First Half of the Grand Line — One of the Donquixote Family's Secret Bases
"Nee, nee, Dofu… Dofu~"
A disheveled man in a thick, sky‑blue cloak, hunched but powerfully built, and wearing tiny sunglasses, shuffled over to a young man in a black suit with a pink feather cape draped over his shoulders and spiky blond hair.
These two were Trebol, a top officer of the Donquixote Family, and the young master himself — Donquixote Doflamingo.
"Dofu, news just came in from the New World!"
"That Grimm is going to meet Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, and Whitebeard in Dressrosa? I already know," Doflamingo replied, reclining back into a deck chair.
"Nee, nee, Dofu… do you think it's a coincidence that he chose Dressrosa? Or does he want to make it his territory? That place was our target for the future, you know!" Trebol sounded deeply worried.
"Dressrosa… if it can be taken, I will take it." Doflamingo toyed with a newly acquired Devil Fruit in his hand.
It was a golden‑colored Paramecia‑type fruit… but exactly what power it held, Doflamingo had yet to discover.
"But but" Trebol drawled in an incredibly annoying, dragging tone.
"There are many ways to defeat opponents stronger than oneself. Besides, it's not like Dressrosa is the only option. Let's first establish our footing here in Paradise."
Doflamingo's voice rose with sharp excitement as he spoke.
---
Dressrosa — Palace Inner Chambers
Captain Cyrus and Deputy Captain Tagu had both returned — Cyrus yesterday, Tagu today. Well, they returned safely at least.
Tagu's men sent to Whitebeard had come back unharmed, but over fifty of Cyrus's squad sent to Big Mom had died.
As for the team sent to Kaido… no word had come back yet.
"It is good you are safe, good you are safe!" King Riku hurried down from his throne to help them up. "So… how did Whitebeard and Big Mom respond?"
"Whitebeard refused!" Tagu reported first.
"Big Mom agreed!" Cyrus followed.
King Riku let out a long sigh. "We are fortunate then. One less powerful pirate means less risk of open war breaking out."
"Your Majesty… when I was returning, I noticed the people of Dressrosa seem…" Tagu began, but the King finished his thought.
"Yes… Grimm's reputation among the people has soared this past month. And with the construction of the Cathedral of the Holy Light, more and more citizens are beginning to follow this faith…"
A shadow fell across the King's eyes, then they lit up again — his thoughts hidden deep inside.
Tap, tap, tap…
Leisurely footsteps approached from outside. The three men turned to see Grimm walking in, casually tossing an apple in his hand. He stopped before the King and bowed slightly.
"Good morning, King Riku."
"Ah, Grimm! I must thank you sincerely for all you have done to cure illnesses and heal the people lately. As King, I owe you a great debt." King Riku stood up from his throne and opened his arms.
"No need for thanks. Actually, I need your help with something." Grimm took a bite of the apple. "I heard the Marines have contacted you… or perhaps you contacted them."
The sudden statement made King Riku's heart skip a beat. Cyrus and Tagu also felt a chill — was Grimm here to punish them?
"Lord Grimm! King Riku is as merciful as your Holy Light itself! He only wishes to protect his people!" Cyrus hurried to explain, terrified that Grimm might act in anger.
He admired Grimm greatly, yes — but he wasn't yet a true believer, just an admirer, and still retained his caution.
"Relax, Cyrus. That is exactly why I have a very important task for you." Grimm got straight to the point.
"Contact the Marines. Have them swap identities with some of our citizens."
"…Pardon?"
"What did you say?"
"Grimm… what is the meaning of this?" King Riku asked, confused.
"Have the Marines secretly relocate part of the population to safety and move their own men into the city. Move out the elderly and children — those who cannot fight. That way, if battle does start, the innocent are safe, and the disguised Marines can protect those who remain."
Cyrus paused — actually… that plan didn't sound half bad.
And King Riku? He agreed to the arrangement without hesitation.
---
Three days later, three thousand citizens had been replaced by Marines. Grimm didn't care; what he planned to announce next mattered far more than whether the Marines knew or not.
Time flew by quickly. Another month passed.
Violet spent nearly every day following Grimm around like a little shadow she refused to shake off. This made Hancock incredibly jealous.
The two quickly became rivals, constantly challenging each other to "duels to the death."
Grimm found it all a headache. I swear… I am absolutely NOT attracted to little girls…
---
One bright, sunny day…
Two soldiers disguised as Dressrosa citizens walked out of the Cathedral of Holy Light.
"Wow… it actually works! I thought that Grimm guy was just some charlatan or miracle‑monger… but this lung disease I've suffered from for years? Cured! Gone!" exclaimed a tall, skinny Marine, trembling with excitement.
"Now I can train like everyone else! Maybe I can even get stronger!"
"Tell me about it!" agreed a short, stout soldier beside him. "My 'mosaic sickness' is gone too! Finally I know what everything actually looks like! Next time we bathe… you bend over and pick up the soap, and I'll stand behind you. I wanna know what you've been seeing all this time!"
"Ehehehe… deal! Sounds fun!" the skinny one blushed.
"Actually… this place isn't half bad. Maybe we shouldn't go back to report in at all… just stay here and live instead," the fat Marine suggested suddenly.
"True… everyone says Grimm is a ruthless demon who kills without blinking… but he seems pretty decent to me. He even cures diseases…"
BOOM!
A violent tremor shook the ground, nearly knocking the two men — and everyone else in the street — off their feet.
"Looks like smoke rising from the southwest… could be pirates," the fat soldier squinted into the distance.
"Is Big Mom here already? But something feels wrong… why would they attack while Lord Grimm is still here?"
Before anyone could answer, a roar hit them like a shockwave, echoing through every corner of the city.
"GRIMM!!!"
The furious voice boomed again, louder and angrier.
"GRIMM! GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE! I KNOW YOU'RE HERE! COME OUT, YOU TREACHEROUS BASTARD!!"
Hovering above the coast, a massive Azure Dragon coiled in the air, bellowing at the top of its lungs.
"Six months ago! At Marine Headquarters! We agreed to brawl it out together at Marineford! How dare you run off to Mary Geoise and leave me behind?! You tricked me!! I haven't forgotten that insult… and I will never forgive it!!"
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