North Blue: Brothers Reunited! Rosinante's Despair!

North Blue.

On the coast of the island where the Drake Pirates were based.

The entire pirate crew had been captured, and everyone was forced to wear shackles and be pushed onto the large ship by heavily armed Fish-Man warriors.

Drake and Rosinante were carried onto the ship by the Calamity Knights, one in each hand.

They were also shackled, and made of Seastone. Both of them, weak and exhausted, were thrown into the prison at the bottom of the ship.

Not only that, the Calamity Knights sat quietly outside the prison, watching them.

Does Doflamingo really care that much about himself?

Rosinante, limp and powerless, could only lean against the wall and slump on the ground. He weakly looked up at the Calamity Knights staring straight at him and couldn't help but think this.

Next, they will be taken to the nearest Calamity Company pirate base, where they will quietly await the arrival of his older brother!

Yes, Doflamingo is coming!

Upon receiving the news, that guy immediately called to say he was on his way.

To be honest, Rosinante can't even remember how many years ago they last met.

If it weren't for that bastard brother's photos frequently appearing in the newspapers, Rosinante would have long forgotten what he even looked like.

He only remembered that he was already in hell, but his brother kicked him into an even deeper purgatory.

After that day, he truly had nothing left.

However, this time it's not about revenge, Doflamingo.

It wasn't to avenge his father, nor to avenge himself when he wandered the North Blue and barely survived.

It was to save the world, to save this already terrible world, but at least one where hope still existed!

Drake, in the next cell, also remained silent.

The rest is up to Rosinante.

However, whether he succeeds or fails, he will face it together with his friends!

On a certain part of the sky, on a Sky Battleship that was hurrying towards this sea area.

"Fufufufu!"

Doflamingo sat on the gunwale like a thug, a strange smile on his face. "Family, what a distant word. Is that Rosinante kid still alive?"

"You won't go easy on them just because they're your family, will you?"

Beside him, Redfield, sitting calmly in a sun lounger, sipping a glass of red wine, spoke with great interest.

"Fufufufu, family is definitely different, right?"

Doflamingo couldn't help but burst into laughter. "But if it's just blood ties, then you can't call them family!"

"True family, true relatives, are those who unite and move towards the same goal, right?"

"Hehe, if what Boss says is true, and that guy came with malicious intent, then he's no longer my family!"

"What a pragmatic guy."

Redfield chuckled. "You two are brothers who share the same blood."

"Fufufufu, bro?"

Doflamingo suddenly spread his hands, grinning, and said, "What are brothers? The mission assigned by the Boss is the most important!"

"However, Mr. Red, this time we're counting on you."

Almost simultaneously, in the sky above this world, inside the airship where the World Government was located.

Still shrouded in a long, black robe, Imu sat high on his throne. The King of the World, who had lost half his territory, was caressing a Devil Fruit with his hands, which were also covered by the wide black robe.

"Lord Imu,"

Kneeling beneath the throne was an old man, now one of the Gorosei. The Great Boar, Warcury, respectfully spoke, "The Navy has already taken action."

"Doflamingo's younger brother, Donquixote Rosinante, is still alive. He was adopted by Sengoku and has now been Sengoku back to the North Blue. He'll try to join the Calamity Company and gain Doflamingo's trust!"

"If the operation goes smoothly, we might be able to find out Roa's whereabouts soon!"

Donquixote--

Imu's indistinct voice echoed in the vast space, "The older brother became a pirate, and the younger brother became a marine. Wouldn't that be an interesting drama?"

That's definitely a dramatic conflict.

But now, we should sincerely hope that Rosinante's operation goes smoothly.

Such a thought flashed through Warcury's mind for a moment.

But it was only for a moment. Facing the great Lord Imu, he didn't even dare to grumble in his heart for even a second longer.

"Warcury,"

The King of the World spoke slowly, raising the fruit in his hand, "This Devil Fruit, passed down through generations of the giants and obtained from Elbaf, whom do you think should be given to?"

"This--"

Warcury was taken aback.

Although the government had no idea about the origin of this fruit before, they only knew that it was Devil Fruit passed down through generations of giants and given a legendary name.

However, even Lord Imu was greatly astonished after learning the name of the fruit from Harald, and he attached great importance to it.

"This is a matter only you are qualified to decide; your subordinate dares not say more."

Warcury lowered his head deeply, not daring to express his opinion.

This fruit is simply too important and too powerful; it's not something just anyone is qualified to eat.

"..."

Imu remained silent and slowly put the fruit back.

The current World Government indeed cannot find anyone qualified to consume this Devil Fruit.

Shortly after that, in the North Blue, at a pirate base belonging to the Calamity Company.

In the dimly lit prison cell, Rosinante hung his head.

I've been here for several days now. Given the speed of the spaceships from the Calamity Company, Doflamingo should be here soon.

For the past few days, Rosinante has been rehearsing in his mind.

After meeting Doflamingo, how can I gain that man's trust?

This is the most important part of this mission.

To completely defeat the Calamity Company and crush the evil legion led by Roa, simply possessing great power is not enough.

Roa is extremely cunning. They've been floating in the sky somewhere in the world, making them impossible to locate, so there's no way they can achieve victory.

As far as Rosinante knew, the battle twenty years ago when the pirate alliance seized the New World was because Roa used this tactic, leaving the government and the Navy helpless. Instead, he took the opportunity to destroy the original Marine Headquarters.

Twenty years ago, the government was helpless; the current government is still helpless.

However, unlike back then, the government can now hide and start playing hide-and-seek with Roa.

Whoever's whereabouts are revealed first, and whoever is found by the other side first, will be at a disadvantage.

Therefore, Rosinante's mission this time can be considered the key to victory!

