In the practice of Haki, the most difficult part is actually the foundation.
And how far a person can go ultimately depends on how solid that foundation is.
After the Summit War of Marineford, Monkey D. Luffy underwent two years of foundational training under the careful guidance of Silvers Rayleigh.
Yet after arriving at Onigashima, he was knocked into awakening Ryuo with one strike, Conqueror's coating with the second, and even Nika with the third; he was practically a model student in the world of masters.
But the reason for Luffy's rapid growth was precisely because of those two years of solid groundwork.
Rayleigh had once said during training that high-intensity combat is the most effective way to improve Haki. Only through continuous battle can one's strength grow by leaps and bounds.
Real combat is an indispensable path for every strong fighter.
And so, the special training continued.
Donquixote Doflamingo and Donquixote Rosinante endured brutal beatings almost every day, their bodies wrapped in thick white bandages, but under such high-pressure training, the results were obvious.
After one month, Doflamingo had already learned to use Ryuo, while Rosinante had gained far greater mastery over Observation Haki.
At the same time, both of them had refined their control over Conqueror's Haki. While their overall output was still lacking, they could now wield it with basic precision.
"Not bad. Under my training, you've improved quickly! From here on, further growth will depend on yourselves! Devil Fruit Awakening is also one of the ways to increase your strength." Kojin stood with arms folded, smiling at the two.
Doflamingo's emotions were complicated. Over the past month, his strength had grown tremendously, and he had even begun to grasp high-level Armament Haki. Meanwhile, Rosinante had also mastered Armament Haki, becoming a user of all three types of Haki.
In some respects, this younger brother possessed talent comparable to his own, something that deeply shocked him.
In the blink of an eye, three months passed.
Doflamingo had seemingly fully adapted to life as a Marine. Wearing a fitted Marine uniform and cap, the rank on his shoulder had risen to Lieutenant Commander.
He frequently went out on missions, capturing many pirates, hence his rapid promotions.
On this day, Douglas Bullet returned.
Inside the office,
"Alabasta has more troops, but their elite forces are inferior to ours. So I focused on giving special training to the commanders and adjutants of the royal guard. Their strength has improved significantly, but compared to the talents you've recently recruited, they're still lacking."
After a pause, Bullet continued:
"I also went to inspect the Baroque Works organization established by Crocodile. He has recruited a group of fairly capable subordinates, and they're currently undergoing training. They may become useful in the future."
Listening to the report from his Admiral-level subordinate, Kojin nodded slightly.
Tapping his finger on the desk, he suddenly spoke: "Headquarters has summoned me to Marineford to participate in Sengoku's promotion to Fleet Admiral. To be precise, they want me to support Sengoku's rise. What do you think?"
Bullet was briefly stunned, then replied quickly: "I think you should go. Our ultimate plan revolves around Marine Headquarters, the full power of the Marines! Although we've separated and built a powerful nation in the West Blue, it's far from enough. Only by gaining true influence within Headquarters can our final goal be realized."
Kojin continued tapping the desk lightly.
After a long pause, he smiled. "After I leave, everything here will be entrusted to you."
Bullet nodded firmly. "Don't worry. I'll handle everything!"
Kojin nodded back.
In the end, he made his decision, to head to Marine Headquarters.
"If something unexpected happens to me, do not act rashly. Maintain control over West Blue and wait for my return."
This statement left Bullet stunned.
"What kind of unexpected situation?"
"Could the Marines take action against you?"
Kojin shook his head. "The Marines won't, but the World Government might."
Then he smiled again.
"Of course, that's just speculation. More likely, nothing will happen at all."
Bullet nodded.
He also believed that, given Kojin's current strength, it was nearly impossible for anything to go wrong.
After all, the man's physique was utterly monstrous.
That afternoon, Doflamingo stood with a serious expression, staring at the figure seated behind the desk. He had already received the news, Kojin was leaving West Blue for Marine Headquarters.
With his sharp instincts, he could vaguely sense danger lurking within this decision.
"I plan to assign you a mission," Kojin said.
At the same time, Doflamingo spoke: "Given your current position in West Blue, I don't think going to Marine Headquarters is a wise decision."
Kojin paused slightly, then asked with interest: "Oh? And why is that?"
