Chapter 20 - Hazardous Punk Hazard (Part 4)

Luffy was walking on the dark corridors. Within the sack, there were now two devil fruits. That signaled that Monet, the snow harpy, had died to someone other than him. It was a pity, but you can't win them all. Monet was quite an interesting woman. And he would love to have had her on his crew. However, she had a lot of loyalty towards Joker, the character behind this island's operations. To top it off, she was complicit in abusing children right here. Luffy couldn't condone Monet's actions, and he gave up on the idea of having him on his crew entirely.

At this moment, a particular meeting occurred. Out from the shadows, a man arrived with a large fluffy coat and a soft white hat. He had a large katana and had a lot of tattoos on his hand. The glare that he made was digging up some Saobondy park memories, though the man before Luffy was quite more mature than he was before. Luffy knew who he was. Rayleigh was sure to tell him who the savior of his life was. Trafalgar Law or Traffy, the man who saved his life.

"Hrm? Oh, it's you. I didn't think I'd find you on this island."

Trafalgar Law approached from the dark halls. So this is the fluffy hat man Kiku spoke of, so he was propositioning my crew for something, but what?

"I've wanted to have a talk with you as well. Monkey D. Luffy. I've already spoken to your crew. I wish to make an alliance with your crew."

"Well, that's interesting. When speaking of alliances, both parties need to have a common goal to be achieved, a goal that interests both of them." Luffy smirked, and in turn, Law smirked as well. Law realized that Luffy was a tough nut to crack and bargain with. Law understood Luffy was also charismatic. Just being near him, Law could feel the aura. It was like spikes surrounding him, making him almost unable to speak or go against Luffy. Law realized that Luffy was quite the monster. He had already an inkling from fighting Luffy's First Mate and drawing against him. Though then again, Roronoa was a member of the Worst generation as well.

"I believe you will like this as well, Straw Hat-ya. My plan will bring down one of the Four Emperors, Kaido, the King of the Beasts."

Luffy was interested in Law's plan. They discussed it more as the minutes passed. Luffy paid attention to Law as he talked. Kaido was the biggest buyer in Joker's whole business. Joker, or now that Luffy was told, Donquixote Doflamingo, used the substance produced here in this island to make artificial devil fruits called SMILEs. Of course, these artificial Devil Fruits incurred some risks and were generally weaker than ordinary devil fruits.

Nevertheless, they were synthetic Zoan types, an army of a thousand with them could crumble kingdoms, despite the risks. Gathering many chumps and making them much more resilient than the usual underling was Kaido's strategy to create a vast army. Therefore, by stopping the artificial devil fruit production, Law wanted to create a rift between Doflamingo and Kaido, thus causing Kaido to crush Doflamingo in rage. Kaido was known for his wild temper. If his army building suddenly halted, the man would launch an attack at Doflamingo in Dressrosa.

"Both armies will clash, and Kaido will win. There is no doubt that Kaido will kill Doflamingo and his crew."

Luffy was perceptive about other people's emotions, not to the extent of that Queen beneath the sea. But he was sensitive to other's feelings when he wanted to. Luffy raised a brow whenever Traffy would mention Doflamingo. There was an unspoken bite, something that was deep within, a hatred of sorts.

"However, Kaido and his army will surely be weakened after that. You know the rest."

"No, I don't know the rest."

Luffy didn't buy into Law's plan, not one bit.

"Wh—What?"

Law was a bit surprised that Luffy did not go along, not at all, even after he carefully explained the plan. It is a great chance to take down an Emperor of the Sea, one of the most tremendous forces on this planet.

Law's plan strangely deflated after Doflamingo was theoretically killed in this plan. The project fell short, almost as if Law didn't have anything after that. Luffy was reckless and a bit lazy, but not stupid anymore.

"It feels a bit strange, your plan, that is. Almost like you don't care about taking down an Emperor at all. Tell me, who do you want to kill, Kaido or Mingo?"

Law flinched at the accusation.

"..."

"I'm not that stupid, maybe I was like that a few years ago, but that has changed. You want to turn an Emperor's army against Mingo, not because you want to weaken Kaido but to make sure Mingo dies, is that right?"

Law clenched his jaw. Luffy was emotionally intelligent. The way Law spoke Doflamingo's name was the same emotion when Luffy talked about the Government. There was history between the both of them. There was no love lost between the both of them. Luffy knew this emotion by heart, the desire to get revenge, the desire to see the enemy suffer. Luffy knew it well. Luffy hated the Government for various reasons, so he was well aware and sympathetic to anyone who wanted to seek out retribution against something. Luffy knew the results of his actions were not pretty.

Nevertheless, Luffy was a monster based on feelings instead of logic. Finding logic in his stories was a mistake. You could rationalize his actions to whatever you like, but Luffy acted based on his own feelings at the end of the day. And right now, Luffy was asking why Law depended on logic alone instead of what he really wanted to do.

"Will you be satisfied if Kaido executes Mingo? Don't you want to be the one to kill him? Don't you want to face him and say the things you wanted to say?"

"…"

"What I wanted to ask was simple, will you be satisfied if Kaido kills him and you read about it on the news? Or you want to be the one to do it? If it's the former, then I'll go with your plan. If it's the latter, then it's my plan."

Law looked a bit out of it. He had sweat running in his brow as he thought about Luffy's questions.

"Of course, I want to be the one to do it. That bastard killed Cora-san. I want to be the one to do!"

"Your plan is the safer one. If we go with my plan, there are a lot of risks involved. You might even die in the process. But if we win, then you'll be the one to spit in Mingo's face."

Law nodded.

"You're all heart, Traffy." Luffy smiled at him and patted him on his shoulder. Law lowered his hat with his fingers. Law didn't think that Luffy understood the consequences of his words.

'Heart.'

That word held a special meaning for Law.

Luffy was a creature not based on logic or complicated plans. It was quite simple, bust through the front door, no tricks, no hostages, no nothing. By killing Doflamingo from the front, with no gimmicks, no nothing, they would be entering the crosshairs of Kaido and others with who Doflamingo had deals. Kaido, an Emperor, would be pursuing the Straw Hats and Law instead of Doflamingo. If Law were satisfied with others killing the man he wanted revenge on, Luffy would have followed that plan, but things are rarely that simple. Facing the man, saying the things that Law wanted to say, and then dishing out punishment, if that was what Law wanted to do, Luffy would give Law a path for his revenge. Law wished to do it; he didn't want anyone else to kill Doflamingo but him. Luffy was quite okay with that. Luffy wasn't a fan of overcomplicating things, a straight strike towards the Donquixote family. No need for backstabbing plans or cleverness.

Law thought about it, it was insane, and it was not a great plan. The Donquixote Doflamingo Family was mighty. Much more than two rookies could handle as he thought about it in his past. Nevertheless, there was a desire in Law's heart to take this retribution into his own hands. Corazon was his savior, the person who gave a damn about him, the person who saved Law from the hell of memories. Law was a person who wanted the world to suffer before he died himself. He wanted everyone to feel the pain of Flevance. Even today, Law still had goals to expose and change the world because of that marking incident in Flevance. Therefore Law set out to also find the One Piece. However, the burning desire in his heart was much more straightforward, make Doflamingo pay for his past actions.

Luffy started speaking again. Law paid attention.

"I have several dreams, desires, and ambitions. The first was a desire born from my heart. I was born with it, ever since I knew who I was, ever since I had my first memory, I wanted something. I wanted freedom; it always eluded me. What is true freedom? Even today, I have no idea, but my heart yearns for it. The dream of being the Pirate King came from my respect towards Shanks. That dream only increased further and further as I met great individuals on the Grandline, Ray and the late old man Whitebeard, my deceased brother Ace, and my deceased sister Ann. My spite towards the Government came from my many bad experiences with them, Robin, Boa Hancock, my deceased mother, and recently, the story of the late Fisher Tiger..."

"..."

"Don't you see, I am a monster born out of my heart, my respect, and my spite. I am what I am today, not because of me alone. I am a product of the great people around me. So Law, what's in your heart? Who do you respect? And who earns your spite?"

Law felt something different. He felt drawn to Luffy's present and words, he was feeling this for a while, but this man before him was larger than life. Law understood the meaning of his words, and yet, his logical side couldn't keep up, almost like Luffy had a master key to the things Law would rather keep away. Law couldn't hold himself back after that. Law had to give it to Luffy. He was a great speaker and a leader, even if his words' contents were not entirely right in the sense of justice and morals. Still, the man was a pirate. He was also twisted. Law opened his mouth, and then, memories kept pouring out from him. And Luffy received them all, without a peep, he only listened. Law felt a bit hopeless; he was revealing his life story to a man he just met. Law fought with Luffy at the human auction. Law saved Luffy after the war, but that did not mean that Law knew Luffy personally. This was the first time they had a good talk.

Law was always searching for why he saved Luffy after the war. He rationalized that it was because of the "D." in the man's name. It would be a pity if he died in the war.

I can see why so many willful people follow Straw Hat-ya now.

Luffy encouraged his followers to do what they wanted; his moral support was rough around the edges but still quite endearing. The face of charisma itself.

Law smirked. After talking about Flevance, he started talking about his life at the Doflamingo's Family and a kind man known as Corazon.

Luffy smiled.

Law introduced his full name towards Luffy. There was a pleasant atmosphere to the two of them, and then Law made a suggestion. A suggestion that would increase the risks even further and to make unquestioned loyalty between them. They should instead exchange hearts. Law skewered his own chest with his fingers and chucked out a heart from his own chest. Law picked another beating organ from his pocket. Now he had two hearts. Finally, the third one from his back pocket, this one was not beating anymore, however. One, he gave it to Luffy. Ceasar tried to destroy my own heart. Too bad that one was of a random soldier of his. However, this dead one belonged to Monet.

Law had made the operations as stealthy as he could during the many nights here in Punk Hazard, he had to be patient, but his work was rewarded in the end.

"This one is Caesar's heart. I stole his heart during one night as I stayed here in Punk Hazard... the other one was Monet's. However, it's not beating anymore. It can only mean one thing."

Luffy saw the heart of the scientist mastermind behind this whole charade and put it in the pant's pocket. Crushing the heart would be easy, but Luffy wanted to deal with the scientist personally. Therefore Luffy wasn't going to do anything to the organ he was just given.

Finally, Law gave the final heart of the three. Law tossed it towards Luffy. "This is mine. You can test it. If it's my heart, it will hurt; just do a short squeeze."

"I'm not gonna do that," Luffy smiled.

"Then, here it comes, scalpel," Law thrust his hand on Luffy's chest, and from there, a heart fell off. Luffy wasn't even fazed as his heart was removed. Law was surprised. Law had a complete advantage in this situation since it was his power, and Luffy had a basic knowledge of it. At any moment, Law could have ended Luffy's life, and yet, the captain of the Straw hats didn't falter even once.

Law picked up the beating heart of Monkey D. Luffy and inserted it on his own chest. Luffy smiled; he picked up Trafalgar D. Water Law's heart and inserted it on his own chest. Both had exchanged the beating organs as a security measure. If one died, there was a chance the heart could be damaged, and the other would die as well. Neither would be able to betray each other in theory. However, Law had the absolute advantage over this whole process and exchange. Yet, Luffy kept grinning and believing in him. Law always thought the Straw Hats Captain to be insane, but he became even more of a basket case after two years.

Crazy bastard.

Law smirked.

X❖X

Law was hearing a lot of noise coming out of the place where the SAD tanks were. When he arrived, he was blown away by the scene he was witnessing. A woman with blond hair and a business skirt had a man held by his collar. That man was bleeding profusely, and he was coughing up blood. His arms were fractured, and his legs were also. That man was Smoker, and that woman was Sora, one of the Straw Hats. Law was surprised and felt a bit strange seeing the scene. And then, by the rails' foot, was another man, a huge and tall man, even taller than Straw Hat. He was on the ground, with one of his arms removed from the elbow. In fact, Law could see the elbow near the blown arm that was on the floor. Blood slowly spit out from the torn veins. The face of the man was utterly imploded, and his chest was also that way. His knees were shattered, and there wasn't much life left. That man was Vergo. Law knew the man intimately. It was because of Vergo that Cora-san was dead. If Vergo wasn't the marine in that place, then Cora-san would still be alive.

Sora had some bruises on her forehead that bled a bit. There were two puncture wounds on her stomach, there was a welt on underneath her torn pantyhose, but she was mostly fine. The other two combatants were utterly out of it.

It seems Law arrived while she was still speaking.

"—You did not listen to me, you bastard. I explicitly told you to get off this island. And you think you could interrupt my fight? We might be indebted to you, but don't I'll be so kind next time." Sora was furious that the Navy was still on this island despite her warnings. It made her crazy with anger; she already went against her captain's wishes. She spared them before, just because they were somewhat indebted to these pricks in the past. But to still brazenly walk into her fight while she was already mad was a big mistake.

Sora dropped Smoker on the ground and then stomped on his head. The lightest kick made a crater of twenty meters in diameter. Law had to guard his eyes because of the wind and rubble.

Who was more formidable in that crew, the swordsman or the cook? Law had no idea, and the fact that she was able to fight Vergo and beat him, made Sora stick out even more in Law's mind. Law had grown considerably after he was denied the Warlords of the Sea's title. After that, he spent two years in the New World, building his power and reputation. He was a hundred times stronger than he was back at that Action House in Sabaody Archipelago, so much so that he was now worth more than 900 million. Law was pretty sure he could beat Vergo now without any trouble whatsoever.

But having a crewmember toy with the most potent enemies like this.

The Straw Hats were something else.

Law reinforced the idea that an alliance with them would surely make the Doflamingo Family crumble.

However, he wouldn't let anyone else finish Vergo off. That right was his and his alone. Law arrived near the feet of Vergo, startling Sora a bit since she was so focused on Smoker, who had his head bashed in by her foot. He was now unconscious and probably with a significant concussion. Law wouldn't envy Smoker when the man wakes up.

"—Oh, it's you... Do you have something against the guy? Well, whatever. I'm leaving; I'm pissed enough as it is with this prick."

However, Sora changed her mood to a pleasant one now that a friend of the crew arrived. She was pissed at Smoker so much that it killed her spirit when she was fighting Vergo. She picked off the unconscious Smoker from the ground by his jacket's collar and placed his whole body behind her back. And left the room pissed as all hell.

Law was again reminded that the whole crew was insane and psychotic. First, the Pirate Hunter, who seemed listless but was a bloodthirsty mess. Then the Straw Hat, who was the most egocentric person he ever met. And now, the Black Leg who seemed kind but had the shortest fuse.

"You look like shit, Vergo."

"I—It's Vergo-san, you should learn manner already, brat."

"As a doctor, I should be respectful to dying patients, but you aren't my patient, are you? You do not deserve any respect for anything you ever did in life, Vergo."

The man was utterly detonated, near the tanks of SAD. The steam poured from the pipes at intervals. The lady kicked him so hard his arm flew off his body. Near him was a Transponder Snail, but there was no annoying mumbling laughter that Doflamingo would often utter. Instead, there were clenched teeth and quite a pissed expression on that snail.

"So things are not going according to your plan? Not surprising from a failed chess master who can't reach the big leagues."

"You'll soon regret those words, Law."

The deep voice was without the usual mirth.

However, it was Donquixote Doflamingo speaking through the Transponder Snail.

X❖X

Luffy arrived where his crewmates were. He had a great smile as he spotted the Navy that was here, more than fifty soldiers. He had an even grander smile when he saw that Nami, Chopper, Brook, Usopp, and Robin were here. Along with little Momonosuke, Luffy also observed the enigmatic children of this place. Some were as tall as a Giant child, others were in-between, and some were ordinary humans. It seems the scientist of this place really messed them up.

"Wait, Luffy, can you please let them go? We owe them for Alabasta. Remember, remember Tashigi?" Nami immediately appeared before him, with both her hands on his abdomen, as a shield for the marines.

Chopper and the others went running towards him. Only Robin was neutral. If the captain decided to kill the marines, she would gleefully join him. The Straw Hats all pleaded and begged for Luffy to reconsider letting these marines go home scot-free. Luffy was silent through all of this. The marines all picked up their muskets, and Tashigi handled her sword that was previously sliced by Law. Earlier on the day, they were warned by 'Black Leg' about ever meeting the Captain of their crew. It was said that Monkey D. Luffy was on a devastating path against anyone wearing the uniform. Now that Tashigi took a good look at the captain, she felt a hopeless feeling. Behind her were the children in the beds. Tashigi could not run away and let these children die off.

Luffy's face was shadowed entirely as he gently pushed Nami to the side with a small smile.

Tashigi grit her teeth and sheathed her sword, ready to draw for a quick strike. However, her eyes just widened as the man's presence was felt across the room. Amidst the Straw Hat's cries for Luffy to stop, Tashigi was just rooted on the spot. Her hand did not have the power to even draw her sword. Her forehead was filled with sweat as he approached. The other men were also rooted in place, their rifles not pointing at him and were just lazily aimed at nowhere.

Nami closed her eyes as she did not want to see her Captain executing these people. Robin smiled as she loved seeing the Government get their comeuppance; she was also quite sadistic compared to Nami. Usopp turned away, feeling the same way as Nami. Chopper was still screaming for Luffy to stop, that this was a medical room.

Tashigi's eyes saw the hand of death approaching.

That massive hand would squeeze her skull like a child popping a balloon.

Tashigi's eyes dilated, and her legs trembled.

And then...

The hand of death was placed on her shoulder. And then the captain of the Straw Hats whispered, the monster whispered in her ear.

"I already killed all the marines on this lab that were separated from you. Attack me, and you'll also die."

Luffy patted her shoulder gently. And passed by her, her knees gave in and made her drop to the floor.

Tashigi cried, cried because she was still alive, and cried because the men of G-5 who got separated from them died.

