Night fell, as it always did. Doflamingo entrusted Law to Ibes's care; after all, Ibes was beautiful, kind-hearted, gentle, and certainly better at looking after someone than a group of rough men.
"Where... is this?" Law murmured, his eyelids fluttering open wearily. He looked around the unfamiliar room, disoriented.
"You're awake, Law," Ibes greeted him with gentle concern.
Memories of collapsing on the training ground flooded back. Law struggled to sit up. Seeing his difficulty, Ibes quickly moved to help him, a simple act that brought a deep blush to the young boy's face.
"Thank you," Law mumbled, slightly embarrassed.
"Well, well, it seems our little tough guy Law can be shy too," Ibes teased, covering her mouth to hide a giggle.
"I am not!" Law retorted stubbornly.
"Alright, alright," Ibes conceded, not wanting to press him further. "Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?"
Growl~ As if on cue, before Law could answer, his stomach made its needs emphatically known.
"I'll go get you something," Ibes said, softly patting Law's head. Law didn't resist, obediently accepting her kindness.
"Thank you... Sister Ibes," he called out just as she reached the doorway. Hearing his gratitude, Ibes smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through her.
Law's spirits lifted considerably. He lay back down on the bed, staring intently at the ceiling, his small hands clenched into tight fists. He began to murmur, almost to himself, "The Donquixote Family... it's really good here! This time, I absolutely won't let misfortune strike me down again. I definitely won't let anyone in this family get hurt. Father, Mother, Lami, Sister... everyone... I've finally found a family again. Please, rest assured. I will live on, and live well."
Before long, Ibes returned with a tray of food for Law. Under her watchful eye, he quickly finished every last bite.
"Rest well now. Goodnight, Law." "Goodnight to you too, Sister Ibes."
Elsewhere, Doflamingo was in a serious discussion with his top Family executives.
"Are you sure about this, Onii-chan? You..." Robin began, her voice laced with worry as she looked at Doflamingo. "Doffy..." The others echoed her concern, their expressions grave.
What could possibly be amiss to cause such widespread anxiety among them?
Just minutes before, Doflamingo had finally made his decision: it was time to deal with his 'dear brother,' Rosinante. Upon hearing his declaration, a wave of apprehension had washed over the executives. After all, Rosinante was Doflamingo's own flesh and blood. Such a decision must be agonizing for him.
For the long-term stability and absolute security of the Family, Doflamingo had resolved to eliminate this internal, unstable element. However, while the decision to act against Rosinante was made, the precise timing and opportunity had yet to arrive. As for Rosinante's ultimate fate – whether he lived or died – Doflamingo decided that would depend entirely on Rosinante himself. In his heart, Doflamingo was willing to give his younger brother one last chance.
"Relax. I'm fine," Doflamingo reassured them, though he was inwardly touched by their genuine concern.
"Have you truly decided then, Doffy?" Diamante pressed, needing to be certain.
"All destabilizing influences within the Family must be eradicated," Doflamingo stated, his voice unyielding, leaving no room for doubt. "Even if it's my own brother, he cannot be spared."
"Then when do we make our move?" Enel asked. Like Diamante, his sense of belonging to the Family was fierce. He had absolutely no tolerance for traitors. If Rosinante weren't Doflamingo's brother, Enel would have struck him down long ago, rather than letting him "bounce around" causing trouble.
"The time is not yet right," Doflamingo replied. "We still need a catalyst, an opportunity."
"What kind of opportunity?" Robin, seated beside Doflamingo, voiced the question on everyone's mind.
"The opportunity presented by the appearance of the Op-Op Fruit," Doflamingo revealed, his hand instinctively reaching out to gently stroke Robin's hair.
"Really? Doffy, the Op-Op Fruit is about to appear?" Diamante exclaimed, surprised. "Then... that little brat Law... he can be saved?"
"Indeed," Doflamingo confirmed coolly.
"Then what should we do?" Trebol asked eagerly.
"Don't be too hasty," Doflamingo cautioned. "The Op-Op Fruit is something even the World Government desperately covets. We simply need to follow the World Government's movements. The Marines will undoubtedly inform Rosinante when the time comes. We will then lay a trap for him. Whether he can escape it... well, that will depend on his own destiny." He delivered these last words with a carefully crafted tone of sorrow.
"Onii-chan," Robin interjected thoughtfully, "are you so certain the Marines will definitely notify Rosinante?"
"Fuffuffuffuffu," Doflamingo chuckled. "Robin, you're as sharp as ever! Of course. Because the Op-Op Fruit is prophesied to appear in the North Blue – our territory. The Marines wouldn't abandon a valuable pawn like Rosinante when such a prize is at stake here."
"I wonder if any of you have been following the recent news," Doflamingo continued, not waiting for their response. "The Marine traitor, Diez Barrels, has become a pirate. The Op-Op Fruit is currently in his possession, and it's highly probable he's heading towards the North Blue as we speak." Internally, Doflamingo wasn't entirely certain if Barrels had the fruit yet, but he presented it as fact to placate his subordinates and avoid revealing the true extent of his foreknowledge. He couldn't very well tell them he already knew everything that was going to happen in the future, could he? Although Doflamingo's presence was a significant 'butterfly' flapping its wings in this timeline, Diez Barrels had still defected from the Marines, just as in the original course of events. Thus, the likelihood of the Op-Op Fruit appearing as expected was still very high.
Hearing Doflamingo's explanation, the executives felt a sense of reassurance. The stage was being set. Soon, the Marines, the World Government, the Donquixote Family, other pirates like Barrels, and Rosinante himself would all converge. Doflamingo had 'gifts' meticulously prepared for all his anticipated guests. It remained to be seen who would have the capability to walk away.
While Doflamingo and his top executives were deep in their clandestine meeting, on another part of the island, Rosinante was also making a report – to Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Despite his focus on 'saving' the children, Rosinante hadn't neglected his primary duties. He had diligently gathered intelligence, successfully reporting on the Devil Fruit abilities and other details of most Family members, with the exception of some of the more elusive top executives.
"You've done well, Rosinante. It seems Doflamingo's ambitions are indeed vast," Sengoku's voice came through the Den Den Mushi, laced with concern for his adopted son.
"I will never betray the justice I carry on my back," Rosinante replied, his voice firm with conviction. "Everything I do is worth it."
"Good. I understand. You must be extremely careful," Sengoku said, then ended the call.
"Haaa..." Rosinante exhaled, lighting a cigarette. "My dear brother," he muttered to the empty room, a cloud of smoke obscuring his expression, "your plans will not succeed."
Back in Doflamingo's meeting, things were winding down. "That's the plan, then," Doflamingo said, rubbing his temples as if to alleviate a headache, his tone deliberately casual. "Diamante, Trebol, tracking Diez Barrels will be your responsibility."
"Leave it to us, Doffy!" Diamante and Trebol replied in unison.
The night outside was profoundly dark, the inky blackness pressing down, almost suffocating. Doflamingo stood by the window, gazing out at the oppressive darkness. He felt a similar weight in his own heart. Though the decision had been made, his mood was undeniably somber.
The fated encounter... the Op-Op Fruit... it was all, finally, drawing near.