In the days that followed...
Doflamingo packed every day of Luo's schedule.
He had Lao G teach him hand-to-hand combat.
He had Diamante teach him swordsmanship.
He had Gladius teach him gunnery.
After a day that left Luo covered in injuries, Doflamingo personally supervised his study of tactics.
Combat, killing, naval warfare, planning and coordination-his training covered every aspect of his future.
Having fought his way up step by step, Doflamingo taught Luo everything without reservation, providing resources far beyond anything he had enjoyed as a child.
Many of the officers could not understand why he placed such importance on this boy.
Only Corazon understood something of Doflamingo's intentions:
He's treating Luo entirely as his younger self...
He's placed those hopes in him...
Corazon's feelings toward Luo also grew increasingly complicated.
Unlike Doflamingo, Luo had not disregarded life since childhood.
His various actions revealed a kindness deep in his heart.
It was the sudden tragedy he had suffered that had made him this way.
Corazon had been powerless to save Doflamingo back then, but there was still hope for this boy...
On a deserted island at the edge of the Calm Belt in the Grand Line.
The Red Hair Pirates' ship lay anchored by the shore, with a small coffin-like boat beside it.
Everyone had gathered on the beach beside the carcass of a Sea King, while chunks of meat sizzled over a huge bonfire, dripping fat.
Lucky Roux stared at the meat and drooled.
"Who do you think will win this time, the boss or Mihawk?"
Yasopp laughed.
"That idiot of a boss, of course."
Benn Beckman laughed.
"Exactly! Hahahaha!"
The little monkey on his head, Monster, also chittered with laughter.
That sent everyone on the beach into another burst of laughter.
Benn Beckman shook his head.
"You