Doflamingo's Fear

what does that mean?

This means that if the other party wanted to kill him, it would only take a moment.

He didn't even have a chance to react, and he didn't even have time to activate his Conqueror's Haki.

Doflamingo slowly removed his sunglasses, pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger, then tilted his head back and let out a dry, almost silent laugh at the empty ceiling.

At this moment, Natsu had already left Dressrosa.

He stood on a deserted reef several nautical miles from the palace, the sea breeze making his greyish-white robe flutter.

He glanced back at the brightly lit island—the people laughing in the streets, the people working in an orderly fashion under the command of Toy Soldier, the ordinary people who thought they lived in a "Land of Love and Passion".

He looked away.

Whether these people are controlled by Doflamingo using the String-String Fruit or turned into toys by Sugar, what does it have to do with me?

He is the head of the Uchiha Clan, not some Straw Hat -hatted boy on this vast ocean.

He has no obligation to save anyone.

To put it bluntly, the relationship between those people and Doflamingo was nothing more than one of enslavement and being enslaved—did Doflamingo really take action just because the slaves changed masters?

The reason he didn't kill Doflamingo is simple.

This person is useful.

He possesses the most extensive trading network in the Underworld, connections that run both the legitimate and criminal worlds, and the ability to gather resources for the Uchiha Clan.

An obedient dog is something the Uchiha wouldn't mind protecting—provided it's truly obedient.

As for that kid in the Straw Hat...

Natsu's lips curled into a very faint smile, it was impossible to tell whether it was mockery or something else.

Luffy. He has a good relationship with Ace, but that doesn't mean he'll go easy on Luffy.

If that kid is sensible and doesn't provoke the Uchiha Clan, then all will be well.

If he insists on shouting something like "Give Dressrosa back to everyone"—then Natsu wouldn't mind sending this so-called "Sun God" to meet the real god.

Grand Line, Banaro Island.

The island didn't even have a decent port; the only tavern was an illegal structure made of a few broken planks, with the sea breeze seeping in through the gaps in the walls, making the chandeliers sway.

The owner had long since fled, not even bothering to collect the ledgers. The entire island was eerily quiet, as if someone had choked it, with only the muffled sound of waves crashing against the rocks.

Ace sensed something was wrong the moment he set foot on the island.

It's too quiet.

Even in the most remote and desolate island, there should be birds flying, insects chirping, and the rustling of wind through the leaves.

But there's nothing here.

There was only a sticky, rotten sweetness in the air—as if something had been deliberately hidden beneath this silence.

But he still came.

They chased Teach for almost half a year, from the New World to the Grand Line, from Banaro Island to the West Blue West Blue, and then back again.

Every time it was so close, every time that guy slipped through my fingers like an eel.

He was fed up with this cat-and-mouse game. So, after receiving news that the Blackbeard Pirates were staying on the island, he didn't wait for his small boat to dock. Instead, he transformed into a fiery meteor and crashed into a clearing deep within the island, surrounded by dense forest.

The moment the flames hit the ground, he saw the figure he hated to the core.

Marshall D. Teach was sitting on a rock about waist-high, with his legs crossed, holding half a charred animal leg in one hand and a bottle of rum in the other.

Behind him, several of the Blackbeard Pirates' officers were scattered throughout the ruins— Jesus Burgess leaned against a broken wall, grinning; Van Augur stood on a high place, wiping his beloved gun; Doc Q was coughing in a corner, holding Stronger; Lafitte stood in the shadows, leaning on his cane.

Everyone was watching him, and everyone was laughing.

That smile held no surprise, no nervousness, only a confident assurance that had been waiting all along.

Ace's pupils contracted slightly.

trap.

This wasn't some unavoidable chance encounter at all; Teach was deliberately waiting for him here.

But the thought only lingered in his mind for less than half a second before being completely consumed by an even more raging rage.

Regardless of whether it's a trap or not, he'd been searching for over half a year, traversing most of the world, and now that his enemy was right in front of him, he couldn't possibly stop.

"Teach!!!" Ace's roar shook the leaves of the surrounding trees, causing them to fall to the ground.

The flames around him suddenly surged, orange-red tongues licking the ground, and the soil beneath his feet rapidly carbonized under the intense heat, crackling and popping.

His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, his nails dug into his palms, and the blood that seeped out was evaporated by his own flames before it could even drip.

"You bastard! The traitor who killed Thatch! You won't escape from me today!!"

His response was a deafening burst of maniacal laughter.

"Hahaha! Hahahaha!" Teach laughed so hard he almost fell over, spilling half a bottle of rum in his hand.

He jumped off the rocks, and the moment his massive body landed, it carried a suffocating sense of oppression, cracking the rocks beneath his feet.

He spread his arms wide in an exaggerated welcoming gesture, his gaping, black mouth stretching all the way to his ears. "Captain Ace! Long time no see! Hehehe, you've been chasing me for so long, from the New World to the West Blue, and then from the West Blue to here, for more than half a year. Aren't you tired?"

He tilted his head, squinted his single eye, and said with undisguised sarcasm, "I'm a traitor? Hahaha—yes, I admit it."

I killed Thatch, stole the Dark-Dark Fruit, and ran away. But so what? This sea is ruled by the strong!

That idiot Thatch got such a good Devil Fruit but didn't know how to use it. It's better to give it to me than let it go to waste! He deserves to die!

"Shut up!! You're not allowed to insult Thatch!!" A ring of flames exploded beneath Ace's feet, and he took half a step forward, almost losing control as he was burned by rage.

"Hahaha! Don't rush to make your move, Captain Ace." Teach suddenly stopped smiling, a cold, calculating glint flashing in his single eye.

He took two steps forward, and his tone suddenly became sincere—a kind of fake sincerity that anyone could tell, "I have a suggestion."

Join my Blackbeard Pirates and fight alongside me.

With your strength, your title as the Second Division Commander Whitebeard's army, and your ability to use the Flame-Flame Fruit, you can come, whether you're the first mate or anything else.

If we join forces, this ocean will be ours sooner or later.

"At that time, not only will the Four Emperors be subject to our influence, but even the World Government will have to defer to us."

He licked his chapped lips, his one eye fixed on Ace's expression as if admiring prey about to be caught. "How about it? Think about it? It's better than dying here, isn't it?"