As for the "Surgeon of Death" Law, Creed didn't pay him much mind.
Right now, Trafalgar Law was only at SSS-level—far too weak. Even with the Ope Ope no Mi (Operation-Operation Fruit) and his scalpel, Creed didn't really see him as a threat.
The one in the sky, though—that was a different story.
"So you finally couldn't sit still, huh? Trying to strike first and keep me out of Totto Land?"
Creed guessed at the man's purpose, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
That was fine by him. Saved him the trouble of going to look for the man himself.
He had just gotten three purple treasure chests and opened great rewards from them; his mood was excellent. If he could then claim that guy's violet-gold treasure chest on top of it, that would be even better.
Creed had never opened a violet-gold chest before. He was very curious how it differed from a purple chest or a Four Emperors chest, and what level of rewards it might contain.
With that thought, he rose to his feet and stepped outside.
He wasn't entirely sure why Trafalgar Law had come, but it definitely had something to do with Doflamingo.
By now, Law had already boarded the Creed. He might act aloof, but he was still quite polite, so even Redfield felt it would be rude to shut him out.
Of course, that was also because Redfield was very confident in his own strength and wasn't worried about Law pulling any tricks.
When Creed came out, Law felt both stifled and pleased.
Being ignored by Creed so thoroughly earlier—there was no way he hadn't been frustrated by that.
But seeing his benefactor again filled him with joy.
After listening to Law explain his purpose, Creed was a bit surprised.
This slightly tsundere, high-and-mighty Trafalgar Law wanted to join his crew? To become one of his division captains?
"Because of Doflamingo? If that's all it is, you don't have to. I already have my own grudge with Doflamingo."
Creed replied calmly.
Law's combat strength wasn't bad, but Creed was no longer who he used to be. He was not short on manpower at all, and Law was currently a candidate for the Marines' Seven Warlords of the Sea.
With Creed about to have a decisive war against the Marines, it would've been a lie to say he didn't keep a bit of guard up.
"No matter what, you are my benefactor. In the future, if you need anything done, just say the word."
Law still insisted on joining Creed's pirate crew.
"Besides, my crew and I have more than enough strength."
Seeing that Creed seemed to still be considering it, Law turned toward the Polar Tang and snapped his fingers.
His submarine was right alongside the Creed. His crew—Bepo, Ikkaku, and the others—were all on deck. Seeing their captain's signal, they each displayed their abilities.
"Hm?"
Not only was Creed surprised, even Redfield's eyes narrowed in shock.
Especially Bepo—he actually had the powers of the Ito Ito no Mi (String-String Fruit) that had belonged to Doflamingo.
"You killed Doflamingo and his people?"
Creed had always expected this day would come. Law's hatred for Doflamingo ran as deep as the sea. But he hadn't expected Law to refuse to waste those Devil Fruits and instead use them to strengthen his own crew.
He had to admit, Law really was a meticulous and calculating person. Taking him in would be an excellent boost to his own fighting strength.
Law only nodded slightly, and Creed continued, "Alright then. From now on, you're the Sixth Division Captain of the Creed Pirates."
Law was overjoyed. He had just opened his mouth to say something when Creed's figure vanished from before his eyes.
Even Law hadn't sensed how it happened.
But he could clearly tell what method Creed had used to leave.
"ROOM…"
"He doesn't just copy my ability—he's developed it to an incredibly advanced level."
Law stared at the figure that had already become a black speck in the sky, stunned.
In a single instant, Creed had flown several thousand meters into the air.
His sudden ascent carried a fierce momentum that blasted away the clouds for dozens of miles around.
When they really looked, Law and Redfield were both shocked.
Far off in the high skies where Creed was heading, beyond layers of cloud, there seemed to be more than a dozen towering, giant islands floating in midair.
At such a height and distance, and with the islands still looking so massive, each one had to be at least a hundred li across.
If Creed hadn't scattered the clouds, an ordinary person would never have discovered that so many gigantic islands were hidden so high above.
"Shiki…"
Redfield's brows drew together.
Driving islands like that, it was obvious Golden Lion Shiki had been tailing the Creed for quite some time.
The fact that Redfield, with his powerful Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), hadn't sensed anything earlier made him a bit annoyed.
"Captain's Kenbunshoku Haki… is an entire tier above mine?"
A moment later, that thought left him somewhat shaken.
He had always prided himself on his Observation Haki, thinking Creed could at most match him. To realize that Creed had now surpassed him in that area too—it was only natural he felt a little hit.
But he quickly became fired up again.
"Maybe I really can witness the birth of a new Pirate King. No… not just Pirate King. The King of the World."
Creed's future would inevitably surpass even the Pirate King Roger's.
"Prepare for battle!"
He raised his right hand high and gave the order, instantly putting everyone aboard the Creed on edge.
Law froze for a moment when he heard the name "Shiki."
"Shiki? You mean the legendary great pirate, Golden Lion?"
"Yeah. Only his Fuwa Fuwa no Mi (Float-Float Fruit) could lift more than a dozen gigantic islands into the sky like that," Redfield replied.
Law turned his gaze toward the heavens, but without any means of staying aloft himself, he could only regret that he wouldn't be able to witness this world-shaking battle up close.
High above, Creed hovered in the air over one of the floating islands, looking at Golden Lion Shiki, who was drifting above the rising landmass.
"Shiki, you've been following me for quite a while. What business do you have with me?"
"Kyahaha! Creed, your nose is really sharp. I was careful enough, and I kept plenty of distance, but you still found me!"
Shiki laughed loudly, clearly trying to cover his embarrassment.
For someone of his status and reputation to skulk behind another man's back like this was more than a little shameful.
"Can't be helped. There's too much noise on these islands of yours—I couldn't not hear it."
Creed replied, making Shiki jolt.
"What?! You can hear the Voice of All Things?!"
Creed neither confirmed nor denied it, instead asking, "Where's Big Mom? If it's just you, you can't beat me today."
Since the visitor had come with ill intent, he had no interest in wasting extra words.
Besides, that violet-gold treasure chest atop Shiki's head… interested him very much.
So—he'd just beat him down and talk later.
(End of Chapter)
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