Deep in the forest.
"ROOOAR—!"
A five-meter-long tiger lay sprawled on the ground, three fat lumps swelling on its head. Its bright yellow eyes were wide with pure terror as it stared up at Merlin.
In the last five minutes, Merlin had absolutely wrecked it.
Monet stared at the big cat, mouth slightly open. "Didn't expect tigers on this island. You gonna eat it?"
At those words the tiger's eyes rolled back and it fainted on the spot.
A strong whiff of piss hit the air.
Merlin looked disgusted. Some king of the jungle you are. He glanced around the quiet mountain ravine lined with terraced streams.
The place was peaceful, beautiful, and carried a faint sense of grandeur.
Birdsong echoed softly through the trees.
"This island's only decent spot is right here."
He placed his right hand on the tiger's head, eyes half-closed. Using Observation Haki and his bio-electric sense together, he mapped every inch of the animal's body—from skin to bone, muscle, blood, and fur. He felt the heart hammering, traced the flow of bio-electricity inside it, and compared it to the lynx in his memory.
As his breathing steadied, the cat-headed [Demon] in his mind began to change. The head shifted toward a fierce tiger's muzzle. Tiger-stripe patterns like arabesques spread across the [Demon]'s body.
A moment later Merlin opened his eyes. He slowly circled the tiger, running his hands over every inch—squeezing paws, tugging ears, knocking the skull, pressing the spine, pulling the tail, flicking… well, everything. Then he flipped it over and kept inspecting.
Monet stayed quiet, watching. She noticed the tiger had woken up. Even with its eyes squeezed shut pretending to be unconscious, it was obediently cooperating.
The corner of her mouth twitched into a tiny smile.
Thinking about the visualization Merlin had taught her, she asked, "You want to visualize this one?"
Merlin looked up and nodded with a grin. "Tigers are the strongest of the big cats. Visualizing one will help my training."
"Humans have trained since the beginning by copying nature—imitating everything in the world to temper body and mind."
"I… don't really get it!"
"It's fine if you don't. Just remember. Once you awaken Haki, your spirit and mind will change. It'll click then."
"Okay… By the way, how exactly are you teaching me Observation Haki? I'm curious.
I read the manual Pica gave us from Doflamingo, but it's all vague."
"My method's rough. I'll shock you with electricity, then heal the damage with my ability.
It'll wreck your body and mind, but once you adapt and your willpower gets tempered, you might awaken."
Monet blinked, lips parting slightly. She took a deep breath and said firmly, "I'm ready."
Merlin smiled. He glanced at the stream, then walked to a small pool. Monet followed.
"What's this for?"
"Strip and jump in first. We'll use the water as a buffer so you can get used to the pain gradually."
Monet's cheeks flushed pink…
One hour later.
Merlin carried Monet on his shoulder as they left the area. The tiger had vanished long ago. They walked through the dim forest.
After a while the electrically stunned Monet recovered. In a soft, weak voice she said, "You can put me down. I feel better now!"
She pushed herself up, hands on his shoulder, twisting until she sat on his bicep.
When she looked sideways her cheeks were still flushed, strands of damp hair sticking to her forehead.
She let go and slid to the ground with a soft sigh of relief.
She stretched, then looked at Merlin curiously. "Your ability is seriously amazing. It hurt so bad a minute ago, but now I feel nothing. If it weren't for the phantom pain in my head, I'd think it was a dream."
Merlin chuckled and kept walking. Monet fell in beside him. "How'd it feel? You can still back out. You were screaming pretty loud back there."
Monet's ears turned red. She remembered vaguely biting his arm in the haze of pain.
"Does your arm still hurt?"
She asked guiltily.
Merlin gave her a flat look. "Want me to bite you back?"
Monet froze, conflicted for a second, then shrank back. "Better not…?"
Merlin burst out laughing. "Haha, I'm just messing with you!"
Monet breathed a sigh of relief, then said seriously, "I'm not backing out. Once I decide something, I follow through."
