Dawn slowly broke across the sea.
Many people who were still unaware of the news woke up from their sleep, only to be greeted by a storm of voices spreading across every town.
At last, everyone learned what had happened the day before.
Silvers Rayleigh, former vice captain of the Roger Pirates… was confirmed dead.
For pirates, it was nothing short of a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
But for ordinary civilians, it was a reason to celebrate.
"As expected of Fleet Admiral Ezra D. Vale!"
"That's right! They finally took down Rayleigh!"
"This is amazing! Life is only going to get better from here!"
Across countless towns, people cheered from the bottom of their hearts.
Ever since Ezra took command, incidents of piracy had sharply declined.
Fewer and fewer new pirates were setting sail.
Most of the remaining ones were veterans from the old era, barely holding things together.
But how long could that last?
Without new blood, piracy would only fade away.
Most of those pirates were already past their prime.
Even if nothing else happened, time alone would wear them down.
Still, that wasn't the future Ezra wanted.
The purpose of the Zero Division was not to wait for piracy to die out, but to end it decisively.
From this day forward, both Ezra's reputation and the Zero Division's prestige rose to new heights.
At the same time, countless pirates began to question themselves.
Should we… keep going?
Meanwhile, those already carrying bounties were in chaos.
They feared something even worse than the Marines.
They feared their own crews abandoning them and returning to ordinary life.
After all, the bounty wasn't on their subordinates' heads.
At the edge of the sea, just as the Straw Hat crew prepared to leave Fish-Man Island, they were completely unaware of everything that had happened.
Because the island was now under Ezra's protection, King Neptune had politely but firmly refused to host them.
To him, standing with Ezra meant keeping distance from pirates.
Luffy's group had been sent away before even reaching the palace.
As their ship rose from the deep sea, a news-carrying seagull flew toward them.
Moments later, Luffy read the headline.
Rayleigh… dead.
"THE MARINES…!!"
Killing intent flooded his eyes.
This was the second time.
First Ace.
Now Rayleigh.
He clenched his fists, his whole body trembling.
"Karina! Turn the ship around! We're going back to Sabaody!"
"Luffy, calm down!" Zoro and Sanji stepped in immediately.
After a long moment, they managed to stop him.
Luffy didn't turn back.
But something in his eyes had changed.
Less innocence.
More steel.
"Rayleigh… just wait."
"I'll make the Marines pay for this."
His voice echoed across the open sea like a vow carved into the wind.
At Marine Headquarters, Ezra had no interest in the emotional reactions of pirates.
He had already moved on to the next step.
A Den Den Mushi rang.
"Fufufufu… Fleet Admiral."
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"Doflamingo. Speak."
As he spoke, he gestured for Sengoku to leave.
Sengoku understood immediately and quietly exited, closing the door behind him.
Only then did Doflamingo's tone shift.
"…Young master. Apologies. I had to put on an act just now."
Ezra shook his head lightly.
"You handled it well. No need to apologize. What is it?"
Doflamingo continued.
"Do you remember the artificial Devil Fruits from Kaido's side?"
Ezra nodded.
"Of course."
"Kaido has requested an increase in production."
Ezra's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Increase production… what is he planning now?"
Doflamingo shook his head.
"No idea."
Ezra paused, then moved on.
"Forget him for now. Doflamingo… you still owe me one last favor, correct?"
Doflamingo's heart tightened.
He hadn't forgotten.
"Yes, young master."
Ezra tapped his fingers lightly against the armrest before speaking.
"Have Caesar leave Punk Hazard immediately."
He continued calmly.
"Based on my calculations, the Straw Hats will arrive there soon."
"If Caesar stays, he'll be captured."
"Your job is to extract him… and interfere with the Straw Hats."
Then his voice turned colder.
"You can also use Ace's Flame-Flame Fruit as bait."
"Draw Luffy out."
Doflamingo nodded firmly.
"I understand."
Ezra added one more thing.
"Strengthen yourself."
"If Luffy makes it to you… don't hold back."
"Kill him."
Doflamingo's expression hardened.
"…Understood."
"Do this properly," Ezra said. "And I'll restore your status as a Celestial Dragon."
For a moment, Doflamingo couldn't hide his excitement.
"…Yes, young master!"
His long-held ambition was finally within reach.
After the call ended, Ezra leaned back and rubbed his temples.
The number of top-tier pirates in the world was dwindling fast.
He had considered eliminating them all personally.
But not yet.
There were still things he didn't understand.
Secrets about himself… about the world.
"…I should check the archives in Pangaea Castle."
With that thought, he returned to his work.
In Dressrosa, Doflamingo wasted no time.
He immediately contacted Caesar.
"Shurorororo… Joker! What a rare call!"
Hearing Caesar's irritating voice, Doflamingo smiled faintly.
"Caesar. You're still on Punk Hazard, right?"
"Of course!"
"Start packing up your labs. I'm sending someone to pick you up."
Caesar froze.
"…Did something happen?"
Doflamingo nodded slightly.
"Marine intel. Punk Hazard is about to become dangerous."
Caesar's body trembled.
"I understand! I'll start immediately!"
"Good. Don't wander off. My people will arrive within a day."
"Yes, yes!"
The call ended.
Doflamingo immediately gathered his crew.
"Prepare to move. Retrieve Caesar from Punk Hazard."
The gears had already begun to turn.
And soon, the next storm would arrive.
-----------------------------
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