"Ugh..."
Orin leaned lazily against the side of the ship, honestly surprised that he'd somehow swum all the way to the North Blue by pure coincidence.
From the looks of it, there was quite a crowd gathered here.
And among them—he recognized quite a few familiar faces.
Before Vergo could respond, Orin asked again,
"Why does it look like so many people from the underworld are here? Almost all of them used to be the leaders of forces that once worked under me… even a few kings."
Vergo didn't hesitate to answer,
"Orin-sama, according to intelligence from both the Marines and the family, these people are most likely here to..."
"To remove your tracking ability. They're after the power of the Op-Op Fruit to cut and transfer it away."
"???"
They wanted the Op-Op Fruit for that reason?
Did they really think Orin would go back on his word?
Sure, he could be mischievous and unpredictable at times—but aside from that, weren't these forces just overreacting because they were afraid he might cause trouble for them?
Then again, since he'd already decided not to bother with such matters anymore, they could do whatever they wanted. Orin wasn't about to care what they planned to do with the Op-Op Fruit.
After all, as long as his true foundation remained and his core subordinates stayed loyal, nothing else really mattered.
"By the way, you still haven't answered me. Is Doffy on this island?"
Orin asked with a faintly amused smile, the corners of his lips curling into something almost imperceptibly wicked.
Vergo fell silent for a moment, his mind racing.
Because suddenly, he realized—if Orin misunderstood and thought that the Young Master had come to seize the Op-Op Fruit just to escape his control, then the Donquixote Family, Orin-sama's trusted subordinates, might all die here tonight!
Even though that wasn't what the Young Master intended, knowing Orin's imperial authority and ruthlessly decisive nature in the past... there was no way he'd listen to explanations.
"Orin-sama, the Young Master did not come."
At this point, Vergo decided he'd have to secretly find a chance later to warn the Young Master that Orin-sama was on the island. To avoid any misunderstanding, retreat would be the wisest move.
"Is that so..."
Orin rubbed his chin, a calm and knowing smile on his face.
The next second—
From the center of the island, a streak of razor-thin string shot skyward like a beam of light.
It reached a certain height, then spread outward like a goddess scattering flowers, descending to form a massive birdcage that enclosed the entire island.
"..."
Orin turned to look at Vergo, smiling faintly. The normally expressionless Vergo was now twitching violently at the corners of his mouth.
He was thinking—this was it. They were all doomed.
But to his surprise, Orin only chuckled at his reaction and patted his shoulder.
"Relax~ I know Doffy would never betray me. He didn't rebel even when I was gone—let alone now that I'm back."
Ever since giving up the title of [Emperor], Orin's mood had become far lighter. He was no longer as intimidating or oppressive, and had regained some of that carefree attitude he used to have during his days with the Roger Pirates.
"Orin-sama, your grand arrival truly caught this old woman off guard."
Just as Orin was about to head toward the island, a slightly aged voice sounded.
A woman with silvering hair slowly stepped out from the ship's cabin—it was Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"No need for formalities. I'm just taking a casual stroll."
Orin wasn't particularly interested in the sharp-minded strategist before him.
Not just because of her appearance and age, but because overly serious people like her were hardly ever fun.
Unlike the younger generation—or those old-timers from the previous era—she wouldn't flinch or frown when teased.
If Orin tried to joke with her, she would only look at him calmly, like a strict grandmother staring down a mischievous child.
As Orin leapt lightly off the ship and walked across the water, Tsuru's expression remained composed as she issued her command.
"Orin-sama has arrived in the North Blue alone. His purpose is unclear. Report it to Sengoku and the others."
"Yes, ma'am!!!"
The report described his purpose as unclear.
But the truth was, Orin didn't actually have one—he'd simply swum across the sea for the first time... and gotten lost.
Walking over the water, Orin stepped onto the soil of Minion Island.
Watching the tightening, slicing wires of the birdcage contracting around the land, he curiously extended a hand.
The threads were incredibly sharp—an ordinary human without Haki would be sliced apart instantly.
Though Orin's body was immensely powerful and his skin tough, he still coated his hand in Armament Haki.
Clang—
His pitch-black hand grabbed one of the threads, unleashing monstrous strength.
But the moment he touched it, surprise flickered in Orin's eyes as a harsh screeching sound of friction echoed.
Such incredible contraction force...
No wonder, in the original story, the "Birdcage" could push back even a Marine Admiral, and the combined might of a whole nation couldn't slow it down.
Even with his monstrous strength, Orin found it difficult to pull apart. Stopping it through brute force alone would be nearly impossible for anyone else.
After forcibly prying open the birdcage with both hands, Orin stepped inside.
Of course, he could have teleported in with the Warp-Warp Fruit, but testing its strength was just something he did on a whim.
...
On the other side—
Corazon had already lost the ability to move.
Barely holding on, he handed the letter to Law, urging him to find the Marines stationed by the coast.
He told him that once they read the secret message, they would understand everything.
Unfortunately, just as Law carried the letter and hurried away, he ran into someone.
Not a Marine...
But a man in a pink feathered coat—Doflamingo—dressed unusually in a full suit.
"Law? Why are you here?!"
Law froze, instinctively turning to run. But how could a kid like him possibly escape?
Doflamingo merely crooked his finger, and Law, filled with despair, was yanked back toward him. His trembling hands dropped the letter.
After reading its contents...
#——
Blue veins bulged across Doflamingo's forehead. Grabbing Law by the head, he stormed back in the direction he'd come from.
"Law!!!"
In the distance, Corazon saw Law being dragged by Doflamingo, and his body trembled violently—especially when he noticed that the man also held the secret letter meant for the Marines.
"Doflamingo... cough cough..."
Corazon struggled to rise, but his wounds were too severe. All he could do was glare at him with burning eyes.
Doflamingo threw Law to the ground, his face dark and cold.
"Why...? You knew I was one of Orin-sama's men. The Marines couldn't possibly kill me!"
"Then why bother doing something so pointless?!"
As Doflamingo aimed his pistol at him, Corazon only smiled through the blood on his face.
"You don't need to act all high and mighty in his name. I've been a Marine all my life—I've never been afraid. And besides..."
"Your precious Op-Op Fruit has already been eaten by Law!!!"
"He has the right to live. His dream will not end here!!!"
In Corazon's eyes, as long as Law had eaten the fruit, Doflamingo would have no choice but to spare him.
And after what happened last time with Sugar, Doflamingo wouldn't dare hide such a thing from Orin anyway.
Whether he himself lived or died—it didn't matter anymore.
"Corazon-san!!!"
Law's face was covered in blood as he forced his eyes open, only to see Doflamingo's expression twisted with fury.
"Why... why are you standing in my way?! Why do you keep forcing me to kill the ones I truly love?!"
The trigger slowly clicked back.
Corazon, drenched in blood, lifted his trembling hand.
And in his final moment—he flashed Law a peace sign, that same teasing grin on his face.
"Luo, I love you~"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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