Meanwhile.
At the world's greatest prison, Impel Down.
Smoker watched as the jailers escorted the Straw Hat Pirates and Baroque Works agents into the first level above the sea, where they were about to be thrown into boiling water for their baptism.
The escort had gone exceptionally smoothly.
They had encountered no trouble along the way.
The princess of Alabasta had tried to stop them halfway through, but he had given her a harsh lesson before ultimately letting her off.
That had been entirely out of consideration for her status as Alabasta's princess.
After handing them over, Smoker left for Marineford, while Luffy and his group were about to face the darkest moment of their lives.
When they were shoved into the scalding water, Nami, Usopp, and Chopper screamed and wailed, struggling desperately as they cried out in agony.
Only after they were half-dead, their bodies looking as though they had been boiled, were they fished out. They were then dressed in prisoner uniforms, shackled, whipped, and thrown into cold, pitch-black cells.
The jailers did not care whether these people lived or died.
While the Straw Hat Pirates fell into hell, Wilton spent several hours working out and training. After reminding Sadie to reduce her weight and use Explosive Double Axes, he flew toward the sky island.
Before eating the Ton-Ton Fruit, reaching the sky island had been a troublesome matter for Wilton. But now that he could reduce his weight, it was different. With the rising sea winds, he could easily reach the sky island.
He could also use Armament Haki as a propeller. If used properly, it could create rapid movement similar to Shave, as well as the jet-powered flight of Geppo.
However, the consumption of Armament Haki was bound to be enormous, especially when achieving movement as fast as Shave. It was equivalent to highly compressing Haki and releasing it in an instant, requiring extremely high proficiency and skill.
Thus, whether he mastered Shave and Geppo made little difference. Paper Art could be replaced with Observation Haki, Tempest Kick with Haki emission, and as for Finger Pistol, once his entire body entered Iron Body, his fingers would be just as hard.
Time rewound a little.
On a rolling stretch of sea, a Donquixote Family ship was sailing toward Spiders Cafe Town. Three figures stood on its deck.
"Fufufu~"
Doflamingo stared at the Den Den Mushi after it had been hung up. Behind his unruly sunglasses, his eyes brimmed with viciousness.
Veins bulged across his forehead.
Clearly.
Some Marine had attacked Machvise. Judging by the call that had been cut off, Machvise was likely in grave danger.
Who dared lay a hand on one of Doflamingo's men?
"Pick up the speed to Spiders Cafe Town. I want to see which fearless Marine dared do this."
"Yes."
Diamante and Trebol, standing beside him, wore grave expressions as well.
Given Doffy's status, he would not fear even an admiral from Marine Headquarters. Yet now, a Marine had dared attack Machvise.
They simply did not take the Donquixote Family seriously.
Even if they killed the Marine, Marine Headquarters should have nothing to say about it!
Soon.
The sun rose.
A new day arrived.
"Doffy, we've reached Spiders Cafe Town."
A Pirate Ship docked at the port of Spiders Cafe Town. Several figures appeared at the bow, looking toward the bustling streets in the distance.
Nearly all of them were pirates with weapons at their waists.
"Did you find anything?"
Doflamingo's expression was calm.
"Our people sent word. The one who attacked Machvise was Marine Tough Guy Wilton, the Marine who killed Crocodile some time ago. He's now a vice admiral."
"He has not yet left Spiders Cafe Town, and Machvise may already be dead."
Trebol put away the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
They had influence in Spiders Cafe Town. Otherwise, Machvise would not have come to handle the business on this island.
"Marine Tough Guy Wilton?"
Doflamingo glanced sideways, surprise in his voice. Then his expression turned sinister. Hard man or softie, as long as he was not a Marine admiral, even veteran vice admirals like Onigumo, Momonga, and Momonga would have to pay a price that satisfied him today.
Otherwise, they would die.
"Yes."
"But judging from the recent rumors, this Wilton seems to have drawn considerable attention from Marine Headquarters, especially Sengoku."
Trebol sniffed at the snot hanging from his nose. That was the troublesome part.
He was unsure just how much attention Wilton had received. If Doffy killed him, would it provoke a backlash from the Marines?
"If he dies, he dies. What can the Marines do to us over a mere vice admiral?"
Diamante spoke carelessly, not taking Wilton seriously at all. He was also extremely confident in Doflamingo and the Donquixote Family's power.
"Let's meet this so-called Marine Tough Guy. I want to see how he killed Crocodile."
Doflamingo wore an arrogant expression. If Machvise was confirmed dead, then there was no need for this Marine Tough Guy to keep living.
Over here.
Wilton's group had returned to the island and checked into a hotel. Sadie entered Wilton's room carrying a plate of love-shaped cake, only to find it empty. She had gotten up before dawn to make that cake.
She had wanted to earn a ruthless whipping.
But Wilton was not there.
"Still not back?"
She stepped onto the balcony and gazed at the cloudless blue sky, her pretty face filled with confusion and incomprehension. Yesterday, Wilton had told her he would be leaving for a day or two.
When she had asked where he was going, Wilton had mysteriously pointed to the sky, then floated away.
It had left Sadie thoroughly puzzled, her mind unable to process it.
Bang—
As Sadie stood there distractedly, gunfire and shouting suddenly erupted outside the hotel, accompanied by the furious roars of Minotaurus, Minotaur Koala, Minotaur Rhino, and Minotaur Zebra.
A loud crash rang out.
Dust filled the air as the building beside Sadie rapidly collapsed. Minotaur Rhino crawled out of the rubble, two streams of hot air snorting from its nostrils. It looked furious.
"What happened?"
Protecting the love-shaped cake in her hands, Sadie's expression darkened.
It had nearly fallen to the floor just now.
"Moo."
Hearing the familiar voice, Minotaur Rhino sniffed and pointed outside. Its meaning was obvious: enemies had attacked, and they had killed quite a few of their people.
Sadie said nothing. She turned around, placed the love-shaped cake on the table in the room, then leaped onto Minotaur Rhino's shoulder and headed outside.
"Tell Wilton to get out here."
An arrogant, domineering voice rang out, instantly enraging Sadie. Someone actually dared call Lord Wilton by name, and in such a disrespectful manner.
"Which bastard dares show such disrespect to Lord Wilton?"
"Fufufu~"
The two sides came face-to-face.
Sadie looked at Doflamingo and the others, who were confronting Minotaurus, Minotaur Koala, Minotaur Zebra, and several Marines. The anger on her face gradually turned grim.
"One of the Shichibukai, Heavenly Yaksha Donquixote Doflamingo."
Sadie's heart sank.
What was coming had come after all.
She just had not expected Doflamingo to arrive so quickly. The two beside him should be officers of the Donquixote Family.
Ever since leaving Impel Down, she had put in considerable effort in order to remain at Wilton's side and enjoy his abuse.
She had been constantly learning about the distribution of forces across the sea, afraid that Wilton would ask her something she did not know and then return her.
Sadie would not allow that.
Although they had only been together for a few days, Sadie had already gained a preliminary understanding of Wilton's personality. That guy needed capable subordinates.
"Subordinate of Marine Tough Guy Wilton, I want to know whether you attacked my man. Hand over Machvise, and we can live in peace."
"Otherwise, you will die here."
Doflamingo's fingers were covered in transparent threads. He looked at Sadie with a sinister expression, paying particular attention to the four savage beasts holding spiked clubs, sniffling with snot bubbles hanging from their noses, and glaring fiercely at them.
Well, damn.
Those four beasts were clearly awakened Zoan users. If they fought, things might become troublesome. He had only brought Trebol and Diamante.
Where had Wilton found four awakened Zoan users?
Before you continue