"You've dominated West Blue for eleven years. The World Government has undoubtedly investigated the forces under your control. They're also aware of what your subordinates have been doing. West Blue is your territory, taking action against you there would be extremely difficult. The manpower, resources, and effort required to deal with someone of your level are unimaginable. I've heard that you previously went to Mariejois and even clashed with the Gorosei, to the point that the God's Knights were mobilized!"
At this point, Doflamingo narrowed his eyes…
"Don't underestimate them! Of course, I'm not talking about their strength, but their resolve! If you go to Headquarters, it may be an opportunity for you… but it will also be an opportunity for them… An opportunity to completely eliminate you!"
Kojin fell silent.
His eyes flickered as he considered Donquixote Doflamingo's words.
There was no doubt, what the other party said made sense. If the World Government found an opportunity, they would not hesitate to act against him.
"This trip to Headquarters isn't just for that. There's something else very important."
Kojin slowly raised his head and looked at Doflamingo.
With Crocodile absent, this young man before him was undoubtedly the most sharp-minded among them.
"What is it?" Doflamingo asked.
What kind of matter could make him take such a huge risk?
"To take up the position of Admiral." Kojin spoke in a low voice.
Doflamingo's pupils shrank. He froze completely.
'Admiral!!'
It was actually the position of the Admiral!
"This was personally mentioned to me by Sengoku during our conversation, and it's precisely because of this position that I've decided to go to Marineford."
After a pause, Kojin smiled faintly.
"Because this isn't just the position of an Admiral, it also represents the stance of Sengoku as the new Fleet Admiral, as well as the attitude of the Marines behind him."
Doflamingo's gaze shifted.
"If you truly become an Admiral… Then even if the World Government wants to act against you, they'll have to consider the Marines' position."
Kojin nodded. "Exactly."
"Of course, I'm not afraid of the World Government's methods. No matter what happens, at the very least, I won't die."
Doflamingo couldn't understand the meaning behind that last sentence.
'How could someone in this world not die?'
"Then what mission were you going to assign me?" he suddenly asked, recalling Kojin's earlier words.
"Oh, it's a very simple mission. I want you to go undercover, as a pirate."
Kojin said with a smile.
"What?" Doflamingo was stunned, but soon he laughed. "For me, that really is simple. But what's the reason?"
Kojin looked into his eyes, still smiling faintly.
"Just a bit of harmless personal amusement."
Doflamingo didn't understand, but he had no intention of asking further.
Compared to being a Marine, returning to life as a pirate was far more appealing to him.
The two left West Blue one after the other.
Kojin departed first, traveling alone. Considering the risks of this trip, he was confident he could handle any unexpected danger, but others might not.
Standing at the bow of his ship, his eyes grew serious.
"Sengoku's attitude toward me is clear enough. But will the World Government take action against me?"
"It's possible, but still uncertain. And then there's how much they know about West Blue… or rather, about the strength of my subordinates."
"If they've uncovered more than seventy percent… then…"
He knew very well that the strength of his subordinates, and certain actions that crossed the World Government's bottom line, could never be exposed.
Once exposed, those people in Mariejois would stop at nothing to eliminate him.
He had ruled West Blue for eleven years.
Over such a long period, it was hard to guarantee that information about his forces hadn't leaked out.
...
Meanwhile, at Mariejois
"He has already left West Blue!"
"Marineford's attitude toward him has completely diverged from ours!"
"What's even more infuriating is that he has secretly committed so many crimes!"
"Eliminate him! He must be eliminated!"
"This is a rare opportunity. If we find the right moment and are willing to pay the price, we may be able to take him down!"
"The Ohara Incident… Skypiea…"
"And even the disappearance of Vegapunk back then!"
"They're all connected to him!"
The five elders of the Gorosei spoke coldly, their voices filled with anger.
"But this man is extremely difficult to deal with. If we act, we must eliminate him in the shortest time possible."
"And we cannot give him the chance to commit suicide."
"Once he dies, all his injuries will be restored; that's an extremely terrifying ability."
"Don't worry. I've already devised a targeted plan. The chances of capturing him are high!"
"We may not be able to kill him, but we can restrain and seal him!"
"There's always a way to deal with him!"
Finally, a chilling voice echoed:
"This time, it's not at Mariejois. Paying some price is completely acceptable!"
"He's arrogant, that's his greatest weakness."
"Pride is the greatest obstacle to survival."
(End of Chapter)
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