– Recap –
After being recommended for the mission to assist Rosinante, Mirage is now on his tiny boat, heading toward Spider Miles Island. But something about him seemed… off.
– Continuation –
He sat in a meditative posture, drenched in sweat—though it didn't last long. Moments later, the boy collapsed backward, gasping heavily.
Mirage:
"Damn it… *pant* Another loss… *pant* Who'd have thought that stupid paper-creation power would be such a pain to deal with…"
Once he'd caught his breath, Mirage stood again and gazed toward the horizon—realizing he'd finally reached his destination.
Mirage:
"Well… enough daydreaming about paperwork! I've got a mission to do."
A few minutes later, Mirage landed on Spider Miles Island.
Mirage:
"Whoa… this place looks way bigger than in the anime!"
His curiosity piqued, Mirage dashed across the island, slowly exploring every corner.
Mirage:
"I wonder why Oda never expanded on this island more? If you ignore all the trash piles everywhere, it's actually kinda cool…"
*Weird… I feel like I'm being watched—but there's no one around… Better hurry.*
That unsettling sensation made Mirage abandon his sightseeing. He headed straight for the Celestial Dragon's base. When he arrived, he tried making a dramatic entrance.
Mirage:
"OH, BEHOLD—"
?????:
"Look! The Young Master was right about a little mouse wandering around the island!"
??????:
"Of course he was, Baby 5! Has the Young Master ever been wrong?"
Baby 5:
"You're absolutely right, Buffalo! The Young Master never makes mistakes!"
Before Mirage could finish his line, a pair of kids cut him off.
One girl—called Baby 5 by the other—was slightly shorter than Mirage, with black hair, a dark red dress, and a white bow.
The other—named Buffalo by Baby 5—towered over Mirage. He wore a blue beanie, a white shirt with light-blue suspenders, and his most striking feature: enormous front teeth that looked like beaver incisors.
Mirage:
"…Mouse?"
Annoyed by the nickname, Mirage held back his irritation and just sighed.
Mirage:
"Hey! Where's Doflamingo? I heard he's on this island."
The two kids glanced at Mirage for a split second—then completely ignored him, turning toward the base's entrance. Following their gaze, Mirage saw him: Doflamingo, the Celestial Dragon himself.
He wore a casually elegant outfit—a black button-up shirt with a blood-red tie, loose white pants with red flame-like patterns, short, nearly sparse citrine-yellow hair, and his signature rose-tinted sunglasses.
Doflamingo:
"Well, well… the little mouse finally showed its face?"
Mirage:
"Seriously, how long are you guys gonna keep calling me 'mouse'? I came here to enlist—not to get insulted."
Doflamingo chuckled softly and stepped closer, studying Mirage like a hawk sizing up its prey.
Doflamingo:
"And why should I accept a little mouse like you?"
Mirage's expression didn't flinch. He simply locked eyes with Doflamingo through the red lenses.
Mirage:
"I think a better question would be… why *not* accept me?"
"Fufufufu~" Doflamingo smiled. "Now that's an interesting way to think… though a bit arrogant, don't you think?"
Almost instantly, nearly invisible threads shot from Doflamingo's hands and wrapped around Mirage's body before he could react. But even after noticing them, Mirage didn't move—he kept staring straight ahead.
Doflamingo:
"Enough games. Answer properly: why should I take you in?"
*This expression… Did I use threads that were too weak?*
Mirage:
"I already did."
With that, Mirage released a surge of Electro from his body, instantly burning Doflamingo's threads to ash. The Celestial Dragon's lips curled into a subtle, impressed smirk.
Doflamingo (thinking):
*Hmph… A Mink hybrid? Outside the New World? This kid's interesting.*
Doflamingo:
"What's your name?"
Mirage:
"Mirage. That's my name."
*I expected him to be insane… but I thought he had a soft spot for kids…*
Doflamingo:
"Mirage, huh? From this day forward… you're part of the family!"
As he said this, Doflamingo tousled Mirage's hair affectionately, as if they'd known each other for years.
Doflamingo:
"Hey Baby 5! Buffalo! Come say hello to our new member!"
At their Young Master's call, both kids approached and extended their hands.
Baby 5:
"Nice to meet you! I'm Baby 5!"
Buffalo:
"Nnnnnnnin! Buffalo!"
Mirage shook both their hands, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Mirage:
"I'm Mirage. Hope we get along."
Doflamingo:
"Fufufufu~ Alright, Mirage. Let's go inside—there are some people you need to meet."
The four entered the Donquixote Pirates' base. Surprisingly cozy, it resembled a rustic pub. But far more important were the people inside…
Doflamingo:
"Everyone! Gather 'round!"
At his command, everyone in the room (except one sleeping figure) rushed over—especially one man, who nearly pressed his face against Doflamingo's.
?????:
"Nyeh? What's up, Doffy?"
The speaker was Trebol—a scruffy man in his mid-30s, sporting a messy beard, dark sunglasses, and a black bowler hat. Shirtless, he wore a gray-trimmed blue cape over his shoulders and loose black pants.
???? (high-pitched voice):
"Trebol! You're way too close to Doffy!"
This was Pica—a towering 4.7-meter man whose torso alone dwarfed Doflamingo. His body was absurdly disproportionate: massive shoulders, a comically large torso, and comically tiny legs. He wore gladiator-style armor—shoulder guards, a helmet covering most of his gray hair, gauntlets, and greaves.
Trebol:
"Nyeh? What're you yapping about, Chicken-voice Pica?"
Trebol turned and invaded Pica's personal space, his snot-dripping nose nearly touching Pica's face.
Pica (veins bulging):
"HUH?! WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME, YOU OLD SNOTBAG!?!?!"
