The echo of clapping cuts through the silence.
Slow. Deliberate. Each clap a mockery—a sound that bounces off pink-veined stone and crimson velvet, that fills the empty auction house like water filling a drowning vessel.
Everyone turns.
Donquixote Doflamingo emerges from the shadows.
He strides down the center aisle as though the world still bends beneath his feet, though his kingdom lies in ruins behind him. His pink feather coat rustles with each step. His sunglasses gleam. His grin stretches wide and sharp.
"How touching," he drawls. "To think you were able to bring her back from the dead."
Luffy glares. His fists clench at his sides. "Mingo."
Law snaps, "What are you doing here?"
Doflamingo unfurls his arms, claiming the hollow theater as though its silence were an ovation meant for him alone.
"This is my establishment. What do you think? It isn't as prestigious as Sabaody Archipelago, but it gets the job done."
Marya's eyes shift to Shanks. Her voice is quiet. "Donquixote?"
Shanks nods. "This is him. His cousin."
Luffy yells, "I am going to kick your ass!"
Doflamingo laughs—a bright, manic sound that echoes through the theater.
"That is not necessary. I am not here to fight an Emperor."
Beckman jerks his head. He flicks ash from his cigarette. "What are you here for?"
Doflamingo's eyes land on Marya. His grin sharpens.
"I came to see the other half of the bloodline."
Marya raises a brow.
Jannali comments, "He's bonkers."
Marya sighs. "We don't have time for this. We should get going."
Doflamingo flops down in a seat. He reclines, extending his arms along the back of the chair.
"You are infamous. I have heard so much about you." He cocks his head. "It is astonishing how much you two are alike."
Luffy growls, "MINGO!"
Law glares. His hand grips Kikoku's hilt.
But Doflamingo just grins—manic, mocking. His eye lands on Law.
"Law. To think our paths would cross again."
Marya takes hold of Shanks' wrist. She talks into his ear, her voice urgent. "We should..."
Shanks nods.
Marya looks to the group. "Ignore him. He is insignificant. We need to—"
Doflamingo jolts.
His grin falters. His posture tenses. For just a moment—just a heartbeat—something flickers behind those sunglasses. Something cold.
Then he grins wider.
"Your brother..."
Marya's head whips around. Her jaw flexes.
Doflamingo's grin widens. "Ah. I thought that might get your attention."
He leans forward. His elbows rest on his knees. His fingers interlace.
"I may have information you find interesting."
Marya's eyes narrow. Her voice is flat. "Hardly."
Doflamingo belts out a laugh—a sharp, barking sound.
"The two of you really are just like him."
Luffy's head swivels. His brow furrows. "Like who?"
Law snaps, "What are you doing here, Doflamingo?"
Doflamingo's grin returns. "I thought that would be obvious..."
---
A chill sweeps through the air.
Eliane crosses her arms. Her breath fogs. "Why is it so cold all of a sudden?"
Marya smirks. She mutters, "It has been a while."
Ice begins to form.
It creeps across the seats—a thin, crystalline film that spreads like living frost. It coats the floor. It climbs the walls. The temperature drops, and the air itself feels sharp, brittle, ready to shatter.
Kuzan Aokiji emerges from the shadows of the entrance.
His hands remain tucked in his pockets, his posture loose with the indolence of drifting snow. Yet his eyes—dark, measuring—pass over the group like winter remembering every grave beneath it.
Doflamingo looks over his shoulder. His jaw flexes. "Kuzan. What are you doing here?"
Kuzan pauses in the aisle. He cocks a hip. "Oh, I heard something interesting was happening and thought I might come and check it out."
Eliane skips with excitement. She waves—bright, enthusiastic, utterly Eliane. "Mr. Kuzan!"
She rushes toward him. Her wings spread wide—black feathers shimmering in the icy light—and she lands at Kuzan's feet, beaming.
"Are you coming back with us?"
Kuzan blinks. He rubs the back of his neck. He looks away—awkward, uncomfortable.
"Oh. Ah. Well, I don't think I can right now."
Law looks over his shoulder at Marya. His expression is questioning. "You know Aokiji?"
Marya nods. She shrugs. "He traveled with us for a while. I dropped him at Sphinx Island. He was on his way to somewhere."
Beckman blows out a plume of smoke. "That was a risky move, kid."
Marya rolls her eyes. "You sound like my father."
Shanks breaks the chatter. His voice is sharp. Commanding. "It is time for us to go!"
Kuzan's head snaps up. His voice is quiet. Steady. "I am afraid I cannot allow that."
Doflamingo laughs. He intertwines his fingers behind his head. "This should be entertaining."
Eliane asks—innocent, confused—"But how come, Mr. Kuzan? We have to go and save Uta."
Kuzan pats her head as he walks past her. His gaze is fixed on Shanks.
"I cannot allow you to bring Uta back. She is too dangerous. Too powerful."
Shanks glares. His voice is low. Dangerous. "You going to try and stop me?"
Kuzan scans the group. He stands on the stage now—tall, calm, his breath misting in the frozen air.
He rubs his chin. Considering. "This is a formidable group. I don't suspect I would be able to."
Jannali curses. "Bloody hell. Haven't changed a bit, mate."
Marya chuckles. "Kuzan. Why did you come here?"
Kuzan looks up. He pulls out a flyer—crumpled, worn, the jolly roger visible in the corner.
"You see, I came across one of these and wanted to see for myself. I didn't expect you to be here." He pauses. "But I guess I should have expected it."
Marya looks him in the eye. "We are going to go. It was good to see you again."
Kuzan looks her in the eye. "You know, I am going to have to..."
Marya smirks. "I would expect nothing less. But be warned—whoever crosses our path will be struck down without hesitation."
Kuzan nods. His gaze shifts to Luffy. Then Law. "You have teamed up with Straw Hat and Law. Hmmm..."