In the training ground.
Doflamingo hung from the parallel bars, his expression grave.
It was clear that Gion sudden departure from the Loguetown base wasn't due to the Donquixote Family causing trouble after arriving at headquarters.
Instead, it was because Kaido had made a move in the New World, possibly even triggering a war.
Given his understanding of Orion during this time, he knew Orion would never swallow such an insult.
However, he couldn't figure out why Gion was sent.
After all, there was already Sakazuki stationed in Dressrosa in the New World. Even if Kaido came with full force, and Sakazuki couldn't handle it alone, there were still Kuzan and Borsalino, two other admirals—
Wait.
Just as he thought this, Doflamingo pupils suddenly contracted.
He flipped back onto the parallel bars, his expression shifting from grave to horrified.
During the time Orion had left headquarters for the East Blue, he hadn't seen a single admiral accompanying him.
Not only were there no admirals following him, but during Orion departure from headquarters, none of the admirals had appeared at the port to see him off!
Under normal circumstances, when the marshal leaves headquarters, the admirals would surely be present.
Yet, when Orion boarded the warship and left the headquarters port, Kuzan and Borsalino, who should have been at headquarters, were nowhere to be seen.
"Could it be—"
After a brief silence, Doflamingo suddenly looked up at the office building.
"Sakazuki going to Dressrosa was just a diversion, wasn't it? His real goal was to strategically relocate and have all three Admirals enter the New World at the same time?"
"Doflamingo, you really have some nerve!"
At that moment, Smoker who had just received a new assignment and been promoted to Rear Admiral, walked out of the office building.
Spotting Doflamingo sitting on the parallel bars from a distance, Smoker strode over with a grim expression and said in a low voice.
"You actually planted a member of your Donquixote family at the marines and had him rise to the rank of Vice Admiral!"
Hearing this, Doflamingo didn't seem the least bit embarrassed.
Instead, he grinned and laughed "Fufufufu, didn't Fleet Admiral Orion already know about this? Isn't it a bit late for you to be questioning me now, Smoker?"
"Not late at all!" Smoker walked briskly past Doflamingo.
"I'm heading to G-5 to replace Vice Admiral Vergo right now. Fleet Admiral Orion said that at this critical moment, he trusts me more."
Before Doflamingo could react, a squad of soldiers emerged from the base port, standing in formation opposite Smoker.
Leading them was Tashigi.
"Captain Smoker!"
Tashigi took a step forward, looking somewhat bewildered.
"Are we... setting sail again?"
Smoker didn't stop walking, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"From now on, you'll have to call me Rear Admiral Smoker!"
"Huh?" Tashigi blinked slowly, processing the information.
"Rear Admiral... Smoker?"
"What are you standing around for?" Smoker glanced back at his somewhat clueless subordinate.
"We're setting off for the New World G-5 base immediately!"
....
After watching Smoker and his crew board the warship and sail away, Doflamingo instinctively reached for the Den Den Mushi he usually carried, only to find it missing.
Shaking his head to himself, he turned his gaze back to the office building.
When he had allied himself with Kaido, it wasn't just because of Kaido strength. It was also because of his own lingering resentment.
He had a past that few knew about—a time when he had knelt and begged to return to the Holy Land as a Celestial Dragon, only to be coldly rejected.
It was from that moment that the seed of vengeance took root in his heart And the only one in the world who could help him achieve his revenge was Kaido, who had always been eager to wage a grand war.
But that was all in the past!
Now, there was a Marine Fleet Admiral even more ruthless than Kaido.
Not only had he swiftly consolidated power within the Marines, but he had also forced the lofty rulers of the World Goverment to sign the Mariejois Treaty.
In a way, aligning with Orion offered far greater benefits than cooperating with Kaido.
And now, it was time for him to make his choice!
After another brief silence, Doflamingo took a deep breath and decisively jumped down from the parallel bars, heading straight for the office building.
Soon, he arrived at Orion office.
After a moment hesitation, Doflamingo took another deep breath, pulled his hands out of his pockets, and stepped inside.
"Fleet Admiral Orion, I have a secret that might interest you greatly!"
As soon as he stepped into the office, Doflamingo faced Orion, who was seated at the desk, and got straight to the point.
"However, before I reveal this secret to you, I hope you can promise me one thing!"
At these words, Mihawk, Crocodile, and Moria almost simultaneously looked up, their eyes filled with a hint of surprise.
"Oh?"
Orion was also taken aback and asked. "Go on, what do you want me to promise you?"
"Next time you go to the Holy Land, can you take me with you?"
At this point, Doflamingo slightly raised his head, his gaze behind the sunglasses both fervent and crazed.
"There, lies the dignity I lost!"
...
In the New World, within the castle of Whole Cake Island.
Except for a few members of the Charlotte family who needed to stay on their respective islands, the rest were all present, making the spacious castle hall extremely crowded.
Adding to the oppressive atmosphere were the massive figures of Charlotte Linlin and Kaido.
"Buru Buru~"
Suddenly, the sound of a Den Den Mushi rang out, further intensifying the already tense and silent atmosphere.
Under the watchful eyes of all the Charlotte family members, Kaido casually pulled out the Den Den Mushi from his pocket.
"Governor!"
"Something terrible has happened!"
Before Kaido could speak, an urgent voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"We just received word that the Mammoth, which went to intercept the Marine warship, has been sunk by Admiral Sakazuki. Everyone on board, including Jack... their fate is unknown!"
"What?!"
The sudden bad news nearly made Kaido explode on the spot.
As soon as the words fell, he abruptly stood up, and the terrifying aura unique to an Emperor of the Sea burst forth without restraint.
The overwhelming pressure enveloped the entire hall, causing many of the Charlotte family members to widen their eyes in shock and involuntarily step back.
"Kaido!"
Katakuri, standing in front of his siblings, immediately released his Conqueror's Haki to block the incoming terrifying aura.
He then stepped forward with his trident and said in a deep voice
"Reign in your Haki. This is Whole Cake Island!"
Surprisingly, Kaido did not get angry at Katakuri's reprimand.
As soon as Katakuri finished speaking, the terrifying aura around Kaido vanished.
Immediately after, the once ferocious and domineering Kaido burst into tears, wailing exaggeratedly.
"Jack... Jack is dead!"
After a bout of wailing, Kaido, like a wronged child, turned to the once carefree and plump woman who had shared his adventures on the same ship.
Struggling to control his sudden grief, he choked out.
"Linlin, help me one more time!"
Seeing this, Charlotte Linlin let out a heavy sigh.
"Did you drink a lot before coming to Whole Cake Island?"
Kaido remained silent, only continuing to wail.
"Enough, Kaido!"
Charlotte Linlin suddenly stood up, exasperated.
"Fine, fine, I'll help you!"
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