The day before the Pokémon League Conference officially began, Leo returned here once more.
High above the clouds, Leo gazed down at the lively sea below, a look of surprise on his face.
"Has everyone's enthusiasm for Pokémon unknowingly grown to this extent?"
Amidst the crowd below, Leo noticed intelligence agents from the World Government, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon, and several members of the Shichibukai lurking stealthily, unwilling to show themselves openly.
At that moment.
Morgans, the president of the World Economic News, was roaming around with a camera and microphone, conducting pre-game interviews with various important figures.
...
...
"It's quite unexpected. I never thought that even an underground emperor like you would travel thousands of miles to the East Blue Sea..."
"I wonder what Mr. Doflamingo, one of the Shichibukai, thinks about tomorrow's grand event?"
In the Baratie Sea Restaurant, which had been expanded three times, Morgans sat in a private room, holding a pen and paper, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the person in front of him.
Opposite him, Doflamingo, dressed like a flamingo, grinned evilly.
Both of them were influential figures in the pirate world's underworld. Meeting here in the East Blue Sea, Morgans was determined to seize this exclusive news opportunity.
"Fuh, fufufu..."
Doflamingo let out a low, eerie laugh, slowly turning his gaze out the window.
Outside, ships were still arriving from afar, squeezing through the narrow channels into the central sea.
At that moment, though Doflamingo said nothing, it felt as if he had conveyed a great deal.
"A grand event?"
Suddenly, Doflamingo laughed, then shook his head in apparent self-mockery. His face darkened as he looked at Morgans.
"Do you really think what awaits us tomorrow is just a grand party?"
"..."
Morgans frowned, a few disheveled feathers standing on end.
"What do you mean, Doffy?"
Sensing the hidden undertone in Doflamingo's words, he asked with a curious glint in his eyes:
"Do you also believe that the arrival of people from other worlds will bring harm to our world?"
In truth.
Not everyone on the seas supported the existence of dimensional merchants and Pokémon.
Whether out of genuine concern or ulterior motives, some spread the belief that Pokémon were dangerous and advocated rejecting them.
Though such individuals were few, Morgans, as the president of the World Economic News, was well-acquainted with their viewpoints.
This was why he pressed Doflamingo on the matter.
However...
In response to Morgans' question, Doflamingo once again wore his annoying smirk and let out a sinister laugh.
"Fufufufu, who knows?"
Beneath his crimson sunglasses, a look of intrigue appeared as he gazed into the distance.
"But one thing I am certain of is this..."
"To that mysterious dimensional merchant, what we see as a grand event may just be a game of make-believe."
"Someone capable of reversing time and bringing rejuvenation—whether their intentions are benevolent or malevolent towards us, all we can do is silently endure, isn't that right?"
"So, you think that dimensional merchants will bring disaster to our world, don't you?"
Morgans' eyes lit up as if he had stumbled upon a major scoop.
He wouldn't take such statements seriously if anyone else said them.
But if Doflamingo said it, he knew it was worth pondering.
Anyone with some status in the New World was aware that Doflamingo harbored a shocking secret!
It was precisely because of this secret that he could maintain a unique perspective on worldly matters.
If Doflamingo also believed that dimensional merchants would bring disaster, then Morgans would undoubtedly report on this viewpoint!
As for the actual truth?
That didn't concern him!
All that mattered was delivering sensational news!
However...
Upon hearing Morgans' question, Doflamingo shook his head and smirked.
"No, no, no, Morgans. Disaster is always a matter of perspective."
"What's a disaster for some might be a rare opportunity for others, like you and me..."
"Fufufufu..."
After he finished speaking, Doflamingo let out a strange laugh once more, though this time it was laced with different emotions.
No one could understand Doflamingo's feelings after discovering that Whitebeard had regained his youth.
He had endured countless hardships and even killed his own brother in pursuit of eternal life, only to see it casually attained by someone else.
As a former Celestial Dragon and now a Shichibukai, he once thought he understood the true essence of the world.
Even if he wasn't as powerful as the Four Emperors, he still considered himself one of the pivotal figures in the world.
He believed there would always be a place for him in the future of this world.
This was the source of the pride and arrogance he held in his heart.
With this arrogance, he had fought his way to his current position.
But now, the concept of other worlds was spreading across the seas.
This realization made Doflamingo aware that the identity and status he had always cherished might not be as valuable as he once thought.
They might even be a mere joke in the eyes of others.
This revelation was a shock to his long-held arrogance.
Doflamingo had sent his men to the first half of the Grand Line in search of dimensional merchants.
However, Leo, who wasn't afraid of the dangers of the Grand Line, roamed the seas freely, making it nearly impossible for anyone to track him down.
Thus, when Doflamingo came here, besides witnessing the conference, he also hoped to establish contact with the dimensional merchants.
As an arms dealer in the underworld, he was well aware of the impact Pokémon would have on the world.
He firmly believed...
Nothing in the world comes without a price.
The dimensional merchants must have their own agendas in coming to this world.
But so what?
Just like the Great Pirate Era ignited by the actions of Gol D. Roger.
The dawn of a new era would inevitably bring with it a fresh wave of conflict and bloodshed.
All Doflamingo needed to do was ensure he remained untouched amidst the blood rain.
His earlier remarks to Morgans were merely a warning, prompted by their shared understanding.
Among the established powers, few had yet awakened to accept the concept of other worlds.
Even though Morgans covered news about dimensional merchants and Pokémon daily, he did it mainly to draw attention.
How much did he genuinely look forward to Pokémon? Hardly at all.
That was why Doflamingo offered his warning.
He hoped that in the new world's unfolding landscape, there would be more "old friends" like Morgans who were in the know.
Like Ace, who was causing a storm in the New World...
He had defeated numerous fleets of the Big Mom Pirates and seized half of their territory.
Facing a Yonko's crew alone was something even Doflamingo hadn't dared to dream of.
It was said that Ace could unleash fire powers akin to a mythical creature, yet remained unaffected by seawater or Seastone.
With abilities like these, even the Big Mom Pirates, who had numerous special powers, found themselves forced to shift the battlefield to the sea, destroying ships to ensure victory. Without such tactics, the Spade Pirates would have struggled to evade the relentless pursuit of so many Devil Fruit users.
For a power so far beyond the world's usual understanding, Doflamingo could only think to himself:
"If you can't beat them, join them!"
"Master Dimensional Merchant, teach me how to do this too!!!"
——
Meanwhile, Doflamingo wasn't the only Shichibukai drawn to this sea area.
Onboard a large ship, Crocodile stood at the bow, chewing on his cigar, his small eyes narrowed against the sea breeze. Despite being in the unfamiliar waters of the East Blue after traveling from the Grand Line, his face was calm and composed, like someone who had seen it all.
"Boss, there are too many ships up ahead blocking the way. We might have to stop here," said a burly, bald man who suddenly approached Crocodile.
"Huh?" Crocodile paused for a moment, then smirked. "Who said there's no way forward?"
He suddenly waved his hand, and a massive sandstorm appeared over the humid sea!
"What...what is that!!?" The sudden sandstorm startled everyone on the surrounding ships. Merchants who had come to watch the spectacle were left dumbfounded, staring at the sandstorm before them, which seemed like a natural disaster. The swirling sand particles, sharp as bullets, struck fear into their hearts. If caught in that sandstorm, none would survive until it passed.
Thankfully, Crocodile, aware that this was a gathering organized by the Dimensional Merchants, refrained from unnecessary cruelty. Instead, he used the sandstorm to blow away the ships in his path, then smirked, "Mr. 1, issue the order. Keep moving forward!"
"Yes, sir!" Seeing his boss display such power so effortlessly, Mr. 1 felt reassured he had made the right choice. He hurried to the sailors to give the order to proceed.
After the Baroque Works collapsed, Crocodile had taken refuge in the battle area, thanks to Robin. Witnessing the powerful Pokémon there, especially Suicune, he had quickly abandoned his long-held ambitions of finding the Pluton and instead resolved to align himself with the power of Pokémon. Over the past few months, he had focused on rebuilding the Baroque Works. Without Robin's help, it was challenging to restore it to its former glory. Fortunately, revealing his true identity attracted some of the original senior agents, enabling them to make a comeback and amass considerable resources. Now, with these resources in tow, Crocodile had arrived, aiming, much like Doflamingo, to join the ranks of the new era as a Pokémon trainer.
Lost in these thoughts, Crocodile gazed into the distance.
Suddenly, a thin, black string sliced through the air, cutting him in half.
"BOSS!!?" Mr. 1, who had not yet left, was shocked, shouting in alarm. However, Crocodile, divided into two, remained calm. His upper half turned, facing the direction of the attack. Smoke curled from his crimson cigar as Crocodile spoke, "That's a rather impolite way to say hello, Doflamingo."
"Fuffufufu..." Nearby, having just bid farewell to Morgans, Doflamingo stood at the edge of the passageway between the ships, one foot on the railing, elbow resting on his knee. "Isn't it you who's being rude?" Doflamingo grinned. "Stirring up a sandstorm the moment you arrive? Anyone else might think I'm scared of you, Crocodile. Fufufufu…"
"What an annoying laugh," Crocodile retorted. As his sandy form returned to its original state, he glared at Doflamingo. Despite the surprise attack, Crocodile had swiftly shifted to his elemental sand form, dodging the strike, even as it carried Haki-infused threads. Both men, notorious in their own right, locked eyes, the tension between them palpable. The air grew heavy.
Mr. 1, sensing the impending clash, readied himself, arms morphing into blades, eyes fixed on Doflamingo. However, Doflamingo broke the silence with a laugh, "Fufufuf, so it seems even an old crocodile like you doesn't want to be left behind by the old era."
"Hmph, obviously," Crocodile scoffed. "Did you think you were the only one with foresight?"
"Foresight? No, no, no..." Doflamingo shook his head, the light reflecting off his crimson lenses. "The truly clever ones are fighting in the New World with their rejuvenated bodies! Fufufufu..."
"Tsk!" Crocodile clicked his tongue at the mention of Whitebeard, his old enemy. The knowledge that Whitebeard now wielded the power of Pokémon, and worse, the power of youth, was a blow to Crocodile's ambitions of defeating him. That was why he had journeyed from the Grand Line to the East Blue—to be among the first to join the new era of Pokémon.
After a brief exchange, the two Shichibukai parted ways as their ships continued onward, no fight breaking out. Mr. 1, tense beside them, breathed a sigh of relief.
But then, a sound, like the roar of a dragon, emanated from beneath the ships!
Alarmed, Mr. 1 glanced toward the ship's hold, but he soon realized the noise was coming from the depths of the ocean below! The sea churned violently, as if a submarine volcano was erupting. Then, an overwhelming sense of weightlessness swept over them! Their ship, along with every other vessel in the vicinity, was being lifted by something beneath the waves.
Rushing to the railing, Mr. 1 saw they weren't alone—every ship attending the event was being hoisted into the sky, carried by a massive, dark landmass toward the clouds. As the wind rushed past and the clouds parted, a colossal island suspended in the air came into view!
"Welcome to the Celestial Gym."
A deep, resonant voice echoed in their minds, as though speaking directly to their souls. Under the collective gaze of the stunned spectators, the enormous floating island slowly approached, as if inviting them to explore its wonders.
(End of this chapter)