Translator: PapaSmurf0700
Laffitte, with a composed expression, addressed the room, acknowledging the concerns raised: "On this point, we've considered all aspects. We have a foolproof plan in place. Please allow us some time, and I assure you the outcome will be satisfactory."
As Laffitte concluded, the hall echoed with a raucous laughter of one man. Doflamingo, always eager for entertainment, propped his feet on the conference table, chuckling with amusement as he watched the proceedings: "Let them do it, Sengoku, furofurafur!"
This unexpected endorsement from Doflamingo drew the attention of everyone in the room, including Sengoku and other stoic figures like Bartholomew Kuma and Hawkeye Mihawk. Their gazes turned towards Doflamingo, puzzled by his sudden inclination to support the proposal.
Despite the scrutiny, Doflamingo's grin never wavered. His eyes, hidden behind thin white sunglasses, locked onto Laffitte with keen interest. Yet, there was a shift in the atmosphere as his laughter halted sharply.
"But..." Doflamingo's tone turned serious as he waved his right hand decisively. "Let me test your strength first." With a swift motion, Doflamingo unleashed his String-String Fruit powers. "Penta-Chromatic String!".
In an instant, five almost invisible silk threads, a manifestation of his String-String Fruit powers, sprang from his fingers. His hand transformed into a claw-like shape, directing the razor-thin strings towards Laffitte as if to slice through him.
Caught off-guard by this sudden aggressive move, Laffitte experienced a rare moment of surprise, quickly bracing himself for what was to come.
He responded swiftly, twisting the cane in his hand, revealing a slender sword hidden within. He was here representing the notorious Blackbeard Pirates, and his confidence was not misplaced.
With a sharp clang of metal, Laffitte managed to block the deadly silk threads aimed at him. Doflamingo, watching the action unfold, couldn't help but let out a delighted chuckle, "Fufurfur, now this is getting interesting," as he manipulated the threads into a denser, more menacing form.
Swish! He flicked his wrist, sending the newly formed threads hurtling towards Laffitte with even greater force. The threads smashed into the wall, sending a cascade of debris flying, leaving a significant hole in the World Government's meeting room. Doflamingo looked on, unconcerned about the destruction.
His attention then shifted upwards, to Laffitte, who was now airborne, thanks to two white wings that had sprouted from his back. "Zoan fruit?" Doflamingo mused, preparing for another attack.
But before he could continue, a stern voice cut through the chaos. "Enough!!" Sengoku, the fleet admiral, intervened. "This is Mary Geoise. Restrain yourself, Doflamingo," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument.
Doflamingo smirked and reclined back in his chair, his posture relaxed once again. He might have stopped, but his interest in Laffitte had peaked.
Sengoku, meanwhile, eyed Laffitte critically. He had allowed Doflamingo to test Laffitte's strength secretly, reasoning that if Laffitte couldn't handle attack from Doflamingo, he wasn't worth considering. But Laffitte had managed to defend himself impressively.
"I will think about it," Sengoku finally said, acknowledging Laffitte's proposal indirectly.
Laffitte landed gracefully back on the ground, a slight smile on his lips, knowing he had achieved his objective. He backed towards the window sill, giving one final statement to Sengoku: "Let's re-introduce my pirate group, named... Blackbeard Pirates!"
Sengoku didn't yet grasp the full significance of his decision. Outside, the world was changing, battles were shaping up that could alter everything, including the journeys of the Straw Hat Pirates who were just reaching their next destination.
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Sky Island is a mystical place, said to be a myth by many but actually real. It's situated atop a massive formation of fossilized clouds called Imperial Cumulus, with the White Sea forming its lower stratum. This part of the sky ocean, floating 7,000 meters above the Blue Sea, is made of dense Sea Cloud.
Riding the massive upwelling current, the Straw Hat Pirates ascended to the White Sea aboard the Golden Merry. Nami gazed in awe at the fluffy white clouds beneath the ship, her eyes wide with wonder. "Wow, I really didn't expect there to be an actual sea in the sky!"
Usopp, caught up in the excitement, stood at the ship's edge, shirtless and striking various heroic poses. "Then, the first step for Captain Usopp to conquer this ocean is to disembark and swim!!" he declared boldly.
Luffy cheered on his friend with equal enthusiasm: "Oh! Usopp is amazing!!" Merry, always supportive, echoed the sentiment: "That's right! Usopp is amazing!"
Flattered by the praises, Usopp lost himself in the moment and leapt towards the cloud-like sea below, laughing triumphantly, "Hahaha!!"
Sanji, who had just noticed the commotion, tried to warn him: "Hey! We're not familiar with this place yet, don't mess around, Usopp." But his caution came too late; Usopp was already mid-air.
However, in a sudden turn: Wind Trigram (Xun Gua) - Feather Wind. A gust of wind mysteriously appeared beneath Usopp, gently lifting him back onto the deck of the Golden Merry.
Realizing who had intervened, Usopp bounced up indignantly and yelled at Bai Ye: "Hey! Bai Ye, are you trying to stop me from conquering this ocean? Or do you want to jump before me!"
"Even if you are the deputy captain, I will not let you ruin my fun!" Usopp added, with Luffy chiming in alongside him, scolding Bai Ye for his interference, "That's right, Bai Ye, you're going too far!"
In response, Bai Ye's hand shimmered with golden light, and he wore a sly smile as he faced the duo: "Oh? It seems you are very displeased with me." Golden Light Curse—Sanction of the Vice-Captain!
After a moment, Bai Ye's voice resonated across the deck, his tone serious: "Think carefully before jumping down. We're nearly 10,000 meters above sea level; this isn't a real ocean." He glanced at Usopp and Luffy, both sporting bruised noses and swollen faces, and added, "Do you believe there's a seabed here?"
Contrite and a little sore, Luffy and Usopp both mumbled, "We're really sorry..." as they rubbed their aching faces.
Merry, who had almost joined the pair in their complaints against Bai Ye, was now relieved she hadn't. Watching the scene unfold, she realized that Bai Ye was the last person you wanted to provoke on the ship.
Just then, Merry, the ship's vigilant spirit, noticed something strange and immediately warned the crew, "There's something moving beneath the ship!"
The others felt it too—a peculiar disturbance coming from the sea cloud below them, as if something was rising to the surface.
Suddenly, a colossal octopus broke through the white clouds, its immense form towering above the Golden Merry and blocking out the moon. The monstrous sight was enough to send chills down anyone's spine, except for Luffy, who lit up with excitement: "Meat!!"
Zoro was already poised at the ship's side, his instincts sharp and ready for a fight. Without hesitation, he launched his attack: "Three Swords Style - Leopard Spinning Shot!"
Luffy quickly followed up: "Gomu Gomu no Pistol!"