The entrance to the New World, Fish-Man Island.
When the crimson-skinned Fish-Man, Fisher Tiger, finally set foot on this land, he stood frozen for a long time, unable to fully process it.
"Finally... I'm back."
After a moment of standing still, he adjusted his emotions, revealing no trace of his inner turmoil, and headed towards the Royal Palace of Fish-Man Island.
Not long after... a loud shout from Fish-Man Street quickly spread throughout the island.
"Lord Tiger is back!!!!"
In the center of the street.
Arlong and Jinbe, who were arguing, turned their heads in surprise towards the direction of the surging crowd of fish-men:
"Brother Tiger!!!!"
----
North Blue, Spydermallus.
The island was dotted with ports, where ships daily transported garbage from all over the North Blue for incineration.
Due to its harsh environment and its function as a garbage disposal site.
This was currently the base of the flourishing Donquixote Family.
One day, the arrival of a pale-skinned boy mixed within shattered the tranquility...
Donquixote Family Base.
"Intruder!"
"What!"
"Return quickly!"
"Don't touch that brat!"
"That pale skin! It's a contagious disease!!!"
"That brat has bombs on him!"
"Stay away!!"
Trafalgar Law, with a somber expression and bound with bombs, walked step by step towards the depths of the Donquixote Family.
Due to the rumored terrifying infectious disease and the bombs on him... no one dared to stop him.
In the dim hall, Doflamingo was napping on a sofa.
As the increasingly loud commotion reached the hall, Doflamingo was finally awakened, and his mood soured.
Doflamingo opened his eyes and saw Law standing not far away, with his subordinates further off:
"What's with this brat."
"Who let him in!!!!"
His faintly angered words sent a shiver down the spines of his subordinates:
"Young Master! His skin is so pale! No one dares to approach!"
"It's a remnant from that White Town! That terrifying plague!!!"
Doflamingo's veins bulged, and he then grabbed a book from the small tea table beside him and threw it:
"Idiots."
"You believe that government nonsense."
"All of you, get out!"
He then turned his gaze, expressionless, towards Law:
"Kid, state your business."
Doflamingo felt a flicker of interest in this brat who dared to barge in.
Law's expression, Law's madness, reminded him of himself back then... exactly the same.
Law looked at Doflamingo and calmly said:
"Let me join you as a pirate."
"I want to destroy everything I see."
"Whether it's towns, houses, or people, I want to destroy it all."
"I grew up in the 'White Town' of Flevance."
"I don't have much time left to live."
"I want to destroy everything!!!!"
His narration was calm, but the madness on his face intensified with each word, and by the end, his brutality was fully exposed.
Doflamingo froze for a moment, as if he had returned to that night fifteen years ago.
That night of raging flames...
"Remember me! You all remember!"
"I will absolutely not die!!!"
"I will live no matter what!"
"And then I will kill you all!"
"Annihilate you completely!!! Leave none alive!!!!"
It was from then on, he...
Doflamingo suddenly grinned, looking at Law, who seemed to be his own reflection:
"Interesting, interesting."
"You appeal to me, kid."
"But the family has its rules, and they cannot be broken."
"You must pass a test first to be qualified to become one of us."
Law looked confused:
"A test?"
The Donquixote Family's test was... to survive the hands of 'Corazon', who disliked children, to be able to join the family.
Those who couldn't endure were all driven away, and so far, over a hundred people had left dejectedly.
----
Fish-Man Island, within the Royal Palace.
Because Fisher Tiger, Fish-Man Island's most renowned adventurer, had matters to discuss.
Only King Neptune and Queen Otohime remained in the vast royal palace, with Fisher Tiger kneeling before them.
Fisher Tiger, kneeling on the ground, was reporting something to King Neptune and Queen Otohime.
King Neptune frowned:
"Liberate the slaves?"
"Are you serious?"
"Tiger."
Tiger lowered his head, his expression unreadable:
"Of course I am."
"I... can no longer bear it."
"Slaves live as if in hell."
"They are still suffering inhumane treatment."
King Neptune looked troubled:
"But..."
Fisher Tiger suddenly stood up:
"I have already decided."
"Because this matter will bring trouble to the King and Queen."
"So I am informing you in advance."
"There is no room for negotiation on this matter anymore."
King Neptune stared intently at Fisher Tiger:
"What did you see during your travels... Tiger."
Queen Otohime, also staring intently at Tiger beside him, unconsciously activated her Kenbunshoku Haki, which could sense inner thoughts.
Fisher Tiger clenched his fists and looked directly at King Neptune:
"I saw... humans."
Queen Otohime's eyes immediately turned red, and tears streamed down uncontrollably... Her Kenbunshoku Haki perceived an overwhelming sorrow that could not be concealed...
"What kind of pain is this!!!!"
----
East Blue, Loguetown.
Sakazuki had been stationed here for several days since the last great battle.
This was mainly because the "Scorched Earth Operation" in the South Blue had concluded, and Enel and Barrett were leading their fleets towards the last remaining area, the East Blue.
Another reason was that Sakazuki also wanted to search the island for any trace of the Goro Goro no Mi.
However, after several days, he had clearly found nothing.
It was estimated that it had reincarnated somewhere in the world.
With Sakazuki's presence, Loguetown was much more peaceful. Pirates dared not come here to resupply, and the island's reconstruction was proceeding rapidly.
Most importantly, the island much larger than Loguetown in the distance.
Many had already set their sights on it, and various forces in the East Blue wanted a piece of the pie. However, news traveled slowly on the sea.
When they arrived here and saw the warships stationed on the island... they immediately turned back and left.
Ring ring~ Ring ring~
Sitting on a large rock, watching the soldiers build the port, Sakazuki answered the Den Den Mushi:
"What is it, Enel."
Enel's clear voice rang out:
"Uncle, we'll be in the East Blue tomorrow afternoon."
"Where should I pick you up, at that new base."
Sakazuki looked at the base, which was devoid of anything, with even the port not yet completed:
"Go to Loguetown."
Enel's voice came through:
"Understood!"
"Oh, Uncle, do you know the Kingdom of Zou."
Sakazuki's eyebrows twitched:
"I do, why."
Enel's voice suddenly lowered:
"When I passed by the Kingdom of Zou, I sensed Dragon's electromagnetic field."
"It was at the Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Zou."