"Doffy, it looks like we're a bit too slow. The Devil Fruit that the Barrels Pirates had is gone, and they're searching all around for it."
"Huh?"
Doflamingo, who was on the phone with Vergo, squinted his eyes a bit. A moment of realization crossed his face, and he quickly yelled into the microphone he was holding.
"Vergo, don't let Corazon escape! He's the thief who took the Op-Op Fruit!!!"
"Alright... I get it..."
Upon hearing Doflamingo's explanation, Vergo instinctively turned around and glanced in the direction of Rosinante.
"Huh!?"
"How did he manage to escape... when...??"
"Fufufufu... did they run off? They won't escape this island, though!!"
Doflamingo ended the communication, wearing a somber expression. Simultaneously, he raised his palms toward the sky, and numerous massive silk threads kept shooting out like a volcanic eruption.
Then they appeared to reach a climax, and these white lines descended to the ground like meteors. Innumerable white lines kept dividing, extending, and growing, ultimately piercing into the outskirts of Minion Island, resembling a prison.
Birdcage
This is the most potent move that Doflamingo can execute before his ability fully awakens. The trap currently showcased is just one aspect of its capabilities. It also possesses features for manipulation and attack, but in this situation, there's no need to demonstrate them.
Meanwhile, somewhere on the island.
"What is that!?"
Law gazed at the Birdcage stretching across the sky with a sense of horror. This terrifying power completely disrupted the worldview he had developed in his brief life.
"That must be... Doffy's power."
"Moreover, it seems like there's no way for us to escape..."
Rosinante smiled wryly and shook his head. He hadn't anticipated such bad luck. Initially, he believed that using the Calm-Calm Fruit to slip away from Vergo's control would guarantee a genuine escape from the island. However, he hadn't foreseen Doflamingo's extraordinary abilities. It appears he had underestimated Doffy...
"But..." Rosinante glanced at Law beside him and muttered to himself, "There shouldn't be an issue letting Law escape alone if I draw Doflamingo's attention willingly."
"Law, we might need to make our move a bit later. Let's go!!!"
Rosinante nudged Law forward and walked away, enduring the pain in his body. He couldn't help but grin at Law, who turned around.
Despite the bruises from Vergo's beating making it seem a bit comical, Rosinante smiled genuinely from the bottom of his heart.
Because... even if, someday, Law recalls his face, it's better to have a smile than tears! ! !
....
Outside Minion Island, in mid-air.
"Mr. Vice Admiral, what is this..."
Tesoro couldn't help but exclaim as he observed the massive cage covering the entire island.
"It's simply the fruit power of a certain pirate."
Atlas calmly opened his eyes, without any sign of panic, and attempted to assess Rosinante's condition.
"Huh~ It's fine."
Rosinante still has signs of life, albeit a bit feeble. It seems like it's not too late.
Only...
Atlas scrutinized the Birdcage in front of him carefully. It wasn't imbued with Armament Haki. With Doflamingo's Haki abilities, it was impossible to shroud the entire island-covering Birdcage with Armament Haki.
Boom!
Atlas raised his hand and gave it a tap. It wasn't as firm as anticipated, rather soft like silk threads where he touched. However, it would be a significant mistake to think he could easily break through it.
He could sense that if he attempted to use sheer force to dismantle it, less than half of the original 10% strength would likely impact the upper part. It possessed both soft and hard characteristics, allowing it to have a hardness not inferior to that of a meito, even without being enveloped in Haki! ! !
But...
Atlas' eyes narrowed, and the muscles in his hands suddenly swelled, every detail of the muscles becoming apparent. The black and red Armament Haki surged wildly, and two massive arms, seemingly incongruent with his body, instantly manifested on him!
Seimei Kikan Bushinude (Life Retrun Martial God Arm)
Immediately, under Tesoro's horrified gaze, Atlas spread open his colossal hands and seized two sections of the Birdcage's bars. The veins on his arms bulged, and the divine power bestowed by the Ox Talisman surged forth!
Stab !!!
...
"Fufufufu... Corazon, it's been half a year since I last saw you."
Doflamingo grinned menacingly, glanced at Rosinante, who was encircled by family members, and burst into a scornful laugh.
"...."
Rosinante slumped to the ground in silence, but his gaze fixed on the disdainful Doflamingo. In his mind, he pondered about Law hiding in the nearby box. Simultaneously, he exerted every effort to sustain the fruit ability, ensuring that Doflamingo wouldn't discover Law and that he remained unharmed.
Doflamingo was left momentarily speechless. He desired to witness how his brother would grapple with the consequences of betraying him.
"Huh... ahem... I'm a Marine."
Rosinante was the first to break the silence, "Naval Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel Rosinante, Marine No. 01746. In order to halt the nefarious deeds of the Donquixote Family, I infiltrated the Donquixote Pirates!!!"
"I apologize for deceiving you... I just didn't want to be despised by you!"
Rosinante spoke with difficulty.
"...What's the point of saying such things at this time?"
Doflamingo's expression remained unchanged.
Apparently, he believed Rosinante was confessing something to him.
"Now, answer my two questions!!"
"Where is the Op-Op Fruit? Where is Law!!!"
"Ahem... I allowed Law to consume the Op-Op Fruit a while back. As for him, he's likely already on the surveillance ship from Naval Headquarters, haha...
"At this moment, Buffalo, who had consumed the Spin-Spin Fruit, suddenly shouted from mid-air, "Young Master, we intercepted the communication of Marines protecting a boy just now!!!"
"Ahem..."
Rosinante was shocked. He didn't anticipate such a coincidence.
'Sure enough...He is truly the God's Archenemy! ! !'
"You must prepare to set sail immediately and retrieve Law from the hands of the Marines!!"
Doflamingo commanded the surrounding family members, then turned his gaze to the weakened Rosinante.
"But..."
"The God extends his mercy repeatedly. Since you allowed Law to consume the Op-Op Fruit, why don't you educate him properly and have him willingly sacrifice himself for me!!!"
"Why are you so determined to obstruct me, Corazon!!"
"Why are you compelling me to once again take the lives of my own family with my own hands!!"
As Doflamingo spoke, he raised the flintlock gun in his hand and aimed it at the prone Rosinante.
Just as Doflamingo was about to shoot his own brother, a sinister voice suddenly emerged from behind him.
"Can I Have A Moment, Doffy kid?"
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