The Straw Hats were stunned that Luffy had passed by a marine and did not kill them. Luffy arrived near the beds of the children. All of them were suffering on the bed. And by their side was the stern and mature Momonosuke; he was quite a remarkable child. He pleaded for Luffy to save them.

Momonosuke trusted Luffy and Robin more than anyone here.

"What are you doing, Chopper? We have children to save."

The Straw Hats were still stumped. Chopper had to clean his tears, and then he rushed towards his captain.

Luffy smiled.

Who was the man named Monkey D. Luffy?

X❖X

Tashigi didn't know what to think. Her soldiers came back, and they told her of the fate of their comrades. All of them were slaughtered for just doing their jobs. And she now could see the monster behind those murders. He was right there, sitting near the children's beds, telling jokes to the recently recovered children. The children seemed really happy with his presence and had taken a shine to this unbearable murderer. He killed soldiers who had families waiting for them just to satiate his unreasonable hatred of marines. Tashigi was gritting her teeth that she could do nothing but watch as the murderer walked free and with a smile on his face.

"Captain, I can't handle it. Can I just shoot him? H—He killed my friend."

A marine soldier held a rifle; that soldier was glaring with immense hatred. Luffy took a look at their directions. His eye was filled with mirth, challenging them to shoot him. Anyone could logically deduce what that action would cause. The Straw Hat would feel justified in killing them here. Tashigi couldn't let that happen. Even if she wanted to bring the Straw Hat to justice. Tashigi never felt this powerless in her life. Today was just a complete disaster. Any pride she had was shattered beyond belief.

Tashigi regretted saving the Straw Hats in Alabasta now.

It was at this moment that someone arrived. It was the 'Black Leg,' Sora was carrying on her back an injured man. She arrived at the feet of her captain and threw Smoker on his feet.

"I didn't know whether to kill him or keep him alive. You decide, captain."

Smoker was at the feet of Monkey D. Luffy. Tashigi never felt this afraid. Any movement might be an insult against the monster that controlled the narrative. This monster had everyone at his side. If Tashigi made the wrong move, maybe that would lead to Smoker dying. So she didn't do anything, she didn't even raise a peep, she just kept staring at the bloody Smoker on the floor bleeding hard. Luffy still had that mirth in his eyes. that evil mirth. Smoker would live or die by that monster's decision. Smoker still had the pride to look up, but his body couldn't move. Tashigi though Smoker to be invincible, always came out on top. He always beat the pirates. The only time Tashigi thought he would lose was against Boa Hancock in the war. Smoker breathed hard as he viewed how much different the Straw hat was after two years. Smoker had seen the posters and the photos, but seeing the significant changes in person was surprising. Smoker didn't have the power to fight back, but he would face his death with pride and fearlessness in his eyes.

"Straw Hat."

"So you got beaten by dear old Sora, did you? Well, that's not surprising; she's strong as all hell. We're a long way from those days where I thought you were invincible, and we were just running away from you. Those days are long past, now we don't need to run from anyone anymore. The board has reversed."

"..."

"Nothing to say? I didn't expect you to grow so boring after two years, Smoker. Chopper, treat him. We're not going to kill him. Not now, at least."

Luffy left the room with a disappointed smile. But before he could go, he faced the marines. Tashigi and Smoker included. Then a deep red well of aura surged from within. The lab who was already collapsing, felt another rumble.

"It's best if you guys resign from the Navy. Because next time, I won't listen to my crew. You will die."

Tashigi could feel the grind of his teeth in her bones. Smoker, who was injured, almost fainted right there but kept on awake, still not showing any weakness. Straw Hat wasn't a human anymore. He was a wild beast made out of a hatred for the Navy; he was a terrorist who chewed the lives of those who worked in the Government. Tashigi looked at the crew to see their reactions to their captain's speech. And they were all smiling together with the children, not even listening to the threat. However, the looks on Robin's eyes were definitely sadistic, almost as if she couldn't wait for the next encounter. Tashigi realized that this crew was more psychotic than she realized if they could handle a murderer like their captain. Or perhaps he wasn't even the worst one on the crew. Tashigi didn't know what to think anymore. The soldiers dropped their weapons out of despair, their comrades were killed, and they couldn't do anything to the murderous bastard.

Tashigi was starting to regret coming to Punk Hazard.

Everything in this place made the G-5 lose all their pride and faith.

Tashigi wouldn't blame if some resigned over the incidents of this terrible day.

X❖X

Caesar Clown tried really hard to escape the hole he's been put. It was twenty meters deep. He tried a variety of things that only made him tired in the end. After a while, he transformed into amorphous gas that was lighter than the surrounding air and tried going up. However, he needed to hold that form for a long time since the gas moved slowly. After seventeen meters, he fell again. He tried and tried, and after four times, he was able to escape a goddamn hole.

"Shororo." Caesar huffed as sweat poured from his face.

"This cannot be real life; I cannot believe the master of this place is as incompetent as you are."

The one saying that was a man almost 7 feet tall. He was crouched on the ground with his hand supporting his face as he viewed the scientist with his body full of garbage and smelly liquids. It was Monkey D. Luffy.

"So you're the one who tormented those children? I hear they aren't the only ones you've experimented on. The others are dead, aren't they? Well, that's just sad, knowing there's someone like you killing innocent kids for your research with no one to stop you. And then we arrive just to save the last batch of kids still alive? It's a sad state of affairs that a murderer like me must play the hero all the time. Well, I don't want to waste my time with garbage like you. I'll just kill you and be done with it. I don't need complicated speeches or justifications to kill those that anger me."

The plan to kidnap Caesar Clown was dropped from the table. Nothing was more cathartic than actually doing the revenge yourself in Luffy's eyes. Some might say that was a wrong point of view, but he was already a pirate. He evaded the law countless times. Trying to put ethics or morals into the things Luffy did was a mistake. The man acted on his own mood and his own feelings. There was no logic, Luffy always did what he wanted to do, and that would remain true for the rest of his life. Caesar was quite scared that he would die. There was a certain aura surrounding Luffy, an atmosphere of red, an aura of death. This man was speaking seriously.

"If you kill me, not only Joker will be pursuing you. The great Emperors will also be hunting you. I have deals with Big Mom in the past, and I am vital in the process of building up the artificial devil fruit SMILE; if you kill me, then Kaido will be terribly angry. Not to mention those in the Underworld as well as the Government. Do you know what going against me means? If you know, then bow down! Bow down now, and I will consider sparing you! If you don't, then say goodbye to your peaceful days. Everyone in the New World will be gunning for you head Straw Hat."

"You know, it seems people still don't understand who I am. If killing you is going to make those Emperors mad, then I gladly welcome it. I will be the Pirate King, but to accomplish that, the Emperors need to go. If they come running towards me, then that's a great outcome. This story doesn't end with everyone being beaten and then gladly accepting me as Pirate King. This story ends with me killing every single Emperor, and right at the end, I will duel Shanks. And then I will kill him too. That's how the story of the new Pirate King Straw Hat Luffy should end."

"Huh?"

"Then, after helping my friends achieve the dreams. I will climb the heavens and kill every single Celestial Dragon along with my maternal family. And then I'll kill that thing with the body of my mother. That's how the story of Monkey D. Luffy, the murderous God, should end."

The things said and the items discussed were only heard by a man about to die and Luffy. Luffy was careful to not be overheard by the recorded footage that was being transmitted to dark circles all over the world. Being afraid of the strong Emperors was counterintuitive to Luffy's dreams. The time of running away from those strong pirates and those strong marines was over. From this point on, it was Monkey D. Luffy who would challenge them.

"Your fruit is quite interesting, powers over gaseous substances, quite powerful when developed in the right way. But you didn't train your fruit at all. It's frankly disappointing that such a smart scientist wasted such potential. You could have been one of the most powerful forces in the world, much more powerful than your boss Doflamingo, with that power."

Luffy spoke as he had developed the powers over rubber to extremes. Luffy now had the powers over exponentials and the ability to transform into a God. Just like Crocodile had said previously, it doesn't matter if you had a powerful fruit if you didn't develop it. Even weak powers could achieve the impossible. It was such a waste that many devil fruit users were so unimaginative. Then again, those users with imagination stood on the top of the world. Just think of those three Navy admirals from two years ago. All-powerful on their own right, their fruits were undoubtedly powerful. However, they shined bright in their hands because they understood and developed their powers. An average person with the magma fruit, who did not train with it, would never reach the stage that Akainu did.

"Hey… are you ready to die yet?"

Luffy simply asked.

"…"

"…"

"…"

After moments of silence, Caesar yelled as gas surrounded the room. It was Arsine, quite toxic to an average human. Then he picked up a clasp from his belongings and then closed it. The air around rapidly expanded, and a giant fireball filled the room. Almost as if every particle of air imploded at this very second. Caesar laughed. He laughed as the flash surged with the wind. Waves of flames were scorching the room continuously. Caesar opened his hands; he extended his arms as he laughed. He could manipulate all sorts of gaseous substances. It would take extraordinarily little of him to murder any enemy. Caesar might not have been an expert in fighting, but he knew intimately what kinds of substances could kill a human. Just a flash of Arsine in a lab environment could immediately destroy blood cells and damaged kidneys with an exceedingly small exposure. However, in these quantities, a person would be irreparably dead after inhaling it. Arsine was one of the many ingredients in his 'Land of the Dead' chemical weapon. It was hard to recreate that substance in full while in battle. So Caesar just produced one of the deadliest gas on that list as a form of attack.

