The Corrida Colosseum arena.
The circular spectator stands were already packed with an immense crowd. Humans and living toys alike raised their arms high, letting out fanatical screams.
This bloody spectacle drew men, women, and children from all walks of life. Even nobles and wealthy merchants from foreign lands had traveled great distances just to witness this grand struggle for the Flame-Flame Fruit.
The original sins of humanity, violence and brutality, were on full display here.
On the massive circular stage, nearly two hundred contestants for Block A had already made their appearance. Surrounding the ring was a moat of seawater, where ferocious Little Fighting Fish swirled, waiting for any unlucky fighter knocked out of the bounds.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone!"
"I shall now explain the rules of combat!"
A burly man wearing a spotted helmet stepped onto the announcer's platform, microphone in hand. He was the official play-by-play commentator for this tournament—Gatz! Following his explanation, the rules only fueled the audience's bloodlust, driving them into a state of even greater frenzy.
DING—
A crisp bell rang, signaling the start of the battle.
In an instant, the people on the stage lunged at the nearest person like wild beasts, erupting into a chaotic slaughter.
"Kill them!"
"I'll butcher you all!"
"Die! The Flame-Flame Fruit is mine!!"
…
Meanwhile, on a deserted island north of Dressrosa, Green Bit.
Law, carrying Caesar, had crossed the bridge of death, continually battered by giant Fighting Fish, and stepped onto the shores of Green Bit. Accompanying him were Zoro and Usopp.
"The southeast beach... we're almost there!" Law said, his cursed blade Kikoku resting against his shoulder in its white cloth wrapping. He looked toward the shoreline a few hundred meters away.
"Hey! Joker, it's me!" Caesar shouted excitedly toward the surrounding forest. "Come and get me!"
"Don't be impatient. We're not there yet. I'll hand you over at 15:00 sharp," Law muttered, casting a cold glance at Caesar.
Suddenly, Zoro caught something out of the corner of his eye. He snapped his head toward another part of the coast.
"Wait! Look at the opposite shore! Isn't that a Marine warship?!" he shouted.
Startled, the group followed Zoro's gaze.
A massive Marine warship appeared in their sights. Incredibly, it had sailed right onto the land, crushing the towering ancient trees beneath its hull.
"It charged completely onto the island! That's way past just being 'beached'!" Usopp said, shocked. "What kind of madness had to happen for it to end up like that?"
"The damage to the vegetation is fresh. The ship must have just arrived," Zoro observed, his voice low. "The hull isn't as damaged as I'd expect. It couldn't have... flown here, could it?"
Thinking of floating ships, Zoro's mind immediately went to that man from the Chris Pirates.
"What is going on?" Law's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why are the Marines here? I never even followed through with threatening Doflamingo to abdicate the throne."
Yesterday, after arriving in Dressrosa, he had spoken to Doflamingo via Den Den Mushi. He offered to trade Caesar for the Flame-Flame Fruit, and the other man had agreed instantly, showing no hesitation.
To prevent any treachery, the crew had stuck to their plan: Luffy would enter the tournament, while Nami and Brook stayed behind as support. Zoro and Usopp accompanied Law to the trade as muscle to ensure Doflamingo didn't flip the script, keeping him occupied so Luffy could secure the fruit.
But the sudden appearance of the Marines made no sense. Law was still technically one of the Seven Warlords; the Marines had no legal ground to move against him.
Rustle, rustle...
The bushes swayed as a large squad of highly disciplined Marines emerged before them.
"The Marines are here!" Usopp shrieked.
"They move fast!" Zoro crouched low, his hands immediately gripping the hilts of the swords at his waist.
"The new Admiral... Fujitora, is it...?" Law's expression hardened as he stared at the tall man leading the group, who was dressed in a light purple yukata.
Tap... tap... tap...
The tall man gripped a wooden cane, walking forward with his eyes closed.
"No way! That old guy is a Marine?!" Zoro and Usopp both remembered meeting this man at the restaurant the day before.
"Watch out. He is the Marines' newest Admiral, Fujitora Issho!" Law warned, his body tense with apprehension. "This man was drafted directly into the Admiral position solely based on his raw strength. The world calls him a 'monster'!"
"GYAAH! AN ADMIRAL!!!" Usopp clutched his head, tears streaming down his face.
"An Admiral, huh...? This is an unpleasant surprise," Zoro muttered, his face darkening as memories of Aokiji Kuzan and Kizaru Borsalino flashed through his mind.
The Straw Hat Pirates had been brought to the brink of total annihilation twice, both times directly or indirectly caused by a Marine Admiral. That overwhelming power was something they would remember for three lifetimes.
"You must be Trafalgar Law-san," Issho said calmly, taking two steps forward.
WHOOSH—
Suddenly, a dark shadow streaked overhead, accompanied by several fluttering pink feathers.
"He's here..." Law's face paled.
The group looked up as a blonde man draped in a pink feathered coat descended from the sky. Doflamingo landed lightly on the sand, a cruel smirk playing on his lips as he faced Law.
"Fuffuffuffuffu! Law, it's been a long time!"
Upon seeing Doflamingo, Caesar shouted with joy, "Joker! Hurry up and kill this brat!"
Law grabbed the scarf around Caesar's neck, jerking him back before he could run. Suppressing his growing unease, Law asked, "Doflamingo, what is the meaning of bringing the Marines here? Are you calling off the trade?"
"What are you talking about, you bastard? We're already here!" Caesar roared at Law, baring his teeth.
"Fuffuffu... After ten years, that's the first thing you say to your former boss? Release him, Law. Caesar is my precious subordinate!" Doflamingo grinned, watching Law with predatory interest.
"JOKER!!!" Caesar cried, moved to tears.
"Doflamingo... you never intended to trade from the beginning, did you?" Law growled, his grip tightening on Caesar's scarf.
"Fuffuffuffu! The Flame-Flame Fruit was always a trap to lure you in. To keep you from throwing your lives away in the Clifford Kingdom, I 'kindly' attracted you here instead. No need to thank me!" Doflamingo laughed mockingly.
"Bastard!" Zoro spat.
"It's over! We walked right into it!" Usopp trembled.
"And the Marines? Surely you didn't call them for help!" Law demanded.
"Them...? They were just an accident. They were also attracted by the fruit, but I feared they might interfere with my plans. So, I offered them information on Straw Hat Luffy in exchange for a little cooperation," Doflamingo's smile turned playful.
"Perhaps, when Straw Hat emerges from the arena, he'll find an army of Marines waiting to arrest him. Or perhaps... he won't make it out of the arena alive at all!"
"After all, my family, and the Chris Pirates, have been waiting for him for a long time!!!"