Doflamingo's ultimate ambition was nothing less than to become the Pirate King.
That's why, to him, the current lack of top-tier combatants across the sea was a cause for celebration. Every major clash, every fallen powerhouse, brought him one step closer to the throne.
"By the way," Torrepol said slowly, glancing around, "if Ayr made it to this island already... doesn't that mean the Marines are also here?"
Both Marine Intelligence and Ayr's information network rival that of the Cipher Pols—fast, brutal, and unerringly accurate.
Ayr's sudden arrival without resistance meant he'd tracked the Op-Op Fruit without delay.
And knowing the World Government's obsession with this Devil Fruit, they must have sent their top brass to secure it.
"If the Marines are here," Pica added excitedly, "we might get to witness a world-class battle—with our own eyes!"
Ayr sought the Op-Op Fruit for its most dangerous ability: immortality, through the Perpetual Youth Surgery.
The Marines, meanwhile, weren't after the fruit for power. They wanted it out of Ayr's reach, to cut off his path to eternal rule.
Once these two juggernauts crossed paths, neither side would back down. The island would become a battlefield.
Pica's words made everyone stop and reflect, the weight of what was about to happen beginning to settle in.
If they remained on the island, they'd get to witness a battle that would enter the annals of history alongside the likes of Marineford or God Valley.
But watching a fight between beings of that level—where even Conqueror's Haki can bring down mountains—meant risking their lives.
"Sure, it's dangerous," Diamante said, his eyes gleaming, "but to witness a fight like this firsthand... It's worth the risk. Even if it kills us!"
"That's right," another officer nodded. "If they really go at it, we'll just watch from a distance. Seeing it is worth a hundred lifetimes!"
Their excitement spread like wildfire.
They didn't know if Ayr and the Marines would actually collide—but one thing was clear: they weren't leaving the island just yet.
If the battle broke out, they would stand witness.
If it didn't, all they'd lose was time.
No real loss.
---
Meanwhile, in another part of the island...
Tread. Tread. Tread.
Footsteps echoed through the dense jungle as Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru advanced, accompanied by elite Marines.
"It looks like a child… lying up ahead," Zephyr pointed out.
There, unconscious on the forest floor, lay a boy—Trafalgar D. Water Law—barely more than a teenager.
In his hand... was a fruit.
Sengoku's eyes widened. "That fruit… It matches the description from the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia!"
They had memorized the Op-Op Fruit's distinct heart-shaped pattern and spotted it immediately.
After a moment of close inspection, Sengoku confirmed it without hesitation.
"There's no mistake... This is the Op-Op Fruit!"
Garp's expression hardened. "Then take it—now. We've got what we came for."
Tsuru nodded. "Retrieve the fruit and evacuate. We can't afford to linger."
Earlier, just as they approached the coastline, they had felt a massive Conqueror's Haki blast sweep across the island—Ayr's unmistakable presence.
That meant he was nearby.
Fortunately, they had stumbled upon the fruit before him.
Their objective was clear, and their window was closing fast.
They didn't need to stay. They didn't want a confrontation.
The mission was complete. Now it was time to leave—before the monster found them.
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