North Blue, Swallow Island.
The gloomy sky seemed like a heavy velvet cloth soaked in filthy water, pressing down hard from above. The sea wind carried an ominous wail as it swept past the island's gigantic stone carving, shaped like a soaring swallow.
Deep within the forest beneath the carving, the once peaceful little town had been reduced to scorched earth.
Towering flames stained the dim sky a strange orange-red, while dense gunfire and cannon blasts echoed repeatedly through the woods like the drums of death.
Civilians fled wildly through the narrow streets like startled beasts. Wails, screams, cries, and the thunderous collapse of buildings intertwined into a desperate lament.
"Damn it! Joker! Aren't you afraid of drawing Louis's wrath by doing this!? That man has a bounty of six hundred million!"
A man dressed like a godfather in a typical black suit and fedora leaned against a shattered wall. As he roared, he accurately shot dead a Donquixote Family underling attempting to rush him.
Blood ran down Bonanno's temple, and his eyes were filled with shock, anger, and confusion. This sudden attack had completely exceeded his expectations. He simply could not understand what gave the Donquixote Family the nerve to provoke one of the underground world's foremost powers.
"Fuffuffuffuffu..."
A distinctive, bizarre laugh pierced through the noisy battlefield. Doflamingo stood atop a slightly elevated pile of ruins.
"Looks like I found the right place. Since you said so, I'll give you a chance. Call Louis here—or rather, call that fellow Lafitte."
Smiling, he casually took out a Den Den Mushi and tossed it precisely to Bonanno's feet.
To Doflamingo, attacking Swallow Island and occupying Louis's territory were secondary. His real purpose was to avenge Diamante, who had been seriously injured by Lafitte not long ago.
No one could hurt