If we can find the exact whereabouts of Roa and the others, then we will have already taken a big step towards victory!

Rosinante was deep in thought.

It's been so many years since I've seen Doflamingo. Based solely on my childhood memories and snippets of information from the newspapers, it's impossible to determine his current personality.

Gaining his trust without arousing his suspicion, and eventually getting him to lead you to the Calamity City, is no easy task.

Rosinante thought to himself.

That is, at this time.

Bang!

With a muffled thud, the prison door was kicked open.

"Fufufufu!"

A wild, unrestrained laugh suddenly rang out, "Rosinante, my dear little brother, it's been so many years, I've missed you terribly!"

The moment they heard that laughter, Rosinante and Drake in the prison cell simultaneously narrowed their eyes.

It's here!!

It's finally started!

They both took a deep breath at the same time.

Their next move, or more precisely, Rosinante's move, will greatly influence the course of the world!

Rosinante, weakened by the Seastone, finally saw his brother through the gap in the invigilator's railing—the face of someone he hadn't seen in many years!

He was tall, with blond hair styled with a lot of hair wax sticking straight up, wearing sunglasses on his nose, and dressed in a burgundy suit with a feather cloak draped over it.

He exuded an imposing aura.

Doflamingo!!

The moment Rosinante saw the man clearly, he instinctively clenched his teeth.

Although he said it wasn't for revenge, when he actually saw the murderer who killed his father, Rosinante's anger still surged up after many years!

Then, in the next instant, all the anger cooled down.

Because Rosinante saw the figure walking casually behind Doflamingo.

Drake, in the next cell, also had his pupils shrink.

Patrick Redfield!

Why is this monster here?

Neither Drake nor Rosinante could comprehend this at that moment.

If his only purpose was to see Doflamingo's brother, then why would that monster, the Crimson Count, come here?

Even within the entire pirate alliance, this man is a truly top-tier monster besides Roa; there's absolutely no reason for him to be here!

"Fufufufu!"

Doflamingo arrived at the cell where Rosinante was located. Without even needing a key, he activated his Combination Fruit ability, and a purple aura spread out. With a loud bang, the cell door was ripped open.

Rosinante watched as his brother swaggered in with an arrogant, pigeon-toed gait, his gaze fixed on him with great interest.

"Rosinante, you're really heartless! If you're still alive, why didn't you contact me?"

Doflamingo feigned a sigh and said, "If I had known I still had a relative in this world, I wouldn't have been so lonely all these years."

Rosinante's face instantly turned furious. "Shut up, Doflamingo! I'll never forget what happened that day! You killed my father with your own hands, and you still have the nerve to talk about family!"

At this point, Rosinante was no longer able to distinguish whether his anger was genuine or feigned.

However, he knew he couldn't reveal from the beginning that he had come to join Doflamingo's cause.

"Fufufufu!"

Doflamingo looked at his furious brother, his smile widening. "You really are brothers, aren't you? That day is one I'll never forget!"

"Hmph! Looking back now, I guess I really should thank that bastard father! If he hadn't taken us down from Mary Geoise and made us stray dogs on the street, I wouldn't have met the Boss, and I wouldn't be who I am today!"

Looking back now, if I hadn't left Mary Geoise so early, I probably would have died in the Mary Geoise incident more than a year ago.

"Shut up, Doflamingo!!"

Rosinante nearly roared, "You bastard! Isn't this all your own fault? Because of you, our identities were exposed; because of you, Mother fell ill and died; because of you, all this misfortune has followed!"

Back then, after my father brought his family back to the North Blue, although they had lost their Celestial Dragons status, the government still took good care of them.

Although it was a non- Affiliated Nation, it was able to live a relatively stable life thanks to the wealth they brought from Mary Geoise.

Because of Doflamingo, because of this bastard who had the Celestial Dragons' habits ingrained in his bones, their identities were quickly exposed, and then all the disasters followed.

Rosinante's fierce attitude even made Drake, in the cell next to him, grit his teeth.

Isn't this overacting, Rosinante!

What should I do if I really anger this man?

Ultimately, can mere familial affection truly bind this monster who has followed Roa since childhood?

"Fufufufu! So that's how it is?"

Doflamingo chuckled maniacally, "It's been so long, I'd completely forgotten about it!"

"To remain trapped in the past is not the spirit of a true man. Now that the sun has risen, forget everything, Rosinante!"

"..."

Rosinante's chest heaved violently, as if he wanted nothing more than to bite Doflamingo's throat off.

"I won't waste any more words, Doflamingo,"

Rosinante took a deep breath, looking like he was being forced into a corner. "If you remember you once had a younger brother, if you haven't forgotten the years we spent together, promise me one thing."

I'm begging you, please don't hurt my companions!

Doflamingo's laughter didn't wane. "Still as kind as when you were a kid, Rosinante. But don't worry, my little brother, as long as you don't refuse Boss's invitation and obediently join our ranks, you'll be fine."

Rosinante visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Great, this way we can easily infiltrate the Calamity Company.

The next step is to figure out a way to gain Doflamingo's trust!

"However,"

Doflamingo suddenly grinned, "Before that, there's one last inspection step."

Test?

Rosinante looked up at Doflamingo with a somewhat blank expression.

Then he saw Redfield, who had been quietly following behind Doflamingo without saying a word, suddenly step forward.

Red walked up to Rosinante, bent down, and placed his hand on Rosinante's head.

What is this doing?

Rosinante was somewhat bewildered, but almost subconsciously, a sense of foreboding welled up in his heart.

"I see,"

Redfield nodded knowingly. "Was it Sengoku who sent you?"

Both Rosinante and Drake's pupils constricted simultaneously.

Is this what despair feels like?