"Hey, Sakazuki, isn't it too much? Dressrosa is a member nation," Sengoku frowned and said. "Calling a Buster Call means the whole of Dressrosa could be razed to the ground. This isn't a small island; it's a country."
"Member nation? No, that is the territory of the pirate Doflamingo. The king of a World Government member nation is not a pirate," Akainu replied, exploiting a loophole. In fact, the territory of a Shichibukai has no connection with the member nations, just like the Kuja Island under the command of Empress Boa Hancock, which doesn't belong to the member nations. They just have a non-aggression agreement with the World Government.
Dressrosa is a member nation and one of the countries under the command of the twenty kings who founded the World Government. However, since King Riku gave up the throne to Doflamingo, it's technically pirate territory, especially now that Doflamingo's Shichibukai status has been revoked.
"And you should be very clear, Mr. Sengoku, about the danger of that Tremor-Tremor Fruit," Akainu's words made Sengoku pause. He knew better than anyone the dangers of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. It's no exaggeration to say that it has the potential to destroy the world. With Whitebeard's ability, he could easily create a tsunami that could submerge a large island.
Sengoku understood that compared to some pirates who have no bottom line, Whitebeard was someone with a sense of benevolence and righteousness. The ability of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit could bring huge disasters to the world, capable of easily destroying a country.
"But—"
"No buts, Mr. Sengoku. Now that I am the Fleet Admiral, you can opt out of this operation," Akainu said firmly.
"I see," Sengoku nodded silently but did not choose to quit. He knew that if he was there, he might be able to stop the Buster Call when the situation became most critical.
A while later, ten warships, carrying four of the highest-ranking Marines, headed for Dressrosa.
Meanwhile, in the New World...
"Hey, Doflamingo, is your wife dead?" The Golden Lion Shiki smoked a cigar, his face calm as he spoke bloody words. In front of him was a Den Den Mushi projection, and Doflamingo appeared in one of the projections.
Next to Doflamingo were many screens, each showing a significant figure in the underworld. The underground forces are intricate, and the information network of the underworld, held by the Four Emperors, covers most of the people active there. Among them were Morgans, the Queen of the Pleasure District, and Golden Emperor Gild Tesoro, who have public identities.
Under his Shichibukai status, Doflamingo was a well-known figure in the underground world. Regardless of the world, the one with the biggest fist has the highest status, and the king of the underground world is undoubtedly at the Four Emperors level. The reason why Golden Lion Shiki threatened Doflamingo was because the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's involvement was too significant. The Tremor-Tremor Fruit is not a simple fruit; even those top Logia fruits are dispensable in the eyes of Shiki.
If Doflamingo had a top-level Logia or some other so-called Phantom Beast, the Golden Lion wouldn't react at all. But this was the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, a fruit capable of world destruction. Even if its power is inferior to an Ancient Weapon, it's still at the level of destroying an island. A man like Shiki wouldn't let go of this kind of fruit ability.
"Now you have two options, Doflamingo. One is to hand over the Tremor-Tremor Fruit directly, and the other is for me to come to Dressrosa personally and take the fruit after dealing with you," Shiki said calmly, his tone domineering as he puffed on his cigar.
Just like the choice Big Mom gave Fish-Man Island, he had the ability and strength to back up his threats. The dominance of a powerful man standing at the top of the sea left no room for resistance. Shiki's spirit seemed to transmit through the Den Den Mushi screen to all the underground forces, making everyone shut up and not dare to speak loudly.
"Hey hey hey, what a domineering spirit, worthy of a legend from the old era. But this is a new era, Shiki. Your time has passed. If you want the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, come and get it. Come to Dressrosa and experience the new era," Doflamingo said, stretching out his hands and laughing maniacally.
Madman. That was the only thought in the minds of everyone in the underground forces at that moment. To say such a thing in front of Shiki, Doflamingo was indeed the lunatic of lunatics. This was a man who stood at the top of the sea alongside Whitebeard and Roger. Even Four Emperors like Kaido and Big Mom had to respect his courage for the time being. He was fully capable of obliterating a Shichibukai in this world.
What they didn't know was that Doflamingo was indeed at the end of his rope. A man like him, who was inherently crazy, had decided to embrace this desperate situation. He planned to use the Tremor-Tremor Fruit and Dressrosa to shake up the already chaotic sea.
"You're very bold, boy," Shiki said. Although he didn't let loose any harsh words, everyone knew that this man, standing at the apex of the old era, was about to unleash a devastating attack on Doflamingo.
"Come on! With the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, the world's strongest fruit, as the ultimate prize, let's have a carnival in the new era. Don't worry, I won't break my promise," Doflamingo laughed. He had given full authority to hold the gladiatorial fight and the prize, the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, to someone known for their reputation in the underground world.
"Sa, everyone, let's have the biggest war carnival in history," a short, middle-aged man said loudly during the video call. He stood on a table full of food, kicking it around like a madman. "This carnival, with a country as the stage, will definitely surpass the Summit War. Come on, let's fight and make history!"
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