In an instant, as Doflamingo's voice fell, the expressions of Law, Zoro, and Usopp changed drastically.
A trap composed of the Marines, the Donquixote Family, and executives from the Chris Pirates... this was truly an inescapable dragnet.
"Fuffuffuffu! The identity of Straw Hat Luffy, son of Dragon, the 'World's Worst Criminal,' is unexpectedly attractive to the Marines!" Doflamingo laughed with malicious glee.
"Admiral Issho, the one with Law is Caesar Clown. Also present are Roronoa Zoro, the 'Pirate Hunter' of the Straw Hats, and the 'Sniper King,' Usopp!"
Behind Issho, his subordinates quickly identified Caesar, Zoro, and the others. However, since Caesar was a subordinate of Doflamingo, under the treaties governing the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the Marines were forced to grant him amnesty and could not lay a hand on him.
But for Zoro and Usopp, Issho was prepared to move.
"I see. Caesar is a subordinate of Doflamingo, so we must grant him pardon. But as for those two, Roronoa Zoro and Usopp, we must place them under arrest!" Issho spoke in a heavy, resonant voice.
"Tch. Here it comes!" Zoro grinned. With a sharp shink, he drew the Black Blade Shusui and the cursed sword Sandai Kitetsu from his waist.
"AHHH! A Marine Admiral is going to fight me!" Usopp screamed in pure terror.
"So it's you! Fujitora, the man who was fast-tracked to Admiral during the World Military Draft. Your name precedes you," Doflamingo said, turning to look at Issho. A glint of light reflected off his red lenses, his face showing not a hint of fear. "I heard that you and that 'Ryokugyu' are both monsters of peerless strength."
"I am unworthy of such praise," Issho replied humbly.
"Heh, don't play dumb with me. I've heard what happened on Monsbona Island!" Doflamingo's tone turned sharp. "A three-day battle against the former Admiral, 'Black Arm' Zephyr, who had regained his youthful vigor... you sank an entire island and literally wiped the Isle of Sin, 'Monsbona,' off the map of the New World. Quite impressive."
"Actually, I am quite ashamed. After all, the mission ended in failure," Issho shook his head plainly.
With that, Issho's expression turned solemn. Gripping his wooden cane, he said, "It may be inappropriate for a mere recruit like myself to speak out of turn, but your recent actions are truly baffling. Although concrete evidence has yet to be gathered, I have heard many reports of you violating the regulations set for the Warlords."
"And that name the gentleman just used for you... 'Joker.' Is that your alias?"
"Fuffuffufu... If you want to investigate me, go ahead, provided you have the resolve to match. Come back when you have actual evidence!" Doflamingo laughed low, dismissing the threat.
Pausing, he turned the question back to Issho, "I'd like to ask the Marines, how do you plan to handle Law today?"
Law looked up, eyes fixed on Issho.
"Regarding the news reports of an alliance with the wanted Straw Hat Pirates... if the facts match the report and an alliance exists, that is 'Black,'" Issho answered gravely. He slowly raised his wooden cane. "However, if they have simply become subordinates of Law-san, that is 'White'!"
"Depending on your answer, Law-san, our task today may shift to the arrest of both you and the Straw Hat crew."
"Hey! What kind of logic is that? Just tell a lie and it's settled!" Caesar shouted impatiently.
Zoro and Usopp also looked at Law, their nerves on edge.
Sweat rolled down Law's forehead. The plan is completely ruined, he thought. We are now direct targets for the Marines. Even if we drag this out and head back to Dressrosa, things will only get worse. I need to stall for time!
If he claimed the Straw Hats were his subordinates, he could avoid the Marines' wrath, but the Straw Hats would become the focus of everyone's fire. The Marines would never ignore the son of Monkey D. Dragon. Law might even be drafted into helping the Marines hunt them down.
Once the Straw Hats were wiped out, he would be left alone to face the combined might of the Chris Pirates and Donquixote Doflamingo. The situation would be catastrophic.
Having made his decision, Law shouted to Issho, "The Straw Hat crew and I are not in a hierarchy. Just as the papers say, we are an alliance!"
"Fuffuffuffu! Truly foolish!" Doflamingo grinned savagely.
"Then your title is hereby revoked. No corrections to the news reports will be necessary," Issho's voice deepened. He suddenly unsheathed the blade hidden within his wooden cane.
SHING!
His ability activated, and ripples of purple light surged toward the heavens.
…
The New World, Beasts Pirates Territory — Palmade Island.
On an uninhabited island near the waters of Wano, spanning roughly 15 kilometers east-to-west and 11 kilometers north-to-south...
Several massive pirate ships flying the banner of the Beasts Pirates and a black wolf-headed warship flying the flag of the Chris Pirates were anchored near the shore.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!RUMBLE...!
Violent explosions erupted from the island's interior. The entire landmass shook, causing the surrounding sea to churn and throw up waves meters high.
Deep within the island, the massive, horned figure of Kaido stood like an ancient demon god. He swung a giant iron mace, his every movement generating powerful, shearing winds.
His opponent was a young man of nearly equal height and build. Every punch thrown by this man contained terrifying power, either igniting the air into scorching flames through friction or releasing massive, ring-shaped shockwaves of compressed air.
"Worororororo! Exhilarating! Exhilarating! Golden Ring, again!!!"
Kaido's laughter boomed like a sonic wave. He swung his mace with extreme speed at the man before him. The weapon whistled through the air with such force that the gale alone could have torn a dozen ordinary men to shreds.
But Kaido's opponent was no ordinary man. It was Golden Ring, Chris T. Aeridar, a freak of nature with equally monstrous combat strength.
"Heh heh heh... Kaido, I'm not the same man I was years ago. Let's enjoy this to the fullest!" Aeridar's face was twisted in a mask of battle-hungry madness. His fists, blackened and hardened by Armament Haki, slammed directly into the incoming mace without a hint of fear.
CRASH—!BOOM!
The giant mace collided with the pitch-black fist. A terrifying force exploded outward, and a visible, massive ring-shaped shockwave rippled out from the two men, sweeping across the island.
Dust erupted into a vast yellow mist, and the resulting air pressure formed a localized hurricane that scoured the sky and earth. Both men possessed bodies strong enough to withstand the recoil, channeling the force into the ground. With a series of thunderous cracks, the earth split open into a dozen jagged fissures, like the gaping maws of demons ready to swallow the world.