One Piece: Crown of Darkness

Deep night.

The world was shrouded in darkness. The oppressive storm clouds grew thicker, and the earlier drizzle had stopped, a clear sign that a downpour was imminent. The poor, undeveloped Baterilla Island had no electricity, making everything appear even more obscure and chaotic.

"Ah!!!"

Roger shot upright from his sleep, panting frantically, clutching his splitting head, cold sweat pouring down.

"What's wrong, Roger?" A gentle, calm voice, and the comforting touch of a slender, soft hand, seemed to possess magic. Instantly, Roger calmed considerably, more effective than any miracle cure.

Crack!!!

Rumble, rumble, rumble!!!

Lightning streaked across the sky, followed by deafening thunder.

A fleeting flash of lightning illuminated the person beside Roger: long, wavy, light orange hair, a few freckles on her face—a woman not exquisitely beautiful, but like a simple, elegant flower.

"No, nothing, Rouge. I had a nightmare," Roger said hoarsely.

He embraced Rouge, deeply, heavily, terrified of losing her... He had never imagined that after finding the One Piece on Laugh Tale, he would be fortunate enough to find another, greater form of One Piece in the South Blue!

What immense fortune was this?

And what immense misfortune?

'The days left... I suppose they'll have to be counted in days, won't they?' He knew himself best. His remaining short life made Roger feel utterly downcast. Even though he was the 'Pirate King,' he hadn't had the chance to truly enjoy this luxurious love or savor that precious familial affection! It was too sad, too hard to let go.

After an unknown amount of time.

Roger gripped Rouge's shoulders, looking into her eyes. "Rouge, I think we have to leave this place."

"Hmm? Is it because of that person you told me about earlier today?" Rouge was still a bit hazy.

Roger's headache inevitably returned. Doflamingo's face and distinctive laugh were stuck in his mind, making his mood terrible. "He makes me feel incredibly, incredibly uneasy... Even though he's not a Marine or Cipher Pol, otherwise he wouldn't be alone."

Whoosh~~~

With violent emotional fluctuations, his exceptional Observation Haki spread far. Roger suddenly leaped to his feet, a mix of shock and fury on his face.

"Damn it! That bastard! He still dared to lie in wait, spying?!" Roger couldn't help but curse.

He truly couldn't believe what he had discovered—Doflamingo had actually returned and brazenly taken over a house less than five hundred meters away from him, drinking tea! If not for his old illness acting up, he wouldn't have known!

Rouge tightly clasped Roger's hand, worriedly saying, "Roger, Roger, calm down."

Roger's nature was free-spirited, joyful, and honest. So he hadn't hidden his identity from Rouge, nor the fact that he was terminally ill and wouldn't live much longer. He didn't want a good woman like Rouge to become a widow so young, but Rouge didn't mind, willingly throwing herself at him like a moth to a dying flame...

It was precisely because her arrival was so precious that he cherished her even more. He would never allow anyone to harm Rouge! Not even the thought of harming her!

"Wait for me," Roger almost squeezed out the two words from his throat.

Rouge opened her mouth, but this time she couldn't stop Roger. She sighed softly, cradling her slightly protruding belly, her heart filled with worry.

A mile away.

"Exposed, fufufufu~" Doflamingo set down his teacup and leaped out the window, ascending into the sky without hesitation.

Roger, meanwhile, was bending down, his fingers plucking at a transparent, sharp string. It wasn't because he was quick-witted; his leg was already broken. As he carefully sensed with his Observation Haki, he grew even more furious.

The entire small island had been rigged with these strings by Doflamingo! But not everyone on this island was Roger; they wouldn't be able to dodge such insidious, invisible traps.

Snap~ snap~~~

Hardening his hand with Armament Haki, Roger grabbed the strings and furiously tore them all apart.

"Get down here, you damn punk!" Roger roared at the sky. At this moment, he truly envied his old rival, the 'Golden Lion,' for just one thing: the ability to fly.

Doflamingo leisurely admired the thunder in the sky, his posture quite arrogant as he looked down. "Don't be angry; the weather's bad, so I can't leave, fufufufufu~~~ Of course! I'm just kidding." He rested his chin on one hand, saying playfully, "Blame yourself for being simple-minded. No, blame your strength. Your strength has probably regressed significantly! In short, you overestimated your current self and underestimated me! We could be a classic example of 'failing to kill the snake only to suffer its bite'... You shouldn't have threatened to kill me before you had a complete grasp on keeping me here."

"Is this your revenge?! Huh?! Coward! Shameless!" Roger was furious, on the verge of madness.

Doflamingo shrugged, dismissively. "Fufufufu~ Say whatever you want! I'll wait patiently, wait for you to die! And once you're dead, tsk~ Why don't you use that 'Future Sight' Observation Haki of yours to foresee how I'll deal with your wife and child?"

A sudden silence.

Roger turned and walked away. Even though Doflamingo had pushed him to this point, he didn't ask what Doflamingo intended to do. That was just him! Otherwise, before the Edd War, with such an immense power disparity, he should have accepted the 'Golden Lion''s invitation to form an alliance.

The next day.

Doflamingo watched Roger rowing a small boat, taking Rouge with him as they left their home.

"Fufufufu~ You made me uncomfortable, so I won't let you off easy! A perfect demonstration!" Doflamingo went in the opposite direction, not intending to pursue Roger. Instead, he laughed maniacally, shouting after Roger, "'Pirate King'! Hahahaha... We'll definitely meet again! I'll be waiting for you, and you wait for me too! Until we meet again!"

Roger, gripping the oar, his expression as if he had made a firm resolve, heard Doflamingo's voice. His body instantly stiffened, and he couldn't help but respond:

"Go to hell!!!"