The first half of the Grand Line.
Alabasta.
This nation with a population exceeding ten million had experienced immense turmoil in recent years.
The Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, Sir Crocodile, intervened in the war and became the hero of this country.
However...
Becoming a 'hero' was merely a step in a deeper plan.
——
In the underground chamber beneath the casino, the air was thick with the scent of cigars and parchment.
Crocodile leaned back on his crocodile-skin sofa, gently tapping a crystal wine glass with his golden hook as he gazed at the woman seated opposite him.
"Nico Robin, you know why I allowed you to join Baroque Works."
His voice was hoarse, as if countless grains of sand were lodged in his throat.
Robin sat with her legs crossed in the shadows, speaking softly, "Isn't it because you lacked manpower to occupy Alabasta?"
...
"Hah..."
Crocodile let out a cold laugh, the red glow of his cigar illuminating the scar on half his face. "What I want isn't this country, but the hidden treasure here..."
"The sole survivor of Ohara, you are the only person in this world capable of deciphering the Poneglyphs. That is your true value!"
"You're searching for it too, aren't you..."
"The Ancient Weapon, Pluton!!"
Robin shuddered in the shadows, clearly struck by his words.
...
Crocodile suddenly leaned closer, smoke drifting past Robin's cheek. "I'm all too familiar with that look in your eyes..."
"What makes you think you can never catch up on your own, forcing you to seek out such a legendary weapon?"
Just like... me.
...
...
Robin remained silent for a long time.
"Do you really want to know?"
Crocodile sneered, pressing his metal hook against Robin's neck. "I want answers, not questions."
...
"Is that so..."
"That name has been my nightmare for years, like a natural disaster. You never know when it will strike or how it will destroy you..."
"Enough! I don't want to hear this nonsense!"
...
"Uchiha Griffin!"
As if rehearsed countless times, Robin uttered the name.
Crocodile's pupils contracted sharply.
Then he let out a cold laugh. "Interesting..."
"You actually have ties to someone like that... How truly fascinating, Miss All Sunday!"
——
——
——
Dressrosa.
Doflamingo had built his new palace atop the vast lake formed during the battle years ago.
A group of oddly-shaped executives gathered around a central counter.
On the counter lay a deep purple Devil Fruit with spiral patterns.
The executives who knew its name began breathing heavily.
...
The previous eater of this fruit was a legend known to all across the seas!
Once consumed, this fruit would grant a power that could be considered strategic-level.
Paramecia-type—Float-Float Fruit!
It allowed the user or any non-living object they touched to defy gravity, freely floating and moving through the air.
...
"Is this really that legendary fruit..."
Sugar, the Donquixote Family executive who maintained the appearance of a little girl after eating the Hobby-Hobby Fruit, reached out to touch it.
Trebol blocked her with his cane. "Careful! This is an incredibly precious fruit worth over five billion!"
The story of how they obtained this fruit was quite remarkable.
It was bought by Doflamingo's wife, Violet. As a princess, she loved going out to shop personally and interact with commoners.
Seeing a thin child carrying a basket of fruit for sale, she kindly bought the entire lot for nine hundred Belly.
Only when washing them after bringing them back did she discover this Devil Fruit hidden at the bottom.
Consulting the Devil Fruit encyclopedia revealed...
...
Sugar pouted as she looked at Doflamingo. "Young Master, who should eat this fruit?"
"With this, our family's strength will surely grow even greater!"
Doflamingo didn't respond, his expression hidden behind his sunglasses.
After a long silence...
"We cannot eat this fruit."
"Huh? Why?!"
...
Doflamingo grinned widely. "The Marines have been searching for this fruit for years. In their eyes, this fruit is that man's trophy."
"If anyone from our family eats the Float-Float Fruit, the Marines will absolutely annihilate the Donquixote Family..."
"How could that be! Young Master, you're one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea! Why would the Marines move against you?"
...
"Seven Warlords... heh."
Doflamingo shook his head. "That man wouldn't care about such a title."
"Have you forgotten what Vergo said? He's extremely special within the Marines. Even Sengoku can't command him."
"Many in the Marines even prioritize his orders above those of Admirals."
"To get promoted to Vice Admiral, even Vergo had to join his faction..."
...
"Then..."
Diamante spoke up. "What if we give this fruit to Vergo and have him deliver it to that man? Would that help Vergo's infiltration?"
Doflamingo remained silent for a moment before shaking his head. "It's meaningless. Vice Admiral is the highest position Vergo can reach."
...
Trebol, who always served as the family's strategist, suggested, "Since giving it to the Marines yields no benefit, why not give it to Kaido, whom we've been cooperating with?"
"He'll definitely pay a price matching this fruit's value!"
...
"No..."
"Kaido won't keep our secret. If it's known this fruit came from us, we'll still face trouble."
...
"Then what should we do? We can't just throw it away!" Sugar pressed her head against the cane, trying to get a closer look.
No one could help being curious about this fruit.
A mad grin spread across Doflamingo's lips.
"I've thought of a good plan..."
"Don't you think these seas have become rather dull lately?"
"If we use this as a bargaining chip, perhaps..."
...
"Announce to the world that the Float-Float Fruit is in my possession! An auction will be held in Dressrosa in half a month!!"
"Fufufufufu..."
"Let's turn this world upside down, monsters!!"
New World - Marine Base G-179.
In the massive concrete training ground, raindrops fell, creating splashes of gray and black.
Swish—
A blade flash sliced through the raindrops, howling as it shot toward the man at the training ground's center.
Clang!!
The sound of metal clashing erupted. When the scene cleared...
That blade, coated in pitch-black Armament Haki, had its tip caught between two fingers.
Shiryu's pupils contracted into two crimson points, his knuckles cracking as he exerted force, yet the tip of the blade remained trapped between two fingers, unable to advance even an inch.
...
"Is this the result of a year's training?"
Griffin tilted his head, rainwater sliding down his chin onto the sword's hilt.
"You're not even worthy of me using my whole hand."
Shiryu gritted his teeth, his killing intent condensing into tangible weight, the concrete ground beneath his feet cracking like a spiderweb.
"Bastard... don't underestimate me!!"
Whoosh—
Unable to pull out his sword, Shiryu reached toward his waist and flung three throwing knives, striking toward Griffin's face like lightning.
Griffin didn't even bother dodging.
Only a few clinking sounds were heard as the knives shattered upon hitting his face.
Shiryu's pupils trembled violently.
A year ago, they could at least leave marks... this monster's physique had grown stronger again!
Even without using Armament Haki, he was at this level—it was practically like a Steel Body!!
"You've got thicker skin..."
...
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Griffin raised a finger and lightly flicked the side of the blade.
Clang————!!
Shiryu was sent flying backward along with his sword, crashing into a concrete wall and leaving a clear human-shaped imprint.
Shaking nonexistent dust from his sleeve cuff, Griffin raised his hand to block the rain: "It's raining, I'm not in the mood to play with you. Next time."
"And also, the venue repair fee will be deducted from your salary."
...
Shiryu slid down from the wall, coughing up a mouthful of blood, glaring fiercely at that back.
Bastard...
How dare you underestimate me like this, I won't let you off!!
...
Just after leaving the training ground, Griffin saw a Marine rushing toward him.
"Griffin... Rear Admiral Griffin!"
Unable to catch his breath, shouting as he ran.
"The Float-Float Fruit has been found!!"