One Piece: Crown of Darkness

"Depart!"

From Arinland, the "City of Dreams" and "City of Sin," the Donquixote Family, after years of rooting themselves there, finally bid farewell at Doflamingo's command.

A flamboyant, medium-sized two-masted ship unfurled its sails and set off. It was called flamboyant because of its exaggerated design; even among the diverse pirate ships, it was an oddity among oddities. Its general shape was that of a pink flamingo, with its figurehead being a flamingo head wearing sunglasses just like Doflamingo's.

The pirate flag, painted on canvas, defied the usual white flag with black insignia or black flag with white insignia; it was a blood-red color. Of course, the Donquixote Pirates' eerie smiling face pirate flag already deviated from the common skull and crossbones with a captain's distinguishing feature.

In fact, from the moment Doflamingo ordered Diamante to oversee the construction of the Donquixote Family's own pirate ship, this vessel, named the Flamingo by Doflamingo, was destined to exude a distinctive flair everywhere. After all, Diamante was truly a flamboyant presence; he loved being the center of attention.

As for why the flamingo was chosen as the Donquixote Family's symbol, it stemmed from the breakdown of Doflamingo's name, "Flamingo," which was Trebol's suggestion. In terms of talent for currying favor, he definitely surpassed Diamante, and the result proved that Doflamingo was satisfied with their diligent work.

However, Doflamingo wasn't entirely satisfied with Trebol and Diamante's work...

"Damn it, my pirate crew doesn't even have a decent shipwright or navigator, and we're just haphazardly deciding to embark on this journey," Doflamingo stood at the bow for a moment, his initial high spirits quickly turning into a troubled complaint.

Diamante explained, "We really tried hard to find them, Doffy~"

"Then are you sure your accumulated experience from journeying the Grand Line and your meager ship repair skills are enough to handle the Grand Line's treacherous weather and various sudden emergencies?" Doflamingo sighed, stepping off the bow and leaning against the ship's rail. "And where are our crew members? Fufufufu~ Are you expecting me to scrub the deck and do odd jobs?"

With Vergo long gone, undercover in the Marines, the number of Donquixote Family members had decreased instead of increased. There were only Doflamingo, Trebol, Diamante, Pica, and Giolla, a mere five people.

"Behehehe~" Trebol quickly interjected. "Nyeh, nyehh, Doffy, you're more upset that the crewmates we recruited didn't meet your standards, right?"

Doflamingo clicked his tongue, then smiled. "You understand me best, Trebol! Fufufufu~ So, you have an idea?"

"Behehehehe~ There are countless competitors on the Grand Line, Doffy, Doffy, you're the man who's going to become King! You're bound to impress strong individuals to join us!" Trebol squirmed restlessly like a leech basking in the sun, saying sinisterly, "Nyeh, nyehh, and! And! Outsiders aren't reliable, so why don't we cultivate our own? If you have the patience."

Doflamingo's fingers habitually twitched, noncommittal.

"The one thing this rotten, decadent world isn't short of is people. War, famine, disease... Behehehe~ There are too many desperate wretches who would sell their lives for a single meal! We have the right to choose, to meticulously choose, like a billionaire walking into a rural vegetable market, buying whatever catches his eye," Trebol said teasingly.

Doflamingo feigned surprise and joked, "When did you become so philosophical, Trebol? Fufufufu~"

"Behehehe~" Trebol merely chuckled dryly.

...

"I should go."

On a certain uninhabited island bordering the Calm Belt.

After repeatedly confirming there was no danger around, Roger gently pushed away Rouge, who was clinging tightly to him.

"Can't you... not go, Roger?" Rouge choked out, tears streaming down her face, pleading, "We can live a life free of conflict, until... until the 'true separation'..."

Roger sighed, full of guilt. "I wish I could, Rouge." Even a strong-willed man like him couldn't help but feel his eyes well up with sadness. "I'm sorry, forgive my selfish impulsiveness! You understand me; no matter what I do, I love grandeur and excitement. Even my death, I must make it spectacular, ushering in a great era for people to look up to..."

"You're lying," Rouge interrupted Roger.

Roger clutched his aching head, sighing. "I can't hide anything from you after all. I don't want the person I love most to see me at my weakest." He repeated again, "I'm sorry, forgive my selfish impulsiveness!"

"You're still lying. You're actually doing this to protect us~" Rouge's tears flowed freely, each drop like a heavy hammer striking Roger's heart, causing him unbearable pain.

Roger moved his feet with extreme difficulty, then jumped onto the small boat. "Someone will come for you. His name is Garp, Monkey D. Garp, my old rival... I've prepared food and fresh water. Remember to eat and drink on time, even if it's just for the child... Don't grieve for me; this is my fate..."

Roger rambled on, almost to himself, repeating things, as he rowed the small boat away as if fleeing.

He didn't look back, nor did he dare to.

Whoosh~~~

The wind gently stirred her light orange, wavy hair. On the blooming coast, only Rouge remained, gazing into the distance, utterly alone.