Stepping onto the soil of Loguetown once again, Doflamingo felt a wave of nostalgia.
Diamante, at his side, was also filled with emotion. Over a decade ago, it was here that they had witnessed the end of the Pirate King, the dawn of a new era, and had fought a great battle with the Marines.
"Dof, Loguetown hasn't changed a bit," Diamante remarked with a sigh.
"What kind of change were you expecting? More pirates?" Doflamingo retorted.
"Well..." Diamante was at a loss for words.
"This is the Pirate King's hometown, after all. It's bound to be under the special care of the Marines," Doflamingo said slowly.
"Haha, that's true," Diamante laughed, easing the awkwardness.
"Let's go. We might as well see Roger's execution platform one more time," Doflamingo said casually.
"Alright."
The two of them set off towards the platform.
As they walked, they noticed far fewer people on the streets than usual. The recent disturbance caused by Arlong and his crew had left the residents in a state of panic, and Loguetown felt much quieter.
"Dof, don't you think there are a bit few people? It's the middle of the day," Diamante said, walking beside Doflamingo with a puzzled look.
"Indeed. But we can just ask," Doflamingo replied.
Following the instruction, Diamante quickly stopped a passerby.
"What do you want?" the man asked, flustered.
"No need to be nervous. I just want to ask what's been happening in Loguetown recently. We mean no harm," Doflamingo said, his voice reassuring.
"Oh, is that so?" The man let out a breath of relief. "It's all because of those damn pirates. A few days ago, some pirate crew came to Loguetown and massacred the locals. It's put everyone on edge."
"Is that right? Aren't there Marines here? Don't they protect you?" Doflamingo asked.
At the mention of the Marines, the man became furious. "The Marines? If those guys were actually capable of protecting us, we wouldn't be so afraid!"
"What kind of pirates were they, to be so vicious?" Diamante inquired.
Although the Donquixote Pirates had done their fair share of evil deeds and killed many people, the core members of the Family had never laid a hand on defenseless civilians.
"We don't know the details, but... their appearances were hard to describe," the man muttered.
"Did they look like fish?" Doflamingo asked.
"Hey, yes, yes! Exactly as you said! They looked like fish! People who were there said they were incredibly ugly!" the man said eagerly, looking at Doflamingo.
Hearing the confirmation, Doflamingo was certain of the Arlong Pirates' movements.
"Thank you," Doflamingo said politely.
"I'll be on my way then. You two be careful, too," the man said, not forgetting to offer a word of caution before he left.
If only he knew that he was standing before one of the great pirates of the sea, one could only wonder what he would think.
Such a backwater place. The people here are so sheltered. It was no wonder Nami and the others had been deceived by mere fish-men, truly believing they were something special.
Standing before Roger's execution platform again, Doflamingo felt a sense that while the place was the same, the people were different.
"Let's go. In the end, it's up to us to forge the new era. As for those who have retired, let them live on in history," Doflamingo said.
"Indeed. The world should be ruled by our Donquixote Family," Diamante responded dutifully.
In Shimotsuki Village, at the Isshin Dojo, Koushirou was teaching his students swordsmanship.
Having lost his daughter, Kuina, Koushirou now poured all his energy into his students. Only through them could he find a semblance of purpose in his life.
Among the students diligently swinging their swords, a certain green-haired figure was absent. Besides the late Kuina, Zoro was now undoubtedly the number one of the dojo's younger generation. To fulfill his promise to Kuina, Zoro naturally wouldn't miss any opportunity to become stronger and was training alone on a secluded mountain.
After a journey of more than ten days by passenger ship, Doflamingo and Diamante finally arrived.
Doflamingo had always been curious about Koushirou and had wanted to see for himself what kind of power the man possessed. Now that he was here, he had no intention of missing this chance to test him and see the depths of his skill.
"So this is Shimotsuki Village? It's so small and run-down," Diamante commented as soon as he stepped off the ship, looking around.
"You can't judge things by their appearance. A magnificent place doesn't necessarily nurture a true dragon. Don't look down on this place just because it's small. You should know that a master is hiding here," Doflamingo cautioned.
"Yes, Dof. I was just speaking my mind."
"Let's go meet the master of this place."
With that, Doflamingo headed towards the source of the powerful presence his Observation Haki had sensed.
At the Isshin Dojo, Koushirou, who was watching his students train, seemed to sense something. A look of gravity appeared on his usually gentle face.
