At the same time, in the Marineford Admiral's office.
Borsalino was sprawled out in the large chair, his eyes half-closed, looking like he was about to fall asleep.
The documents on his desk were piled up like a small mountain, but he didn't even raise an eyelid, just twirling his pen idly.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, he slightly tilted his head, a lazy smile hooking his lips, his tone drawn out and casual as always:
"Oh dear!—It seems someone is speaking ill of me behind my back?!"
"Fleet Admiral candidate, huh?!"
Borsalino yawned, stretched, and his joints made a slight popping sound.
"Who would want such a troublesome position? Having to approve so many documents every day, and dealing with the Gorosei's inquiries—it's even more exhausting than fighting the Four Emperors?!"
He slowly picked up a cup of hot tea from the desk, took a sip, his eyes still drowsy:
"Old Man Sengoku, still the same, huh~?!"
"After all these years, he still gets so easily agitated."
"But then again, if they really made me Fleet Admiral, shutting down for three months or something... wouldn't that be a bit too much?"
A faint golden light appeared on his fingertips, his figure flickered, and he instantly appeared next to the pile of documents, casually picking up the top one, glancing at it twice, and tossing it back:
"Ah, well, no matter who becomes the Fleet Admiral, it's enough for me just to clock in and out on time and occasionally deal with pirates!!"
"As for the future of the Marine... those grand matters should be left to the motivated people to worry about~"
Having said that, he swayed back to his chair and slumped down again. Within a few seconds, faint snoring could be heard. The pile of documents on the desk remained utterly untouched, as if his brief moment of clarity was just an illusion... The sky over the New World was crystal clear, without a cloud in sight, save for one soft, fluffy white cloud drifting slowly, its speed almost matching that of the News Coo traversing the ocean.
"Luffy! Your 'kinto'un' is too slow!"
Yamato pouted her red lips in dissatisfaction, tightly linking her hands around Luffy's left arm. Her silver-white long hair cascaded down to her waist like moonlight, shining brightly.
Her stunningly beautiful face was full of playful annoyance, and the heavy softness of her chest pressed directly against Luffy's arm, providing a warm sensation.
"Relax, relax, don't rush!"
Luffy gently placed the Eternal Pose in his hand onto the cloud, naturally raised his right hand, and slowly stroked Yamato's white hair, his tone full of comfort.
"It's nice to enjoy the scenery along the way too."
Yamato instantly resembled a kitten being petted, lightly narrowing her eyes and rubbing her cheek against his arm, looking utterly content.
Luffy frowned almost imperceptibly, then smoothed his expression.
'What am I thinking?'
'She's just a little girl who escaped her father's control and craves warmth.'
Remembering Yamato's tragic childhood, confined by Kaido, the smile in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by genuine warmth.
"Luffy, where do you want to go next?"
Rayleigh leaned against the edge of the cloud, shaking the wine gourd in his hand, causing ripples in the amber liquid. He took a sip, a trace of searching amusement in his weathered eyes.
Luffy raised his hand and pointed toward the distance indicated by the Eternal Pose. Sunlight spilled across his defined features, his smile bright and resolute: "We're going treasure hunting! As pirates, aren't we supposed to find the greatest treasure in the world!"
...Meanwhile, Law, who was sitting on the edge of the cloud, slowly turned his head.
He rested his elbows on his knees, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the brim of his hat, a layer of deep melancholy clinging to his brow.
During the previous commotion, he had been immersed in his own thoughts, the face of Doflamingo, filled with mockery and cruelty, refusing to leave his mind.
That man was arrogant to the core, obsessively close to madness, viewing human life as worthless, with cruelty and sadism as instincts etched into his genes.
He believed in the dark law of "survival of the fittest," acting wildly and viciously without any moral bottom line, turning the clouds with one hand and the rain with the other, manipulating the entirety of Dressrosa in the palm of his hand.
