No one knew what exactly had happened inside the dungeon of Wano.
They only knew that Doflamingo's voice—once filled with mockery and arrogance…
Throughout the entire night, it could only release howls of terror and despair.
And the members of the SWORD Secret Special Force standing guard outside could only stare at one another.
"Um… that, Garp… is Granny Tsuru torturing Doflamingo in there?" Hancock felt goosebumps rise all over her body.
"Doflamingo is the kind of lunatic who'd laugh even while dying… how could he make sounds like that?"
"At the very least you could call me 'teacher,' you know? Stop copying that guy Michael all the time!" Garp rolled his eyes. "Instead of asking me, why don't you go ask Rosinante… after all, the guy inside is his biological older brother."
As soon as Garp finished speaking, not only Hancock, but everyone else also turned their gaze toward Rosinante, hoping for an explanation.
Rosinante sat on the ground, listening as the howling beside his ears gradually weakened, then let out a long breath.
"Doflamingo—my brother… he believes himself to be evil incarnate, a born monster, the purest embodiment of malice in this world… for him, doing good is the same as being flayed alive."
"And Granny Tsuru's Wash-Wash Fruit can gradually cleanse a person's malicious thoughts… that's why Doflamingo has feared her so deeply all these years. To him, even Michael ranks below Granny Tsuru in terms of terror."
"To turn a purely evil man—while retaining his memories—into a genuinely 'good person'… for that evil man, it's a punishment far more horrifying than flaying…"
Rosinante glanced at the moon in the sky and sighed again.
"From today onward, there is no Heavenly Yaksha, no Shichibukai, no JOKER anymore…"
"From now on, there is only one person left…"
"The King of Dressrosa, Donquixote Doflamingo."
...
Above Totto Land.
Michael stood beside Charlotte Linlin, looking down at Totto Land—now even more prosperous than before—and couldn't help but nod.
"Honestly, when it comes to ruling a country, you're clearly far more talented than that Whitebeard guy."
"What should I say—thank you for the compliment?" Charlotte Linlin revealed a calm smile. "The method of rule isn't much different from before; we just replaced lifespan with taxes… and in just a few short years, Totto Land's population has increased by nearly tenfold…"
"To state such an achievement in that tone—are you showing off?" Michael raised an eyebrow.
"Linlin, you really are something…"
"By the way, the girl who's always following you—I remember she's Kaido's biological daughter, right?"
"Oh, you mean Yamato?" Michael shrugged. "I had her and Jack escort someone back… after all, that big idiot Weevil really suffered a lot this time. We had to send him back to Whitebeard, didn't we?"
"This time it even involves Whitebeard's son?"
"Strictly speaking, he's the fuse that ignited the invasion of Wano."
"Tch, your relationships really are tangled beyond belief."
As they spoke, the thundercloud Zeus had already begun descending from midair.
Michael took a look—he had arrived above Cake Island.
The landing point was right inside Charlotte Linlin's castle garden.
Stepping onto the ground of Cake Island once again, Michael still found it incredible…
That foot feel!
Addictive beyond restraint!
Charlotte Linlin directly hoisted Kaido—who was missing a horn and completely unable to move—onto her shoulder.
"Come with me, Michael."
"The answer you want is in here."
Following behind Charlotte Linlin, Michael watched as she settled Kaido into a room.
Then she led the way forward, arriving at the deepest part of the castle.
There was only a single tightly shut door.
And on both sides of that door stood the two sons Charlotte Linlin valued the most.
Her eldest son Perospero, and her second son Katakuri.
Also the two Shichibukai personally selected by Michael himself.
"Long time no see, you two."
"Michael-sama…"
Perospero and Katakuri both nodded respectfully toward Michael.
Compared to when they had first become Shichibukai, the two were far stronger now—but when facing Michael, they still maintained a humble attitude…
Which Michael greatly appreciated.
On this sea, there are many people with brains—but those who are both smart and strong are far fewer.
"Open the door. Let's go in," Charlotte Linlin shrugged. "Rocks is inside… but I must remind you again—once you see Rocks's condition, you will definitely be shocked…"
"So it's really not a trap?"
"What kind of trap could possibly hold you? Tell me—I'll go prepare it."
Michael looked at Charlotte Linlin's stunningly beautiful face, filled with a smile clear of any guilt.
Then he directly pushed open the door.
With a "creeeak," the wooden door slowly swung open.
The space inside was fairly large, with all necessities for living present.
And there were indeed signs of habitation.
This wasn't a dungeon—but there were no windows.
After the door slowly closed, the entire space did not fall completely dark.
At the far end, a familiar white light actually began to glow.
Michael's brows slowly knitted together.
He was absolutely certain—the light shining in this room was his Holy Light.
Michael could even feel the pulsation, identical to his own power.
And the one emitting that light… was a man.
This man's appearance clearly didn't look like that of a good person.
He bore about fifty percent resemblance to the Rocks Garp had once described.
But Michael's eyes gradually widened.
Filled with shock.
Because Rocks's hair had completely turned platinum-white…
Just like Portgas D. Rouge in the beginning.
Without a doubt, Rocks had undergone the same Holy Light infusion and transformation as Portgas D. Rouge.
"Michael… it's been a long time."
"You're Rocks? But for me, this is our first meeting."
"Is that so? So this is our first encounter."
Rocks froze for a moment, then nodded in understanding.
Every movement he made was nothing like that of the legendary pirate who once suppressed Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido on the seas!
Calm… excessively so.
"You said you were looking for an angel?"
"Now…"
"I'm here."
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Fanfic is finished. 583 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg