you are my only 'brother'...
"Corazon..."
---
North Blue, Unknown Waters.
A small wooden boat drifted with its sail hoisted.
Rao, tied up in a bundle, cursed:
"You bastard! Let me go!!!"
"What do you want, Corazon!"
"Untie me quickly! Hey!!"
"Say something! You bastard!!!"
*Buru buru~ Buru buru~*
The Den Den Mushi rang. Rao grew agitated:
"Hurry up and answer it!"
"It must be Doflamingo!!"
"Help me!!!"
But Corazon paid no attention, his expressionless gaze fixed on the newspaper, searching for a renowned doctor.
After an unknown amount of time...
Rao had fallen asleep. Corazon put down the newspaper with a sigh, having found nothing.
He picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed the secret number.
----
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In Sengoku's office, Sengoku, who was eating senbei, his eyes lit up at the sound of the Den Den Mushi in his drawer.
He unleashed his Kenbunshoku Haki and quickly answered the call:
"Big—Senbei."
Rosinante on the other end of the Den Den Mushi said calmly:
"Little cracker."
After exchanging the passcodes, Rosinante said:
"It's me."
Sengoku spoke into the Den Den Mushi:
"How is it, Rosinante?"
Rosinante on the other end of the Den Den Mushi replied:
"Everything is fine, but I need to pause my mission."
Sengoku casually picked up a senbei and popped it into his mouth:
"Are you encountering any trouble?"
Rosinante on the other end said:
"There are some personal matters to attend to."
Sengoku nodded:
"I see, understood."
"How are the little ones over there?"
"They still don't leave, no matter how you bully them?"
Rosinante gave a soft 'hmm':
"These three are probably a lost cause."
Sengoku sensed someone approaching:
"They are already pirate crews famous throughout the world."
"You must be extremely careful with everything."
"This matter is entirely entrusted to you."
"Feel free to do as you please, I await your next report."
*Click—*
He hung up the Den Den Mushi. Just then, two figures appeared outside the door.
"Report, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"The person I mentioned to you earlier, who wished for a transfer, has arrived."
Sengoku tidied his desk:
"Have him come in."
*Dada dada...*
The crisp sound of leather shoes echoed as he entered. Sengoku looked at the young man standing at attention:
"It's you."
"I heard you performed exceptionally well in your first year of officially joining the Marines."
"You wish to transfer to G5, correct?"
"What is your name?"
*Click—*
The young Marine stood at attention, his leather shoes colliding with a crisp sound:
"Yes."
"My name is Vergo."
----
North Blue.
Roruka and Robin, aboard a merchant ship, set sail for the Grand Line.
Under a parasol, with cold drinks on the table, they sat in chairs looking at a map.
Robin, watching Roruka circle areas on the Grand Line map, was curious:
"Are these circled places areas you've already visited?"
Roruka smiled and nodded:
"Yes, the weather in the Grand Line is unpredictable."
"The danger level also increases dramatically, so I haven't fully explored it all."
"I started from Sabaody, reached the Reverse Mountain, and then didn't turn back, heading directly to the Four Seas."
Robin exclaimed in amazement:
"That's still so many islands."
"I wonder how the Grand Line compares to the Four Seas."
Roruka chuckled:
"Each has its own merits."
"Beautiful, dangerous, and powerful."
"In any case, most of the strong individuals are heading towards the Grand Line."
Robin nodded thoughtfully:
"I see."
"Then where are we going this time?"
Roruka took out another map and placed it on the table:
"There are several different routes in the Grand Line. I've already traveled this edge route."
"We'll go back and take the middle route."
He said this while taking out a pen of a different color and drawing circles on the map, starting from the island at the entrance of Reverse Mountain and continuing all the way to the Sabaody Archipelago.
----
Grand Line, Amazon Lily.
Shortly after returning to Amazon Lily, Boa Hancock, with her beauty and powerful Devil Fruit abilities, became the Empress of Amazon Lily.
To prevent outsiders from knowing her past as a slave.
Always living in fear, she gradually put on a "mask."
She appeared before everyone as an arrogant tyrant, haughty, willful, and extremely disdainful of others.
Even a cute little animal passing by would be mercilessly kicked away by her.
Through such actions, she maintained her image as Empress, yet due to her beauty, she always received praise.
Gradually losing herself...
As Empress, she was preparing for an unprecedented expedition for Amazon Lily.
To solidify her position and authority...
----
Meanwhile.
'Marine Hunter' Dracule Mihawk and the Red-Haired Pirates' Shanks were once again locked in battle.
Just halfway through, Beckman ran up and told Shanks some news.
Shanks, with a grave expression, bid farewell.
The helpless Mihawk once again embarked on his quest to find an opponent...
----
Several months later...
Grand Line, Alabasta.
After the "Ploughshare Operation" in the East Blue, the remaining nine warships were ordered back to Headquarters to report.
He, however, along with Barrette and Enel, boarded a warship and headed to...
Alabasta, Raindinners.
As soon as they stepped into Crocodile's stronghold, countless black-clothed men swarmed out.
They forcibly cleared the residents from the road, issuing warnings.
A leader among the black-clothed men respectfully stepped forward to greet them with a subservient bow.
Seeing the subordinates of Crocodile, whom they revered as a hero, acting so humbly.
Many of the residents who were forcibly cleared from the road harbored resentment and dissatisfaction towards Sakazuki and the Marines behind him.
Enel, watching the expressions of the surrounding residents, raised an eyebrow:
"This guy... he's looking for trouble."
Sakazuki in front scoffed:
"Gave them a few bones and they think they can sit at the table to eat."
"Dogs are dogs, they remember the food but not the beating."
Amidst the crowd on the street, a man and a woman hid themselves, trying to remain unseen.
Robin's body trembled and stiffened involuntarily...
Roruka gently stroked Robin's back to comfort her. Only after Sakazuki had passed did Robin slowly calm down.
She breathed a sigh of relief, but before they could escape.
Sakazuki, who had already walked past, inexplicably returned with his men.
Looking at Roruka, who was "accidentally" comforting Robin, and Robin with her back turned to him.
Sakazuki's voice, like a demon's, slowly reached Robin's ears:
"Are you... afraid of me?"