In Dressrosa, a Navy warship slowly approached the shore. Six figures cloaked in the Navy's signature justice coats leaped off the ship in unison.
The gathering crowd at the port froze, staring in shock at the sight before them.
"Th-That's Admiral Akainu?!"
"And Admiral Borsalino, Admiral Aokiji… All three Admirals are here!?"
"Unbelievable! Six Admirals in one place? What's going on?"
But the greatest shock was yet to come. Shortly after Akainu and the others disembarked, a squad of guards arrived, clearing a path through the crowd before lining up in two rows.
A figure, also clad in a Navy justice coat, emerged in their view. Trailing behind him was Donquixote Doflamingo, his pink feathered coat catching the sunlight.
The crowd erupted into chaos.
"Admiral Black Dragon?! He's in Dressrosa too? I can't believe I'm seeing seven Admirals at once! Am I dreaming?!"
"Our King is here as well! Could it be that he invited them all?!"
"Use your brain! Not to look down on our King, but didn't you notice Admiral Black Dragon's been in our country for a while? He must have summoned them!"
"This is incredible! Oh, and by the way, Admiral Hakutsuru is stunning!"
Carl strode toward Akainu and the others, his justice coat billowing gently with his movements.
The crowd at the port grew larger and larger. Under their awestruck gazes, the seven Admirals finally stood together, forming an imposing line.
Nearby, Doflamingo's flamboyant presence made him stand out even more.
Even someone as composed as Doflamingo felt his heartbeat quicken at the sight of so many Admirals gathered in one place.
Akainu glanced at Doflamingo standing behind Carl and asked, "Carl, are you bringing Doflamingo with us?"
Carl nodded. "Doflamingo's situation is… complicated. I'll explain once we're aboard."
Akainu didn't press further. Borsalino, as carefree as ever, chuckled, "Oh~ Wonderful. With Doflamingo here, I suppose I won't have to steer the ship, will I?"
Carl blinked, surprised. "Hmm? Didn't you bring a navigator from headquarters?"
Lucia stepped forward and explained, "Young Master, you told us over the Den Den Mushi to keep this mission to just the seven of us, and you said not to deploy any soldiers. So, I didn't assign anyone else."
"Uh, alright then. So Borsalino's steering?"
Akainu replied, "Yes. Borsalino can steer, and he's fast—can handle the work of several sailors alone."
At this, Borsalino shot a faintly resentful glance at Akainu.
Aokiji clenched his fist in excitement. "Carl, it's been too long since we fought side by side! Let's make this battle epic!"
Aramaki rolled his eyes and muttered, "Rookie enthusiasm strikes again."
Carl shook his head with a smile. "Alright then, let's move out. Doflamingo, you know the way to Onigashima, don't you?"
Doflamingo immediately nodded.
Carl grinned, vanishing in a blur as he boarded the ship. The others followed one after another. Once Doflamingo stepped aboard, he crouched and touched the deck. Instantly, the entire warship rose into the air, disappearing into the clouds.
The crowd at the port craned their necks to watch, murmuring, "Something big is about to happen…"
...
Onigashima
A white-haired woman wielding a black iron club stood before Kaido, shouting, "I don't care about anything else! If Black Dragon comes, you have to let me fight him!"
Kaido glanced at her and smirked. "Oh? It's rare for you to choose my side, you foolish child!"
The white-haired woman was none other than Yamato, Kaido's daughter.
Yamato snorted. "Don't get the wrong idea. Black Dragon is my enemy! I'll kill him myself!"
King and the others exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with amusement.
Kaido burst into laughter. "Kill Black Dragon? With what? You're as stupid as Kozuki Oden!"
"Don't insult him!" Yamato roared, her face flushed with anger. "He was a true warrior!"
Kaido's laughter grew louder. "Your so-called warrior is nothing but a pile of dung now!"
"You—!"
Ignoring Yamato's outburst, Kaido turned to Jack, who was silently clenching his fists.
"Jack," Kaido said coldly, "Once we crush Dressrosa, Doflamingo is yours to deal with."
Jack gritted his teeth and nodded fiercely. His hatred for Doflamingo burned so deeply that he wanted to devour him alive.
King crossed his arms and said gravely, "Kaido-sama, Black Dragon is a dangerous opponent. We should be cautious."
Kaido rose slowly, his towering figure casting a long shadow. "Cautious of what? Do you think I'm weaker than Roger back then?"
Before King could respond, Jack shouted, "Kaido-sama is the strongest!"
His declaration ignited a chorus of cheers from the gathered Beast Pirates. Only Yamato stood apart, defiantly yelling, "Kozuki Oden was the strongest!" Her voice, however, was drowned out by the raucous chants.
When the cheering subsided, Kaido hefted his spiked kanabo.
"Even if Black Dragon doesn't come here, I'll head to Marineford to find him. I want to see if the man who killed Roger can kill me too!"
Yamato scoffed, "If you really want to die, just eat another Devil Fruit."
Kaido's expression darkened. He was about to retort when a subordinate burst into the room, shouting, "Kaido-sama! The Navy is here!"
"What?"
The room fell silent. Kaido's eyes narrowed. "Already? Who's leading them? Black Dragon?"
The subordinate stammered, "I-I couldn't see clearly. It seems like… only one warship. But—"
"But what?" Kaido growled impatiently.
"But… the warship came from the sky!"
King frowned. "From the sky? So they've brought Doflamingo, huh…"
Before he could finish, deafening explosions and blood-curdling screams erupted from outside the cave. Kaido's expression shifted as he and the others charged out.
Outside, the scene was one of chaos. The ground was littered with molten lava and smoking craters.
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