Tsuru.
This name, within the Marines, is the very symbol of wisdom and perfection.
As the Marines' Great Staff Officer, Tsuru is the one who stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Fleet Admiral Sengoku at the helm.
In Michael's eyes, Tsuru is even the person who truly shaped the Marines.
But…
In Doflamingo's worldview, this name…
Is pure nightmare.
When he first debuted, Doflamingo and the Donquixote Family were hunted by Vice Admiral Tsuru—who had not yet fully retired from the front lines—like beaten dogs.
Even after his strength gradually grew, Doflamingo's opinion of Vice Admiral Tsuru never changed. And as his own intelligence and cunning grew, he came to realize another terrifying side of her…
That unfathomable wisdom. Even though he prided himself on being clever—a manipulator who controlled the board—
He had no choice but to admit that if it came to brains, he absolutely was not this old woman's opponent.
So even after becoming one of the Shichibukai, he kept his distance from Vice Admiral Tsuru.
And throughout the years, each time Tsuru had seen him, she would always call him something meaningful:
"Good child."
Honestly, every time he heard those three words, his calves cramped!
Back then, he had almost been "washed" into a model student by Tsuru's Wash-Wash Fruit!
If Trebol hadn't saved him by slingshotting sticky mucus from afar—
There wouldn't be today's sky-ruling Doflamingo!
"You… what do you mean by that?"
"What do I mean? Literally what I said." Hancock narrowed her eyes slightly, the corners of her gaze curling with a faint smile. "Trust me, Doflamingo… you'd better pray you escape from my hands this time. Otherwise, you will suffer."
Finishing her words, she suddenly leapt into the air, inverted mid-air, looking down on the Donquixote Family below.
Her fingers touched her lips lightly, and then she pulled out from them a massive, pink, heart-shaped unknown substance.
She grabbed the sharp end of the heart with one hand to stabilize it, and with the other hand she drew back like a bowstring…
A moment later, countless pink arrows rained down toward the Donquixote Family!
...
Once again, Conqueror's Haki Infusion coiled around the massive kanabō as Kaido swung it wildly toward every open angle around Michael.
This move had no blind spots—it cut off all of Michael's escape routes, creating a space that could not be avoided.
For others, this move might be troublesome.
But for Michael…
It was perfect.
After all, he had no intention of running anyway.
"Kaido, looks like you couldn't hold it in… you suddenly used Conqueror's Haki Infusion again!"
"Michael! In war, one can never use too much deception! A warrior is someone who must use every means to win and survive the battlefield!"
"You're not wrong… As expected of the strongest warrior of the former Vodka Kingdom." A hint of mockery flashed across Michael's face. The next second, Myōjō also wrapped itself with Conqueror's Haki.
"Lost Paradise!"
With a direct thrust, Myōjō released a massive shockwave of Conqueror's Haki.
The two infused techniques clashed through the air, scattering countless black sparks.
Kaido's pupils tightened sharply!
He could clearly feel it—this exchange left him at a disadvantage!
But…
Michael didn't retreat even a step in the face of his strike!
Kaido, despite using any means necessary…
Still carried the pride of a strong man and the dignity of a warrior. And Michael did not choose to dodge—he simply met the attack head-on with his own overwhelming body!
Instantly—
Under the enormous shockwave, Kaido's flesh split layer by layer, and the dragon scales of his Azure Dragon form were torn open in large patches.
But Michael's expression…
Was more serious than ever.
Because in that clash, most of the force of Lost Paradise had actually been blocked by Kaido's technique. So although Kaido looked miserable, it was mostly superficial—nothing critical.
However, in that single strike, Michael clearly sensed something:
The Kaido before him had awakened something new—
More accurately, something deep inside Kaido had reawakened.
"HAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHA!! Michael, it hurts! It REALLY hurts!"
"But this pain reminds me of the life I used to live…"
"No matter what you are now, you were once a Marine. And that means I will definitely kill you!"
"Marines! Marines! The ones I hate most—aside from that king from Vodka Kingdom—are you hypocritical Marines!"
As Kaido's emotions exploded, Michael became calmer and calmer.
Before Kaido became the infamous "Beast" Kaido… what kind of person was he?
At ten years old, Kaido had already become the strongest warrior of the Vodka Kingdom.
A natural-born war machine, a natural-born monster…
At ten, he was already unstoppable on the battlefield.
His fate was sealed from the beginning—he was destined to become one of the strongest beings in the world of pirates.
But… the original Kaido was not like this.
As Kaido grew, by thirteen the Vodka Kingdom faced a massive crisis—
The Heavenly Tribute.
Because of poverty, to pay the Heavenly Tribute, the kingdom repeatedly launched wars to plunder resources.
But because the wars never ended, the people suffered, becoming even poorer…
A vicious cycle, all to earn the Celestial Dragons's approval, to earn a seat at the World Conference table.
Kaido was not like Whitebeard II—he wasn't an idiot who only knew fighting.
His mind was not empty.
He simply didn't understand—why?
Why did everyone have to bow to the Celestial Dragons?
He was deeply confused… but then the King of Vodka Kingdom came up with a new idea.
"Seems like you're very unhappy about being sold to the Marines by the Vodka Kingdom, nearly becoming the World Government's tool, huh?"
"I have NEVER been a political tool! Not for that king, and not for you Marines either." Soaked in blood, Kaido grinned savagely. "He used me as a bargaining chip—if I became a Marine, then Vodka Kingdom would earn the right to attend the World Conference!"
"That is indeed… a pity."
Michael looked directly at Kaido and exhaled.
"Honestly, Kaido, I have to admit—if I had been born a bit earlier… if I had changed the Marines sooner… if I had met you earlier…"
"You would have become the greatest Marine—my greatest comrade."
"But… it's already too late."
"Look at yourself!"
"How are you any different from the Celestial Dragons you once hated…?"
"Kaido!?!?"
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Fanfic is finished. 583 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg