Just as Bell-mère was about to hang up the Den Den Mushi.
Momonga's voice came through:
"Apologies, I was lost in thought just now. Private First Class Bell-mère, report your position to me."
"We are on our way back to Branch 133 and will head in your direction shortly."
Upon hearing this, a surge of emotion suddenly welled up in Bell-mère's heart.
The Marines never abandons its comrades.
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On the warship of Branch 133, after hearing Bell-mère's position, Momonga immediately gave the order.
"All hands, advance toward the forest on Abuville Island."
With Momonga's command, the soldiers quickly organized their equipment and prepared for combat.
This was a habit they had developed over a long period.
Whenever their superior issued an order, no matter the task, they would always be ready for battle.
Zephyr, hearing the commotion from the lounge, walked out and noticing the soldiers' movements, approached Momonga.
"What's going on, Momonga?"
Momonga turned around and replied apologetically:
"Sorry to disturb your rest, Zephyr-sensei. It's nothing serious."
"Don't give me that. You're always so unflappable—something must have happened."
As a seasoned veteran of the Marines who had also taught Momonga, Zephyr could instantly tell what was on his mind.
Momonga felt helpless.
His instructor was far too perceptive; any thought he had seemed trivial in front of him, so he decided to speak up.
"Zephyr-sensei, do you remember why you came to the East Blue?"
"Haha, of course I haven't forgotten. Is your order related to that matter?"
Momonga nodded affirmatively.
"Before the Royal Guard was wiped out, they massacred a village. Raleigh passed through there once and met a female marine soldier."
Zephyr interrupted Momonga and said.
"Are you suggesting this has something to do with Raleigh or that female soldier?"
"Yes, Zephyr-sensei. Raleigh once told me he taught that female soldier a simplified version of the Six Styles and also mentioned that if she ever had any trouble, she should come to Branch 133 to find me."
Zephyr nodded gently.
"Hmm, let's go pick her up and bring her to Branch 133 first. After all, she is one of us in the Marines."
"That's exactly the plan."
Momonga quietly added after Zephyr's words.
––––––––––––-
North Blue, Rarotonga Island.
The weather was beautiful today, with golden sunlight shining over the land.
If one ignored the gunshots and screams echoing through the air, it would have been a lovely day.
Boom… Boom… Boom…
The sounds of gunfire and explosions resonated like a symphony throughout this bustling town.
Hundreds of Mafia members, all in uniform but clearly from different factions, were slaughtering each other.
The civilians, like frightened ants, could only huddle in their small homes, praying to the gods that their houses wouldn't become targets in the conflict between the warring sides.
Screams continuously rang out outside the windows, and the civilians dared not lift their heads, afraid of making eye contact with any Mafia member who had lost themselves to bloodlust.
Tall buildings were damaged and destroyed in the fighting.
Wooden structures quickly caught fire under the intense assault of artillery.
"Damn it! The Donquixote Family is going too far!"
"Men, Rarotonga Island belongs to our family. Hold your ground and drive the Donquixote Family back to their own lair."
The Mafia boss was loudly boosting his men's morale, trying to drive out these jackals who came to seize their territory.
He was a burly, one-eyed middle-aged man who had once been a pirate.
Later, due to insufficient strength, he lost an eye on the Grand Line and returned home to inherit his father's position as the family head.
After several years of continuous development, they had annexed all the Mafia factions on Rarotonga Island.
They had originally thought that with the departure of the fierce Vice Admiral Sakazuki, it was their time to shine.
However, after Sakazuki left, a powerful new force emerged within the Mafia—the Donquixote Family.
They completely disregarded the rules of the underworld, adhering only to the principle of killing and plundering everything.
The one-eyed man slashed a member of the Donquixote Family to death, blood splattering onto his clothes.
Normally, the Mafia boss was very particular about his attire, but at this moment, he had no time to tidy his clothes.
Instead, he stared intently at the teenage blond boy in the distant crowd.
Short golden hair, brown sunglasses, and a well-fitted suit—in any other place, he would have looked like a young master.
But his presence on this battlefield was eerie, especially the cruel smile on his lips, which sent waves of fear through the Mafia boss.
Donquixote Doflamingo!
The Mafia boss was terrified.
Initially, he hadn't taken Doflamingo seriously.
But this young boy was incredibly powerful.
With his strength and methods, he had swiftly established himself within the North Blue Mafia like an unstoppable dragon, unnoticed by anyone.
He had sent invitations to the Mafia factions on several nearby islands, seeking to recruit them.
Proud Mafia bosses naturally looked down on this unknown brat and refused.
From that day on, the Mafia in this region entered a nightmare.
The Donquixote Family began to sweep through like a storm, successively eliminating four Mafia families and seizing two islands.
Moreover, their rising influence attracted a steady stream of young aspiring Mafiosi to join the Donquixote Family.
From having nothing to commanding a formidable force, this eleven old blond brat achieved it all in just one month.
"Fufufufufu, resist all you want, trash."
Doflamingo watched the carnage before him, his eyes not showing fear but growing excitement.
The smile on his face was twisted, insane, and cruel.
The executives beside him laughed heartily along with Doflamingo.
The members of the Donquixote Family were far stronger than their opponents, and those charging at the front weren't even official members.
They were mostly young people eager to join the Donquixote Family.
Doflamingo had given them a chance: kill two enemy members, and they could join.
Driven by their desire to be part of the Donquixote Family, these young Mafiosi charged ahead relentlessly.
"Are there any promising talents we can recruit?"
Doflamingo no longer paid attention to the already decided battle, instead scanning the crowd for elites suitable to bring into the family.