Dressrosa, New World
Silvers Rayleigh stood in silence, paying his respects at the unmarked yet majestic grave at the edge of Greenbit. Beside him were Shakky, accompanied by the blind swordsman, Issho, who had acted as their guide. After a brutal massacre of the Marine forces and slavers that had targeted Amazon Lily, Rayleigh had settled down in Dressrosa, driven by his need to uncover the truth about Rouge.
Ross had also shared with him the final resting place of Roger, further binding Rayleigh to this vibrant island. Shakky had followed suit, opening a new bar in the bustling heart of Dressrosa.
After a moment of reflection, the trio made their way towards Shakky's new establishment, which was set to open today. "Any idea when Ross will come back to Dressrosa?" Rayleigh questioned the blind swordsman, who was expertly navigating and leading them through the lively streets of Dressrosa.
"Ross-kun might take a while to return to Dressrosa," Issho replied, tapping his sword stick with every step. "As for Doffy-kun, he should be back soon now that the entirety of North Blue is practically under the Donquixote family's control."
As they walked, Rayleigh and Shakky observed the citizens of Dressrosa, who seemed to revere the blind man despite the island being the main base of the Donquixote Pirates. The presence of pirates in Dressrosa was surprisingly minimal.
Only those with significant authority within the Donquixote pirates could set foot on the island. In a short span of time, the surrounding four islands had been converted into bases where Donquixote subordinates were stationed, maintaining a tight grip on their territories.
Their destination was the eastern port area, where Shakky had opened her new Rip-Off Bar. Rayleigh chuckled at the sight of the nameboard, but a stern glare from Shakky silenced him. However, his attention was soon caught by an unexpected sight: fishmen on a human island. He turned to the blind swordsman in confusion.
"Fishmen in Dressrosa?" Rayleigh asked, his surprise evident.
Shakky, however, seemed unfazed, already aware of the situation. Issho elaborated, "Dressrosa doesn't discriminate between species. We've enforced guidelines to ensure the safety of fishmen, but they must also follow our rules to avoid causing trouble. See that luxurious café next to your new bar? That's Little Shyarly's venture; she calls it the Mermaid Café. It's one of the main attractions of Coral Port."
"Coral Port?" Rayleigh echoed, puzzled.
"Yes," Issho confirmed. "Due to the influx of fishmen, this area has become a popular attraction for both locals and tourists eager to meet fishmen. The eastern port was renamed Coral Port, and many of the establishments here are owned by fishmen."
They finally arrived at a grand, four-storied building a few hundred yards away from the Mermaid Café. "You sure did get yourself a prime spot in such a bustling place," Rayleigh commented, impressed.
With a gesture from Shakky, the trio entered the newly opened Rip-Off Bar. The place buzzed with excitement as patrons, eager to experience the new establishment, filled the space. The proximity to the Mermaid Café also drew in a curious crowd of fishmen, adding to the bar's lively atmosphere.
The Rip-Off Bar was spacious and inviting, with a rustic charm that instantly made guests feel at home. Shakky had meticulously designed the interior, blending warm wood tones with nautical elements, creating a cozy yet vibrant ambiance. The bar counter, made from polished driftwood, was the centerpiece, lined with an impressive array of bottles and adorned with seashells and marine trinkets.
Suddenly, Rayleigh's Observation Haki detected a massive surge of energy. Within an instant, a powerful projectile was hurled into the sea from the center of Dressrosa. Seconds later, a thunderous boom resonated throughout the island.
Surprisingly, none of the patrons seemed alarmed; such occurrences had become routine. While others might not grasp the power packed behind the projectile, Rayleigh could estimate its potency. The projectile had been launched towards a point beyond his observation haki range, leaving him clueless about its target.
"It seems like Little Shyarly must have found another one of those troublemakers," Issho chuckled, his blind gaze directed towards the source of the projectile. Over time, Shyarly's control over her Devil Fruit had increased at a staggering rate. She could now scry over distances of thousands of miles. However, the railgun's maximum range was about 2,500 miles, and Shyarly could see much further. Wolf had been continuously working on upgrading the railgun.
Rayleigh chose not to inquire further about the weapon, understanding it must be a closely guarded secret of the Donquixote family. Instead, he picked up an old satchel and placed it on the table, pushing it towards Issho. "I don't like owing people favors, so please pass this over to Ross and let him know that this shall be my repayment for letting me stay in Dressrosa."
Issho was surprised by Rayleigh's words. In the short time he had known Silvers Rayleigh, he had come to understand the kind of man the Pirate King's right-hand man was. He did not refuse the gesture and accepted the satchel, which seemed to contain two Devil Fruits.
"Honestly, there is no need for such repayment; Rayleigh san! Ross Kun has made it clear that you are to be welcomed as one of our own; just as Shakky san, both of you will hold the same privileges as the others from the core of the Donquixote family." Issho remarked, feeling the weight of the satchel. "But nonetheless, Ross Kun will appreciate this."
Rayleigh nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. "I just want to ensure that everything is square between us. Dressrosa has been a sanctuary, and I value that. And if possible, I would like to call this place home in the foreseeable future.."
**********
Open Sea, North Blue
It had been more than a week since Doffy had razed the Germa Kingdom and practically sunk it. To his surprise, the overwhelming display of power had caused almost the entirety of North Blue's underworld to submit to his will. He had expected a prolonged conflict, planning to raze every last stronghold.
Instead, those involved in the attack on the Donquixote family, and those who had taken advantage of their previous fall from power, had been quickly subdued. Now, the only significant faction left was the Five Families of the West, who had completely retreated from North Blue and were holed up in West Blue, their original territory.
"Peri peri peri... peri peri peri..." As Doflamingo admired the view of the open seas from his seat on the massive galleon, his personal transponder snail rang. He picked it up, recognizing the voice on the other end immediately.
"Doffy, how are Señor and Diamante doing? Have they woken up?" Ross's voice echoed from the other side, etched with concern.
Doffy couldn't help but smile. "Fufufuf! You underestimate them, little brother! They are strong; they'll come around soon enough. So, tell me, how's your vacation in East Blue going? I wish I could take a break from work too."
Ross's voice calmed down. "Well, you can take a break now that we have North Blue under control. But make sure to find the people I asked you to find. They are important to our family, Doffy."
"I understand, little brother. I'm currently on my way to the island, where the so-called Kuen Village is. From what I've learned, it's a place known only for famine. Why are you so adamant about finding a little girl in the middle of a wasteland? Is she someone as talented as Lucci?" Doffy couldn't help but ask.
Ross had tasked him with finding a few individuals in North Blue and integrating them into the core of the Donquixote family. Although Doffy was skeptical about Ross's approach, he agreed to do so. Now, he was on a journey to find these future members of the family, and his first target was a little girl barely three years old.
"No, she isn't, but she is just as important. Speaking of little girls, what about the stowaway you found on the ship? Has she woken up?" Ross's voice sounded from the other side, prompting Doffy's gaze to shift towards the ship's cabin. Just a day after leaving the Germa Kingdom, one of the goons had found a small girl with a gunshot wound on her back, passed out on the ship. No one knew how the child had gotten there, but she was barely alive and breathing.
Originally, Doffy wanted to toss the dying kid into the sea. However, as fate would have it, Ross had called back then, and at his brother's request, Doffy had asked the ship's doctor to treat the little girl. From the descriptions Doffy had provided, Ross had a vague idea of who the girl might be, and if she was indeed who he thought, she would be a valuable addition to the family.
"Sigh! Not yet, little brother. The kid has lost quite a bit of blood and hasn't come around yet. You're turning our family into a daycare center. Do you even know how many little kids we're harboring in our inner circle now?" Doffy added with a chuckle.
"Trust me, Doffy, this isn't enough. In the future, every one of these children will be the pillars upon which our empire will be built. Treat them with care, just as you have been treating the rest of the family. And just so you know, we will be adding quite a few more children. It's better to raise them from a young age; this way, their loyalty is guaranteed. The girl aboard your ship, if I'm not mistaken, is the princess of the Germa Kingdom, the firstborn daughter of Judge Vinsmoke, Vinsmoke Reiju. Don't worry; the kid has no love for her father. But she is special. If we groom her properly, she could become another powerhouse in our family."
Doffy was surprised to learn that the child aboard their ship was Judge's daughter. "Fine, if you say so, little brother."
"So, Doffy, have they reached out to you yet?" Ross's voice echoed from the other side. Doffy's gaze sharpened as he understood who Ross was referring to.
"Are you sure they will take the bait?" Doffy questioned.
"Yes, Doffy, they will. We are an anomaly in their plans, too dangerous to be left alone. We need to know what they are planning. The World Government has been around for eight centuries and must have quite a few tricks up their sleeves. We need to tread carefully. After you gather the people I mentioned, I want you to return to Dressrosa. Like you said earlier, it's better to take a break for now and use this time to consolidate our power in North Blue and expand our influence in the New World," Ross added.
"So, are we not going to retaliate for the ambush, dear little brother?" Doffy couldn't help but ask. He was itching to do something grand, like another raid on World Governments stronghold.
"Soon….Doffy!...Soon. Patience…. Have patience. First, I want us to grow stronger. They must have gotten an estimate of your strength by now, and they will set more traps. In case they reach out to you, be careful. My intuition says they have a dangerous card up their sleeve," Ross warned.
The World Government was anything but simple, and things were moving rapidly around the world. Their intelligence network had collected quite a bit of important information.
Whitebeard was making his move towards Fishman Island. The recent influx of pirates to the island was staggering, and soon enough, Whitebeard intended to put an end to the matter. His presence alone would be a powerful deterrent to those who sought to exploit the inhabitants of Fishman Island.
Meanwhile, the World Military Draft had concluded, resulting in a massive influx of new recruits to the Marines. This was an opportune moment for the Marines to consolidate their power. Among the new additions to their ranks was an individual already gaining fame.
According to circulating information, this new Admiral, codenamed Shira Tora—meaning White Tiger—was recommended by none other than the Marine Hero, Garp. For someone to be endorsed by Garp himself, they had to be quite a powerhouse. Initial reports suggested that several figures of Admiral-level strength had joined the Marines, hinting at a significant bolstering of their might.
Another matter of concern was the emergence of a growing power within the New World—a collaboration of pirates who had originally been imprisoned in the Eternal Hell. These pirates had been actively targeting Marine bases in the New World, their ambitions extending beyond mere raids. It seemed they were gearing up to challenge one of the two Emperors of the New World.
While the leader of this organization remained unknown, speculation was rife that it might be Golden Lion Shiki. Shiki had been actively rebuilding his fleet after establishing a base in West Blue and had recently been seen over the waters of the New World.
Once considered an overlord of the New World alongside Roger and Whitebeard, Shiki was unlikely to let someone like Big Mom overtake him. She had already cemented her position as the second Emperor of the Seas, and Shiki appeared determined to reclaim his former glory.
Doffy nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Fine, little brother. I'll be careful."
"Good. Take care, Doffy. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and by the way, let me know once you find the little girl in Kuen village," Ross concluded, his voice firm and resolute.
As Doffy ended the call, he looked out at the open sea, determination burning in his eyes. The Donquixote family was on the rise, and nothing would stand in their way.
*****
A/N:
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