"Oh no, we can't play!"
Hearing Jora's explanation, Yamato suddenly understood, clutching her stomach as she spoke.
"Then take me to eat something sour and spicy! I'm starving!"
"Yohohoho! Alright, let's go! Little Zoffy and Little Ace need to eat too."
"G!"
Jora and Lao G led the kids away.
...
Trebol stared at Vergo, who now stood a head taller than him, his body packed with explosive muscle. He felt a bit dazed. Vergo was still in his twenties, yet Trebol felt like he had aged drastically.
"Vergo, you've changed completely since you left."
As he spoke, Trebol gestured to indicate the height Vergo had been when he first left.
Vergo didn't deny it outright. Seeing Trebol in such low spirits, he hesitated. This was the man who had led him out of the cesspool of his past, freeing him from that wretched family. Back then, they had pledged loyalty to Doffy together, brimming with ambition. Why did he seem so defeated now?
"Trebol, what's wrong?"
"I suppose I've realized my own weakness," Trebol said with a bitter smile, lowering his gaze to his hands, which had once crafted countless explosives. "Vergo, Diamante and I... we can't keep up with Doffy's progress anymore."
Still, he clenched his fists. "But I can still play my part in his grand ambition."
...
South Blue, Baterilla Island
After their long expedition, the Navy's secret unit had been tracking Roger's whereabouts. For over two months, they had been stationed on this remote island.
The stench of blood filled the air.
"What's your name?"
"Anxi."
"Do you know the Roger family?"
"No, sir! We have nothing to do with the great pirate Roger!" The pregnant woman fell to her knees, trembling in fear.
"Has anyone left this island in the past few months?"
"I... I don't know..."
Bang! A gunshot struck the ground right in front of her.
"Answer the question!"
"Waaah... every month, people disappear due to accidents. A merchant ship came a few months ago, but they didn't take anyone off the island. However, there was one family they were close to."
"What's the name?"
"Rouge!"
"What was the merchant ship called?"
"I don't remember..."
...
"Do you know Rouge?"
...
Tap tap tap tap!
Colonel Winston Luth burst into the temporary command post, his face full of alarm.
Rear Admiral Genory, the officer in charge of this operation, frowned as he slowly took a drag from his cigar.
"Calm down, Luth. Have I not taught you that our first duty as agents of the World Government is to remain composed? Your priority should be verifying the pregnancies of the local women—"
"Enough! Father!" Luth interrupted, cutting off his superior's monologue.
"Enough?! Luth, do you know who you're speaking to?!" Genory stood up, glaring at his insubordinate son. Months of fruitless searching had left him on edge, and now his patience was wearing thin.
"This is serious, Father! During our investigation of the families near the eastern cliff, we uncovered something!"
He took a deep breath before continuing.
"Before Roger's execution, the Donquixote Family's merchant ship was frequently seen here. And just before the execution, Doflamingo himself is suspected to have arrived on this island... and taken a woman with him."
Genory froze. If the Five Elders learned that Roger's wife had escaped and given birth, he would face their wrath. His voice trembled slightly as he asked,
"Are you certain?"
"After interrogating multiple sources, breaking down their defenses, and even... dissecting some pregnant women, we estimate a 98% probability that this is true." Luth's expression was grim. His hopes for a promotion were gone. Becoming a brigadier general was now a distant dream.
98% certainty. In intelligence work, anything over 70% was enough to act upon.
Genory's face turned deathly pale. He had assumed rounding up some widows and orphans would be an easy mission. Now, not only had he lost his chance for promotion, but he was also at risk of demotion.
Calming himself, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi and relayed the information.
...
The Corridors of Power
"Doflamingo!!!"
The long-haired, long-bearded Elder's eyes bulged with fury.
"How dare he?! A Celestial Dragon, sheltering the enemy of the gods?! What is he thinking?!"
"Are you going to confront him?" The Elder leaned on his cane, his voice cold.
"Would that even help? Or will we just be mocked by that brat again?" The youngest, blond-haired Elder sneered.
"So he took them in? Let him. A mere child won't change anything." The bald Elder in a suit stroked his beard before continuing, "What we should be concerned about is Doflamingo himself. His power is expanding like an inflated balloon. The supply of Seastone is now controlled by him and Kaido. We can no longer suppress him. He has become a new threat on the seas."
"Intensify the search for Shiki the Golden Lion." The sword-wielding Elder partially unsheathed his blade. "This time, I will personally intervene. The Float-Float Fruit must be brought under our control."
The blond Elder hesitated. "Your body—?"
"Lord Imu is about to awaken. A new era is approaching."
His voice grew colder.
"From now on, every Celestial Dragon who abandons the Holy Land... will be executed."
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+220 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg