Doflamingo's Fear!

The entire city had fallen into complete chaos.

Panic-stricken people fled toward the edges of the city like a surging tide.

Roa stood atop a house and took a deep breath. "Wonderful."

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Roa spotted a small figure among the fleeing crowd.

His cloak had already been blown open by the wind, but this time, he paid it no attention. The small boy was bawling his eyes out, tears and snot turning his dirty little face into an even greater mess.

He simply wailed as he staggered forward.

Roa narrowed his eyes. Thick black energy surged toward him, bringing an almost intoxicated expression to his face.

There wasn't much of it, but it really had been a long time since he had tasted such high-quality black energy.

"Lord Roa, that's that guy's younger brother."

Bullet keenly noticed where Roa's gaze had settled.

"Leave him alone. He's pitiful enough already."

Roa spoke with compassion. "Don't be too hard on a child, Bullet."

Live well, you foolish little brother. When you've grown strong enough to rival Doflamingo someday, come back and take your revenge on him.

Preferably, bring along a group of companions bound to you by deep ties.

"That should do it."

Roa looked toward the direction of the disturbance. The rumbling had gradually died down. "Let's go back, Bullet."

"Yes."

In the central area of the town.

"Hah—hah—"

Doflamingo was breathing heavily.

He had expended far too much stamina.

Yet he was laughing—laughing almost maniacally.

The surrounding area had become a wasteland. It would not be an exaggeration to say that corpses littered the ground.

This ability suited him perfectly. He didn't need to possess overwhelming strength himself. As long as he combined a large number of weapons, he could unleash devastating effects!

Finally, he felt exhilarated!

If I possessed power like this—

Would Mary Geoise accept me again?

Doflamingo wondered.

But before that—

He turned his head slightly.

On the roof of a ruined house beside him, a shadow crouched there like a cat. It remained motionless and expressionless, staring fixedly at him with pitch-black eyes that seemed as deep as an abyss.

Who did that inexplicable bastard think he was?

How dare he expect me to submit to him?

Hmph!

Celestial Dragons will never be slaves!

As long as I kill this watcher, I'll be able to—

Hm?

Doflamingo's vision blurred. The black-eyed man who had been crouching on the roof like a large cat now pounced toward him like one, moving so quickly that Doflamingo couldn't see him clearly.

Shing!

The blade at his waist left its sheath and cleaved straight through the steel shell Doflamingo was so proud of.

"Waaaah!"

The Combination Fruit's side effect activated instantly. When the combined material was damaged, part of the damage was reflected onto Doflamingo.

It wasn't enough to leave a wound across his stomach, but the pain was no less intense.

Doflamingo even vomited blood.

He's going to kill me?

Fear attacked him like a parasite burrowing into his bones.

The mindless Vice Admiral Jensen paid no attention to any of that. He was merely carrying out his master's orders.

His left hand, covered in black Haki, plunged into the crack in the steel shell. He grabbed Doflamingo by the neck and forcibly dragged him out.

Holding Doflamingo aloft, the vengeful spirit Jensen shot into the air, stepping across the rooftops toward his master.

What kind of monster is this?

Doflamingo felt as if he couldn't breathe. He struggled desperately, but the hand gripping his neck was as immovable as steel.

He wanted to speak, threaten him, tempt him with rewards, and tell the man that he was a Celestial Dragon. If the man released him, he would be generously rewarded once Doflamingo returned to Mary Geoise. Otherwise, he would certainly die later.

But with his neck constricted, all he could produce were painful whimpers.

Unable to breathe, his lungs gradually began to ache, and his mind grew hazy.

Am I going to die?

In such a ridiculous way?

Fortunately, he hadn't actually died.

Just as his consciousness was about to completely drift away, the hand around his neck suddenly loosened, and he was thrown onto the ground.

Doflamingo sprawled there, gulping down huge breaths of air.

For the first time, he felt that breathing was such a moving thing.

His mind gradually escaped the ordeal of oxygen deprivation, and the scene before him became clear.

Doflamingo saw a mast and sails. He was lying on the deck of a ship.

"Sorry, Dof,"

the mysterious man with the frog sunglasses said from nearby. "This guy is only my puppet and has no reason, so he can be a little rough."

Doflamingo slowly sat up and turned to look at Roa, who had already removed his frog sunglasses.

A puppet?

He glanced again at the vengeful spirit Jensen standing beside Roa.

That monster is a puppet?

"Who are you, exactly?"

Doflamingo finally asked the question.

"Your information is really out of date, Dof."

Roa looked somewhat surprised. "This face of mine should be fairly well known, especially since you used to be a Celestial Dragon."

Doflamingo bit his lip.

As expected, I realized it the moment he called me by my real name. He knows about my origins!

"Are you a Celestial Dragon?"

He asked what he believed was the most likely possibility.

"A Celestial Dragon?"

Roa nearly laughed aloud. "You really don't know anything, do you? Didn't your father tell you that I killed hundreds of Celestial Dragons six years ago?"

"..."

Doflamingo instantly fell silent.

That's right!

Although he had only been three six years ago and had no memory of the incident, his biological father had mentioned it many times afterward.

During a hunting expedition, the Celestial Dragons had suffered their greatest losses in hundreds of years.

Not only had pirates attacked the hunting grounds, but some madman had killed most of the Celestial Dragons participating in the hunt in one go!

Was it this guy?

"Let me introduce myself. I'm Roa,"

Roa said with a cheerful smile. "Just an ordinary young entrepreneur. I hate the World Government, and I hate Celestial Dragons most of all. So, Dof, don't say anything about wanting to become a Celestial Dragon again."

His smile grew even brighter. "I'll kill you."

"..."

Doflamingo's pupils suddenly trembled violently.

Fear!

An indescribable fear swept over him like a tsunami, swallowing him completely in an instant.

His thoughts froze, and his body became utterly rigid.

"Remember the fear you feel now, Dof."

Roa retracted his ability. "From now on, I hope you'll work hard for me."

"..."

Doflamingo said nothing. His body merely continued to tremble.

Although Roa had stopped using his ability, the bone-deep fear from moments ago would not fade so easily.

Looking at the trembling Doflamingo, Roa sighed softly.

This is exactly where you fall short, Dof. Which monster on the sea had such a feeble will during his youth?

Still, this is fine too. He's the kind of person who flourishes when given the slightest encouragement. Only fear can restrain him.

"Lord Roa, we found the navigator!"

At that moment, Dylan returned with an unfamiliar man. "There seems to have been a disturbance on the island."

He looked somewhat surprised at Doflamingo, who was slumped on the ground. "What's this?"

"A new recruit."

Roa said, "Dylan, sorry for the trouble, but please look after him for a while."

"Yes."

Dylan asked no questions and merely nodded.

"Then let's continue our voyage!"

The next day.

The news bird delivered the newspapers.

"As expected, Aunt Linlin was beaten into a panic."

Roa flipped through the newspaper. It reported that the BIG Pirates and the fleet led by Marine Hero Iron Fist Garp had fought a fierce battle in the Land of Endless War.

"I hope she's all right."

Almost at the same time, somewhere in the New World.

A somewhat battered ship sped across the open sea.

"Damn you, Garp! You'd better remember this!"

Slightly plump Charlotte Linlin sat on the deck, stuffing herself with food while loudly cursing. "Sooner or later, I'll make you pay, you bastard!"

Bandages were wrapped around her head, and more bandages covered her shoulder, extending toward her chest.

Beside her, her most valued second son, the sixteen-year-old Katakuri, opened his huge mouth and ate doughnuts. He asked somewhat indistinctly, "Mother, did Roa really join the Beasts Pirates?"

"How should I know! Witnesses on the island only saw him fight Kaido fiercely, then leave with him!"

Charlotte Linlin ground her teeth. Not only had she failed to achieve her goal, but she had also been beaten up by Iron Fist Garp, who arrived afterward!

The young Katakuri smiled brightly.

Regardless, Roa is not only safe and sound, but has also become strong enough to rival Kaido?

As expected, Roa is still that unbelievably monstrous man!

It seems I need to work even harder. If twice as much isn't enough, then four times. If that's still not enough, then ten times, a hundred times, two hundred times! Until the next time we meet, I'll make you look at me in a new light!

The coast of the Land of Endless War.

A huge warship was moored there.

"Keep looking! Garp! Since he left with Kaido, go find Kaido! We have to find that brat!"

The black-haired Marine Hero pulled the Den Den Mushi away from his hand with a look of disgust.

He had wanted to pursue Roger again.

Kaido, huh?