Chapter 232: Has it Begun?
Chapter 232: Has it Begun?
"Doflamingo, are we really going to return the Fishman and Mermaid to Fish-Man Island as Nicholas said?"
Diamante, draped in a bright red cloak, spoke while playing with a sword in his hand, making it as soft as noodles.
Shortly after Nicholas's phone call, the Donquixote Family convened a brief family meeting.
"Yes, Doflamingo, if we do this, our losses will be significant, and it will also have a considerable impact on the reputation of our Donquixote Family."
Trebol, the Clover Representative, also spoke, clearly indicating that if the Donquixote Family really followed Nicholas's instructions this time, the economic losses would be secondary. The main concern was the considerable impact it would have on the Donquixote Family in the Underworld.
"Young Master, otherwise, let's just ignore that Nicholas guy. After all, it's too arrogant for him to order us around with just a phone call."
A sharp and thin voice came from a person wearing a mask. However, despite the amusing accent, none of those present laughed, because sitting there was Pica, the Spade Representative and Top Executive of the Donquixote Family.
"Fuhahahaha!"
Facing the discussion of his Top Executive subordinates, Doflamingo didn't speak. Instead, he covered his forehead with his hand, leaned back in his chair, and burst into laughter. His laughter was so unrestrained that his Officers revealed puzzled expressions.
After all, they didn't understand what was wrong with Doflamingo.
"What are a few Mermaid and Fishman? Giving Nicholas some Face is nothing. After all, I don't want to face that guy's rage. Also, notify our subordinates to be more stable recently. Shambles will have some very interesting things happening recently. I really want to see how much commotion that Nicholas guy can cause!
The Fish-Man Island thing should also be his big move after being silent for so long. I really want to see the expressions of those arrogant guys when they face Nicholas."
Doflamingo suddenly stopped laughing, his expression arrogant as he spoke to his Officer subordinates.
A day later, the news that Fish-Man Island had announced its acceptance of Nicholas's Protection began to spread rapidly throughout the Four Seas. At the same time, the price of Mermaid in Black Market around the world began to skyrocket.
Everyone knew that after accepting Nicholas's Protection, the risk of capturing Mermaid from Fish-Man Island would increase sharply. If the trouble faced when capturing Mermaid before was only Fish-Man Island, it wasn't much.
After all, Fish-Man Island's Strength was just there. Any Pirate or Force with some Ability could step on it.
But the Nicholas Pirates were different. They were terrifying Monsters rampaging in the New World. No one was willing to easily provoke a Strongest of that level.
South Blue, Baterilla Island.
A Small Island located in a remote Sea Area of the South Blue, ordinary and almost isolated from the world. On this Small Island, on a High Platform near the Seaside, a cozy two-story small courtyard facing the Sea was situated.
The Sea Breeze brushed against the face, and White Clouds drifted in the Sky, changing into various strange shapes and slowly drifting into the distance.
Sunlight shone on the Grand Line, sparkling.
Under a Large Tree, a broad back faced away from the small courtyard. Wearing a Straw Hat on his head and a Towel around his neck, with a Hoe leaning against the Large Tree beside him, everything indicated that the Man had just finished a day's labor.
At this moment, the Man was sitting on a bamboo chair, looking down at the latest Newspaper and laughing heartily.
"It's really an Accident. I didn't expect your first step to be Fish-Man Island. It seems you really plan to take control of Sea King Poseidon in advance."
Hands wearing two Rings held the Newspaper. A pair of pupils were bright and piercing. In his Laughter, one could vaguely feel the Haki that swallowed mountains and rivers. But for some reason, such a Figure was now willing to live in seclusion on this Island in the South Blue.
That's right, this guy was the Pirate King that the Marine had always wanted to capture, Gol D. Roger, or rather Gol `·D· Roger.
A long Time had passed since he became the Pirate King. The Roger Pirates, famous on the Grand Line, had disappeared.
And this Pirate King, who attracted countless Pirates to set sail, was now living a secluded pastoral Life here like an ordinary middle-aged Man.
Roger looked at the Newspaper and suddenly coughed uncontrollably.
"It's windy outside, be careful not to catch a cold."
Gentle Words sounded. A woman wearing a white dress, with Blonde Hair draped over her shoulders, adorned with a red hibiscus flower hairpin, and a few freckles on her beautiful face, exuding intelligence and gentleness, was standing behind Roger, her Tone slightly reproachful.
"Rouge."
Turning his head, Roger revealed a smile on his face, his Gaze full of love.
Looking at the Newspaper in Roger's hand and the News about Nicholas on it, a hint of worry flashed across Rouge's face.
As Roger's lover, the two naturally talked about many Figures. Whitebeard, Garp, Nicholas – Rouge had naturally heard about these famous guys on the Grand Line from Roger. Unlike others, Roger's attitude towards these three had always been Complex.
Whitebeard was considered a Friend, and Garp was also a friend and foe. Only Nicholas, in Rouge's view, was regarded by Roger as a kindred spirit.
Holding Reiju Vinsmoke's slender hand, Roger embraced her in his arms. Now, he was not the Pirate King who looked down upon the Grand Line with arrogance, but just an ordinary Man in love.
"I'm pregnant."
Sitting in Roger's arms, Rouge turned her head to look at Roger's stubbled face, like a blooming Rose, revealing the most beautiful smile in the world.
Roger was stunned for a moment, then gently covered Rouge's Belly with his hand. When he felt that weak little Life, he began to become flustered.
"I... I'm going to be a father?"
Excited, happy, joyful, the King of the Grand Line, the Pirate King Roger who conquered the Grand Line, was now laughing like a child.
"Yes, you are going to be a father, and I am going to be a mother."
Lowering her head, Rouge placed her hand on Roger's hand that was touching her Belly, her eyes full of Happiness.
The two snuggled together. Roger hugged Rouge and looked at the azure Grand Line, wishing this moment could last forever.
"Let's name the child!"
Leaning in Roger's arms, Rouge said.
"If it's a girl, we'll name her Ann. If it's a boy, we'll name him Ace."
"Gol `·D· Ann, Gol `·D· Ace."
"Yes, Ann and Ace."
Roger's Mood at this moment was more uneasy and excited than ever before.
New World, on the turbulent Grand Line, a giant whale-shaped Pirate Ship was riding the Waves.
"Gurararara. Protected Fish-Man Island?"
Laughter filled with hearty and Haki. On the Deck of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard was sitting on a huge chair, holding a Wine Flask and gulping down Liquor, then looking at the Newspaper in his hand and laughing for some reason.
Blonde Hair draped over his shoulders, his sturdy Chest exposed to the Air, with some old scars telling of this Man's ferocity. The most striking feature was of course his white beard that curved upwards like a crescent moon.
"Pops, that Nicholas guy actually designated Fish-Man Island as his Territory."
Beside him, a slender Man with a blonde short punk hairstyle, a Dagger at his waist, and a tattoo unique to the Whitebeard Pirates on his Chest, folded the Newspaper in his hand and said with a frown.
It was Marco, the Phoenix, First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
It could be said that since separating from Nicholas, Marco had undergone a great change. He was now transforming into a qualified first mate.
New World, an Island full of storms.
At the highest point of the Island, a Figure completely shrouded in a dark green Coat was suddenly blown open by a Gale, revealing a Man with a red square tattoo on his left face in the fleeting Thunder light. He dropped the Newspaper in his hand and gazed at the Sky.
"Has it begun?"
(End of Chapter)