G-5 Branch.
Alarms blared throughout the fortress.
"Commander Vergo, any idea why we've been summoned this time?"
Tugging at the cloak gifted to him by his former superior, Mecinet, Vergo offered his guess.
"The news about the Golden Lion has spread across the seas. It's likely related to him."
"What?! Don't tell me we're going to attack the Golden Lion? That's suicide!"
Ignoring the panicked chatter, Vergo walked straight into the meeting room and took a seat in the corner.
Before long, all officers ranked Rear Admiral and above had assembled.
The commander of the G-5 Branch, Vice Admiral Shunichi, sat at the head of the table. Oil stains dotted the corners of his mouth, and his massive belly stretched his uniform tight. Despite wearing a Marine coat, he looked more like a pirate than an officer.
Slouching lazily in his seat, he spoke up.
"Headquarters wants us to cooperate in an assault on the Golden Lion's domain. What are your thoughts?"
Just as one might expect from the kind of officer leading the G-5, the three Rear Admirals propped their feet up on the table, puffing on cigars as they spoke nonchalantly.
"Let the G-1 Branch go in first."
"Yeah, sounds good. We'll just focus on looting all the treasure the Golden Lion has been hoarding over the years!"
"With such a massive fleet, the guy must have mountains of gold. Vice Admiral Houbu, we're gonna be rich!"
"Hahaha, exactly! That settles it then."
"..."
The battle hadn't even begun, yet the officers were already celebrating.
"Vice Admiral, should we deploy all personnel? Or leave some behind to defend the base?"
The sudden voice cut through the revelry like a bucket of cold water, instantly silencing the room.
Glancing at one another, no one wanted to miss out on the chance to strike it rich.
Rear Admiral Simon, his usual cold expression softening, looked over at his superior.
"Vice Admiral, since Commander Vergo brought it up, how about leaving him behind to defend the base? Just in case of a pirate attack."
The others quickly chimed in.
"Yeah, good idea! Our primary objective is to attack the Golden Lion. We can't afford to reduce our combat force."
"Exactly. And let's not forget, when Vergo lost Commander Mecinet in battle, he still managed to bring back the head of 'Bloodhand' Darius, who had a 30 million bounty, along with most of our Marine troops. He's reliable."
"Yeah, yeah, totally!"
"Vergo, the base is in your hands."
"..."
...
Reverse Mountain – A Merchant Ship Slowly Ascends.
"The Golden Lion, Sengoku, and the Marine Hero—A Three-Way Showdown!!!"
"The Golden Lion Storms the Pirate King's Execution—A Crushing Defeat! Severely Injured and Forced to Flee!" (Image: The Golden Lion flying away)
"The End of the Roger Pirates! Must-Read: The Pirate King's Final Words!"
"One Piece is Real! The Truth Behind the Ultimate Treasure!"
"The Destruction of Loguetown! Rising Pirate Stars vs. a Marine Vice Admiral—You'll Regret Missing This!"
"Shocking Revelation! The Secret Bond Between Gol D. Roger and Shiki the Golden Lion!"
"Who wrote this tabloid nonsense?"
Tossing aside yet another absurd newspaper, Donquixote Doflamingo started sifting through the more useful reports.
"So, the Golden Lion wasn't captured. Seems like he was hellbent on running away. There aren't many who could stop him… I wonder, with his injuries, if Enel and Moria could gang up and finish him off."
Just then, the ringing of a Den Den Mushi pulled him from his thoughts.
"Vergo, any movements in the G-5 Branch?"
"Doffy, G-1 and G-5 are launching a joint assault on the Golden Lion's domain. Marine Headquarters is sending additional forces—apparently, Sengoku himself is leading the charge. Meanwhile, I'm staying behind to guard G-5. Right now, the World Government won't have time to focus on Dressrosa. Your plan can begin."
"...?"
The Golden Lion's severe injuries… Well, now. If only he had died.
A sudden windfall left Doflamingo momentarily stunned. But he quickly recovered, a smile spreading across his face.
"Fufufufu. My dear comrade, you might be coming home sooner than expected. And the gift I prepared for you? It's waiting to shine."
"I'm looking forward to it, Doffy."
Click.
Doflamingo turned to Tesoro beside him.
"Tesoro, inform the Charlotte Family. I'm sure Big Mom wouldn't mind acquiring a few more territories. Let's set this world on fire."
"Understood, Boss."
"Also, issue an underground bounty—use some of our gold to put a price on Dressrosa's soldiers' heads. I want the entire sea around Dressrosa in chaos! And make sure the Prodence Kingdom doesn't lend King Riku any support whatsoever!"
"Got it, Boss!"
Pushing open the cabin door, Tesoro left to make the necessary arrangements. He clenched his fists tightly. I need to grow stronger. Right now, all he could do was handle these trivial matters for Doflamingo.
...
"Damn it, that hurt like hell! Sengoku, Garp, you old bastards!"
Rubbing his throbbing head, the Golden Lion instinctively reached for his swords at his waist—only to grasp at empty air.
It was then that Shiki noticed the bandages wrapped around his body. The battle was over. But where had he crash-landed?
"Indigo! Where are we?"
Bzzt bzzt...
"Quit making weird noises, Indigo!"
"Kerrrrlak! Oh, you noticed, huh? As for where we are… You should see for yourself. You landed in a miracle of nature."
Shiki stepped out of the ship's cabin—just in time to see a colossal giraffe raising its head toward a floating island, stretching its neck to nibble on the leaves swaying in the sky.
"A Sea King?" Shiki frowned in confusion.
"No, just an oversized beast. Maybe a prehistoric creature. And..."
Indigo pointed toward a massive octopus and a Spinosaurus locked in a fierce battle.
"They're extremely aggressive."
Lifting the floating island higher to avoid the giraffe's reach, the Golden Lion surveyed the mostly empty deck and asked, "Where's my crew?"
Indigo pulled at his own throat dramatically. "Most of them died in Loguetown! The rest scattered while escaping and went missing."
Shiki: "..."
He should've known better than to ask. His wounds suddenly throbbed.
...
The New World – Aboard the Moby Dick.
The news from Loguetown had sent waves through the crew.
"The Golden Lion disappeared!"
"Old man… Roger is really gone."
"Did he really say One Piece is real before he died?"
Edward Newgate gazed into the distance, memories of a drunken gathering beneath a sakura tree surfacing. Even drunk, his voice remained firm.
"It exists."
"Old man! Let's go to Laugh Tale!" Blackbeard pushed forward eagerly, eyes gleaming.
"A new treasure awaits!"
"Yeah, Pops! You're the next Pirate King!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"Gurararara! You fools... You're my treasure."
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+220 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg