Rosinante had been pulled onto the ship, where he was found drenched from head to toe and unconscious.
Covered in wounds and utterly exhausted, the sudden surge of strength he had summoned had pushed him beyond his limits, causing him to slip into a deep coma.
Doflamingo looked silently at his younger brother lying on the deck, his emotions incredibly complicated. He had clearly seen the smile on his brother's face just before he lost consciousness.
He naturally understood what lay beneath that expression.
Thinking back on the ten years the other had spent in the Donquixote family, during which he had pretended to be mute, hidden his strength, and rarely smiled, his eyes flickered slightly.
It all seemed to subtly reflect his own failure.
Yet, since boarding this ship, the smile on his dear younger brother's face and his joy had been impossible to conceal.
"So, he makes you that happy?" Doflamingo muttered, falling into deep thought.
"Big Brother Rosinante awakened Haoshoku!" Smoker and Buggy were both overjoyed.
Law also ran over, looking at Rosinante with concern.
"Your Operation-Operation Fruit is the most suitable ability for being a doctor!" Kojin walked over and said with a smile.
"A power that can only save people... what use is that? What I want is strength like yours!" Law gritted his teeth.
If he had been strong enough, Flevance wouldn't have suffered tragedy, and Rosinante wouldn't have nearly sacrificed his life to save him. He wanted to protect everything precious to him with his own strength, rather than always being the one being protected.
"Kid, don't underestimate your ability. That's what Rosinante almost gave his life for! Learn to use it well, and you'll be better able to protect the people around you, both now and in the future." Kojin said in a deep voice.
"You should know that what's truly powerful has always been the person, not the fruit. Even the most seemingly useless ability can possess shocking power if developed properly!"
Law was slightly stunned. He was surprised at how keenly Kojin had seen through his thoughts and began to reflect inwardly.
If there were such a thing as a useless ability, Corazon's Calm-Calm Fruit would undoubtedly be the most useless he had ever seen. Yet it was precisely that 'useless' fruit that had saved his life on Minion Island.
"There are no useless fruits, only useless people!" Kojin sighed softly.
His gaze fell on Rosinante, and he let out a meaningful chuckle.
"Even something that appears as useless as the Calm-Calm Fruit may be capable of standing up to the Tremor-Tremor Fruit."
Doflamingo's pupils shrank as he stared intently at his unconscious younger brother.
'The Calm-Calm Fruit comparable to the Tremor-Tremor Fruit of the world's strongest man?'
That sounded like pure fantasy.
"Take good care of Rosinante, kid. Now that he has awakened Haoshoku, his next stage of training can begin." Kojin said with a faint smile.
"Yes!" Law nodded heavily.
Then Kojin turned his gaze towards Doflamingo.
"I've always been a man who keeps his promises. Since you've done what you were supposed to do, I won't be stingy when it comes to rewarding you."
He paused.
"Your current control over Conqueror's Haki infusion is still far from sufficient. But I can teach you the advanced application of Armament Haki, Ryuo."
Doflamingo froze for a moment at the smiling voice before his pupils contracted sharply.
He was completely shocked.
'Was this man serious?'
They had only just boarded the ship, yet he was already willing to teach him such advanced techniques. Was he really not afraid of being surpassed?
"But that will have to wait until we reach the West Blue. This ship isn't suitable for learning Haki." Kojin added.
Doflamingo took a deep breath, his expression remaining unreadable.
"... Thank you."
He couldn't quite understand this man anymore; at the same time, however, he found him deeply intriguing.
Three days later, the battleship passed through the Grand Line, crossed the Calm Belt, and entered the West Blue.
Kojin still hadn't decided whether to go to Headquarters to support Sengoku's promotion. He had a vague sense that what awaited him there might not just be trouble.
There was also a danger that made his heart tremble, a threat that made him wary.
'Could Headquarters be planning to take action against him?'
But, upon further thought, that didn't seem very likely. Still, he had plenty of time to consider it, so there was no need to rush.
"Smoker and Buggy have already awakened Armament Haki. As for Observation Haki, that will depend on their talent and training. On the other hand, Rosinante can greatly improve his strength through short-term training." Kojin thought to himself.
Ten years ago, Rosinante's physical condition had already reached superhuman levels, and he had mastered the Rokushiki. Over the years, his body had matured further, naturally qualifying him to train in Haki.
Half a day later, the battleship arrived at the West Blue Headquarters.
Seeing the floating base above their heads, Doflamingo, Law, Drake, and Rosinante all widened their eyes in shock.
"Didn't expect it, did you, Big Brother Rosinante?"
"In these last eleven years, under the management of Vice Admiral Kojin, the West Blue branch has changed beyond your imagination!" Buggy said proudly.
Rosinante took a deep breath and followed everyone onto the flying ship.
"The changes are indeed enormous, beyond imagination."
However, Doflamingo silently observed everything with a glint flashing across his sunglasses.
His focus was naturally different from Rosinante's. That massive thundercloud lightning sphere had already sparked countless speculations in his mind.
The floating Skypiea reminded him of a legendary pirate.
His pupils shrank slightly. It seemed that news of the Golden Lion Shiki had long since disappeared from this world.
"If my guess is true… Then this man is absolutely terrifying!"
Doflamingo felt a heavy weight in his heart. His wariness towards the figure ahead had reached its peak.
Not only was he a powerful Haki master, he also possessed the terrifying destructive force of the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder-Thunder Fruit). And if he also had dual Devil Fruit abilities?
Just how strong was he?
It was beyond imagination.
When they boarded the Skypiea floating island via the flying ship and saw the massive, bustling Marine base, the shock in their eyes deepened further still.
From the vast training grounds came continuous shouts.
A large number of Marine soldiers were drenched in sweat as they trained desperately. Their combat drills struck vital points with every move, making one's heart tighten.
"These guys… They're probably even more elite than the Marines at Headquarters!" Doflamingo's pupils shrank, and his expression became grave.
He looked at the instructors responsible for teaching, not far ahead, and fell silent again. This place had an even more direct and systematic training process than Marine Headquarters.
Rokushiki, swordsmanship, and marksmanship were all taught personally by specialized instructors.
"Without anyone noticing, he's already gathered such a powerful force under his command! This guy's ambitions are not small!" Doflamingo thought to himself.
No one who commands a powerful army is content to live a peaceful life.
A moment later, in front of the office building:
"Smoker, get them a change of clothes! Tomorrow morning, assemble at the training grounds." Kojin shouted.
"Yes, sir!" Smoker stood up straight and responded seriously.
"Also, teach them Marine discipline." Kojin glanced at Doflamingo and the others, who were standing crookedly, and added.
"Understood!" Smoker saluted.
Kojin turned and left.
With subordinates under him, many troublesome matters could naturally be handled by others. He only needed to provide the necessary guidance and oversight.
After Kojin had disappeared from view, Smoker turned to face the three newly joined trainee Marines.
"Well then, let me teach you what it means to follow Marine trainee rules!"
After speaking, he glanced at Rosinante, who was still unconscious and snoring.
"Buggy, Rosinante is your responsibility!"
Buggy waved his hand and hoisted Rosinante onto his back.
"Leave it to me! I'll show him just how much we've grown over the years!"
Smoker laughed upon hearing that.
He recalled the hardships he had endured when he first joined Vice Admiral Kojin's crew.
Rosinante had shown him absolutely no mercy back then.
"How the tables have turned, Big Brother Rosinante!"
"I guess it's true when they say that you don't look down on the young!"
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye.
West Blue Headquarters, G-1 Base Training Ground.
Doflamingo, Rosinante, Law, and X Drake stood in a straight line with their eyes forward.
They all wore standard white uniforms and had Marine caps on their heads with their hands behind their backs. Kojin looked at the four of them, who already appeared disciplined after just one day, and nodded in satisfaction.
"It seems yesterday's brief training has already given you some semblance of Marines. Doflamingo, you surprise me. Your professionalism and willingness to embrace any role is quite commendable."
Doflamingo's expression didn't change, but he was inwardly confused.
Loving whatever role he takes on?
Was he saying that he acts like a pirate when he's a pirate and a Marine when he's a Marine?
That sounded more like mockery.
A trace of irritation flashed in his eyes.
"Law, X Drake. You two have just joined; go and train with the recruits." Kojin said, looking at them.
The two nodded and turned to leave. Smoker had introduced them to the base the previous day, so they wouldn't get lost.
The G-1 base comprised four affiliated islands and one main island divided into various zones: recruitment training camps, residential areas, dining zones, entertainment districts and streets.
The base was so prosperous that it was comparable to a small nation.
Kojin then turned to the two brothers before him, a smile appearing on his face.
"From this moment on, I will personally conduct special training for the two of you."
Hearing this, both Doflamingo and Rosinante became serious.
"Before that, there are a few things I need to say."
Seeing the confusion in their eyes, Kojin smiled lightly.
"For many ordinary, strong individuals in this world, having a Devil Fruit or developing it to its full potential is enough to make them powerful. But for those at the very top of the world, or those who wish to stand at its peak…"
Kojin's eyes sharpened as a surge of Haoshoku Haki burst from his body, instantly enveloping the two of them and changing their expressions.
"Haki… is the power that stands above everything!! So if you want to become truly strong... Then first master your Haki!"
(End of Chapter)
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