Hearing her earnest tone, Merlin smiled. "Yeah, I know."
A little while later.
They stepped out of the forest. Lao G and the others had already finished cleaning up the beach.
A bonfire crackled in a pile of rocks on the sand. The grill was out, loaded with meat.
When they saw the pair approaching, Rosinante waved with a smug grin. "You're back just in time. Smell the meat?"
Merlin glanced at him. "Now that you can talk again, you gotta make up for every word you held in?"
"You…"
Rosinante got mad and swung again. Gladius stepped in with a helpless sigh. "Rossi, shut up before Merlin beats you up again."
Merlin sat by the grill. Gladius handed him a bottle and said resignedly, "Even though you're not family, I'd appreciate it if you took him somewhere private next time. We've got face to maintain here."
Rosinante's face turned red as he pointed at Gladius, sputtering.
Merlin popped the cork with his teeth, then looked at the beached Hurricane Pirates ship. "Not burning it?"
"It's barely damaged. We can sail it to a busy port and sell it for around 100 million Berries."
Gladius grinned. "We officers get 3%—about 3 million each.
Oh, right. Young Master said you two get a cut too."
Lao G puffed up proudly. "Our family's benefits for officers are top-notch. Young Master really likes you. You wanna join?"
Merlin pretended not to hear. Monet handed him a huge lobster with a bright smile. "Merlin, have some lobster."
Merlin took it, cracked a massive claw—crack—and passed half to Monet.
The two happily shared it.
Lao G's face went dark.
Rosinante secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Good thing he didn't agree. My evil big brother would be unstoppable.
Gladius didn't seem upset. He casually added, "Lately the family's shifting operations. Young Master already left Spider Miles.
We're splitting into two teams. Our group will hit the waters around Fulton Kingdom, Dagama Kingdom, and Volgara Kingdom to collect on some overdue payments.
They bought our weapons but keep dragging their feet."
Merlin's eyes narrowed. "Those three kingdoms, huh…"
Suddenly he grinned. "Flevance was wiped out with weapons you guys supplied, right?"
The whole group went dead silent. Lao G's eyes narrowed. Gladius froze. Rosinante's gaze turned complicated. Only Buffalo kept munching scallops, oblivious. "What's up with you guys?"
Monet's eyes went ice-cold. She shot a subtle glance at Rosinante's neck.
He felt a chill.
But inside, Rosinante's heart lifted. Looks like Merlin's got beef with my big brother. Good opening…
While he was lost in thought, Merlin gently bumped Monet's shoulder. "I want some grilled mushrooms."
Monet blinked, then grabbed three skewers and handed them over.
Merlin took big bites. Gladius gave him a long look, then said quietly, "Weapons aren't the problem. The people who use them are.
We just sell them. What they do afterward isn't our business.
What do you think?
We've got a good relationship. We don't want bad blood. If there is any, I hope we can settle it peacefully."
Merlin smiled. This is what strength gets you—people talk calmly.
He swallowed and turned to Monet with a grin. "In your eyes, what kind of people are the Donquixote Family?"
Lao G and the others looked confused. Monet blinked and answered, "A bunch of lawless thugs who'll kill each other over nothing."
"So why does what Gladius just said sound nothing like their usual style? Why the change?"
Monet thought for a second, then her eyes lit up. "Because of your strength?"
"Bingo."
"I'm still green, but to them I'm someone they have to take seriously."
Merlin chuckled. Good, the girl's not dumb. He turned back to Gladius. "You're right—weapons aren't wrong. But shouldn't you pay me some mental damages to settle this completely?"
Gladius's eyes flashed. "What do you want? Just so we're clear—no Devil Fruits. We're out."
Merlin smiled. "One Great Grade 21-Work long blade.
I'm being reasonable—I didn't ask for a Supreme Grade."
Gladius's eye twitched. Great Grade blades were rare—only twenty-one publicly known in the world.
Still, he relaxed. Asking for something valuable proved Merlin genuinely wanted to bury the hatchet.
