Doflamingo Leaves the Shichibukai

Moonlight was caught in the Green Ring, and Breed repeatedly activated his power, trying to control him. Yet to his surprise, no matter how he manipulated or used his ability, Moonlight remained completely unaffected. Instead, he steadily walked toward him. The surrounding sea beasts seemed to have been terribly frightened as well. Wherever Moonlight went, they lowered their heads and retreated. No matter how Breed yelled or whipped them, it had no effect whatsoever.

"How is this possible?!"

Breed's expression changed drastically.

This was the first time his ability had ever failed.

"Moonlight?"

"What's going on?"

"Mr. Moonlight!"

Brook and the others were stunned at first, then overjoyed.

Moonlight really was no ordinary man. Who would have thought something like this could happen? "This man's strength is despairingly powerful, and even his mind is this meticulous. He must have discovered Breed's weakness!"

Kin'emon of the Foxfire's expression shifted. He exchanged a grave look with Momonosuke.

The more they interacted with Moonlight, the more they could sense just how extraordinary he was.

With him protecting this ship, it was completely safe. "Has Moonlight found a way?"

"As expected of the Vice-Captain!"

As Breed panicked, Sanji and Law were freed from his control as well. All four of them looked toward Moonlight. Sanji curled his lip, lit a cigarette, and took a drag.

"What weakness did Moonlight the Boss discover?"

Law, however, was puzzled.

He had already been very careful and had noticed Breed's ability, but it seemed impossible to evade such a power. "Moonlight, the Straw Hat Vice-Captain—how can you possibly be unaffected?"

As he watched Moonlight draw closer step by step, Breed finally fell into complete panic. But what terrified him most was why Moonlight could not be controlled.

Had his ability stopped working? "Nothing is impossible. Your ability is indeed quite impressive, but it requires two conditions to activate. Without them, it is completely useless."

Moonlight spoke calmly, pointing at the Green Ring around his neck. Before anyone could ask, he continued, "First, the target must be restrained. Second, the target must hear the command. If either condition is missing, it will not work."

As he spoke, Moonlight pointed to the earplugs in his ears.

He had seen it clearly earlier. When Sanji and Law were bound by the Green Rings, their bodies had not initially been under control. They only began acting after Breed gave his command.

It was not very obvious with Sanji, but it had been extremely clear with Law.

When Law was restrained, his body was still inside his Room, preparing to leave, when Breed forcibly took control of him.

Moonlight immediately understood the nature of the ability!

It was indeed extremely powerful, but its weakness was equally obvious. As long as one could see through it, it was nothing special.

That was how Devil Fruits worked. Once their weakness was found, even the strongest ability would have a flaw!

"Damn it, he saw through it in such a short time?"

Cold sweat immediately seeped from Breed's forehead upon hearing Moonlight's words.

It was too terrifying! "I see. As long as we can't hear his commands, we won't be controlled!"

"Moonlight, you really are something. You even managed to figure that out!"

Luffy and the others immediately understood.

So that was it!

The Pet-Pet Fruit actually had such a restriction! In that case, Breed was no longer anything to fear.

Not only them—even Moomoo, the Kung Fu Dugong, and the sea beasts all around them understood at once.

They immediately covered their ears and glared at Breed with unfriendly expressions.

During the time they had been controlled, Breed had not treated them kindly. Now that they knew how to deal with him...

All the sea beasts immediately surrounded Breed!

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you pets trying to do? Are you rebelling?!"

Breed panicked at the sight.

But the sea beasts no longer paid him any attention. They charged straight at him, and Breed was instantly surrounded by an endless mass of sea beasts. His screams followed in the next moment. Luffy and the others shook their heads. They did not even need to lift a finger—Breed was finished!

What happened afterward was simple. Without his ability, Breed was taught a brutal lesson. Afterward, the sea beasts thanked Luffy's group and left.

Moomoo and the Kung Fu Dugong also said their farewells. Apparently, they would continue traveling around the world and form the Sea Beast Pirates. When they met again one day, they would be completely different.

Hearing that, Luffy and the others bid them farewell as well.

They believed that when they met again someday, everything would be different too.

"I really didn't expect something like this to happen. It seems there are many people in the New World who want to get their hands on you!"

Afterward, they continued sailing, while everyone's attention focused on Caesar.

Before this, aside from Law, no one had thought much of this guy who could release gas. Now it seemed they had all misjudged him.

Caesar was probably highly sought after. Like a treasure, many people in the New World wanted him! In that case, they had to be careful.

The New World was not like the seas they had traveled before. Here, powerful people were everywhere, and they could not afford even the slightest carelessness! As for Caesar, he had shed his previous arrogance and even seemed somewhat dispirited. He appeared to have seen his own situation clearly. Compared with falling into the hands of those people, the Straw Hat Crew was relatively safer.

At the very least, these people still treated him like a person. Although he had lost his freedom, they would not treat him like Breed had—as a pet.

Thus, he became much more obedient.

Early the next morning, everyone received a newspaper delivered by a seagull.

One piece of news shocked everyone and stirred up terrifying waves across the entire New World.

Doflamingo had announced that he was leaving the Shichibukai, while also stepping down as the king of Dressrosa!

"Looks like Doflamingo fears Kaido more. But why step down from the throne as well?"

Law glanced at Caesar, his brow tightly furrowed.

Doflamingo had indeed done as he said, but he had also done one extra thing. What exactly was going on?

Law knew him. For him to make such a decision at a time like this, it could not possibly be that simple! "What are you worried about? Isn't everything happening according to your plan?"

Robin looked at Law curiously and asked.

"That's right. Isn't this favorable to us now?"

Usopp and the others were also confused.

"I can't explain it either, but I have a feeling he will not give up so easily. Still, we will proceed according to plan for now. Straw Hat Boss, once we reach Dressrosa, we..."

Law shook his head and pushed aside that feeling, then spoke.

He planned to continue with the original plan. But just in case, he called Moonlight along! Originally, he, Caesar, Robin, and Usopp were supposed to handle the exchange, but Moonlight was being added at the last minute!

"No problem."

Everyone nodded.

Once they reached the island, they would split into three groups.