Within a dark room that was lightened up by the dim light, there lied a cell that resembles that of a prison. Within the cell, there was one beautiful girl with straight black hair, trembling as two men gazed at her from the outside.
"...Beheheh, what a success you've accomplished, Diamante." Trebol, one of two men, said in amazement, "I was expecting a substantial loss during this expedition, and yet, you completely exceeded my expectation."
Diamante, the other one, stood with his hand on his chin. Not falling into his usual antic of denying praise for him until it stopped, he hummed thoughtfully, "It was strange though, Trebol. All I did was place a spoon on top of the already-prepared meal. When I arrived at the Amazon Lily, these warriors..."
Diamante eyed the young girl,
"They were already in a poor condition as if having undergone a huge battle recently. There was barely any fight, and I simply captured whoever was in the sight."
Trebol grinned, "Beheheh, that's something that we don't have to be concerned about. Only the result matters, and not the cause."
Then, reaching his hand to where his stomach lied, Trebol took out a mucus-covered chest from it.
"A young girl. Notably beautiful—even by my standards. Furthermore, from Amazon Lily, meaning that she's got no human rights."
Trebol opened the chest, revealing a strange-patterned fruit from within.
"One fortunate encounter leads to another. A beauty having eaten the fruit meant for beauties... beheheh! Now this is what we call the grand prize of the auction!"
__________
"Lieutenant Aramaki. And in addition, the rest of the 31st division."
Aramaki, still seated, raised his head up and saw that the Vice Admiral wearing a black suit underneath his justice coat, Tensei, walked up to him. Naturally, Aramaki stood up to greet the superior appropriately, however, froze as Tensei spoke into his ear,
"I'll say it once and clear; the Celestial Dragons expressed their fury."
Robin instinctively placed Koala behind her.
Aramaki's eyes sharpened. His lips twitched as if about to say something, but he managed to hold it back. Tensei then continued,
"We understand your noble wish to resolve the injustice of the sea. However, your division has gone too far this time around, and you've mistaken the very notion of justice itself."
Aramaki spoke in a low tone, "...Please elaborate."
"Justice is an ambiguous and arguable concept. Depending on one's perspective, its characteristic and direction can change by one hundred and eighty degrees. In other words, one's justice alone... cannot avoid a bias." Tensei said calmly, "And therefore, the only way to deduce the 'true' justice is to set a standard: law."
Tensei, shifting his eyes at young Koala who stood behind Robin, said, "Slavery is immoral? Indeed, it is immoral to enslave a fellow human being. However... the regals who are not governed by the World Government don't have human rights. Enslaving those without rights... doesn't violate the law, and thus, doesn't violate justice. Do you get what I'm trying to say, Lieutenant?"
Aramaki hid his clenched-up fists by placing them in his pockets. Tensei's words seemed coaxing at first glance, and he had to admit, that he may have been persuaded... if he didn't meet Smoker.
"Rear Admiral Smoker's actions in Sabaody Archipelago weren't that of righteousness, but of mere foolishness. He directly interrupted the Celestial Dragons' entertainment and almost managed to end it permanently." Tensei adjusted his sunglasses, "Irking our superiors will result in the reduction of our funding. Not only will our salaries be cut, but the pressure that Marine can exert in the sea will notably decrease. Your commander doesn't understand the idea of 'greater good,' and I tell you, if Vice Admiral Garp and Kuzan didn't stand up for him relentlessly, he would've suffered multiple demotions already."
"...What's the point of saying all this to me? What are you trying to say?"
"Simple, stay here and do nothing—regardless of what may happen at the next moment. Our responsibility only lies on protecting the nobles here, as well as the civilians on the outside." Tensei slowly reached his hand out at Koala, and gently ruffled the girl's hair, "Heavenly Demon didn't violate a law so far, for after he's become the Warlord, all his past deeds were forgotten. Keep your eyes open, and think for yourself."
Aramaki lowered his head in response. His bangs covered his eyes, and his lips were shut tight. Then,
"...Rahahaha," he chuckled all of a sudden as he finally replied to Tensei's words, "Noted, Vice Admiral Tensei."
Aramaki, he realized that this was just a simple matter.
'...Have you already expected this far, Smoker-san?'
Though he was wondering what the issue was with Rosinante, Tensei was simply telling him not to interfere when the Donquixote pirates attack Smoker.
'Doflamingo is already aware of your feats. Gathering up all his forces, he set up a pit to ensure his victory. Now, you will probably be facing hoards of pirates.'
Tensei gazed at Aramaki with a raised eyebrow, as the latter sat back down in his seat. Then, his eyes met Robin, who looked back at him with light in her eyes.
Yes, both of them believed in their commander's might—that he will be the one standing in the end.
__________
"...Rosinante. It's been years, hasn't it?"
It was in the middle of an unknown hallway far away from the banquet hall, illuminated by the sunlight that shone through the windows. In here, Rosinante stood with a solemn expression, as he faced the blonde man wearing flamingo-like attire: Donquixote Doflamingo, his long-lost brother.
And that wasn't it. Behind Doflamingo stood one huge man wearing golden armour: Pica.
Rosinante mumbled, "...Doflamingo."
Previously, it wasn't that Rosinante wanted to leave. Rather, his body moved by itself, as if being controlled by someone. Taking a ladder that led to the pit and descending to the underground. Walking through a dark tunnel, and passing through a hidden port that harboured countless pirate ships, where the pirates gazed at him in amusement. By the time he regained control of his body, he was in here.
"Fuffuffuffu, I sure haven't expected to reunite with you like this. I mean," Doflamingo then grinned while leaning his body forward, "To think that you, the one who has the blood of god running down your veins as I do, has become a loyal servant yourself... oi, Rosinante, you were forced to do so, right?"
Rosinante frowned as Doflamingo asked with certainty,
"It must be! My very own biological brother, you won't willingly disgrace me by staining yourself dirty with the title of 'Marine,' right?!"
Doflamingo's words rang into his ears. Rosinante couldn't help but reminisce,
The nightmare. The death of his father. The aimless wander, followed by meeting his benefactor, Sengoku. Training to become strong, and learning the value of morality. And...
the bonds that he managed to form in the 31st division.
Smoker. Something about him was different. Rosinante knew that his ideal was far different from the 'justice' that Marine followed, that he truly wished to change the world for the better.
Rosinante wanted to be like that man—confident and determined. And if he wished to do so, he couldn't afford to yield to his trauma... even if it were to lead to his death.
'I will stay true to myself,' Rosinante gathered his resolve, 'For a worthless life is worse than a worthy death.'
"...Donquixote Doflamingo."
Therefore, Rosinante, erasing any trace of fear from his voice, said to the man who 'used' to be his brother, "Our brotherhood ended during that day when you killed my father."
Rosinante took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it up. Taking a puff out of it, he said seriously, "The only truth that you've spoken is the fact that I am a 'marine.' So tell me, Warlord... for what reason did you bring me here."
Doflamingo's grin dropped. He, who had the veins popping out of his forehead, growled, "...Are you denying your blood, Rosinante?"
"..." Rosinante brought the cigarette away from his mouth and stated, "What blood are you talking of? Blood of god? Oh, please,"
He glared at Doflamingo firmly and declared,
"From the start to the end, I was a human. And so are you, Doflamingo."
Pica's eyes exhibited rage upon hearing Rosinante's words. He took a step forward impulsively, however, was stopped by Doflamingo who raised his hand up.
"...I see, so you decided to side with that White Hunter who killed my family member."
Doflamingo slowly extended his right hand toward Rosinante. Rosinante, widening his eyes, immediately jumped to his left, and just when he did so,
"Then die as a disgrace."
SWOOSH! Doflamingo swiped his right hand vertically, and as he did so, the wall behind Rosinante was cut clean.
"Tch...!" Rosinante gritted his teeth as he jumped up,
SWOOSH!
evading a horizontal slice that left a mark on the floor.
"Fuffuffuffu... how weak you are, Rosinante," Doflamingo dashed at Rosinante with his fingers curled up like talons. He continuously lashed his hands out at the blonde marine, and the latter couldn't do anything but utilize his mastery over Soru and Geppo to dodge the consecutive attacks.
SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH!
