Green Bit Island, an uninhabited island neighboring Dressrosa.
Because it's an uninhabited island, the interior has been completely covered by large trees, essentially forming a vast, primitive forest.
Two hundred years ago, the iron bridge connecting Dressrosa Island to Green Bit Island was still passable, and humans could travel back and forth between the two islands.
Two centuries later, powerful fish known as Fighting Fish appeared around the iron bridge, and since then, no human has stepped foot on the bridge connecting Dressrosa to Green Bit.
Drake's pirate ship docked on the southern shore of Green Bit Island. As they walked along the southern beach where they had agreed to meet Doflamingo, they saw him approaching in his signature pink feathered coat, accompanied by his secretary Monet and his maid Baby-5.
"Fufufufu... 'Calamity' Drake... It's hard to believe, you—a person like you—are working under that guy Wright!"
Doflamingo flashed a bold grin, licking his lips with his tongue:
"If our Fleet Admiral were nearby, I'm sure the first person he'd want to eliminate would be you, not me!"
"Donflamingo... I believe I've told you before, not to mention that name in front of me..."
Drake's expression turned cold, his pupils narrowing into reptilian gold slits.
"Or perhaps, you think I came here personally because I'm not showing you enough respect?"
The pirates behind Drake began to shudder slightly. While Drake might appear easygoing, those who had gone through his brutal training knew better than to anger him. If they made him mad, they'd learn what it meant to face a "most ferocious ancient predator!"
At this point, Drake's combat prowess was no less than Doflamingo's—though he was the youngest of the "Disasters" and not necessarily known for raw power, he was still one of the "Three Disasters!"
At the very least, he wouldn't be much weaker than "Drought" Jack!
There was no doubt that the Beasts Pirates provided the best environment for training Devil Fruit users of the Zoan type.
"Fufufufu... How could that be? This was all arranged by Kaido-sama, wasn't it?"
A vein bulged on Doflamingo's forehead, but his tone remained casual as he reached out to take a box from Baby-5, tossing it up and down. A faint sound came from inside the box, as though something was moving.
"What I'm about to give to Kaido-sama is something all pirates... No, I should say all factions dream of acquiring..."
It seemed that Doflamingo, now older, had lost much of the cool and collected persona he had in his youth. His appearance now was more chaotic, as if everything about him had gone off the rails. If he once had the aura of a mafia boss, now it was like a madman on the loose.
"Drake... With this 'treasure,' I dare say the Beasts Pirates' power will rise to the next level!"
"Though there might be a few side effects... But when compared to the immense benefits, who would care? Fufufufu..."
"Oh... In that case, I can't let you complete the transaction."
A calm, deep voice interrupted, causing both Drake and Doflamingo to freeze. Their expressions shifted drastically!
"Doflamingo! What's going on here?"
Drake drew his single-handed sword and four-bladed axe, his muscles expanding as his body began to partially transform into a beast-like state.
"Everyone! Fall into formation! Doflamingo, you'd better have a reasonable explanation for this!"
"...Bastard!"
Doflamingo tossed the box to Baby-5, his face turning grim.
This voice... it was one he knew all too well from the Summit War:
"Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, 'Fujitora' Issho!"
"Damn it! Why is the Navy here?!"
In the face of Drake's question, Doflamingo was filled with rage but couldn't release it—he was a Warlord of the Sea, officially on the same side as the Navy!
So why was the Navy here? Were they attacking him for trading with pirates or even with Kaido's forces? Or was it the Navy planning to join forces with him, the Warlord, to take down the newly rising "big name" of the Beasts Pirates?
In a flash, his thoughts raced. As he saw Fujitora emerge from the forest of Green Bit, his eyes closed, leaning on his cane sword, and dressed in his justice coat, Doflamingo's gaze became more troubled.
Behind Fujitora, Navy soldiers lined up under the command of a female colonel with glasses, holding a long sword. Doflamingo's worst fears were confirmed.
"Wright... You're behind this, aren't you?!"
The current Fleet Admiral Wright had been trying to kill him for years, without a doubt. Part of the reason Doflamingo became a Warlord was to avoid crossing paths with Wright.
Among the entire Navy, Doflamingo feared two people the most: one was the vice-admiral Tsuru, who had chased him down relentlessly in the North Blue, and the other... was the man he could never seem to escape, Wright!
"Fujitora! How did you end up here? I don't recall inviting the Navy to my territory!"
Doflamingo did his best to keep his emotions in check. Fujitora, being a high-ranking officer in the Navy, was closely aligned with Fleet Admiral Wright. Yet, he was one of the few admirals who seemed to follow logic in his actions.
The other three admirals, known for their powers, often acted based on their moods, but Fujitora had always given the impression of strictly following the rules—at least, so far.
"Your territory... If I recall correctly, this is Dressrosa, and you, Donquixote Doflamingo, are not the king of this country."
Fujitora spoke in a low voice as he walked forward, positioning himself in a triangle with Doflamingo and Drake.
"'Calamity' Drake... Although we only briefly met aboard the 'Lightbringer' ship, I never expected that one day you would stand on the opposite side of justice!"
"Fujitora..."
Drake sighed softly, then revealed a wild grin.
"That was in the past! Since escaping the Navy, I knew that one day I would face off against people like you... monsters of power..."
"But now... you don't still think you can crush me with overwhelming strength like back on the warship, do you?!"
"Your strength has indeed improved... However, the reason I'm here today is to clarify one thing first..."
Fujitora turned his gaze toward the silent Doflamingo, his expression growing more serious.
"Donquixote Doflamingo, as an Admiral of the Navy, I am here to confirm: now, facing the 'Four Emperors' Kaido's 'Calamity' Drake..."
"Doflamingo, have you violated the Warlord rules and are collaborating with pirates?"
"Or perhaps... are you fulfilling your duties as a Warlord and planning to strike down these pirates?!"
"Your answer will determine the course of my next actions!"
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