Just as Pica raised his fist to strike—
??????:
"Stop acting like children! Didn't you hear Doffy?! He's got something to say!"
A hulking, hunchbacked man—at least 5 meters tall, lean and muscular, with long brown hair and red tribal stripes across his face—slammed both Trebol and Pica into the floor with one punch. He wore an unbuttoned red dress shirt, light dress pants, and a pale red cloak over his shoulders.
Trebol:
"Don't butt in, Diamante!"
Pica:
"Yeah! This is between me and Trebol!"
The commotion roused the sleeping man, who stood up—revealing someone who looked strikingly like Doflamingo: same citrine hair (though slightly shorter), face painted with a permanent clownish smile, and an upside-down crown tattoo beneath his right eye. His outfit mirrored Doflamingo's but in different colors, topped with a dark red hat.
Doflamingo:
"Perfect! Now that Corazon's finally awake, can we drop this circus act? Agreed?"
At that, Trebol and Pica instantly ceased their bickering.
Trebol:
"Nyeh! All part of my master plan to wake up Corazon!"
Pica:
"Hmph! I'll let it slide this time, Trebol."
With everyone's attention secured, Doflamingo placed a hand on Mirage's shoulder and gently pushed him forward.
Doflamingo:
"Meet our newest member—Mirage!"
Mirage:
"Pleasure to be here!"
The crew cheered—except Corazon, who froze in shock at the name.
Corazon (thinking):
*I can't believe it… Those damn fools sent a child?! How did Sengoku allow this?! I can't let a kid stay here… Forgive me, Mirage… for what I'm about to do.*
In one swift motion, Corazon strode toward Mirage. The Donquixote crew merely laughed and shouted a warning:
Pica:
"Mirage, huh? Watch out! Corazon *hates* kids!"
When Corazon reached him, he grabbed Mirage by the collar and hurled him toward the nearest window—with shocking force for his slender frame.
But just before impact, Mirage charged his hands with Electro and slammed them against the wall, creating a small explosion that slowed his momentum.
Mirage:
"What was that for, Corazon-san? I haven't done anything to upset you… or have I?"
As he spoke, Mirage walked up to Corazon and pulled a dark red hat—Corazon's own—from his pocket, handing it back.
Diamante:
"Uwahahaha~ This kid's quick!"
Trebol:
"Nyeh~ Doffy really doesn't miss when picking rookies."
Pica:
"Pikkya~ He's got real talent—unlike Buffalo."
Buffalo:
"You're still mad I laughed at your voice when we first met, Pica-sama? I already apologized!"
Corazon (thinking):
*Fast… I didn't even see his arm move.*
Once the commotion settled, Doflamingo clapped his hands, regaining everyone's focus.
Doflamingo:
"Now that you've all met the newbie—introduce yourselves, and make it quick! We've wasted enough time!"
All:
"Yes, Young Master / Doffy!"
One by one, the crew welcomed Mirage.
Doflamingo:
"Good! We're done before lunch. Let's eat!"
Doflamingo led the way into the kitchen, followed by the elite officers (except Corazon), then the others—with Baby 5 and Buffalo trailing behind, scheming.
Baby 5 & Buffalo (giggling):
"Hehehehehe…"
As they passed through the doorway, they scattered marbles on the floor, hoping one of the two would slip. Mirage noticed immediately and turned to Corazon.
Mirage:
"Corazon-sama… you go first."
Though Corazon wanted to talk to the boy, he knew this was a terrible time. Annoyed and stressed, he hurried forward—only to step right into the trap. Instead of falling straight down, he was launched forward, flying straight toward the kitchen table.
Bracing for impact—and the inevitable complaints—he shut his eyes…
…But none came.
He opened them to see—
Mirage:
"You alright, Corazon-sama?"
Mirage had caught him mid-air, gently setting him down before joining the others at the table.
Doflamingo:
"Fufufufu~ Quick reflexes, huh? Almost saved lunch from disaster."
Diamante:
"Uwahahaha! Good thing the kid was here! Otherwise, your dumb brother would've wrecked the whole meal!"
Mirage:
"No need to thank me! Just doing what any subordinate would for their superior!"
They ate, laughed, and chatted—and by the end of the meal, Mirage had truly become part of the Donquixote "family."
– Several hours later –
Late at night, Rosinante slipped into Mirage's assigned room. Using his Devil Fruit ability, he silenced the space completely—no sound could escape.
Inside, Mirage was waiting.
Mirage:
"Sir Rosinante! So—what'd you think of my performance?"
Amused by Mirage's casual tone, Rosinante grabbed him by the shirt and lifted him off the ground.
Rosinante:
"Performance? Kid, this isn't a game! One wrong move, and you're dead!"
Mirage:
"I'm not playing. I know exactly what's at stake on this mission—that's *why* I chose it!"
Staring into Mirage's eyes, Rosinante saw only unwavering resolve—pure and absolute.
Rosinante:
"You… *chose* this mission?"
Mirage:
"Exactly! My brother was supposed to come. But he let me take his place."
Rosinante:
"Why? What possible reason would you have to volunteer for this den of demons?"
Mirage:
"That's classified, Sir Rosinante."
Rosinante kept staring—surprised by the boy's audacity… or was it arrogance? He couldn't tell. But that solemn expression and those words left him momentarily speechless.
Mirage:
"…Sir Rosinante? Could you let me go?"
Rosinante (startled):
"Huh? Oh—sure."
Not knowing what else to do, Rosinante simply released him.
Mirage:
"Well… now that we've had this very productive chat… can I get some sleep? I'm still growing, you know."
Rosinante (sighing):
"Ah… you know what? Just… don't die, Mirage."
Giving up on convincing him to leave, Rosinante turned and walked out of the room.
To Be Continued