"Alright, that's enough for today. You can practice on your own now," Koushirou told his students.
"Yes, sir!"
Receiving their dismissal, the group of children happily fled the dojo, ready to start their playtime.
When Doflamingo and Diamante arrived at the Isshin Dojo, they saw the young swordsmen scattering away. The dojo's gate was wide open, and the inside was now empty. Doflamingo and Diamante walked in brazenly.
"Distinguished guests have arrived. Does the master not intend to welcome them?"
Doflamingo's resonant voice quickly spread through the quiet dojo.
"When distinguished guests arrive, of course, they must be properly entertained," Koushirou's calm voice replied. Soon after, Koushirou, dressed in a loose-fitting kimono, appeared before them.
"Are you the master of this dojo, Koushirou?" Doflamingo inquired.
"Indeed, I am Koushirou. May I ask why you two esteemed guests have graced my dojo today?" Koushirou said frankly.
"We just came to ask for some guidance," Doflamingo said politely.
"Haha, you jest, honored guest. The aura you carry is incredibly powerful. I am but a humble dojo master. How could I possibly compare to you two?" Koushirou said with a smile.
"The aura of the strong is always unique. Koushirou, I can already feel your unfathomable presence. You needn't be so modest," Doflamingo said.
"I am just an ordinary dojo master, living a life of peace and focusing on teaching children. How could someone like me be considered strong?" Koushirou said slowly.
"If even you can be considered ordinary, then there are few swordsmen on this sea who could be called extraordinary. You're being too humble, Senior Koushirou," Doflamingo countered.
As he spoke, Doflamingo released his aura, directing it straight at Koushirou.
Koushirou, as if expecting this, was completely unfazed by Doflamingo's pressure. He simply sat down naturally by the tea table.
"Honored guest, please, have a cup of tea," Koushirou said with a warm smile.
"Then I would be rude to refuse."
Doflamingo instantly appeared before Koushirou, taking a seat. Diamante quickly followed.
"Please."
Koushirou pushed a cup of freshly brewed tea in front of Doflamingo.
Doflamingo didn't hesitate, downing it in one gulp.
Watching him, Koushirou also brought his own cup to his lips, savoring the tea slowly.
"Good tea," Doflamingo commented.
Koushirou didn't reply, seemingly lost in the flavor.
"A pity. I prefer wine," Doflamingo said, setting down his cup. "Tea is good, but it doesn't suit me. Just like a man in his prime should be riding the waves of the great sea, not wasting his time here."
"Honored guest, it seems you've had quite the experience," Koushirou said, looking at Doflamingo with a half-smile.
"Just a few minor experiences," Doflamingo replied.
"Haha, you are truly no ordinary person. However, everyone's wishes are different," Koushirou responded with an unconcerned laugh.
"True, to each his own. However, I still came here to ask for Senior Koushirou's guidance," Doflamingo said, his tone turning serious.
Koushirou shook his head without replying, only giving Doflamingo a deep look.
Doflamingo seemed to understand. "Not for me," he said. "It is he who has encountered a bottleneck on the path of the sword and wishes to hear a senior's guidance."
Hearing this, Koushirou turned his gaze to Diamante.
"A Master Swordsman?" Koushirou said softly, then added with praise, "Impressive."
"I cannot compare to you, senior. I humbly ask for your guidance," Diamante was stunned that Koushirou could see his level at a glance. He immediately reined in his personality and answered with respect.
"I can. However, I have one condition," Koushirou said, his eyes narrowed as he looked at Doflamingo.
"Please, speak," Doflamingo said politely.
"I have a student whom I would also like you to give some guidance to," Koushirou said.
The moss-head, master of getting lost, Zoro? The image of Zoro immediately flashed through Doflamingo's mind.
"Of course," Doflamingo agreed without hesitation.
"Very well," Koushirou replied with a smile.
With everything settled, Diamante was overjoyed.
"You, come with me. Honored guest, please make yourself at home," Koushirou said to Diamante.
Diamante glanced at Doflamingo, and after receiving a nod of approval, he followed Koushirou out.
By the tea table, only Doflamingo remained, drinking alone, content and at ease.
As time passed, Zoro, with his green moss-like hair, was heading home for dinner.
Unlike the usual lively dojo, today it was exceptionally quiet.
Zoro walked into the dojo and didn't see his master. Instead, he saw a stranger sitting at his master's usual tea table, casually drinking alone.