Doflamingo had finally left, taking the appointment document with him.
He was now officially a Warlord of the Sea, still the same Joker, but in his heart, a new path had opened the path back to being a Celestial Dragon. That was Ezra D. Vale's condition.
Of course, Doflamingo had left Rosinante behind, instructing him to obey Ezra's orders.
At this moment, Rosinante was aboard the Marine ship. His eyes were devoid of life.
Afflicted with the incurable "Plumbum Disease," Rosinante had witnessed horrors no child should see. He had watched his doctor parents get shot to death, his sister burned alive, and even the nun who saved him finally killed before his eyes.
By the time he narrowly escaped death and learned he only had three years and two months to live, his personality had already begun to twist. The only thing he wanted was to kill… to take lives.
"Who do you want me to kill?" a slightly childish voice echoed, pulling Ezra out of his thoughts.
Ezra shook his head. "Little one, I didn't save you to make you a killer."
Rosinante's brow furrowed. He wanted to argue, but then he remembered Doflamingo's parting words to obey the Marine Admiral in front of him. So he remained silent, quietly sitting in the corner.
Ezra sighed and looked at Rosinante. They were supposed to have met under the Donquixote family, but now fate had brought them together aboard his ship.
"Rosinante, this little one is in your care now."
"Yes, Admiral Emberflare!"
After handing Rosinante over, Ezra turned his attention elsewhere. "Aokiji, let's go. Our target is Cocoa Island Village."
"Admiral, why there?"
Ezra shrugged. "Belmeru lives there. Thought I'd visit her while we're on the way."
Aokiji's mouth twitched. "On the way? From the North Sea to the East Sea? Impressive detour."
"Don't treat me like a fool, Emberflare," Aokiji muttered.
Ezra smiled. "When I went to summon Jinbei, I learned the Dragon had split from him and stayed at Cocoa Island Village in the East Sea. I thought I should check in make sure he doesn't harm any merfolk or fishmen. What do you think?"
Aokiji nodded. "Understood, Emberflare."
He went to notify the crew: our destination, the East Sea.
As the ship sailed, Ezra took out his transponder snail. Brrr-brrr.
"Ezra, calling so soon?"
"Sir, the task is complete. The Heavenly Gold is secured."
A small smile appeared on Sengoku's face. "Well done, Ezra. I'll leave the ship here a few days while I make a trip to the East Sea before returning to Marineford."
Sengoku raised an eyebrow. "Why the East Sea?"
Ezra repeated his earlier explanation. After hanging up, he reclined in a deck chair, watching Rosinante and Law interact.
Days passed, and the ship entered the East Sea.
"Rosinante!"
The shout from Rosinante woke Ezra from his nap. He pinched his slightly throbbing forehead. "Little one, you're noisy…"
Rosinante's words didn't faze the boy, who was still scowling at Rosinante.
"Hey, Law! You woke Admiral Ezra! Watch out, or he'll get you!" Rosinante teased.
"I'm not afraid! If I can't beat you today, I'm not really Law!" Rosinante roared back.
The two of them wrestled and pulled each other's hair, rolling across the deck like two mischievous kids. The crew laughed, enjoying the spectacle.
"Go, Law! Uppercut him!"
"Yeah, hit him there! Hard!"
"Rosinante! Don't chicken out!"
"Come on! Law, you can do it!"
Aokiji, lounging on another deck chair, removed his glasses. "Those kids have a lot of energy."
Ezra smiled wryly. "Sounds like we're the old ones here."
Aokiji shrugged. "You may be ageless, but I'm getting older."
Then Aokiji suddenly had an idea. "By the way, Admiral, want me to carve you an ice sculpture?"
"Go away," Ezra said flatly.
Aokiji chuckled, shrugged, and reclined again.
Watching the playful crew, Ezra noted Rosinante's first faint smile. "Not a bad start," he muttered, enjoying the sea breeze.
Suddenly, Aokiji felt a sharp pain in his head. He opened his eyes to see Rosinante's massive head collide with his own.
"Trafalgar Law, watch it!" Aokiji shouted.
The crew scattered, and Rosinante clutched his head, running off. Peace returned.
By midday, the ship reached Cocoa Island Village. Ezra stretched and surveyed the small island.
Gunshots rang out the moment they approached.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Ezra's eyes narrowed.
Aokiji asked, "Admiral, those are standard Marine rifles!"
Using his observation haki, Ezra confirmed the source: a Marine ship docked at the village, likely the 16th Division stationed nearby.
"Aokiji, have the ship dock. Let's see what's happening."
"Yes, Admiral Emberflare!"
They quickly went ashore. Villagers were scattered, some visibly beaten and even shot.
Aokiji investigated. "Admiral, these injuries are caused by Marine weapons."
Ezra's brow tightened. He knew some officers of the 16th Division were colluding with pirates, but he hadn't expected things to be this severe.
"Let's move."
They headed toward the source of the commotion. Soon, they saw a woman with long crimson hair standing protectively in front of two girls.
Not far away, a Marine colonel, Rat, aimed a gun at them.
"Kill her!" the colonel shouted.
Just as the soldiers prepared to fire, Aokiji intervened.
"Stop, all of you!"
"Ice Freeze!"
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Aokiji's ice immobilized the colonel and his men.
Belmeru watched in shock. A former Marine herself, she immediately recognized the newcomer.
"Vice Admiral Aokiji!?"
She forgot her own pain, wondering why Aokiji was here.
Then she gasped again as he exhaled frost, looking toward a man in a black suit.
"Admiral Emberflare, how do you intend to deal with them?"
Belmeru finally realized: the man before her was none other than Admiral Ezra.
The peaceful moment abruptly ended, signaling the start of a new chapter of chaos, justice, and reunion.