The Thousand Sunny finally set sail, its destination forcibly changed to Dressrosa.
Gern and Doflamingo stood on the foredeck, one utterly at ease, the other forcing himself to remain composed.
Meanwhile, the four Straw Hat Pirates-Nami, Chopper, Brook, and Sanji-along with Luo and Momonosuke, who had returned to human form, crowded near the cabin, keeping their distance.
Gern seemed quite interested in the pirate ship, his gaze roaming with curiosity over its distinctive features.
"I didn't take a close look at first. It's bigger than I expected."
As Gern surveyed the Thousand Sunny, Doflamingo leaned against the railing, trying to regain some semblance of composure.
At last, he couldn't resist speaking, his voice lowered.
"'Heavenquake'... what exactly are you planning?"
"What?" At Doflamingo's words, Gern slowly turned his gaze away from the ship and asked:
"Don't you still consider yourself one of the illustrious Shichibukai?"
"I always have been!" Doflamingo snorted. Despite his humbled position, he still tried to stand firm when it came to his title.
"The World Government established this system, and they still haven't issued any official document stripping me of my title!
That old bird Big News Morgans's nonsense is nothing but hot air."
He paused, trying to regain a little of the initiative, and forced a twisted smile.
"Or... why don't you just tell me what you want me to do, after going to all this trouble?"
Gern didn't answer directly. Instead, he tilted his head and looked at Doflamingo, his tone playful.
"Do you think... you can beat Straw Hat Boy?"
The question was so abrupt that Doflamingo froze for a moment before breaking into a mocking grin.
"Fufufufu... are you joking? That rubber idiot who doesn't know his place? Crushing him would be as easy as crushing an ant!"
Looking at Doflamingo's certainty,