Virgo was… honestly, a terrible user of Busoshoku Haki.

Even now, after all these years, he still hadn’t advanced beyond the basic Hardening stage. The concept of Coating, let alone the refined application of Ryuo—the flow technique used by the strongest warriors of Wano—was completely out of his reach.

— — —

As he trudged alone across the snowy plains, carrying a long spear lazily slung over his shoulder, Tachibana Kyūjō appeared silently in front of him.

No warning. No sound.

Just there—standing in his way.

Then, Kyūjō calmly opened his mouth and spoke:

“Virgo, known as the ‘Bamboo Demon.’ One of the original top executives of the Donquixote Family. The first to bear the title of Corazon. One of Doflamingo’s most loyal and earliest followers.”

— — —

Before Virgo could even react, a chill raced down his spine.

He looked up at the man standing before him—a tall, broad-shouldered Marine Vice Admiral, his jet-black katana resting calmly at his hip.

His uniform was crisp, spotless. The kanji for “Justice” fluttered on the back of his coat.

Sweat beaded down Virgo’s forehead like a sudden downpour. His body began to tremble.

He knew who this man was.

Everyone in the Marines did.

Tachibana Kyūjō—the man known as Vice Admiral Seiryu. One of the Three Admiral Candidates. The “World’s Greatest Sword Listener.”

This wasn’t just a strong Marine.

This was the monster among men.

Virgo clenched his jaw and fought to steady his hands.

Without a word, he tore off his Marine coat and exposed his muscular upper body, brimming with raw strength.

Dark, glossy black Haki surged across his skin like ink, encasing him in a hardened shell from head to toe.

If nothing else, he needed to feel protected—if only to keep himself from breaking under the pressure.

“Vice Admiral Seiryu… so you already know everything, huh?”

Virgo forced the words out, trying to mask the tremor in his voice. But even he could hear the fear in his own tone.

Kyūjō didn’t answer.

He simply drew his katana in one smooth motion. The blade, pitch-black with a faint violet sheen, shimmered in the cold air.

“That’s not how you use Busoshoku Haki, Virgo.”

As soon as the words left his lips—

Kyūjō vanished.

In that same instant, his right arm transformed—steel-hard, tinted with a deep, shadowy purple from the compressed Haki. It looked more like a blade than flesh.

And the next moment…

He was already behind Virgo.

Virgo barely had time to register the movement before a sharp pressure struck his neck.

There was no time to react, no time to defend.

Only the faint sound of a blade sliding back into its sheath followed.

Shhhk.

A geyser of blood exploded upward as Virgo’s head was lifted clean off his shoulders. His body, encased in black Haki, couldn’t stop the blade. Not even close.

The severed head flew high into the air before it hit the ground with a dull thud. The headless body crumpled with a heavy crash soon after.

The Bamboo Demon—Virgo—was dead in a single stroke.

Kyūjō stood over the corpse and sighed.

“Wrapping your entire body in Haki every time you fight… do you think you’re made of steel or something?”

“I’ve never seen such a ridiculous use of Busoshoku. Honestly.”

“Use your brain next time—oh wait, never mind. You won’t be needing it.”

He sheathed his katana fully and turned away without sparing another glance.

Virgo was dealt with.

Now, only Doflamingo remained.

But unlike Virgo, Doflamingo couldn’t simply be eliminated.

Not yet.

First, because the World Government wouldn’t allow it. And second…

Because Kyūjō was curious—deeply curious—about the secrets Doflamingo held.

What kind of hidden truth gave this man, a former Celestial Dragon, the confidence to act without fear—even against the World Government?

— — —

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Sea Swallow Island…

A tall, imposing man with blond hair, red shades, and a flamboyant pink feathered coat strode confidently across the terrain. His name—Donquixote Doflamingo.

Flanked by his top executives, he made his way toward the center of the island with purpose.

One of them, Pica, suddenly pointed east and said, “Captain! I think I saw a Marine warship over there…”

Doflamingo frowned.

His eyes narrowed.

He hesitated for just a moment.

The Ope Ope no Mi was almost within reach. He could feel it. He was this close.

There was no way he’d turn back now.

…But why hadn’t Virgo contacted him yet?

That uneasy feeling tightened in his chest.

Was Virgo… compromised?

His instincts screamed at him.

And so—just like in the original timeline—Doflamingo didn’t take any chances.

He raised his hand and activated his Ito Ito no Mi.

White threads shot out from his palm and soared into the sky, spreading in all directions. They pierced into the ground across the island and latched on—forming a massive, looming cage of razor-thin strings.

The Birdcage.

From above, the entire island now looked like it had been swallowed by a giant, glimmering dome of threads.

Trapped inside, the people could only stare helplessly as the glowing cage shimmered above their heads.

The threads may have looked delicate…

But swords couldn’t cut them.

Bullets couldn’t pierce them.

Even explosions would do nothing.

As soon as the technique finished activating, Doflamingo launched his next move—Parasite Strings.

Invisible threads reached out and connected with every living person inside the cage… except for his own crew.

— — —

Elsewhere, deep within the island…

Rosinante stood with one arm cradling the young Law, and the other holding up a Den Den Mushi.

Though his stance was slightly panicked, his expression remained calm.

After all, Vice Admiral Tachibana Kyūjō was here.

And that meant—

His older brother, Doflamingo, didn’t stand a chance.

Rosinante knew Kyūjō’s strength well.

Even the Four Emperors had to think twice before crossing him.

Just then, a voice crackled from the Den Den Mushi. It was deep, familiar—his adoptive father.

“Rosinante. Are you alright?”

“You said Kyūjō was heading toward Doflamingo, yes?”

Rosinante let out a slow breath as the threads above finally stopped moving. He looked down at the transceiver.

“Yes. Vice Admiral Seiryu is on the move.”

“He’s going to take Doflamingo down.”

“With power like his, I don’t think anything can go wrong.”

“…But, Dad. There’s something I need to ask.”

He then relayed Kyūjō’s concerns—the connection between the Ope Ope no Mi and the World Government. The risk that came with that knowledge. The potential danger to Law.

“What should I do?” Rosinante asked, his voice quiet.

“How do I make sure Law stays safe?”

There was silence on the other end.

Then—Sengoku’s voice replied.

“…Trust Kyūjō, Rosinante.”

“That’s my only advice.”

And with that—

The line went dead.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep