After sailing for a long time in the North Blue, the Donquixote Family finally left its waters and was about to see Reverse Mountain once again.
"Young Master, we're about to leave the North Blue! We'll be entering the Grand Line soon!" Bepo said affectionately, walking over to Doflamingo's side.
"Is that so, Bepo? It seems your studies during this period have been very effective!" Doflamingo praised Bepo.
Hearing Doflamingo's praise, Bepo replied shyly, "Not at all! Not at all!"
"Bepo, you're so cute like this!" Robin, who was spectating nearby, was charmed by Bepo's bashful demeanor.
"Really?" Bepo asked with some curiosity.
"Nope, just kidding!" Robin, suddenly in a mischievous mood, teased Bepo.
"I'm sorry!" Bepo, who didn't take teasing well, immediately apologized to Robin.
Seeing Bepo like this, Robin couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle. Bepo's reaction was just too amusing; it made Robin laugh out loud. Doflamingo also smiled in concert, the atmosphere very congenial.
Several days later, Doflamingo led the Donquixote Family members up Reverse Mountain. Everyone gathered on the Ark's deck. Doflamingo and others who had traversed Reverse Mountain multiple times were already accustomed to this marvel. However, newcomers like Law and Baby 5 were seeing it for the first time and couldn't help but exclaim in awe. The Ark was filled with a joyous atmosphere.
"Young Master, is this Reverse Mountain? It's truly magnificent!" Baby 5, following Doflamingo, marveled continuously at the Red Line and Reverse Mountain.
"Fuffuffuffuffu. Baby 5, do you see that Red Line?" Doflamingo asked Baby 5 with a smile.
"Young Master, I see it! What about the Red Line?" Baby 5 asked innocently.
"Currently, the ones residing up there are the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons. But in the future, it will be us living up there!" Doflamingo stated his ambition with an air of casual confidence.
"The Young Master's wish will definitely come true!" Baby 5, at this point, had no real understanding of the true extent of the World Nobles' power. Their strength had only just begun to surface, and what lay hidden was unknown to anyone. Apart from Imu, who sat upon the Empty Throne, no one knew what kind of trump cards the World Government, which had ruled for 800 years, truly possessed. Doflamingo felt a touch of emotion at Baby 5's affirmation. Though Baby 5 didn't understand, she knew that wholeheartedly supporting Doflamingo was the right thing to do.
"Then this Red Line will be our territory in the future!" Enel had no fear of the Celestial Dragons. Even knowing the World Government was immensely powerful, Enel wouldn't be afraid. In fact, the stronger the enemy, the more excited Enel would be to pull them down from their high horse.
"Enel, you're declaring it so soon! You have to eat your rice one mouthful at a time!" Diamante was more composed. He also supported Doflamingo's ambition, but he knew the strength of the World Government and remained relatively cautious.
"What's there to be afraid of? Life is a journey; even in death, one should die spectacularly! When we became pirates, didn't we cast aside thoughts of life and death long ago? Law, what do you say?" Enel, somewhat dismissive of Diamante's caution, threw the question to Law.
Law, who had been in a state of shock from the sight of the Red Line, was suddenly pulled into the conversation. However, he didn't back down, boldly stating, "The World Government has ruled this world for eight hundred years. It's about time for a change. Who's to say we can't rule the world?"
"Yahahaha! Brat Law, I like your words! But with your current skills, you're still far off!" Enel, somewhat surprised by Law's bold statement, was mostly pleased and took the opportunity to offer a little guidance.
"Rest assured, Lord Enel. I won't fall easily until I've seen the World Government topple," Law said, his voice filled with hatred. He held no goodwill towards the World Government or the Marines; the tragedy of the White Town was still vivid in his mind, constantly urging him forward.
"Yahahaha! Law, I look forward to your future!" Enel declared loudly and happily.
Hearing the conversation between Enel and Law, the others were each lost in their own thoughts. When Robin had just heard the words "World Government," a wave of fear had washed over her. However, it was quickly noticed by the sharp-eyed Doflamingo. A large hand rested on young Robin's head, instantly calming her heart.
"Onii-chan, I'm already an adult! Don't treat me like you treat Sugar!" Robin, having composed herself, pouted at Doflamingo, feigning displeasure.
"That won't do. In my eyes, you're still that eight-year-old little brat! Fuffuffuffuffu," Doflamingo teased with a laugh.
"Onii-chan!" Robin said, a hint of embarrassed anger in her voice.
"The World Government, so what? Robin, rest assured. No matter what happens, this will always be your home. Your family will protect you!" Doflamingo patted Robin's head again, comfortingly.
Ibes, beside Robin, also pulled her into a warm embrace.
"Mhm," Robin murmured softly. She glanced at Doflamingo and Ibes, and at the other family members present, feeling an immense sense of security. Leaning against Ibes, she peacefully enjoyed the warmth of the hug.
"I will always be with you, Young Master," Monet, as his secretary, wouldn't miss such a good opportunity to express her feelings. She immediately declared her stance to Doflamingo, the deep affection in her eyes making Doflamingo take a second look.
Monet met Doflamingo's gaze directly, without a trace of shyness. Monet, who clearly understood her own heart, wouldn't be coy and hesitant like other women, afraid to express herself. Doflamingo withdrew his gaze from Monet, looking into the distance, not replying to her words, though a faint smile hung on his lips. Monet, not hearing Doflamingo's reply, didn't feel disappointed. She just silently cheered herself on. Next time, next time, the Young Master will definitely respond! When she inadvertently saw the smile on Doflamingo's lips, her mood brightened considerably. She stood by Doflamingo's side, gazing into the distance with him.
"Get ready, we're entering Reverse Mountain!" Doflamingo reminded everyone.
"Understood, Young Master!"
"Okay, Young Master Doflamingo!"
Alerted by Doflamingo, everyone braced themselves, gripping the railings of the Ark. However, only some of the newcomers responded; the veterans were already unfazed by such things. A burst of rising steam, and the Ark passed safely through Reverse Mountain. Everyone then saw a large black mountain blocking their path.
"Young Master, there's a huge mountain ahead! We're going to crash!" Baby 5 exclaimed, clinging to Doflamingo's leg.
"That's just a whale," Doflamingo said calmly.
"Oh, what!" Baby 5 mumbled, somewhat embarrassed.
Aside from Baby 5's overreaction, no one else showed any signs of panic. Such a minor obstacle was no match for them.
"Let me slaughter it! Let me test just how sharp my sword is now!" Diamante said, a bloodthirsty edge to his voice.
"That's a good suggestion! Such a big whale must be delicious!" Bepo, having joined the Donquixote Family, had also been led astray. He was very eager to taste such a creature.
"Bepo, now that you mention it, I'm getting a bit hungry too!" Robin, leaning against Ibes with a sisterly affection, said with a slyly mischievous tone.
"What a great idea! I really want to eat too!" Enel chimed in excitedly. Before even entering the Grand Line, starting with a whale as an appetizer to appease their stomachs sounded good.
Pica said nothing, but his expression showed he was tempted. The others didn't object either. After all, it was just a sea creature. Sea Kings were eaten, so what was a mere whale? Doflamingo remained silent. Just a whale, no big deal. It didn't matter if it was Laboon or even a Sea God. Since they had become pirates, they had to be prepared for death. So, on their journey, they should naturally be free and unrestrained. Being bound by rules, acting like a saint, "this can't be eaten, that can't be eaten" – what kind of pirate were you then? Go home and play house!
Encouraged by everyone's expressions, Diamante began his move just as the Ark was about to collide with Laboon.
"Half-Moon Sending-Off Slash!"
The familiar move. Diamante quickly unleashed several sword slashes towards Laboon, intending to dice Laboon's massive body into pieces. Laboon, far from stupid and in fact quite intelligent, realized this pirate crew was not to be trifled with. It quickly spurted a massive stream of water towards Diamante's sword slashes. The water and sword energy exploded on the sea's surface, and scattered spray shot towards everyone on the Ark, threatening to drench them all.
"Room!" Law quickly intervened, opening his transparent surgical space and redirecting the water droplets.
"Law, thank goodness for you! Otherwise, we'd all be drenched chickens! I really don't want to take a bath," Bepo thanked Law with adorable, wide eyes.
"Cough, alright! I get it," Law, somewhat unable to handle Bepo's cuteness, quickly replied, interrupting Bepo's charm offensive.
"This beast has some tricks!" Enel exclaimed.
Diamante overheard this and felt a bit embarrassed. He had just made a big boast, and now he couldn't even take down a beast. This was quite a blow to his pride. Diamante got serious, attacking with his full strength, holding nothing back. Armament Haki instantly coated his sword. He then used Moon Walk to fly towards Laboon, determined to slay it with a single strike.
"Diamante's serious now!" Enel remarked, somewhat surprised to see Diamante's blackened rapier. Though, if he himself had been made to look foolish, he'd probably react the same way. It was easy for him to talk since he wasn't the one in the hot seat.
Laboon sensed immense danger and let out a series of loud roars, trying to intimidate Diamante, its body preparing to retreat into the deep sea.
"Beast! Trying to run? Not so easy!" Diamante saw through Laboon's bluff and was about to swing his longsword.
"Young man, Laboon is just a child. Please spare him!"
In Diamante's mind, this strike would leave Laboon dead or severely crippled. He hadn't expected an old man to suddenly appear at this moment, blocking his longsword, and seemingly with great ease.
"Who are you?" Diamante asked, quite wary.
"Just someone about to return to the earth," Crocus said modestly.
"Save that talk for the kids!" Diamante retorted, highly dissatisfied. An old man on the verge of death possessing such strength, and his Armament Haki proficiency was not shallow either. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a powerhouse from the New World.
"Young man, let's each take a step back. Laboon hasn't harmed you, after all," Crocus, his Haki-coated hand locked with Diamante's rapier, advised quite calmly.
"That's not for you to decide, old man! Since you've retired, you should just rest peacefully." Although Diamante didn't recognize Crocus, he was perceptive. Such strength definitely belonged to a pirate retired from the New World. After all, Doflamingo had previously assessed his own strength; in the first half of the Grand Line, the pirates who could easily defeat him could be counted on one hand. For Crocus to block his attack so easily, he must be a formidable character.
The Pirate King's ship doctor is no simple character!