Danaan.
Inside a chamber specifically designed for holding prisoners.
Donquixote Doflamingo was shackled with Seastone chains binding his hands and feet, looking utterly disheveled and defeated.
He leaned against the corner of the wall.
At that moment, Luo Lan entered the room and quietly closed the door behind her.
"F-F-F-F-F..."
"You must be the leader of Jun Lin, right? There's something I've never understood—why does Jun Lin keep targeting me?"
"From the very beginning at the East Sea, then the volcanic island, and now at Punk Hazard—you all come after me. Why?"
This question weighed heavily on Doflamingo's mind.
Everything happens for a reason.
And right now, what he most wanted to know was that reason.
Without it, everything felt confusing and senseless.
After hearing his question, Luo Lan didn't respond immediately. Instead, he removed his mask.
At first glance, Doflamingo felt a strong sense of familiarity.
He recalled a piece of intelligence once provided by Vergo regarding the Navy's personnel—something that suddenly surfaced in his memory.
Suddenly, everything clicked.
Why Jun Lin was after him, and who exactly created Jun Lin.
In Doflamingo's memory...
In the year 1498 of the Marine Calendar, Sengoku was executing Roger at Log Town. On the way back to headquarters, he rescued a baby from the Calm Belt.
This infant was named Luo Lan by Sengoku and was adopted.
From a young age, Luo Lan showed wisdom and comprehension far beyond his peers.
Whether in academics or martial arts, her progress was astonishing, and many believed she was destined to become a great star of the Navy's next generation.
However, as often happens, things soon took a turn.
At only five years old, Luo Lan amazed everyone by reaching a Doriki value of 5 within a single month.
But then his body started to fail.
No matter how hard she trained afterward, hia Doriki could never exceed 5.
As he grew older, his physical strength was even weaker than an ordinary soldier. Ultimately, he ended up under Tsuru's care, assigned to the strategy department.
And over a year ago, after his relationship with Sengoku worsened, he was even exiled to the East Sea's 157th Division.
Since then, he had faded into obscurity.
Yes, this was all that Doflamingo remembered.
Of course, there was one detail Vergo hadn't mentioned...
That Luo Lan had a younger brother who shared the same bloodline as Doflamingo: Donquixote Rosinante, Sengoku's adopted son.
Doflamingo only learned of this in recent years.
So, if Luo Lan was Rosinante's nominal younger brother, then the reason Jun Lin targeted him made perfect sense.
"It's you!"
"Fu-Fu-Fu-Fu-Fu! Looks like both Sengoku, the World Government, and even I have all been deceived by you!"
"But I still don't understand. Even though I broke ties with Rosinante back then, was it really necessary for you to target me so fiercely?"
In Doflamingo's mind, Luo Lan's actions were out of revenge for his brother.
Yet all he did back then was break ties with Rosinante—and even punched him once.
He couldn't believe he had held onto that grudge for so many years.
However, Doflamingo didn't notice that Luo Lan was momentarily stunned.
What had Doflamingo just said?
He only broke ties with Rosinante and punched him once?
Wasn't it supposed to be that he personally killed Rosinante?
"You're saying you didn't kill my brother?"
"Who told you that Rosinante was killed?"
Doflamingo suddenly froze.
"At the time, when I discovered my own brother was a Navy undercover agent, I was furious—seriously considering ending his life myself. But..."
"Tsuru and several Navy officers arrived in time to rescue him."
"Though badly injured, he definitely didn't die!"
Luo Lan stared intently at Doflamingo, searching his subtle expressions for any sign of deceit.
But unfortunately, at that moment, he found nothing.
Could it be that everything he said was true?
If so, why had he been told his brother was dead?
And if his brother was still alive, then where had he been all these years?
His mind raced, but no answers came.
"Guards!"
"Marshal!"
Hearing the call, Jun Lin soldiers standing guard outside immediately pushed open the door and entered.
"Keep a close watch on him. Don't let him die."
"Yes, Marshal!"
After giving the orders, Luo Lan glanced deeply at Doflamingo before turning and leaving.
A moment later, he returned to his room, closed the door, and took out his den-den mushi.
Brrr brrr brrr...
"This is Tsuru."
"Aunt Tsuru, it's me."
Luo Lan's voice was low and serious.
This made Tsuru uneasy.
"Aunt Tsuru, is my brother still alive?"
"You... it seems you have already interrogated Doflamingo."
Tsuru suddenly understood.
Truthfully, this was what she feared most.
If Luo Lan had just killed Doflamingo outright, none of this would be an issue.
But instead, he had captured him alive.
And the secret from back then had now been uncovered.
Tsuru sighed softly.
Hearing this, Luo Lan's heart skipped a beat.
It seemed Doflamingo had not lied. There was more to that story from long ago.
"Luo Lan, although Sengoku imprisoned you back then, he still relayed everything you said to me."
"That's why I ordered the fleet to accelerate, arriving earlier than planned. Ultimately..."
"We succeeded in rescuing Rosinante from Doflamingo's hands."
"Yes, your brother Rosinante is indeed still alive!"
Boom—
Tsuru's words struck Luo Lan's mind like a thunderclap.
His brother...
Still alive?
"If that's true, then where is he?"
"Why hasn't he appeared in all these years?"
"And why did you all lie to me, telling me my brother was dead?"
Luo Lan shouted, almost desperate.
He couldn't understand—he simply couldn't.
What really happened?
What was the truth?
"Luo Lan, have you ever considered why Sengoku was willing to be misunderstood by you, yet still chose to hide this truth?"
"Why?"
"Because he wanted to protect you."
Tsuru said firmly.
Luo Lan was stunned.
How was this about him?
"Sengoku knew very well that if he told you the truth, once you grew up, you would do everything in your power to find Rosinante—and that would be equivalent to suicide for you!"
"So instead, it was better to let you believe your brother was dead. Even if you misunderstood him, even if you hated him—it didn't matter!"
Luo Lan fell silent.
After a long moment, he gradually regained her composure.
"Aunt Tsuru, tell me—what exactly happened back then?"
"No. Even if you have gained some strength now, it's far too early for you to meddle in this matter."
Tsuru refused directly.
But soon she added,
"Although I can't tell you what happened back then, I can tell you one thing..."
"Your brother Rosinante..."
"Is still alive today!"
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