What he excelled at most was deception and manipulating people, wearing a mask of hypocrisy to mislead the world while indulging in the pathological pleasure of controlling the destinies of others!
And none of this compared to the most grievous act—Doflamingo personally murdered his only benefactor, Mr. Corazon, who had given him light and salvation.
This deep-seated, blood-soaked hatred was like a maggot attached to his bone, gnawing at Law's heart day and night, giving him no peace.
The reason he embarked on the journey into the New World was never "simple."
He wanted Luffy to take action and completely eliminate Doflamingo. This would both settle his profound hatred and fulfill the "agreement" the two of them had made earlier.
He firmly believed that if he just asked, Luffy would definitely agree.
Although they had only known each other for a few short days, and although Luffy was sometimes ridiculously childish, seemingly missing a screw in his head, always charging ahead recklessly fueled by sheer enthusiasm,
Law had to admit that the guy possessed a unique charm—pure, sincere, carrying an unyielding conviction and infectious energy that, without realizing it, had completely won him over.
Law took a deep breath, suppressing his churning emotions, and looked towards Luffy, who was smiling brightly nearby. A trace of resolve flashed in his eyes.
"Luffy!"
Law's voice was low and calm, like a stone dropped into a clear lake, instantly breaking the pleasant atmosphere on the cloud.
He slowly stood up, his black greatcoat fluttering slightly in the breeze. He walked step by step toward Luffy, his hat brim pulled down slightly, yet unable to conceal the sharp, resolute light in his eyes.
Gone was his usual aloofness and guardedness, replaced by a weighty solemnity, as if he were revealing a secret he had kept buried for a long time.
At this moment, Luffy was busy pointing out a circling seagull in the distance to Yamato, excitedly gesturing with his fingertips, his face covered in a pure, hearty smile.
Hearing him, he immediately turned his head, his bright eyes looking at Law, his tone naturally intimate:
"What's up, Law?"
Law paused, his fingertips hanging at his side unconsciously clenching, his knuckles turning slightly white. His tone concealed a surge of emotion he couldn't suppress, yet he deliberately kept it level:
"Regarding Doflamingo—do you still remember the agreement we made?"
"Of course!"
Without thinking, Luffy grinned, tilting his head and showing two rows of white teeth, his eyes filled with eagerness.
"So, should we go take care of him now?!"
His reaction was direct and pure, as if the moment Law nodded, he would rush straight to Dressrosa, Shichibukai be damned... Law looked up at Luffy. The young man's hearty smile was like the midday sun, radiating light and heat without reservation, warmly illuminating the darkest corners of his heart.
The hatred and gloom accumulated over many years seemed to be diluted slightly at this moment.
"No, don't bother!!"
Suddenly, Law's lips slowly curved upward, forming a smile.
Completely different from the ugly, malevolent grin he wore when they first met, this smile shed all pretense and heaviness; it was a genuine, relaxed, and relieved smile.
"I will deal with Doflamingo myself!!"
His voice was firm and resolute, carrying undeniable determination.
This was not just a declaration to Luffy, but a promise to himself.
He had to personally end that blood feud; only then would he not fail Mr. Corazon's sacrifice, and only then could he truly step out of the shadows of the past.
"Hahaha!"
Luffy's shoulders shook as he laughed heartily, the corners of his eyes curving into crescents:
"I told you, Law, you should smile more! You look pretty good when you smile!!"
He did not directly respond to Law's decision, but offered the strongest support through his pure joy.
Law looked at Luffy's guileless smiling face, and the answer was already clear in his heart.
He clenched his fists, his fingernails digging deep into his palm, the voice in his heart crystal clear:
'As a partner meant to assist the Pirate King, having to rely on others just to deal with a single Shichibukai—that would truly be laughable!!'
The wind swept across the cloud, tugging at the corners of their clothes. The sun was perfect.
The last trace of gloom finally faded from Law's eyes, leaving only the light of steadfast conviction and relief.