"If you're waiting for White Hunter, give it up, Rosinante!!" Doflamingo laughed as he attacked crazily, "Fuffuffuffu, you saw just how many pirates were stationed as you travelled here!"
Rosinante received a small gash on his cheek. The blood dripped out of it, but he didn't have time to care for it, as another one came his way just after.
SWOOSH!
Then, Rosinante's eyes widened in realization.
'...These aren't invisible slashes whatsoever! These are...' Rosinante thought while backstepping from Doflamingo, '...Strings—'
SWOOSH!
"Kugh—!"
Rosinante, having failed to dodge Doflamingo's next attack, felt a deep slash on his abdomen,
SWOOSH!
followed by another on his leg. Rosinante lost footing as a result, and,
BOOM!
crashed onto a wall.
"Haa... haa..." Rosinante grimaced in pain as his dizzy vision settled down. And then, he saw, Doflamingo casually walking up to him.
Tap. Tap.
Doflamingo's shadow loomed over him. And simultaneously, numerous strings suddenly sprang into existence, tying Rosinante before the latter could do anything.
Then, Doflamingo raised his leg up,
"String Saw."
Between the heel of his foot and the midsection of his leg was one sharp string that gleamed upon receiving the sunlight.
Doflamingo exclaimed coldly, "Goodbye... marine."
Rosinante watched as Doflamingo's String Saw slowly descended toward him.
Doom. Rosinante knew that there was no way for him to make his way out of this situation. It was his doom, as far as he could deduce.
'...It's just as he says,' Rosinante thought as he made a slight smile on his face, 'The number of pirates in that port was far too many. I suppose...'
CLANG.
Another leg entered Rosinante's sight.
"Smoker-san." Rosinante's eyes widened as he saw the face of the familiar white-haired man.
Smoker, gazing down at Rosinante, asked, "...Are you alright?"
Strange.
'How strange,' Rosinante thought, 'Why do I feel at ease when I see you?'
"I... I have something to tell you." Rosinante's lips uncontrollably quivered. Doflamingo's string saw was no longer within his sight, as he asked Smoker, "I lied to you about my name. It isn't Rosie, but Rosinante."
"...How did you get here, White Hunter."
Doflamingo gritted his teeth in disbelief as he attempted to push his leg down at Rosinante's throat. However, Smoker's leg didn't falter even once.
"Nice name you got there," Smoker casually replied.
"There is more."
Paz—! Paz—!
"Why, you—!!" Doflamingo growled in anger, but Smoker's eyes were still locked onto Rosinante.
"I am... the biological brother of Donquixote Doflamingo, one who's committed many wrongs."
Smoker nodded, "Alright."
Rosinante's voice trembled, "I-I... I used to be a Celestial Dragon—one of those folks who committed many wrongs. I didn't tell you because I was afraid... afraid that you may reject me just like others. But still, I can't help but hope... will you accept me as it is...?"
"Bwahahaha! What a silly question!"
Smoker, laughing heartily, replied firmly,
"You are my friend, Rosinante. That's all that matters to me."
Then,
"White Hunter...!!"
The extreme pressure of will sprang out from Doflamingo. It was none other than the haki of Supreme King—one that is bestowed to a select few even among the select few who managed to awaken haki. Doflamingo's will dominated the entire area, as the windows tremored and the rubbles on the floor were pushed back.
And here, Smoker didn't yield. He stood against Doflamingo's will adamantly, before,
boom. He too blasted forth the vigorous haki of Supreme King—causing Doflamingo to flinch in response.
"...You are kidding me," At the back, Pica muttered in an absurdly high-pitched tone, "How does that man possess the colour of Supreme King—gahh!!!!"
PAZZZZZZ!!!
The black lightning burst out from the clash between Smoker and Doflamingo as the two wills of supreme kings met one another. The entire hallway was overwhelmed by extreme pressure, and Pica, who was shocked by the sudden development of situation, unconsciously shielded his face.
Rosinante, lying below the clash that he's never seen before, was sweating profusely from the sheer force that shredded his will.
BOOM!
And finally, the clash ended as Doflamingo's leg was knocked back. Landing back on the floor, at some distance away, he glared at Smoker, who leaned down to Rosinante, and,
"Still no smoking though,"
removed the cigarette from the blonde's mouth.