Return to Navy Headquarters

"Nom nom, so delicious!"

Borsalino's originally somewhat lecherous old face had relaxed completely. His mouth was stuffed full, making him look rather comical.

After a battle, it was naturally time for a feast.

Large bowls of seafood miso ramen, Sea King sashimi, braised ribs, pan-seared tenderloin, vegetable and fruit salad, and all kinds of meat on the bone—

The food laid out on the table gave off an unbelievable aroma. Even someone as well-traveled as Borsalino had never tasted such delicious dishes before. He had never expected his junior to possess such skills.

After a frenzied sweep of the table, both Borsalino and Doflamingo had eaten until their bellies were round, sprawled in their chairs like two pregnant women with huge bellies, utterly exuding the air of salted fish.

However, both Borsalino and Doflamingo were highly proficient in Life Return. In less than ten minutes, their bellies had gone back down.

"Senior Borsalino, how much strength did you use just now?" Doflamingo asked, reclining in his chair.

"Hmm, around seventy or eighty percent, I suppose. Although I didn't use the offensive abilities of the Glint-Glint Fruit, I fully used the greatest advantage it gave me—my incredible speed. I didn't hold back in any other regard either."

"The Glint-Glint Fruit's attacks are quite useful for clearing out fodder, but they aren't particularly effective against true experts."

"Even if I went all out, it would probably only shorten the time it took me to defeat you by a few minutes at most."

Borsalino was not lying. The laser attacks unleashed by the Glint-Glint Fruit were genuine attacks at the speed of light.

But they were like gunfire. I might not be able to dodge a bullet, but I can dodge its trajectory. Anyone with even slightly stronger Observation Haki would not be easily hit.

Therefore, Borsalino and Doflamingo's sparring match could already be considered serious.

"Is that so? Then please continue to guide me in the future, Senior Borsalino," Doflamingo immediately said.

Kizaru's old face scrunched up, and his first instinct was to refuse. But after thinking about it, sparring with Doflamingo was at least somewhat interesting. In the end, he nodded and agreed.

This had absolutely nothing to do with Doflamingo's incredibly delicious cooking! It was entirely out of a senior's care and concern for his junior!

As Kizaru wiped the excited tears from the corners of his mouth, he silently thought this to himself.

Several more months passed in the blink of an eye, and it was time to return.

Whenever Doflamingo had nothing to do during those months, he would spar with Kizaru. In addition, he had swept through quite a few powerful pirates near G1 Base and absorbed much battle experience. Over those few months, he had advanced by leaps and bounds. His physical skills, Haki, and swordsmanship had all improved immensely.

The greatest proof was that Borsalino now needed at least one or two hours to beat him down.

When Doflamingo left G1 Base, Borsalino reluctantly saw him onto the ship, nearly breaking into tears.

The Marines at G1 Base all wore moved expressions, deeply touched by the great friendship between Kizaru and Doflamingo.

"Junior Steve, once you graduate from the training camp, you must transfer under me! I really need a chef like you at the base... No, a fierce general!"

"Once you come, this old brother will spar with you every day when I return. Maybe you'll be promoted to Admiral even earlier than this old brother!"

Doflamingo looked back at Kizaru, who seemed to have grown a whole size fatter, and scratched his head. "Don't worry. If there's a chance in the future, I'll definitely serve under you, Senior."

Naturally, Doflamingo was just brushing Kizaru off. If he had not become a Celestial Dragon's slave when he first transmigrated here, then Kizaru would have been his best choice.

A salary thief, and a fence-sitter besides. No matter how this world ultimately turned out, Doflamingo could guarantee that someone like Kizaru would live quite well. He was very suitable to be a backer.

Even if the Revolutionary Army won in the end and replaced the World Government, Kizaru would definitely be among the Navy higher-ups who defected to them.

But if he wanted to undermine the Navy and topple the World Government, then serving under Kizaru would be meaningless.

If his own strength did not hold the advantage, that guy would absolutely never switch sides.

After leaving Navy G1 Base and crossing the Red Line, they switched the Tiny Little Hummingbird back to the Little Hummingbird. Before long, Doflamingo's group returned to Navy Headquarters.

Navy Headquarters was still the same as before, seemingly unchanged. The only difference was that there were now almost no strong people left in the Navy.

Other than Instructor Zephyr and Fleet Admiral Kong, Navy Headquarters only had two Vice Admirals remaining. Everyone else had gone to the New World.

"It's the end of Sea Calendar Era 1496. Next year, Roger will reach the summit, and One Piece will be born. No wonder the Navy is in such a hurry. It's no surprise that nearly all the experts have left headquarters."

"I wonder what would happen if some powerful enemies attacked Navy Headquarters now..."

"Hmm, I'd definitely stay far away so I wouldn't get dragged into it."

Doflamingo had not forgotten that he had not joined the Navy out of any genuine desire to contribute. He had no intention of shedding blood and sacrificing his life for the World Government.

Still, Doflamingo was not too worried. Any Great Pirate with ambition was in the New World now. At this time, surely no one would set their sights on Navy Headquarters.

After returning, Doflamingo also went to check the rankings. After more than half a year of hard work in the New World, his results had left everyone else in the dust.

Judging from the merits he had earned, he would probably receive the rank of Rear Admiral as soon as he graduated, with plenty of merits left over. As long as he caught a few more pirates, he could become a Vice Admiral.

As for second place, it was Tokikake. Although Tokikake had not devoted all his energy to catching pirates and improving his results, his strength still allowed him to easily become second in the Elite Training Camp.

"These merits are exactly enough for the rank of Commodore. Tokikake calculated it pretty precisely. He doesn't want to do a bit of extra work." Doflamingo supported his chin with one hand and silently mocked him.

Doflamingo did not even bother looking at the rest. Their strength was far too lacking; they were no longer on the same level.

There were still half a month left before the final results were announced, so some training camp students had yet to return and were frantically hunting pirates. But the overall rankings had basically been settled. Even if there were further changes, they would not be significant.

Moreover, his results far surpassed everyone else's. First place was already absolutely secured.