In truth, there were plenty of people within the Immortal Pirates far stronger than Bartolomeo. Law had only chosen him as an ally out of necessity.
A short while ago, he had managed to recruit Jewelry Bonney.
Bonney harbored a deep hatred for the Government. Originally, she had been actively dedicated to the mission of finding Alucard, but after Law convinced her that taking down the Donquixote Alliance would help dismantle the Government's power, she reluctantly agreed to be an ally.
However, Law knew his speech to Bonney was mostly a bluff.
When it came to the search for Alucard, no one surpassed the Donquixote Alliance in terms of sheer financial backing. They provided 20 billion Berries a year, a staggering sum that couldn't be matched by anyone else in the world.
Consequently, none of the elite cadres of the Immortal Pirates agreed with Law's plan to strike the Donquixote Alliance. In fact, many were vehemently opposed to it, leaving Law unable to find any heavy-hitting partners.
Out of options, he had to set his sights on people like Bartolomeo and Bonney, recent recruits who weren't exactly known for their intellect. As for what would happen afterward... he would deal with that once Doflamingo was taken out.
"Huh? Where did everybody go? Honestly, those guys get lost way too easily."
Just as the two were discussing the matter, a voice suddenly shattered the silence.
The crews of the Barto Club and the Heart Pirates looked toward the source of the voice. They saw Luffy looking around blankly before clutching his stomach and stating bluntly, "Man... I'm hungry."
As he spoke, Luffy's head swiveled around. He caught the scent of the snacks on Bartolomeo and Law's table and was drawn over, drool practically leaking from his mouth. "Ar-are you guys gonna eat those? Want me to help you out?"
"Hah?"
Bartolomeo's brow twitched. He snapped back arrogantly, "Who the hell are you, kid? Scram before I kill you!"
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy. The man who's going to be the Pirate King!"
Luffy acted as if he hadn't heard the threat at all, making his grand declaration with a carefree grin.
"Monkey..."
"D..."
Bartolomeo and Law's expressions both stiffened. At that moment, Nami, Sanji, and the others came running up.
Seeing Luffy's back, Sanji stepped forward quickly. "Ah, there you are, Luffy! Come on, we have to get off this island right now—" He stopped mid-sentence, his face turning pale. He had spotted the Immortal Pirates' tattoos on the arms of Bartolomeo, Gambia, and the others.
Nami's expression turned to one of shock. "Those two... I remember them. That's Bartolomeo of the Barto Club, and Trafalgar Law of the Heart Pirates."
"Hey, hey, what's going on?"
Passing fish-men noticed the commotion and began to gather. As members of the Immortal Pirates, the current rulers of the island, Law and Bartolomeo were instantly recognized by the locals.
"That's... Bartolomeo and Trafalgar Law."
"Pirate captains with bounties of 260 million and 440 million Berries."
"The one in the straw hat looks familiar. Who is he? A pirate too?"
"Doesn't matter who he is. Anyone who crosses the Immortal Pirates is finished."
Even without Alucard, the prestige of the Immortal Pirates firmly secured their spot as a Yonko crew. They were the polar opposite of the Whitebeard Pirates, who had essentially collapsed after the loss of Edward Newgate.
"Monkey... D. Luffy..."
Bartolomeo repeated the name, then let out a sneering laugh. "I remember now. The brat who barged into the Summit War two years ago and had the audacity to challenge Alucard-sama."
"There were rumors you were dead, but I guess you're still kicking," Bartolomeo said, standing up and drawing a dagger from his pant leg. "However, you're an enemy, aren't you? Your father, Dragon, and Red-Haired Shanks, who I heard you owe a debt to, both died at Alucard-sama's hands. To prevent any future trouble, I'll just slaughter you now."
Nami turned pale. "What? You're starting a fight just like that?"
"Run, Luffy!" Chopper cried out in terror. "They're a Yonko crew!"
"Captain, should we stay out of it?" the polar bear Bepo asked Law innocently.
Law's lips curled into a smirk. "Wait a moment. I want to see the power of the man who carries the name of 'D'."
Luffy hadn't reacted much to the mention of Dragon's name, but at the mention of Shanks, his expression shifted drastically. His straw hat cast a shadow over the upper half of his face. "Don't you dare... speak Shanks' name so lightly."
"Hah?" Bartolomeo laughed exaggeratedly. "Speaking of which, he died because of you, didn't he? It's truly hilarious, giving up his life for a brat—"
Whoosh!
Luffy's arm blurred, stretching back over a dozen meters before snapping forward to slam into Bartolomeo's abdomen.
BOOM!!!
Suddenly, Luffy's fist collided with an invisible force, bringing his attack to a dead stop.
Everyone looked closer and saw a layer of pale green, transparent wall between Luffy and Bartolomeo.
"Barrier~~"
Bartolomeo held up his right hand, crossing his index and middle fingers for Luffy to see. "Crossing your fingers opens the barrier. Learn something, you brat!"
"He's improved... in these past two years..." Law thought to himself. "That guy... maybe he can be used."
The surrounding fish-men were speechless at the sight of Luffy attacking Bartolomeo, and a flurry of whispers broke out:
"Hey, who is that guy?"
"He actually dared to strike someone from the Immortal Pirates!"
"This is bad. Even if the Captain is gone, the Immortal Pirates have way too many powerful people."
"Does he have a death wish? That Straw Hat guy?"
Meanwhile, in the depths of the sea where Spring Queen Island once stood, a slab of sea-stone was swept away by the current. A pitch-black coffin lid was revealed from beneath the silt. Fresh blood began to form a line of text on its surface:
"The Bird of the Hermes is my name, I devoured my own wings."