"It's you, you filthy bastard!"
"This is all your doing!"
Saint Phepros shrieked, his finger trembling as he pointed at Doflamingo, his chest heaving with rage, his breathing ragged.
Even though years had passed, he still recognized him.
The brat from the Donquixote family!
He could never forget that scene—this wild little monster stepping into Mary Geoise, holding the bloody severed head of his own father, Homing, that foolish traitor.
Yes, he remembered it vividly.
A son killing his father, such a classic, brilliant tragedy... the most perfect drama imaginable!
"Fufufufufu... Don't say it like that, Uncle Saint Phepros. Aren't we both of noble Celestial Dragon blood?"
At the insult "bastard," a murderous glint flashed under Doflamingo's sunglasses. His fingers curled like claws, subtly twitching.
"No! You were expelled from the Holy Land, stripped of your title as a World Noble!"
Saint Phepros suddenly laughed with contempt.
"A mongrel like you has no right to call me uncle!"
Doflamingo's gaze turned icy. As veins bulged on his forehead, he swung his hand viciously.
A sharp snap tore through the air, sending a chill straight down Saint Phepros' spine.
Clang!
A ghostly figure instantly appeared in front of Saint Phepros, crossing his arms over his chest, both arms hardened with Armament Haki, catching three nearly invisible threads.
Sparks flew as the threads and arms ground against each other.
The gust of force made Saint Phepros stagger two steps back, glaring at the sudden change with fear and disbelief.
"You dare attack me?!"
"You're dead!! Even the Five Elders won't be able to save you!!"
The cold touch of death brushed against his skin, and cold sweat broke out down his back as he screamed hysterically.
"Kill him!!"
"Doflamingo!! You're finished!!"
The instant he gave the order, two CP0 agents vanished like wraiths.
When they reappeared, they were already behind Doflamingo.
One raised his foot, the other aimed his hand.
Both attacks swirled with a dark, spiraling Armament Haki, exuding a terrifying killing intent!
Saint Phepros had spoken—there was no hesitation. No matter who this blond brat was, anyone who dared lay a hand on a Celestial Dragon had only one fate:
Immediate execution!
"Rankyaku!"
"Shigan!"
They moved with cold precision, the deadly efficiency of CP0 on full display.
Yet Doflamingo didn't even flinch.
Instead, a mocking smile tugged at his lips.
"I can't let you kill my dear godson, now can I…"
A lazy, chilling voice suddenly cut through the air.
The faces of the two CP0 agents changed drastically, their pupils shrinking to pinpoints.
The voice had come from between them!
So fast!
When!?
It felt as if a monstrous predator had locked onto them, making the hairs on their necks stand up.
Both forced themselves to twist mid-air, immediately redirecting their sharp attacks toward the newcomer.
Clang!!
Clang!!
Sparks erupted, and two clear, sickening cracks followed.
A foot that could split a warship,
Fingers sharp enough to pierce steel—
Both struck something harder than diamond.
Their lower leg and index finger bent grotesquely, snapping under the force!
Agonizing pain shot through their bodies, their bloodshot eyes filling with horror beneath their masks.
They stared at the young man's unharmed face—still wearing that lazy, mocking smile—as a tidal wave of disbelief crashed over them.
This... how was this even possible?!
"I thought I'd get a chance to play with the legendary 'strongest shield of the Celestial Dragons.' What a shame."
With his black hair fluttering slightly, Daren stood motionless behind Doflamingo. His eyes flicked once, then he grinned.
Under the terrified gazes of the two CP0 agents, his hands shot out like lightning, and his thick fingers clamped down on their heads.
Then... he squeezed.
Bang!
Bang!
The heads of the two CP0 agents—whose strength rivaled that of an average Vice Admiral—exploded under Daren's grip.
Blood and brain matter burst into the air, but the violent Haki emanating from the Vice Admiral kept every drop from touching him.
Fountains of blood gushed from their necks as the headless bodies collapsed to the ground with heavy thuds. Daren turned slowly, offering a calm, faint smile to the Celestial Dragon who was pale as a ghost.
"Vice Admiral Rogers Daren of Marine Headquarters, at your service, Saint Phepros."
For a moment, the entire front of the palace seemed to freeze in time.
Everyone—including the Celestial Dragons—stared in horror at the bloody, brutal scene before them, their guts twisting in fear.
Powerful CP0 agents... elite assassins of the World Government's highest intelligence agency...
In this man's hands, they were as fragile as helpless chicks.
A simple squeeze, and their skulls shattered.
"You, you, you... Rogers Daren!?"
It took several seconds before Saint Phepros snapped out of it, shrieking in disbelief.
"What do you think you're doing!?"
He stumbled backward, falling clumsily to the ground. Staring up at the Vice Admiral's smiling, murderous face, his eyes filled with terror.
"I'm a Celestial Dragon!"
"If you kill me... the Government won't spare you!"
"All your power, your fame, your status... everything you have will be destroyed by your foolishness!!"
At this point, Saint Phepros fully realized it.
Rogers Daren—this man had come to kill him!
But why?
Why!?
Why was he targeting him!?
He remembered clearly that this Marine brat had once been entrusted by the Five Elders themselves to investigate the incident of Celestial Dragons being killed in the North Blue—
Wait!
A horrifying thought struck Saint Phepros as he stared at the smiling Marine in terror.
Could it be... Saint Xildes...
"No, no, no, you're misunderstanding something."
Daren waved his hand casually, pulled out a cigar, lit it, and smiled helplessly.
"Saint Phepros-sama, I wouldn't dare kill you. After all, I'm just an ordinary Marine."
He found a rock nearby, sat down lazily, and propped his chin up with one hand, wearing the expression of someone ready to enjoy a good show.
"The life of a Celestial Dragon... should be taken by another Celestial Dragon. That's fair, isn't it?"
Saint Phepros looked as if he'd been struck by lightning.
"Yes, it's very fair, Godfather."
Doflamingo licked his dry lips, the corners of his mouth curling into a crazed smile.
He shifted his gaze toward Saint Phepros, a ferocious grin twisting his features.
"Now then... let's have a little family reunion, Uncle Saint Phepros."
His fingers bent, slowly and deliberately.
Invisible threads spread from behind him, coated with Armament Haki, flashing brilliantly under the blazing sunlight.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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