"Morgans!!!"
Seeing the Five Elders erupt in fury, Spandam's legs trembled, and he collapsed to his knees.
...
Shabaody Archipelago, World Economy News Agency.
Just as Morgans was packing up to flee, a sudden chill ran down his spine. He glanced at the CP agents lying unconscious on the floor, then flicked his tail.
As a smart bird, he knew exactly what he had done.
He turned and barked at his clueless subordinates, "If you don't want to end up in Impel Down, move faster!"
At his words, the already panicked newsroom fell into complete chaos.
Too bad Doflamingo wasn't here to witness the scene.
If he were, he would have taken pictures as a souvenir and felt proud of himself for his good deed of the day.
...
Wano, Flower Capital.
"This is disgusting!"
"We waited all these years, and this is what we get? A fool?"
"The Kozuki Clan has lost all its dignity!"
"If that man has even a shred of honor left, he should commit seppuku and end this disgrace!"
In the heart of the bustling streets below Orochi's castle, Kozuki Oden stood alone, wearing nothing but a loincloth, dancing like a madman.
For nearly a year, he had subjected himself to humiliation, enduring the jeers and laughter of the townspeople.
Once, the people of Kuri had believed in him, but now even they had started to feel disgusted.
His loyal retainers, devoted to the Kozuki name, could only watch in bewildered anger, unable to comprehend their lord's reasoning.
The greater the hope, the deeper the disappointment.
But Oden remained steadfast in his foolish optimism, paying no heed to the doubts and concerns of those around him. Instead, he immersed himself in his own world, convinced that, one day, he would change Kaido's heart.
Inside Orochi's castle, high above the city streets, Kurozumi Orochi smirked as he read a newspaper delivered through the World Government's channels.
"Kozuki Oden has lost another ally. Good. But this secret medicine... this must never fall into Kaido's hands."
The mere thought of the Beasts Pirates obtaining it sent a shiver down his spine.
...
Whole Cake Island.
"Mama! Roger turned himself in!"
"Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma! This calls for a feast! I'll have two cakes today!"
BIG MOM beamed with joy. To her, the only way to describe Roger, the man who had once stolen from her, was simple:
"Serves him right!"
...
Whitebeard Pirates.
"Pops, Roger turned himself in."
"No way. That's gotta be some tabloid nonsense."
"It's from the World Economy News Agency."
"Hmm... so he's really planning to die. Gurararara."
Whitebeard chuckled, taking another swig of sake.
For his longtime rival and friend, he had only one response—
Respect.
...
Golden Lion's Fleet.
"Captain Shiki! Roger surrendered!!!"
The frantic shouts of his crew reached Shiki's ears, but he dismissed them with a scoff.
"That bastard? Surrender? Don't be stupid."
But as he skimmed through the newspaper, his eyes filled with tears. Without hesitation, he buried his face in Indigo's shoulder, wiping his nose, his eyes, and—yes—his drool.
"Bwaaaaahh!! Roger!! You're really gonna die! The only man I ever respected is gonna die, Indigo!"
In the next instant, Shiki's grief twisted into something dark. His eyes glowed with madness, his golden mane flowing wildly, as if an invisible wind stirred his rage.
"Well then... if Roger's gone, that means this beautiful world belongs to me alone!!!"
...
South Blue, Baterilla Island.
A quiet corner by the sea.
"Roger..."
Her fingers traced over the image of Roger in the newspaper, his back held firm by Marine soldiers. Tears streamed down Rouge's cheeks.
She had known this day would come. But now that it was real—that he was truly gone—it felt as though her very soul had been torn away.
"Well, well, how touching, Lady Rouge."
The unfamiliar voice sent a chill through her. Wiping away her tears, she turned toward the window—
And found herself staring at a towering figure, over four meters tall.
Beneath his pink feathered coat, his muscular frame radiated an oppressive presence. His crimson sunglasses obscured his eyes, but Rouge could feel his gaze piercing through her.
Steadying herself against the table, she forced her trembling body to still and spoke calmly.
"Who are you? What do you want?"
Doflamingo sauntered closer, lowering his head until his face was mere inches from hers. His lips curled into a wicked grin.
"I came for you, Lady Portgas D. Rouge—wife of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. I imagine you wouldn't want Roger's bloodline to end here, would you?"
Her breath hitched. Hearing both Roger's name and her own sent a jolt through her.
"What do you want?" she asked again.
Doflamingo casually formed a chair out of thin air and sat lazily, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed down at her.
"Relax. I mean you no harm. In fact, I have no grudge against Roger. Quite the opposite—I'm a well-known philanthropist."
A philanthropist?
Even as an ordinary woman, Rouge could tell the man before her was anything but good.
Sensing her wariness, Doflamingo remained unfazed. He simply continued.
"The World Government has already discovered traces of Roger's presence here. Now, let's think—what do you suppose they'll do next?"
Rouge's mind raced back to the dark history buried within her family's records.
The World Government would erase every trace of Roger's existence—including any children he may have left behind.
But how?
Doflamingo smirked, his words laced with chilling amusement.
"If they can't find Roger's child, they'll just kill every baby born in 1499."
In the original timeline, Ace's birthday was January 1, 1500—the same day Rouge lost her life.
Even under Garp's protection, she had endured months of suffering just to delay the birth.
That meant the World Government's purge of Roger's bloodline had lasted an entire year.
Doflamingo had done many things—sold weapons, started wars, controlled nations.
But killing infants?
Even he had his limits.
That was a line only the World Government would cross.
"Why would you deliberately attract their attention?" Rouge asked, confused. Few dared to oppose the World Government, and this man hardly seemed like the type to throw his life away.
"Fufufufu~ Because... I am a Celestial Dragon."
Rouge stiffened. "A Celestial Dragon?!"
Celestial Dragons were the sworn enemies of her family.
Seeing her shock, Doflamingo's grin widened into something almost grotesque.
"Well, I was one. And when the World Government suffers, when the Celestial Dragons suffer, when the Five Elders suffer... I enjoy it."
He leaned in even closer, his voice dripping with mockery.
"And don't you think it's funny? Fourteen years ago, Roger adopted a Celestial Dragon at God Valley. Fourteen years later, a Celestial Dragon adopts Roger's child. Poetic, don't you think?"
Rouge said nothing.
She didn't find it funny at all.
But now, she understood him just a little better. He wasn't driven by profit—he simply lived to watch the world burn.
"I'll go with you."
Doflamingo grinned.
"A wise choice."
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+220 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg