This war at Marineford, destined to go down in history, had the world on edge.
When Whitebeard fell at the hands of Bacardi Maude—
Countless spectators clenched their fists in excitement, cheering at the spectacle, yet none could truly feel at ease.
Because the war was not yet over.
And when Doflamingo collapsed beneath Maude's blade—
Panic set in among many.
For they had deeply entrenched dealings with Doflamingo.
"Boss... Joker is dead! Our weapons supply is now completely uncertain!"
"Without weapons, we don't stand a chance in this war!"
"Sigh... We should just surrender..."
"..."
"Hey, hey... The 'King' of the Underworld, just like that, he's dead?"
"If even Whitebeard can die, then what else is impossible?"
"Wait a minute! I just placed an order for a Devil Fruit with Joker not long ago! I already paid! The deal was set! But now that Joker is dead, what happens to my Devil Fruit?!"
"Joker may be dead, but his family's influence remains. Someone from the Donquixote Family will surely take his place."
"Heh, don't be naïve. Besides Joker, who in the Donquixote Family could possibly keep the Underworld in check?"
"With so many lucrative operations at stake, do you really think the other 'Underworld Emperors' would pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?"
"Keep your eyes open! Watch how many will be vying for Joker's seat!!!"
"Tch, I've already paid! If the Donquixote Family fails to deliver, then... hmph."
"Bacardi Maude! This is all that bastard's fault!"
"If he hadn't killed Joker, none of this would be happening!"
"Hey, isn't that guy a Warlord of the Sea too? Why would he strike down Doflamingo in the middle of all this?"
"Who knows..."
"That bastard is a demon who slaughters entire islands without hesitation! Nothing he does should surprise you!"
"Joker is dead, but the Donquixote Family won't just sit by and do nothing, will they?"
"Haha! Do you really think the Donquixote Family is tougher than Whitebeard?"
"Forget about them trying to get revenge on that demon. With the way he operates, once this war is over, he'll likely wipe out Doflamingo's entire network..."
"If that demon really does destroy the Donquixote Family, then my goods are as good as—"
"!!!"
This realization sent waves of panic through the Underworld clients who had been holding onto hope.
They had already paid. Even with Joker dead, they assumed the Donquixote Family would at least uphold their transactions.
But if Maude was determined to eradicate them and completely uproot Doflamingo's empire—
Then their investments would vanish into thin air.
"Damn it! Instead of sitting here worrying, we should act first!"
Within moments, countless eyes turned toward Dressrosa—the seat of the Donquixote Family's power.
Doflamingo's death was like a meteor crashing into the ocean, sending shockwaves across the world.
...
Dressrosa.
In the grand fountain plaza, the people of Dressrosa gathered en masse, a dense, overwhelming crowd.
They gazed up at the massive screen floating in midair, their faces filled with terror.
"King Doflamingo... he's dead?"
"What will happen to our country now?"
Dressed in traditional Spanish-style clothing, the citizens of Dressrosa stood frozen before the screen, their hearts filled with uncertainty for the future.
Inside the royal palace, the officers of the Donquixote Family stared at the broadcast in utter shock.
On the screen—
One figure stood tall: Bacardi Maude.
And another lay on the ground, bloodied and motionless—Doflamingo.
"This isn't real... Doflamingo! Doflamingo!!"
"Get up! We made you our king—not to watch you fall like this!!"
"No... no! How could this happen?!"
The Donquixote Family officers trembled, eyes brimming with disbelief and sorrow as tears streamed down their faces.
Before this war began, not even Doflamingo himself could have imagined such an outcome.
He was only supposed to make an appearance...
But now—
Even if they refused to accept it, the officers knew that Doflamingo was beyond saving.
One by one, they turned their eyes to Maude, their gazes burning with hatred and murderous intent.
Yet among them, one woman stood apart.
She had long, dark brown hair adorned with a red flower, wearing a polka-dotted layered flamenco dress and purple heels.
She was Viola, wielder of the Glare-Glare Fruit, gifted with the ability to see through all lies.
Her light brown eyes widened, her hand covering her mouth as her fingers trembled.
Not out of grief—
But out of exhilaration.
For years, she had never dared to dream of this moment.
The man who had cast Dressrosa into a nightmare had finally perished.
At last... a glimmer of hope.
Tears welled in her eyes.
But while the officers wept from sorrow—
She wept with joy.
Her gaze shifted to the one who had brought down Doflamingo.
Bacardi Maude.
The man who had already slain Lao G and other officers—
The man who had even felled Pica, one of the highest-ranking executives—
And now, even Doflamingo lay before him.
Perhaps...
Hope surged within her.
But she quickly smothered the thought.
For he, too, was a pirate.
A Warlord, just like Doflamingo...
...
Marineford Plaza.
The Marines stood in stunned silence, staring at Maude, who had just defeated Doflamingo.
They had witnessed the battle unfold before their eyes.
Yet they never expected that, upon reclaiming his shadow, Maude would end it all within mere moments.
"Bacardi Maude! You are a Warlord of the Sea! Why did you attack Doflamingo, who holds the same title?!"
Only now, with the battle over, did they find the opportunity to voice their questions.
Maude stood silent, his expression calm as he met the gaze of the Marines who had spoken up.
His silence did not deter their demands for an answer.
Among them were high-ranking Vice Admirals, their faces grim as they watched Maude closely.
Then, under the weight of countless questioning eyes—
Maude hoisted Doflamingo's barely breathing body and smiled slightly.
"I quit the Seven Warlords."
"!!!"
The Marines' faces froze in shock.
"So from this moment on, consider me your enemy... In turn, the Navy is now one of my targets."
"Of all times..."
Vice Admiral Momonga's expression turned grave as he stared at Maude.
A man who could defeat both Whitebeard and Doflamingo—
If he became an enemy at a time like this...
The mere thought of the consequences sent a chill down the Marines' spines.
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