Arsine was supposed to kill someone, then why that someone wasn't dead yet?

A hand grabbed the head of Caesar in a death claw.

Luffy had a runny nose and irritated eyes. There were a few light rashes on Luffy's chest.

"Damn, that was super strong. Quite the powerful fruit indeed, you could kill a whole army if you just release this stuff near them."

Concentrated toxic gas named Arsine, it was a poisonous cloud that enveloped the entire room.

That amount was supposed to kill anything and everything. It didn't matter if you were a human, a bear, or an elephant.

"You're not human. You're not human. You're not human. You're not human."

"Took you long enough to notice."

Luffy picked up a piece of his own bracelet and stabbed Caesar in the head. Right in the forehead. And almost as if angrily wielding a pencil. Luffy pulled the bracelet down as it cut Caesar's skull until it exited from the roof of his mouth fast. It broke a few of his teeth and cut the tongue vertically in half. At the same time, Luffy pushed the braceleted down and down until it ripped off the man's jaw vertically. Caesar's face opened from the front as two flappy pieces kept to the side. From within, Luffy could see the man's bloody interior of his face. Luffy crouched down as Caesar fell. The man was still alive as he tried joining in the flaps. However, his face just kept bleeding. Luffy just looked at him. And then Luffy sneezed and cleaned his irritated eyes. That gas was strong enough to swell his mucous membranes. However, his organs were merely okay. Luffy just continued to watch Caesar's plight as he tried joining in the flaps of his face together, again and again.

"I'm no Law with his power over operations. You can't join your two halves of your face together again. Struggle more, little scientist, how many batches of children you killed? Try harder; maybe you can condense your gas to make some glue to stitch your face together? Who knows?!"

Luffy laughed.

Luffy slapped his own thighs in humor as Caesar kept struggling on the ground. Caesar was crying and yelling meaningless things since his tongue was torn apart and his jaw and chin. Caesar seemed incredulous at first that he could ever be hit by a piece of metal. However, the bloody part of the bracelet was concentrated sea stone. It was not even ordinary sea stone; it was pure and concentrated, a Logia had no chance against it. Luffy didn't even need to apply Haki to it. It was funny watching the little scientist try to join both the flappy halves of his face as blood kept pouring from the crevasses. It was almost like seeing someone squish a sandwich with too much reddish mayonnaise. Honestly, Robin and Zoro would love to have seen this scene.

Then...

Luffy stopped laughing.

As if everything Luffy had said previously had not been funny to him at all.

Not funny at all.

As if the second part of Luffy took over the reins, and the massive body crashed into the floor as he sat on the ground. He looked at Caesar, who was struggling with his cut face. And then a black metallic fist splashed the half-ripped skull of the little scientist. The sadistic nature of Luffy was gone, and then he made a quick execution. The blood of the 'devil' and the blood of the 'angel' flowed through him. It was times like these where the Monkey family's blood reared its head and made cruel things happen. The blood of his mother would come to calm him down and methodically execute the enemies. Both sides were extremely hostile and were not good at all. The devil asked for sadism, the angel asked for an apathetic end to people. Luffy was a mixture of the devil's blood and the angel's blood, with the fruit of exponentials, the letter D., and God's fruit. Luffy himself was a blended mess of things, all strewn together in a caricature of a person that lived in the current age.

Two bad bloods didn't make a positive.

The blood of the Monkey Family produced freaks such as Garp and Dragon.

The blood of the Stuart-Griffin produced freaks such as Saint Benedict and Saint Isadora.

Luffy's mother had noble origins.

And the celestial dragons, the Stuart-Griffin family was still there. With so many uncles and aunts. Maternal grandparents and cousins. Luffy couldn't wait to murder each and every one of the Stuart-Griffins.

Luffy always did what he wanted to do. Nevertheless, the way he went about things depended on his mood at the time.

The four Emperors were touted as 'eldritch abominations' that made a mockery of what a human should be.

However, there was one more 'eldritch abomination' here.

And its name was Monkey D. Luffy.

X❖X

Two of the Kings of the Underworld were watching. They were watching the man named Luffy.

"This is big news!"

Morgans was in his news center. He was bird-man, looking at the screen in reverence. Of course, Morgans could not hear what was being said in Caesar's last moments; however, he heard of the Government's challenge coming from Monkey D. Luffy's lips well and clear.

"What do we do now, chief?"

"Oh my writers, journalists, editors, and columnists, of course, of course. We can not let this hidden incident in a forgotten island go to waste?"

Morgans' editors were smiling widely, from side to side. Their hands were trembling with their pens. Nevertheless, they were just waiting for the order. Their smile was never wider.

"How can we not write about this? Oh, the Government is going to stop us? Don't be stupid. The rules of the world cannot stop journalism. Let's see, the story should be like this 'Straw Hats destroy a chemical weapon produced by the Underworld's darling, Donquixote Doflamnigo.'"

"Bu—But, are we really going to reveal that Joker is Doflamingo?!"

They were not afraid. The journalists were salivating at the opportunity, even if the result would be that Doflamingo would target them.

"Of course! The Heavenly Demon is old news. Everyone can see where this war between the Straw hats and the Doflamingo Family is going. We do not need to care about the results because they are already pronounced. We only need to care about how we profit off this situation. The people watching this already know where the pendulum will swing. Thus they will act to take advantage of the situation. The Government will spin this story to cast a bad light on the Straw Hat pirates while protecting their darling Warlord from controversy. However, with the violations of Punk Hazard, the Government will lose face. Let's reveal it all, the crimes of Punk Hazard committed by Caesar Clown under the orders of Donquixote Doflamingo, the illegal child experimentation, the dangerous chemical weapon. Let's say that Straw Hat Luffy was the one that stopped all of this."

The Government cast the Straw Hats in a bad light after their involvement with the Endpoints, with countless marines' deaths. The Straw hats were designated as a terroristic group.

"The people are already calling the Straw Hats the 'murderous crew.' Is it fine to make them the heroes of this story?"

"Of course, of course. People don't care about villains as much once you dig a deeper hole in the conspiracy and other nastier villains start popping up. In fact, they gladly will welcome another name for them to hate. That's how society works, stress and malice. Now gentlemen and gentlewomen. Shall we write the news?"

The writers, journalists, editors, and columnists all smiled and cheered, for they would weave another grand narrative to keep their readers engaged as always. Damned be the Government. If they thought they could manipulate their words then they thought wrong. The Government was damned if they felt they were the only ones who could weave a convenient narrative for them.

Another King of the Underworld was watching from her own island.

Stussy cleaned her pipe as a few of her girls cleaned her orgasms after they ate her pussy. She giggled a bit as she continued watching the stream coming from the Snails around the lab. Her dainty fingers traced the face of Luffy. How she wanted to crush him beneath her foot. How she wanted for him to see the real strength behind the Government. Stussy was an undercover agent of CP0. However, CP, Navy, Five Elder Stars. That wasn't all. There was still that family. The arbiters of the world were still roaming around. The magistrates and arbiters of the world were Luffy's family from the mother's side. Stussy knew this, not because she was an agent of CP0, no.

There was more. There was more to the world than simple pirates realized. Because that family existed, Xebec-chan couldn't do anything. Because that family lived, Roger-chan couldn't do anything.

Now a discarded half progeny, tossed from heaven in his birth dared to go against them?

Stussy smiled.

That's why the world was fascinating.

Her favorite stories were family dramas, after all.

X❖X

Law had communicated to Doflamingo a declaration of war. There would be no tricks anymore. It was an all-out war between Law and the Doflamingo Family, with the Straw Hats as a back-up. Law was confident enough that with the help of Luffy, he could take down Doflamingo. At least if Law had a chance to go one versus one against Doflamingo without having to worry about the Family, then Trafalgar Law would win. He was so strong that the Navy put a bounty of over 900 million berries. Doflamingo was such an instant target for the longest time, but now Law could see the end. If he had no distractions and focused on facing Doflamingo, then he would win. He was sure of it.

After the call ended. Law sliced the snail. Doflamingo didn't need to hear the execution of his subordinate.

"So this is it? You'll die against Joker, just like the previous Corazon did." Vergo said.

"If you, one of the top officers in the Family, got beaten by a subordinate of the Straw Hats, then I quite like my chances."

"Heh, true, that woman was quite strong. Sometimes, you are so sure that you are powerful, then a random person comes crashing in, destroying the small world you live in. I fashioned myself as Joker's right-hand man. I thought myself confident in my strength, Haki, and my training with the six powers. But a random woman came crashing in. When I was in the middle of the fight, Smoker arrived to try and beat me. And you know what she did? That woman targeted Smoker first. She beat Smoker to the curb while I was watching, and when he was on the brink, she looked at me with wild eyes, the world suddenly turned black, and I found myself without my right arm. And both my legs were broken. There's something really wrong with that woman named Sora."

The man named Vergo was so beaten that he couldn't even raise himself. Law had fought the Pirate Hunter Zoro earlier on. The man was a wild beast that was hard to fight against. Of course, Law didn't take the fight seriously enough. However, the Pirate Hunter really put the pressure, and Law had the inkling that the man didn't take the fight seriously at all. Both Zoro and Sora were direct subordinates to Straw Hat Luffy. They really transformed themselves in two years into a crew that could challenge the Emperors appropriately. Law didn't know if they could win or not; every Emperor was an eldritch abomination that could wreck everyone and everything they encountered. In any case, the Straw Hat still seemed to overestimate his own capabilities while not really knowing who the Emperors really were.

But I guess they have the best chance at doing so.

"Let's list the reasons I hate you, Vergo. You are the one who tormented me when I was young. No matter what I did, you always wanted a reason to beat me up. Not only that, but you were also the one that blabbed about Cora-san. If it weren't for you, then Cora-san would still be alive today. A fake person entering the Navy, practicing fake justice all to help your boss. Quite admirable, I say, there aren't many people willing to perform a profession they hate for me than 20 years for their boss. That's a lot of loyalty you have. However, that doesn't change that you were the one; you were the piece of shit that made the island's events happen. If it weren't for you, things wouldn't turn out this way. Don't worry, I will be killing Doflamingo after you. Don't worry, you can play games with your boss in the afterlife."

Vergo complimented with broken teeth.

"I will give my regards to Corazon, in the afterlife, that the brat he raised finally became strong."

"You aren't going to the same place. Cora-san is a good guy that went to heaven, you? You are going to hell. Room."

Vergo smirked one last time, then the sword slashed the whole room. The slash was so wide it crossed the ocean. The previous collapsing lab was sliced in half from all sides. The slashed tanks were separated into two halves, letting the toxic chemicals flow upwards and out, infecting the metal floor with their greasy toxicity. Law slashed Vergo's head off. Then he sheathed his sword and made two fingers on the man's forehead. Then a spear of shock killed Vergo by turning off the man's brain functions.

Law's powers were odd. Mostly different from users of old. There was a man who would separate people, and they would bleed. Dividing people by the seams and killing them with the power over operations. However, Law's powers let them live even after cutting down. His powers worked by his will; that was why people could feel their missing body parts and their locations. They would have a mental Vivre Card of where that body part was located. Law made sure that body parts could talk, so they could be reunited again. Of course, when the head was talking or focusing on something, all other body parts would not communicate anymore. It was why Kikunojo's other body parts stopped speaking after Zoro found her head. She was talking and focusing on Zoro all the time. Law made it this way so that people defeated by him could have a path to getting their appendages and body parts back. Law wasn't a cruel person at all, and his primary fighting style proved that.

To this day, Law had killed only 39 men.

The Government loved to make him out as this boogeyman worth 900 million. Still, Law was not as cruel as other Worst Generation members. Gang Bege and Kid were far more vicious. Therefore, the high bounty did not reflect his own violence but more about his devil fruit. Everyone wanted the fruit of operations for themselves. The Government was no different.

In the end, Law was a gentler soul than most in his generation. His main fighting style made it hard to dispose of opponents permanently. So he invented the Radio Knife, Counter Shock, and the Gamma Knife for situations where he had no choice but to kill.

They were also invented for his revenge.

Vergo had just a taste of the Counter Shock. It messed up a person's biological functions; if it hit the right place, it could even cause some degree of organ failure.

Trafalgar D. Water Law was nothing but heart.

X❖X

He was sitting there on his massive sofa overlooking the pool to his home. The sun was bright, and the clouds were pretty. Behind him was the ceramic mansion with a beautiful clay color to its walls. The windows were clear, and the floor was ceramic as well. It was cool to the touch, even during the hot sun. It was a perfect stone to compliment the giant pool before him. There were palm, mango, and apple trees to decorate the yard where the swimming pool was to complement this scenery. By his side were two women resting their heads on him. They were topless with their boobs and nipples showing. Around him were many women frolicking in the pool, also topless. A woman came, with a string bikini, serving a bottle of expensive wine; however, he didn't feel like taking it this time. She turned around and pushed her ass onto his vision. Her ass had swallowed her G-string panties so far that she looked like she was naked from behind. She was obviously looking for sex, but he was far from that kind of mood right now. Even the women on his sides were wary of his bad mood. These hired women were here to entertain his family and be good eye-candy; he did not care about them one bit.

By the side of his legs was a woman with the body of a child. She had a basket full of grapes. However, she did not eat any of them. There were white metal seats outside with white metal tables, with some of his trusted family members there.

However, his family and the woman with a child's body next to him were not enjoying themselves. Neither was he.

Donquixote Doflamingo made a silent motion.

The women all gulped and left, leaving the pool empty of life. All that was left after a few minutes of frantic movements were his family—all looking down with shadowed eyes.

Donquixote Doflamingo's forehead was frowning, frowning so severely, some of his veins popped to the surface of his skin.

Vergo, his best friend, was dead. He couldn't even hear the execution due to Law cutting the signal. Always earnest and loyal, Vergo was.

Gladius was strong and advised Doflamingo so many times, many mistakes were avoided due to his wisdom. He was always hardworking and self-sacrificing.

Not only that, Monet was now dead. She was his favorite woman on this entire planet.

Three of his favorite people on this Earth were now gone.

Three of his family members were dead and gone—all due to both Straw Hat and Trafalgar Law making a makeshift alliance.

Doflamingo's hand approached his forehead. Never before was he this angry. Vergo, Gladius, and Monet were gone forever. He thought that his family would never suffer such a fate. The Donquixote Family was resilient and would survive countless tragedies all the way to the top—that's what he believed. But just like that, two of his family were gone. They were gone, they were gone, they were gone. Doflamingo clenched his teeth so hard that the whole kingdom probably could hear his molars crashing onto each other.

However, there was one person here, angrier than he was.

Sugar couldn't believe what was happening. The grape basket was trembling on her lap—her five fingers had grapes on the end of each one. However, she did not eat them. Their juices slithered down her fingers, and yet she was unmoving and unconcerned about staining her summer dress. Her sister was dead. It was so long ago that they were saved by Doffy. However, they were the newest members of the family. They were unconcerned that they were newcomers and dedicated their lives to Doffy. Both sisters swore to heaven and hell they would make Doffy's dreams come true. No matter what cruel act they would perform, no matter how many good people they would betray and ruin. The sisters promised to be great members of the family and give their life to Doffy.

So the enemy was that powerful, sister?

Don't worry.

They won't have a painless death.

I will turn them all into toys.

I will make every single one of them slave away their entire lives until the day they die.

"I promise, I will kill those Straw Hats. They are dead, they are dead, dead, they are dead!" Sugar kept muttering as her voice grew louder.

Doffy petted her head.

"Yeah, we'll kill every single one of the Straw Hats. We'll torture them, both mentally and physically—they won't have easy deaths. I won't spare anyone, not even Law."

Doflamingo believed that Law would eventually come around. Law reminded him of when he was young. So Doflamingo thought that Law would become a great member of his family, perhaps even grow to become his right-hand man in the future. However, this insurrection dashed all of his hopes. Doflamingo always watched the Straw Hats from a distance, never really interfering with their lives in any meaningful way. The Straw Hats landed in Punk Hazard, a land that was supposed to be hidden from any log pose, and just brazenly assassinate three members of his family. That could be happening; that did not just happen.

I must be having a nightmare.

However, despite Doflamingo pinching his own cheek, he wouldn't wake up.

A stormy wind blew the water and made waves on a standard and peaceful pool. This wasn't average wind, no this was Doffy's Haki acting up. The family members were not reacting to it. They were just as furious as he was with the situation at hand—in fact, they were even more hateful than even Doffy was. Obviously, some of the family members had died—who wouldn't be furious?

This couldn't be called a fit of rage anymore.

It was pure wrath.

It was now time to decide how best to deal with this new threat.

Many family members were thinking about this situation as a whole. There was a war incoming, a war between the Doflamingo Family and the Straw Hats and Law's half-baked alliance.

Lao G already accepted the deaths of Vergo, Gladius, and Monet as a given. Lao G was an old man gifted in the martial arts, and he had seen much in his life. It was a given that the Donquixote Pirates would face this situation. It was a situation every crew had to deal with—the death of their comrades. While Lao G knew that the Young Master did not care for the grunts in his employ, the Young Master cared a lot about his family. Lao G remembered all of the Donquixote Family's accomplishments, how bloody they were in the past. The Family destroyed the crews of others. The Family witnessed them suffering, wanting revenge for it.

This time, they were on the other side of the situation. Not robbing people of their comrades, but being robbed in turn.

A crew that thinks it could remain intact was foolish indeed. The last time the Young Master lost a family member was way back when Corazon betrayed them.

That was why Lao G wanted his Young Master to understand and learn from this loss.

I hear these Straw Hats are much like us, a tight-knit family with a lot of loyalty for each other. They spent all this time in the sea without losing a single comrade. However, if these Straw Hats think they can remain intact for much longer, then I have bad news for them.

Gladius... Poor Gladius.

Lao G had accepted the inevitability that the Donquixote Family would lose some of its precious members one day. However, that did not mean that he wasn't going to retaliate. It was the contrary. Lao G was prepared to end a Straw Hat's life in the coming conflict—it could be any member, the men, the women, the pet, the captain. No matter what, he was ready to kill at least one of them, no chances, no mercy. Three family members had died, and Gladius was one of them. Lao G was old, but he wasn't a pushover when it came to family. He was willing to be the first one to strike them down.

Gladius, will we not have poker matches anymore?

Machvise was extremely sad. Tears were leaking from his eyes. He held his massive hairy stomach with two hands as he wept. Gladius was close to Machvise and always went with him, despite belonging to a different army and being younger. Now he was dead. Machvise could not forgive the Straw Hats. He would use his power over tons to crush them. He would kill and smash each and every one of them with the power of ten mountains!

A man with a baby's pacifier, Señor Pink, who was surrounded by women wanting him earlier on. However, he was now plagued with thoughts. The Family was vital, and everyone was loyal and cared for each other. Every member grew strong to protect the Young Master, and there were really close bonds within this crew. Something like that is rare on Paradise. However, this is extremely common in the New World. Crews that feel more, rather than greed and selfishness. That was why this sea was the most deadly ocean. Some real monsters were roaming around, those that dearly thought of their crew as equally important. Doflamingo was one of these monsters. Kill a single crewmember, and these beasts will hunt the responsible party down.

Señor Pink saw that many times. Where the Family would kill a hostile crew. Only to have significant numbers of men, women, and beasts—all looking for revenge.

And in life, what comes around, goes around.

The Donquixote Family thinking themselves immortal was the height of arrogance, in his opinion. However, he has remained with them for many years, and even if he was not happy with them for some time now, he would not run away.

And so the cycle of hatred continues. It is only fair. I cannot blame anyone for the deaths incurred today. However, that doesn't mean that I shall avoid the coming war. I need to face my enemies without any hesitation or words of hatred—that's what makes a man.

However, even a 'united family' such as the Doflamingo family had a few members on its fringes.

Violet was a woman wearing a pink dress without sleeves. She had black hair, pushed back, with only a strand on her forehead. Amber-colored eyes that were careful in hiding her true feelings. Those feelings were of relish. Monet's death gave an exhilarating feeling. She was one of the main actors that deposed the Riku dynasty. Of course, the former princess approved of Monet's death. Violet was tired, tired of being on the same bed as Monet, 'pleasuring' Doflamingo with her. Violet's place in the family was tiresome. She was used for her power, and she was abused by Doflamingo for her beauty. Doflamingo might have thought he tamed her, but he overhyped himself. Meaningless sex without feelings won't lead to any single loyalty. In fact, she couldn't wait for the moment where she could see this 'King' fall. Being on the same bed as the man and woman who destroyed your life made Violet even more furious as time passed.

To hear that Straw Hat Luffy was responsible for ending Monet's life almost made Violet crack a smile.

Seeing the anger radiating from Doflamingo gave her a shiver of pleasure—it was better than all the sex sessions she ever had with the man. Seeing him suffer was the thing that kept her going these days.

An inevitable clash is coming with the Straw Hats against the Donquixote Family. This is the chance of a lifetime. It's the chance to finally get back at this bastard. Wait for me, father, Rebecca. I also hope you're enjoying these news from the afterlife, Toy Soldier.

Unbeknownst to the loyal family members, Violet, or how she was called in the past, Princess Viola was plotting her betrayal.

Baby 5 was a beautiful woman, dressed in a red maid uniform, with bluish-black hair and eyes. Baby 5 was smoking far away, removed from the discussion. Yet she heard everything that was spoken. This was the 69th time that Doflamingo had murdered her new lover. She had a tendency to do whatever people asked of her, and she was taken advantage of for many years. She had a deep debt as well, almost 100 million berries in debt because of her attitude. However, today, she silently snapped. Her mental breakdown was not noted by those close to her. Doffy had killed her new boyfriend again. It was too many times now. She couldn't bear to see Doflamingo's face anymore. So she silently stewed and had a mental breakdown in complete silence. Honestly, she couldn't bear to see her family's faces anymore—it was reminding her too much of her mother. A few years back, this family was fun, and when Law and Corazon were still there, it was the best of times, really. After both left the Family, things returned to normal. Even with Corazon died, she still remained a regular member of the family. However, things deteriorated for her at a snail's pace. Even her friendship with Buffalo took a nasty turn two years ago.

So there wasn't much for her here anymore—a Family with who she couldn't connect. And two people she hated in Doffy and Buffalo.

Baby 5 received an offer a month ago. She was needed. The other members of the family did not know of the letter, and she kept it hidden. Just by sending it to her, that person risked so much for her. She was needed by him. So it was time for a quick betrayal once things got serious. She was sorry-not-sorry for this.

His name was in the letter. That man was quite scary, but at least he did not kill the people she wanted to help.

I understand. That person needs me, wants my help. I'm sorry, Doffy, but I am going to Law's crew.

The letter she received was obviously from Law. He was exploiting Baby 5's neurotic dependence on people. However, he cared a little bit about her and did not want her to die. She was his childhood friend, of sorts. The same courtesy wouldn't be given to Buffalo though, Law hated Buffalo immensely.

Not known to the others, two members of the 'devoted family' were plotting their own betrayal.

X❖X

"Not only the followers of Luffytaro-dono are powerful, but they are also quite fearsome."

The woman with the mask of the demon stated. She was called Kikunojo of the snow and was the one to slay Monet, the woman with snow powers. She was an incredible samurai from Wano and was reunited with her master's son on this island. Though she did not say who her master was, Zoro and the others assumed the person in question was already dead. Kikunojo promised herself to be in the services of Luffy for the time being until she could pay off her debt. She was shamed on the island called Punk Hazard. Not only did she lose her master's son, but she was also sliced into three body parts. With the help of the Straw Hats, she was able to get her full body back and find her master's son.

To start repaying this debt, she was cleaning the house with one of Luffy's retainers. By cleaning the house, she meant slaughtering every subordinate of the mad scientist who ruled this place while the others dealt with their own problems. Roaming around and killing every single yellow jumpsuit was hers and Zoro's job.

Right now, they were in a collapsed hall. In front of her was a mountain of men, numbering in the hundreds. These corpses were all on top of each other. Her blade lost the metallic luster of her Haki. She passed her sleeve on her katana blade to clean the blood and sheathed it. She looked to where Zoro was and muttered those words to him.

Because Zoro was there, on top of thousands of men, a large hill of corpses. And he on top, carefully cleaning his blades. He was sitting on bloody corpses as he worked. People he killed himself: limbless bodies, bodies sliced in half from whichever orientation. Corpses without their heads, corpses with half their heads. The number of fearsome ways these men were cut impressed even Kikunojo, who wore a demon's mask. She prided herself on being the most vicious of the red scabbards, but Zoro had beaten her on cruelty and violence. Indeed, these Straw Hat pirates were something else.

"I guess that's all of them. Now let's get back."

Zoro raised himself and went to another corridor. That corridor did not lead back to the exit. Instead, he was heading in the wrong direction.

"Ah, you're going in the wrong direction Zorojuro. Here, let me lead you back to them. Stick close to this samurai, please."

She pointed at another corridor, to the hidden shock of Zoro.

The Straw Hats were undefeated in fearsomeness and stupidity.

X❖X

Two hours later, two individuals were leaving the lab.

Robin and Franky arrived on the ship Sunny after the debacle with the children. The marine soldiers would take the sickly kids to their homes. While they were helped by Law, Chopper, and Luffy's efforts, they were not out of the woods yet. A prolonged time in therapy would be the thing that would make or break their futures. It couldn't be overstated how badly ravaged their bodies were due to the malignant scientist Caesar. Franky truly hoped the mad scientist would be dealt with appropriately. While there, they could see a pretty sight, a horizontal curt that lifted the entire lab and the whole mountain range. An attack so powerful it rivaled Luffy's miniature sun that blew a crater on one of those mountains. Quite the feat and both were aware of the one that did it.

"It seems we have quite the powerful ally with us. That Traffy guy is quite something."

"Ufufu~ We will see many fantastic things on this sea."

Robin was on the ship's railing, watching the island's warm weather and misty forests. Forests and creatures were created by the power of a living being. That was certainly a surprise. Robin was quite taken with her Captain. However, she hadn't noticed the extent of the powers he acquired in these past two years. Luffy had told them that each of his fruits was able to cause massive catastrophes to the world. Yet, to see it close was another thing. It was in this jolly mood that she witnessed a copter in the sky. She warned Franky of them. Robin thought they'd send more people.

Nevertheless, there were two people in the sky flying to where they were. Reinforcements from the master behind this operation, she bet. Joker, the underworld's darling star, was behind the actions of Caesar Clown. He would not let the events of this island pass without any consequences. They could be scouts. They surveyed the land from far away, still suspended in the air, but were unwilling to get even close.

Franky and Robin got ready for them. Should they ever get close, they would immediately strike the reinforcement down.

However, something happened that shocked them.

There was a woman with a red maid outfit, and she was a heavy smoker. She was on top of a man with a yellow coat with a spinning copter on his neck. However, the surprising part was that the woman with the red maid outfit turned her arm into a machinegun and then pointed at the man's back. The man turned his head in shock. That was the last thing the man did before he received 300 rounds of bullets on his back. His torso was utterly shredded. The man was the copter, flying in the sky. The red maid who shot him controlled their descent until they crashed in Sunny's green field.

Franky pointed his own gun arm at them. Robin crossed her arms, ready to attack the scouts of Joker.

The red maid was above the man with the yellow coat. However, she was not smiling. She was not even really concerned. The man was dead, his shredded body stained the green floor of Sunny with his blood.

The red turned her submachine gun into a normal hand again and puffed her cigarette.

"A pleasure to meet you, Straw Hats. My name is Baby 5. Is Law here? That bastard needs me to join his crew."

The planned betrayal was now happening, without Doflamingo's knowledge. A tiny single domino, named Baby 5, and another, called Violet, would eventually return the whole loyal family of Doflamingo into a bloody war.

X❖X

This was incredibly frustrating. This whole situation was killing Smoker's pride again and again. Smoker was outside of the lab now. He had broken bones, so he couldn't move well. His left leg was almost shattered, but he could still feel it a bit. He could use it for support, but he couldn't move it. By his side was Tashigi. She was also stewing in her anger. The soldiers were all around with their caps lowered so their faces could not be seen, nor could their emotions be transmitted to the loud ones nearby. The loud ones are the Pirates and the kids who are already well enough to eat vicariously at the chef's meal. The pirates were playing around, and they could not even point a single gun in their direction because of one simple reason.

They were at the mercy of the Straw Hats' Captain. Monkey D. Luffy was there, playing with the children, with the women at his side, including Nico Robin and the dangerous lady samurai. However, he trained his bloodlust on the Navy men here. Anything that could be perceived as a slight would have dire consequences. Smoker was not a man to take this situation lying down. He worked his entire life, who destroyed the lives of arrogant pirates. Yet, he was relegated into a powerless position. He couldn't go up against these pirates now that he was this injured. He not only lost against Law, who was also present, but he also lost against a single subordinate of the Straw Hats, twice in a single day. Sora was unbelievably powerful, almost enough to make Smoker wonder what the hell the Straw Hat subordinates were doing for these past two years.

Luffy would almost laugh. The glare Smoker was giving him could blast a hole into his cranium and then some. The Navy was so scared to do anything, and that was fine. Their agreement was only reached due to the insistence of his crew and the children's situation. Luffy had already killed some of the G-5's men way before he knew of the problem, so their anger towards him was officially warranted. However, Luffy couldn't care less. Luffy was even gracious to give those soldiers a chance to get off their job before he murdered them. Some of their previous contemporaries did not even have a choice to be spared. In Luffy's mind, Smoker was too indignant. It was not as if they killed pirates as well. Luffy was well aware that the G-5 instead burn pirates on a stake on their ship rather than deliver them towards Impel Down.

People who take revenge by their own hands shouldn't complain about other people doing the same. The reality was of officers executing pirates without the consenting body of justice to sentence them. In any case, Luffy did not want to think of the government's corruption. And in the justice the Navy spouted so frequently. Luffy was tired of that speech two years ago.

The situation was well beyond any bargaining stage. Both Luffy or the Government wouldn't gain anything by speaking with each other. Smoker surviving here was a stroke of good luck, also guided by the feelings of his crewmates.

Punk Hazard was quite a profitable journey. Luffy was able to collect three devil fruits. The premium prize was the fruit of gas, followed by the fruit of ruptures. Luffy did not know which one was the strongest. For now, the winner was the gas fruit one, due to being a Logia. Dead last in the rankings was the fruit of Snow. It was a Logia, therefore powerful. However, the potential of the fruit of ruptures, despite being a Paramecia, was too large to ignore.

Now, who would like to consume them?

If any of the crew wanted, then he would gladly gift it to them. If they did not want to consume it, then it was fine as well. He would store them for later down the line. However, Luffy suspected quite a few members were looking to get stronger. The fruit of rubber, the fruit that Luffy used previously, was guarded in Amazon Lily's treasury. The fruit was still stored after two years, without being used. Luffy was patient as well. There was no need to rush. His crewmates could take how long they wanted with this.

The decision to ingest a devil fruit was a life-altering deal.

Fruits gave power to those individuals. However, the same fruit worked differently depending on the user. It all boiled down to the user's individuality, experiences, and perspectives. Paramecias were especially like this. The fruit of ruptures could become a completely different thing depending on the user. The same thing with Robin's fruit, the fruit of flowers could work entirely different with another user.

After having a party and delivering the children to the Navy's hands, Luffy passed by the injured Smoker and the blue lady that always followed the man around.

"I suggest resigning from the Navy, Smoker. If not, pray that we do not meet again. I will kill you next time if you still insist on being on the Navy, don't forget that."

"Next time won't be so easy, Straw Hat. I will personally go out of my way to kill you. This is retribution for my subordinates that you killed."

"I see, then I will enjoy ripping your brain out of your ears for not listening to others."

The Straw Hats then left Punk Hazard with Trafalgar Law, the surgeon of death. The lady samurai, Kikunojo of the Snow, and Momonosuke, the hidden successor of one of the Daimyo of Wano.

X❖X

The Doflamingo Family in Dressrosa were preparing themselves in the palace. They were preparing for the most significant war they had. Three members f their crew were killed just in one day. The Straw Hats and Law were challenging them to a fight. A direct fight it would be. The family was preparing themselves for a battle near the seas of Dressrosa. The preparations for war would be completed until tonight. Thus it was already a given that everything in Punk Hazard was already thrashed, Doflamingo had no illusions that anyone there survived, Vergo, Gladius, Monet, and that employed scientist, Caesar, were all dead and gone.

"Where are Buffalo and Baby 5?"

The deep voice of Doffy resounded in the hall. There were a few subordinates there—none from his family.

An earnest one came forth to respond. "Well, earlier today, Baby 5 headed to Punk Hazard with Buffalo—"

"What?!"

Doffy grabbed that subordinate with his arm and choked him, lifting the man up. He related just a bit so he could talk again.

"Th—They said they wanted to scout the enemies ahead of time. That's all I know, please Doflamingo-sama, please!"

There was no mercy. His head was sliced cleanly, then a few invisible strands quickly bent and rolled over, cutting the man's body until he turned to red dust in the air. He was cut so fast and rapidly with strings that it made a bloody mist remained in the air.

Doflamingo opened the windows of his ceramic palace and flew out into the night. It was a stupid move Baby 5 would do to become useful to someone. In any case, he wanted to save both of them before they got into a bad situation. He only hoped he was fast enough. He still wanted to keep his family, no matter how idiotic they were. Today he lost a lot of his people. It was more than enough. They needed time to make the funerals and mourn their deaths still. His family shouldn't be taking idiotic risks at times like this.

Doflamingo couldn't possibly imagine that Baby 5 had betrayed him as he flew deep into the night.

The Family members all noticed an hour late that the master had gone to punk Hazard to face the Straw hats alone. They couldn't let this pass; they needed to go and support their captain. And so, they were about to enter their warship of the Doflamingo Family, a vessel that has served them for many years and was well-equipped for Naval battles. However, the ship combusted into flames suddenly, making all the Family members pale. Faking her reaction of surprise and anger, was Violet. The ship they so adored was blazing in flames.

They could use the other ships in the Underground Port. However, they were standard ships, and while there were a few of them with canons. The Family knew those ships were not prepared for Naval combat, and they were not familiar enough to be confident in a fight at sea.

The Family was stranded in Dressrosa, and Violet eagerly waited for tomorrow, where her revenge would be realized.

X❖X

Luffy was on the deck of the ship. Things were quite hectic in Punk Hazard, and now they were going straight to Dressrosa, intending to destroy the tyrant that lived there.

"I've collected a few devil fruits. If you want to eat any of them, I will gladly gift them to you."

Luffy said to his teammates, preparing for the combat ahead. Tomorrow they would arrive in Dressrosa and thurst a metal stake in the King of that place. The infamous Warlord, the Heavenly Demon, Donquixote Doflamingo.

"Wa—Wait, Devil Fruits, did you collect them?" Usopp argued.

"Devil Fruits, what could they be about," Nami said, a bit surprised.

The others expressed their surprise as well. Only Robin and Law weren't surprised. Robin already knew he was collecting the Devil Fruits of his slain enemies. Law did not care about Devil Fruits at this stage. In any case, he wasn't with his crew right now.

"Luffytaro-dono, what are Devil Fruits?" While Kikunojo had an inkling, she was still in a closed-off nation for her whole life. Momonosuke, next to her, also wanted to know. Luffy petted Momonosuke's head.

"Devil Fruits give a certain power to an individual, while also taking their ability to swim. The powers are extremely varied, and they can be all sorts of things. They are divided into three big categories—Paramecia, which gives incredible powers to those who consume it. Logia transforms the user's body into the element it represents. Zoan, which transforms the user into a beast it represents."

"So that's it, I've faced many enemies who have those kinds of powers, I've always thought there was a trick behind them, or they were born with beast's blood or something."

"So you know Haki, but you didn't know Devil Fruits, you're so strange, Kiku."

"I'm sorry, all my education came from Oden-sama and the other red scabbards. I remember Kanjuro speaking about these fruits and that he consumed one. However, that was long ago."

There was nothing wrong with that. Even in the East Blue, Devil Fruits were treated as some sort of myth. They were only commonplace in the Grand Line, where the strongest gather. And in the New World, most big names had them in spades.

"It seems little Momonosuke ate one of these Devil Fruits. He transformed into a beast, so he ate A Zoan one. Zoans have three sub-categories under them. The normal ones transform them into animals that currently exist. Ancient ones transform into animals of bygone eras. Mythical ones transform into beasts that don't exist. Momonosuke transformed into a weird snake that can generate clouds, so he consumed the latter category, he can turn into a mythical beast."

Luffy kept petting Momonosuke's head, almost like a father messing with their child. To Momonosuke, Luffy was very similar to his own father, so he didn't know how to act around him. However, sticking with Luffy wasn't that bad of a feeling. Kikunojo felt the same. It was like seeing a barbaric vision of their lord. Oden-sama was pretty rough himself, destroying all tradition and etiquette; they were similar to how many women they courted in their youth. However, Luffy was even more violent than Oden. The sheer brutality of this crew could not be overstated. A member of the red scabbards should not be complaining though, Kikunojo's sword tormented her victims even after death. If that didn't speak to the levels of sadism passing through Kikunojo's mind, then nothing would.

"I've stumbled upon a discovery more than a year ago, I killed an opponent that had a mighty Devil Fruit, and after his death, a fruit in an orchard nearby transformed into the same Devil Fruit. What I learned is that these fruits persist after the user's death. They reincarnate into a nearby fruit that has roughly the same shape. If there is no fruit like that nearby, thy regrow on the nearest island. Once I knew that the Kuja's, by my command, searched Amazon Lily for rubber fruit. And they found it. My old fruit is still under their regarded possession even to this day. When the time comes, I intend to either return the fruit to Shanks or to give to someone I trust."

"Ufufu~, that's why you made a whole jungle with your power, then collected fruits of different shapes in the forest?"

"So you saw through that, Robin. Yes, once I understood the enemy had an annoying Logia, I made up a forest. I doubted I would find fruits in a frozen tundra. If that fruit regrew somewhere else, it would be a waste. So I collected the fruits, intending on hunting down Monet. I didn't realize that I would find two more powerful fruit users as I searched the place. In any case, Punk Hazard posed a unique opportunity. It was a deserted island that I could play around with, with my power. I doubt such a devil fruit hunt will happen again. I can't abuse my powers in the middle of a populated island after all."

Both his enemies and the Government, he had no mercy for. However, he'd rather not involve any civilians in his conflict. Harming unrelated civilians made him want to puke. It was why he was now offering for marines to resign instead of outright murdering them. It was to give them a chance to return to being ordinary citizens instead of being soldiers. He was well-aware that some marines had no choice but to head down that path since they were young. However, that was where his kindness and mercy stopped. If you didn't take the offer to abandon the Navy, then it was over. It didn't matter if you were only a soldier for the salary and benefits or that you were supporting your family. Luffy would kill you. If you spouted justice and morals while wearing the marine uniform, Luffy would especially murder you. There was no joining hands, no rebuilding the bridges. Luffy would instead burn all the bridges and sear the other side to the ground until they turned to ashes.

"I've collected three Devil Fruits." Luffy posted the three on the table, on the deck. As each of them was assigned to the table, he gave a brief explanation of them.

"The fruit of snow. A Logia that transforms the person into any kind of snow and produces it."

"The fruit of ruptures. A Paramecia that controls the rupture of everything."

"The fruit of gas. A Logia that transforms the person into any gaseous substances."

There was no need for them to make a decision. Luffy would let them look and decide it. If some chose to devour these fruits now, then OK. If they rejected them, then that was fine as well.

Seeing the reactions of his crew was another. Zoro and Sora didn't even care about these fruits at all. They were prideful of being extremely strong without any need for fruit. They lived their entire lives without them. There was no need to eat one now.

Similarly, Franky, while he looked at the fruit of ruptures for a second, he did not show interest. His job was as a shipwright. If he couldn't swim, then his ability to do his intended job would be diminished. Usopp and Nami were a bit interested.

Usopp looked at the fruit of ruptures and the fruit of gas.

Nami looked at the fruit of gas and snow.

Chopper and Brook were disinterested as they were already users.

However, Robin was squaring her gaze on the fruit of ruptures for some reason. Luffy hoped she wouldn't make the mistake of eating two fruits like he did. However, he had enough power to make sure someone lived through the experience, so it would be a fun turn of events if that ever happened. The demon child would become incredibly strong, in his humble opinion. She would have enough power to get her revenge for Ohara if that was the case.

Rupturing flowers, huh?

That's a terrifying combination, indeed.

Of course, Kikunojo was looking at the fruit of snow with interest. Her namesake already contained snow. Why not add the power with her title while we're at it?

Baby 5 was with Law, and she was generally disinterested in the fruits of her past comrades. The woman had a terrible past that made her a bit unsociable. She was eager to please, quite cunning in betraying Doflamingo so soon. While she remained in the family for all her life, the past abuses always tormented her. It did not help that she was disconnected from the Doflamingo Family in general. The only ones connecting her to it were Corazon, Buffalo, Law, and Doffy. And Buffalo and Doffy kept burning the bridges without even realizing it. And thus, she used the massage from Law as a reason to escape, and see the wider world, to connect with other people.

Baby 5's mentality was a giant can of worms. However, Luffy never shirked away from anything. To understand, and to connect, was his specialty.

Kikunojo, Momonosuke, Law, Baby 5.

A lot of new people suddenly barged into their ship, huh?

Luffy gave a simple smile.

X❖X

The night was closing. He was above Smoker.

Doflamingo was enraged, so enraged he killed 20 marines off to show his displeasure. He had seen Buffalo's body, and he flew into a rage. Now, these pieces of trash were saying Baby 5 betrayed him?

That couldn't be the truth. Baby 5 was always with them, a family member since she was a child. She was docile. She pointed guns at family members, but she would never take a fight so seriously as to kill a family member. These marines were lying to his face.

Smoker was already injured. Beaten quite severely by someone, Doflamingo wanted to dish out more cruelty than even possible. So he stomped on Smoker's left knee. Shattering it entirely with the power of his immense Haki. Those soldiers who pointed at him were already unconscious. Tashigi, the woman who always stood behind Smoker, was on the ground, with half of her forehead sliced off and her pinky finger and index fingers missing. For daring to grab a sword in his presence. The children who were in the other ship looked horrified at the scene. However, they needn't be so scared. He was going to end their life soon enough without any pain whatsoever once he stopped torturing these marines.

Smoker coughed up blood and was about to die. His leg was now crippled beyond repair. His subordinate was missing some of her fingers, and her forehead was bleeding profusely. Coming to Punk Hazard was an extreme mistake. Smoker was now regretting coming here without back-up. Every single fight in this place resulted in his loss, his will couldn't be carried out, and everything here snuffed out his justice with no arguing back. Taking in Law had failed, confronting the Straw hats had failed, facing Vergo failed miserably. The only thing that kept Smoker's integrity was protecting and healing the children and taking them home. That was the only good thing that kept him together during all of this suffering.

Now he was going to lose that single morally correct reason.

"What are you doing?"

Doflamingo asked. His forehead was frowning so much there were veins of anger and rage ready to burst.

Smoker lifted up his fist and then struck right into Doflamingo's face.

The strike contained the rest of his Haki.

The blow made a red bruise, and a red liquid came out from the cut skin of Doflamingo's right cheek.

Doflamingo seized Smoker by the chin. Doflamingo stated in a small deep voice.

"Are you satisfied, Smoker?"

"Ahahahahaha."

"What is funny? I am asking what the hell is so funny?!"

Doflamingo raged.

"Look behind you, prick."

"…Ah."

Doflamingo almost seized in shock but was quick to reign in his emotions. Doflamingo had a closed cackle and smiled, side to side.

"Well, Well. What did I do to deserve a visit from you, Kuzan?"

"That's pretty obvious, don't you think? Ehhh… What was it again…? Stop bullying my friend like that, please..."

A cold breeze was felt in the bones of those still alive.