"Give us half a year. Our intel people will find one."
"Pleasure doing business!"
The barbecue atmosphere picked back up. By the time they finished, the moon was high.
Later, on the ship's deck.
Merlin sat on the railing, sipping his drink.
Monet leaned beside him. "You don't hate them?"
"Hate them for what? I've got no grudge.
Hate them over some weapons? Then I'd be no better than them.
I don't even hate the soldiers who helped wipe out the country.
This world is just eat or be eaten.
I was weak, so I got robbed. My bad.
Now I'm strong—who dares rob me?
If I don't rob them, they should be thanking their lucky stars!"
Monet nodded slowly, half-understanding. "Got any time now? Keep training me!
I want to get stronger!"
Merlin smiled. "We've got time. No rush. Too much electricity at once is overkill.
Keep getting shocked like that and you'll go crazy."
Monet's golden eyes sparkled mischievously. "Like this?"
She flashed a gentle smile—then instantly switched to ice-cold, then back to gentle.
SMACK!
"Ow! That hurts!"
Monet clutched her head, glaring resentfully.
Merlin pulled back his knife-hand and rolled his eyes. "You a yandere? Trying to scare me?"
Monet looked guilty and turned away, muttering, "Sorry… stingy jerk."
Merlin ruffled her grass-green hair. Monet sighed. "You treating me like Sugar now?"
Merlin chuckled. "If you miss her, just call on the Den Den Mushi."
Monet shook her head. "It's too late. Don't wanna bother her."
Meanwhile, far away on Swallow Island, inside Merlin's villa.
Lights on.
Living room.
"Nineteen… eight… three-two-one! Yol, Sugar, you hidden? I'm coming!"
Lami crouched sneakily, grinning as she stroked Three Cannon's head. She held up two fingers—two grilled fish.
Three Cannon shook his head and waved three claws—three fish or no deal.
Lami winced at her shrinking allowance but nodded.
Three Cannon's tail shot up. He strutted off. Lami hurried after.
They quickly found tiny Sugar in Merlin's closet.
"Hehe! Found you first, Sugar! Your turn!"
Sugar puffed her cheeks, pointing at Three Cannon with teary eyes. "Traitor! You sold me out?"
"Meow?" Three Cannon roared arrogantly, then meowed loudly at the curtains. Yol lifted the curtain with a helpless smile. "Cheating again?"
Lami lifted her chin proudly. "You two never let Three Cannon play!"
Yol lifted Sugar out and sat her on the bed, ruffling her hair. "Three Cannon's nose is too good and he hides too well. When he plays cat we can't escape. When he plays mouse we can't catch him!"
Lami shook her head. "Losers pay up, Yol. You tell the bedtime story tonight."
Yol sighed and nodded.
Sugar looked pitiful. "Merlin and Monet still haven't called… Did they forget us?"
Lami puffed her cheeks, then sighed. "Men who leave home are so unreliable."
Yol looked helpless. "I don't know what they're doing right now.
If I wasn't worried about bothering them I'd call.
Never mind. Let's sleep. After training tomorrow I'll take you both to the mountain hot springs."
"Yay! Yol's the best!"
Five days later.
They left a port town.
The three-masted ship was sold.
Merlin and Monet each got 3 million Berries.
—
In the cabin.
Monet sat cross-legged on the floor, body shaking violently under the electric current. A towel was clamped between her teeth as pained whimpers escaped.
Merlin knelt behind her, hands on her shoulders, black flames rising in his eyes as he monitored the accumulating injury calamity inside her.
A moment later he cut the current and let out a breath. The electricity was frying both of them—he was just used to this level.
Monet slumped against his leg. Merlin said calmly, "Focus on your breathing. Try to enter visualization if you can."
Monet panted, chest heaving. In her hazy mind she began weaving her own visualization object—a feminine humanoid figure resembling Merlin's [Demon].
Merlin's eyes flashed with approval. He saw she had entered a trance. Black flames wrapped around them both, absorbing the calamity.
About half an hour later Monet opened her eyes, exhausted.
"Rest for now."
He picked her up and laid her on the bed. Monet blinked sleepily. "Wanna join me?"
Merlin smiled, then left the room. After spending so much time together she'd stopped treating him like an outsider.
Watching him go, Monet's lips curved into a happy little smile. Teasing him once in a while felt pretty good. She drifted off.
Ten days later.
Their ship docked at the capital port of Fulton Kingdom.
Merlin met up with Fulvio. That same night, all ten noble families and the royal family came down with Platinum Lead disease.
Their wealth was taken.
Eight days after that, the same thing happened to the royal family and certain nobles of nearby Dagama Kingdom.
This time the news couldn't be buried.
Panic spread from the soldiers to the civilians. Newspapers smelled blood and swarmed in.
Only the royals, nobles, and their guards were infected. The common people were untouched.
As the story fermented across the sea, it spread like wildfire.
The heat of this incident almost caught up to Fisher Tiger's Mary Geoise slave-liberation event.
In the North Blue a terrifying ghost legend began to spread.
The White Dead from Flevance had crawled out of hell and begun its revenge.
It did not harm civilians.
But it would drown every noble and royal in the North Blue in white Platinum Lead disease.
Rumors grew wilder.
Under sleazy reporters' pens, apocalyptic nonsense flew everywhere.
Finally the three kingdoms' royals jointly begged the World Government for help.
A backroom deal and scapegoating session began.
In the end the three kings and the World Government put out a joint statement.
Another huge headline swept the seas.
[MAY THE DEAD REST IN PEACE!!! AMBER LEAD DISEASE WAS NEVER CONTAGIOUS!!!]
The article read:
After Flevance's destruction by Amber Lead disease, the World Government felt deep regret and poured massive resources into finding a cure.
After a year of experiments they discovered—
The so-called contagious Amber Lead disease is actually a hereditary bloodline condition.
The three kingdoms then issued a joint apology letter, expressing sincere regret for Flevance's destruction.
They pinned the blame on Volgara Kingdom's royal family for falsely accusing the others.
They declared they would help Flevance's survivors rebuild the country.
What the public didn't know was that a new pirate had appeared in the North Blue.
First bounty: 80 million Berries.
White Demon — Laplace Merlin.
Even a month later the news was still boiling.
Flevance was once again on everyone's lips.
A certain port town.
On the Numancia Flamingo.
Doflamingo looked at the newspaper in his hand, lips curling in disgust. "How nauseating."
He glanced at the wanted poster on the table—a black-haired teen wrapped in black flames.
He looked at Law beside him and chuckled. "Looks like you're still way behind him, huh?"
Law's face darkened. Worry and envy flashed in his eyes, but he only gave a sullen grunt.
Doflamingo's eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion. He turned to Trebol. "Because of what happened in those three kingdoms, Tsuru's been chasing them for almost a month. Should we keep letting her?"
"Behehehe! She's still on their tail, Doffy!
That kid pulled off something huge!
That old hag hasn't bothered us in ages!"
Doflamingo's grin turned vicious. "Then let's make some big news of our own. Can't let Gladius's team take all the heat.
What do you say we wipe out Volgara's royal family?"
Trebol's eye twitched. "Doffy, if we do that the Marines will send even more people after us.
How about we just destroy one of their rich port towns instead?
Or… we could chase after them. With you and me together, maybe we could take out that old witch?"
Doflamingo's eyes lit up at the second idea.
"Good!"
At the same time, on an uninhabited island near Volgara's waters.
A double-masted sailing ship sat quietly by the shore.
Merlin leaned on the railing, lips slightly pursed as he watched a large Marine warship appear on the horizon.
"Hey! Time to go! Those guys caught up again!"
Merlin shouted to Lao G and the others butchering sea-beast meat on the beach.
They all looked embarrassed and hurried aboard with their supplies.
The ship quickly sailed out to sea.
But the warship behind them kept closing in relentlessly.