Fire.
If he had to describe that man in a single word, it could only be—
Fire!
A roaring blaze!
Over six meters tall, with a broad, well-proportioned build, he wore an outfit of pure black.
A double-breasted jacket with a skull-patterned collar, a mask, a helmet with goggles, and gloves—without a single inch of skin exposed.
He wore ornaments on his arms and legs, and a long sword hung at his waist.
Two things stood out the most:
First, the ring of flames encircling the back of his head. Second, the huge pair of black wings on his back!
Was that ring of flames why the man was described as a "blaze"?
Not only that.
The presence he radiated was like a blazing inferno, making people instinctively fear him and want to get as far away as possible!
"Ha... ha..."
"Pfft!"
Bepo spat blood, but still dragged Cobra and Jaka along as he flew high into the sky, even hiding them in the clouds.
In his Falcon Form, Bepo's eyesight far surpassed that of an ordinary person. He could not only feel the man's oppressive presence, but also see his face perfectly clearly!
"N-no... It can't be..."
Bepo's pupils trembled, his voice full of disbelief.
"I saw that face on a wanted poster. He's one of the Beasts Pirates' officers, with a bounty of one billion Berry—the Flame Calamity, King!"
"?!"
Cobra and Jaka were both shocked.
They had both heard of the Beasts Pirates, a powerful crew active in the New World. Recently, they had even earned the title of "Four Emperors" through a series of major events!
Though they knew little about the crew, King's staggering billion-Berry bounty alone was enough to show how fearsome he was.
"Tch, can I still hold on...?"
Bepo gritted his teeth, having already made up his mind.
Even if the Marines showed up, it would be difficult for them to deal with a pirate with a billion-Berry bounty without any preparation.
So even if his wounds tore open and he lost his life, he had to get Cobra out of there safely!
It was only a wall of fire. He could easily fly over it with his Bird-Bird Fruit Ability...
"Hm?!"
Suddenly, Bepo sensed a gaze.
He turned his head and saw King on the Uninhabited Island staring up at the three of them!
The icy gaze was like that of some terrifying predator that had locked onto its prey. Bepo felt a chill from the depths of his soul.
"Not good!"
Bepo twisted his body, trying to put more distance between them and King.
But in the next instant, King's right hand transformed into a membranous wing. He swung it toward the three of them in midair.
Blade Twin Emperors!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Several bullets of flame shot out like a machine gun, hitting all three of them!
Bepo and Jaka both underwent Zoan Transformations, shielding Cobra with their bodies. Then the three of them were engulfed in flames and plunged into the sea...
"Well, they're Devil Fruit Users. A few bullets aren't enough to kill them."
King's voice was cold as he muttered to himself:
"But I can't let that king get away..."
"..."
He spoke as though no one else were there, completely ignoring the two men in front of him—Vergo and Lindsey.
King had every reason to.
He was the foremost of the Beasts Pirates' three calamities and had followed Kaido for many years. Steady and courageous, he knew exactly what to do and when.
"Now—"
King turned his gaze back toward the men before him and slowly said in a deep voice:
"It's time to take care of you."
At that moment, the situation on the Uninhabited Island changed dramatically.
Crocodile and the Flame Calamity, King, had both descended from the sky.
Just moments ago, taking advantage of his flight in his Ancient Pterodactyl Form, King had destroyed Crocodile's small boat first.
Then, in their aerial clash, he had gained a slight advantage over Crocodile, badly wounded him, and sent him crashing down onto the island.
King had followed soon after, landing directly opposite Lindsey and behind Vergo.
"Now—"
"It's time to take care of you."
It was a simple sentence, yet it held a major point of doubt.
King had said "you," not "you two."
In other words, of the two men standing in front of him, he saw only one as someone who "needed to be dealt with."
Who?
Vergo already had an answer in mind—
Surely it wasn't him.
With the terrifying pressure of the "Demon" and the "Flame Calamity" bearing down from before and behind, it felt as if he were trapped between two twisted storms, unable to breathe!
He didn't even turn his head. He simply stood there without moving.
Vergo knew very well that the "Demon" and the "Flame Calamity" had both looked past him and fixed their attention on each other.
At that moment, he had become the signal for both sides to "begin fighting."
The slightest movement would make the "Demon" and the "Flame Calamity" clash, while he would be left as a sacrifice no one even noticed!
Vergo wasn't the only one who realized this. Someone far away in the North Blue had, too.
Donquixote Doflamingo!
Since the negotiations began, he had told Vergo to activate the Den Den Mushi's video call.
Now, the Den Den Mushi's two eyes poked out of Vergo's trouser pocket, looking behind him and seeing the hulking figure.
"King!"
Doflamingo's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"He's one of mine..."
It was a simple sentence, full of anger, yet restrained.
The reason was simple.
As JOKER of the underworld, Doflamingo had close ties with Kaido of the Beasts.
If JOKER wanted to rise further in the underworld, he needed the support of the Beasts Pirates!
What's more, the Donquixote Family was no match for the Beasts Pirates, and Doflamingo didn't dare fall out with Kaido of the Beasts.
So all he could do was hope King would consider their relationship.
But King's next words made Doflamingo's expression freeze on the other end of the call.
"JOKER?"
King rolled his neck and replied calmly, "I'm interested in Alabasta's little secret, too. I'm sure it'll be useful to Big Brother Kaido."
"..."
"It's fine."
Doflamingo was silent for a moment, then said, "But let my man leave first!"
"That's not possible."
King's gaze passed over Vergo and fixed on Aiven Lindsey, standing directly opposite him.
A strange Ancient Armament Haki spread around him as his perfect human body gradually transformed into a "monster" with thick limbs.
King narrowed his eyes and slowly said, "There are places in this world that ordinary people must never set foot in. Your man has stepped into one. Whether he lives or dies is up to him!"
"King!"
Doflamingo furrowed his brow and growled, "Are you going to ignore Kaido's side of things?!"
But King's response was only an even more furious rebuke.
"You're just the Donquixote Family. Don't push your luck!"
King's eyes darkened as he said coldly:
"I'll ask you one thing—"
"Will your subordinate's life or death affect your deal with Big Brother Kaido?!"
"..."
Doflamingo fell silent.
He had only one answer: "No."
Even if Kaido personally executed Vergo, Doflamingo would still continue trading with him to achieve his own goals.
But he couldn't bring himself to say it.
"It's fine, Dof."
Vergo took the Den Den Mushi from his pocket and rested his hand on its switch. He spoke slowly:
"Ever since the day we met you, we've always believed that you could become king of this sea."
"For that, my life means nothing. I can give it up at any time."
Ordinary people couldn't understand the relationships within the Donquixote Family, but as long as they understood one another, that was enough.
"..."
"I'm sorry, old friend. You've been with me longer than anyone..."
Doflamingo's expression remained unchanged as he said slowly, "You've worked hard all this time."
Hearing that, Vergo smiled faintly.
In the original future, when Law's Devil Fruit Ability cut him to pieces and he was caught in the explosion at the Punk Hazard laboratory, he had worn the same smile.
"Yeah."
Vergo softly uttered a single word.
It was his farewell to Doflamingo—and the signal for the "Demon" and the "Flame Calamity" to begin their battle!
Vroom—!
Almost simultaneously, Lindsey and King swung their fists at each other.
Their fists tore through the air, struck Vergo's body, then continued onward and slammed into each other's faces.
Boom—
CRASH!
Before you continue