Through the combined efforts of the Weathercock Unit and the Northern Command's intelligence network, the pieces had finally fallen into place.
The trade was set for Rubeck Island, but the real stage was nearby: Minion Island. Once a bustling hub, it had been reduced to a ghost town by pirate raids.
It was here that the turncoat, Diez Barrels, had established his hideout.
By a stroke of luck, he had stumbled upon the Ope Ope no Mi and, under the World Government's desperate directives, agreed to trade it for a staggering 5 billion Berries.
To me, the idea of the Government handing over a fortune to a man who had betrayed his oath to protect civilians was absurd. I wouldn't let a single Berry touch his bloodstained hands.
"Boss, shouldn't we move in?" Gin asked, peering through his binoculars at the snow-covered ruins. "They're wide open."
"Patience, Gin. If my calculations are correct, a storm is about to break. We wait for the signal."
I knew Corazon would be making his move for the fruit any moment. As for Doflamingo... if he showed up, I'd welcome him with open arms. And by "open arms," I meant a solid alloy staff to the face.
First, I needed to clear the board of potential complications.
"Second Lieutenant Vergo," I barked. "Take a squad and patrol the perimeter. Ensure no outside interference reaches this island. And Vergo—stay out of sight."
"Understood, sir!" Vergo saluted with robotic precision and jogged off. He seemed remarkably compliant. Is he planning something, or am I overthinking it? I wondered.
Elsewhere on the Island...
Vergo, having distanced himself from the main unit, pulled out a miniature Den Den Mushi.
"『What? The Red Gulls are on Minion Island? And they're planning to arrest Barrels?』" Doflamingo's voice crackled with static and fury. "『What happened to the trade? Is the Navy setting a trap?』"
"There's a clear disconnect between Headquarters and Krieg," Vergo reported calmly. "This operation might be a rogue move. But the fruit is definitely here."
"『I've had a bad feeling... like there's a leak in the Family,』" Doflamingo hissed. "『The Navy stopped following us for a bit after Corazon left, but now they're back on our heels.』"
"Doffy, consider this: what if the Navy is using two different information streams? One from a leak in the crew, and another—Krieg's—from a different source entirely? That would explain the gap in the timeline."
"『I don't want to doubt him... but fine. If the Red Gulls are babysitting Barrels, and the Navy shows up at our rendezvous on Swallow Island, then I'll know for sure. And if my brother has turned his fangs on me...』"
"Calm down, Doffy. Nothing is proven yet. I'm heading back before Krieg gets suspicious."
The Raid on the Hideout
Back at the task force's temporary command post, a scout came running. "Rear Admiral! Smoke rising from the Barrels' hideout! We have reports of a fire!"
Corazon's moved, I thought.
"Move out!" I ordered. "Spread out and secure the coastlines. Use your sub-Den Den Mushis. Report any suspicious vessels or individuals immediately!"
As the Marines dispersed, I took Gin and sprinted toward the hideout. I scanned the snowy treeline for any sign of a tall man in a feathered coat or a sick young boy, but the blizzard made visibility poor.
We reached the main building of the Barrels estate just as the chaos peaked.
Inside, the pirates were screaming. "The fruit's gone! Someone stole the 5 billion Berries!"
I stepped into the grand hall. It was a mess of spilled wine, overturned tables, and licking flames. In the center stood a man with long sideburns, wearing a coat that looked mockingly like a Marine officer's.
"Well, well. If it isn't the fallen Commodore, Diez Barrels."
"Who the hell are you?!" Barrels roared, eyes bloodshot. "Did you steal my fruit?!"
"We haven't met. I'm Rear Admiral Krieg. I lead the Independent Task Force."
Barrels' expression shifted instantly from rage to desperate hope. "A Rear Admiral! Perfect! Someone stole the Ope Ope no Mi! You have to help me get it back! It's worth 5 billion!"
"I think you're confused," I said, my voice dropping an octave. "I'm not here to help you trade. I'm here to arrest you."
"W-what? But the Government... the deal..."
"I don't care about the deal. Diez Barrels... you were a Marine. You swore to protect the people, yet you spent your 'retirement' raiding their homes and sinking their ships. Have you no shame?!"
I stepped forward, the air around me heavy with intent. Barrels stumbled back, then snarled, drawing his sword. "Damn it all! My luck finally turns, and you show up?! Die!"
He lunged, but to my eyes, he was moving through molasses.
"Too slow. Koushou-pou (Crumbling Cannon)!"
I threw a corkscrew punch, the rotation adding devastating piercing power. My fist shattered his blade into a hundred shards and sent Barrels flying across the room, slamming him into a stone pillar.
"I'm not going to kill you," I said, looking down at his crumpled form. "You can reflect on your sins in Impel Down."
I tossed a length of rope to Gin to tie him up. Just then, through a hole in the shattered wall, a streak of red light hissed into the sky. An emergency signal flare.
"Boss, that's a Marine signal," Gin said, his body tensing. "Should I go? You're waiting for Doflamingo, right?"
I hesitated. Doflamingo could arrive any second, but that signal meant my men—or perhaps Corazon—were in trouble.
"Go. But if the opponent is more than you can handle, fire your own flare immediately. Don't be a hero, Gin."
"Got it. No reckless moves," Gin promised. In a blink, he vanished, using Soru to tear through the snow toward the signal.
I pulled an unbroken chair from the debris, sat down in the middle of the burning room, and rested my chin on my hand. "Now then, Doflamingo... let's see how long it takes you to find your prize is gone."
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: [email protected]/Master_Studios677
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 100 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.