NOVEL NEXT Chapter 67: Rendezvous
Even knowing that Tom the fish-man, who built the Pirate King's ship, likely possessed the blueprints for "Pluton," one of the Ancient Weapons, Doflamingo made no rash moves. He didn't even dare to linger long in Water 7. He simply had the Flamingo quickly repaired, replenished fresh water and provisions, and promptly set sail.
Doflamingo knew he had been too high-profile lately, and his actions too extreme. The consequence would surely be the Marines, who consider themselves the guardians of the sea, taking notice.
He estimated that the Marines were about to make a move, and he needed to enter the New World, where Marine control was weak, as quickly as possible, rather than seeking death within the Marines' strongest sphere of influence, their Headquarters.
And then...
The journey, which had been quite smooth until then, turned difficult.
The Donquixote Family's lack of a professional navigator became painfully clear. The not-so-long but treacherous and unpredictable waters of the Florian Triangle infuriated Doflamingo to the point where he resorted to using the massive thunderclouds of the rainy season to create a large "Sky Path," using his strings to hoist the Flamingo and forcibly ending their twenty-day-long navigational disorientation.
Because of this navigational mishap, Trebol and Diamante bore the brunt of Doflamingo's anger. For the first time, Doflamingo unreservedly cursed them as "good-for-nothings" and bluntly expressed his "disappointment," leaving Trebol and Diamante both embarrassed and anxious. This stood in stark contrast to their usual boasts about their adventures in the Grand Line.
At any rate, they managed to rendezvous at the Sabaody Archipelago within the forty-day deadline as agreed with Vergo. Doflamingo gradually reined in his anger and coldness, and inexplicably, he forgave Trebol and Diamante.
...
The Sabaody Archipelago.
This island isn't pointed to by a Log Pose because it lacks a magnetic field. This is due to it being composed of the exposed roots of the world's largest Yarukiman Mangrove trees. The sap secreted by the Yarukiman Mangrove roots, combined with their "breathing," creates the beautiful and dreamlike scenery of countless flying bubbles, making it world-renowned as a tourist destination.
However, for pirates, the Sabaody Archipelago signifies both the "Island of Failure" and the "Island of Restart."
After completing the first half of the Grand Line, pirates are faced with the insurmountable Red Line. Unlike Reverse Mountain, this side of the Red Line hosts Mariejois, the administrative center of the World Government.
How could outlaws break into the law enforcers' stronghold? Wouldn't that be walking into a trap? So, they must find an alternative route!
Beneath this side of the Red Line, there's a hidden smuggling tunnel. Pirates use it to transition to the New World. But how does a ship enter the seabed? The answer lies in the sap secreted by the Yarukiman Mangrove trees.
With special techniques, it's applied to the ship, encasing it in a thick bubble coating, allowing it to dive through the smuggling tunnel and cross the Red Line into the New World. Hence, the Sabaody Archipelago is the "Island of Restart" that pirates must experience.
As for the "Island of Failure," the harshness of the New World scares away cowards and weak pirates. Their only escape is to return to the Sabaody Archipelago.
Doflamingo, however, had a different perspective. After exploring the Sabaody Archipelago, he said, "This is the most hypocritical place, even more disgusting than Arinland."
"Why do you say that, Young Master?" Giolla asked, puzzled.
Doflamingo licked the corner of his lips, saying playfully, "It's clearly right next to Marine Headquarters. Logically, the Marines have a thousand ways to fully incorporate the Sabaody Archipelago into the 'side of justice.' But in reality? Fufufufu~ It's almost as if they intentionally left this path open for new pirates to reach the New World! Their intentions are either to use new pirates to clash with established ones, orchestrating a good show of pirates fighting amongst themselves to deplete each other; or to let trash flow into the trash heap naturally, leaving them unchecked..."
"And all those human trafficking businesses, the World Government truly exemplifies the essence of 'only they are allowed to set fires, the common folk are not allowed to light lamps'! Those are their own laws! Fufufufu~~" Doflamingo felt a strong urge to burst into laughter, but the air rising from his chest to his mouth and nose was stifled, resulting in his unique muffled chuckle.
Giolla, laden with shopping bags, looked utterly bewildered.
"You head back to the Flamingo first and tell Trebol and Diamante to find someone to coat the ship quickly. Don't cause me any trouble," Doflamingo said, his Den Den Mushi ringing from his pocket. He instructed Giolla before picking up a small, casual box and leaving.
Soon after.
At a certain coffee shop.
"Fufufufu~ My brother," Doflamingo was overjoyed, giving Vergo a big hug.
Vergo had also grown, his time in the Marines making his stern demeanor even more pronounced. What remained unchanged was his glasses, and the food residue stuck to their corners.
"Where are Trebol and the others?" Vergo asked, curious.
Doflamingo gestured for Vergo to sit, then grumbled, "Don't even get me started on them..."
He poured out a long stream of complaints, feigning pitifulness and seeking sympathy.
"That is indeed disappointing," Vergo said, clearly moved, his brows furrowed.
Doflamingo waved his hand, his smile returning. "Fufufufu, it's fine now! As long as you're safe and sound, you'll eventually be able to help me sleep peacefully."
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