Winter in North Blue is bitterly cold.
The gray sky hung low, as if it were about to collapse at any moment.
Small ice floes floated on the sea surface, and occasionally a sea creature would pop its head out from underwater, sniff the dangerous scent in the air, and then retreat back inside.
Minion Island.
The island is unremarkable on the map—it has no special products, no resources, and not even a decent port.
The only thing worth mentioning is the dense forest in the center of the island and the abandoned town deep within it.
At this moment, this deserted island has become the focus of the entire sea.
The reason is simple— the Op-Op Fruit are right here.
This is it.
Rosinante crouched in the bushes at the edge of the dense forest, observing the distant town through binoculars.
The town was small, with only a few dozen houses, and was currently occupied by a group of pirates.
Rosinante didn't recognize the pirates' flag, but there were quite a few of them, at least two hundred.
Patrol teams came one after another, surrounding the town like an iron barrel.
"Mr. Corazon, are we really capable of getting it?"
Behind them, a little boy wearing a spotted hat peeked out, his face frighteningly pale.
Trafalgar Law.
He was only ten years old, but his eyes were filled with a gloom beyond his years.
White spots had already crept up his arms; the symptoms of Amber Lead Syndrome were becoming increasingly obvious.
Rosinante put down his binoculars, turned to look at Rosinandi, and remained silent for a moment.
"Yes," he said. "It's definitely possible."
His voice was soft, but firm.
Luo lowered his head and said nothing more.
Rosinante turned his head and continued to observe the town.
He silently calculated in his mind the pirates' changing of the guard time, patrol routes, and the layout of their strongholds.
No detail can be overlooked.
There will be no second chance for this operation.
Three days ago, Rosinante intercepted a top-secret message within the Donquixote Family's intelligence network—
The Op-Op Fruit will be traded on Minion Island.
He knew what this meant.
Doflamingo's obsession with the Op-Op Fruit was clearer to him than anyone else.
Eternal Youth Surgery – the ultimate ability that would allow Doflamingo to rule the Underworld forever.
If Doflamingo gets the Op-Op Fruit, everything will be over.
Not only is Luo's illness incurable, but the entire world will be plunged into an even greater catastrophe.
Rosinante led Law out of the base overnight, rushing to Minion Island before Doflamingo could.
Before leaving, he contacted Sengoku using a secret Den Den Mushi ).
" The Op-Op Fruit is on Minion Island. Doflamingo will also be there. Requesting support."
On the other end of the phone, Sengoku was silent for a few seconds, then said only one word, "Okay."
Rosinante hung up the phone and disappeared into the night with Rosinandi.
He didn't know if he would make it back alive.
But he knew that this child had to live.
"Mr. Corazon," Luo's voice came from behind, "Why are you helping me?"
Rosinante paused for a moment, then laughed.
His smile was gentle, a stark contrast to his usual clumsy demeanor.
Because you're my friend.
Luo opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he just lowered his head and clenched his fists.
Rosinante turned around and continued to observe the town.
His fingers tapped lightly on the ground, and the power of the Calm-Calm Fruit quietly activated.
The surrounding sounds disappeared.
The sounds of birdsong, wind, and waves crashing on the shore were all shut out.
This is his ability—to create an area of absolute silence.
It's perfect for infiltration.
Meanwhile, in the waters on the other side of the North Blue.
The Donquixote Family's warships are sailing at full speed.
The bow of the ship resembles a Doflamingo with outstretched wings, standing out against the gray sky.
Doflamingo stood at the bow of the ship, his pink feather coat fluttering in the sea breeze.
His signature smile played on his lips, but his eyes were as cold as ice.
" Doffy, confirmed."
Vergo walked over, holding a piece of intelligence in his hand.
" The Op-Op Fruit indeed on Minion Island. The transaction will take place in the next couple of days."
Doflamingo took the intelligence report, glanced at it, and his smile deepened.
"Fufufufu... I've finally waited for this."
He crumpled the intelligence report into a ball and casually tossed it into the sea.
"Everyone prepare. Upon arrival at Minion Island, immediately seal off the entire island. Not a single bird is allowed to fly out."
Trebol chuckled, rubbing his sticky fingers together. " Doffy, what about those pirates we made the deal with?"
"Kill him."
Doflamingo's voice was calm, as if he were saying that the weather was nice today.
The Op-Op Fruit can only be mine.
Diamante wiped his longsword, a bloodthirsty smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Pica stood silently in the corner, his tall figure like a statue.
Vergo turned and left to arrange the landing.
Doflamingo looked back at the sea, a glint of cunning in his eyes.
Rosinante.
That guy's recent whereabouts have been a bit strange.
But he didn't think much of it.
In his eyes, Rosinante, though clumsy, would never betray him.
Never.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Sengoku stood in the command room, a nautical chart of the North Blue displayed on the electronic screen in front of him.
The location of Minion Island is marked with a large red circle.
"Where is Kizaru now?" Sengoku asked.
The secretary retrieved the location of Kizaru's warship. "Currently in the central North Blue, clearing up the pirate chaos caused by the supplementary list of the Shichibukai."
Sengoku pondered for a moment, then picked up the Den Den Mushi ).
Blub Blub... Blub Blub...
"Hello?"
Kizaru's lazy voice came from the other end.
" Kizaru, we have a mission." Sengoku cut to the chase, " The Op-Op Fruit has appeared on Minion Island. Doflamingo has already gone there."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.
"Oh dear, the Op-Op Fruit?"
"Is it the one worth five billion?"
"Right."
"Immediately change course and head to Minion Island. You must intercept the Op-Op Fruit; we cannot allow it to fall into the hands of pirates."
"Understood."
Kizaru's voice remained languid, but Sengoku detected a hint of seriousness in it.
"Also," Sengoku paused, " Rosinante is there too. He's an undercover agent; protect him."
Kizaru didn't say anything, just grunted "Mm," and hung up the phone.
Sengoku put down the Den Den Mushi and rubbed his temples.
Rosinante...
Please, whatever you do, don't let anything happen to that guy.
Jafar Archipelago.
The Ark Maxim rested on the open ground, its golden hull standing out against the gray sky.
Roy stood at the bow of the ship, holding the intelligence that Crocodile had just sent him.
" Minion Island," he murmured the name, " the Op-Op Fruit is there."
Tesoro leaned closer. "Boss, shall we go?"
Roy nodded and put away the intelligence.
"Everyone on board. Full speed ahead to Minion Island."
Everyone jumped onto the boat, extremely excited.
Yamato, clutching his spiked club, exclaimed with gleam in his eyes, "The fight's finally here!"
Enel floated in mid-air, lightning crackling around him. "Yehahaha, Minion Island, I've arrived!"
Kazami silently inspected the long sword, while Bar carried the iron ingot with a simple, honest smile on his face.
Roy glanced one last time in the direction of the Jafar Archipelago, then turned and went into the cabin.
The Ark Maxim slowly rose into the air and sped towards Minion Island.
The golden ship glided through the clouds, its speed increasing.