This was once Doflamingo's trading ground with the criminal underworld, a place where arms shipments flowed endlessly.
The purpose of the factory hadn't changed — only the master behind it had.
Walking through the vast metallic corridors, Vergo couldn't help feeling a complicated mix of emotions.
Once, he walked here as a lord of the place — a top executive of the Donquixote Family, one of the pillars supporting this very factory.
But now, returning as a supplicant, he felt only tension, caution… and an unease he could not suppress.
Because today…
He would meet that man.
The man whose name had already eclipsed Doflamingo's — a being ten times more terrifying in reputation.
Whether Vergo lived proudly or died miserably from this moment onward depended entirely on that man's judgment.
Even Vergo, always calm and steady, couldn't help the anxiety coiling inside him.
"Heh… Vergo, you really are a shameless villain."
A mocking voice came from the side.
"Doflamingo just died, and you're already rushing to kneel before the man who killed him! Don't you feel even a little disgrace?"
Vergo's expression didn't change.
Buzz—
His fist darkened with Armament Haki.
BAM!
He smashed his fist into the face of the one who spoke — Trafalgar Law — sending him flying, blood trailing from his lips.
"I told you," Vergo said coldly, "address me as Mr. Vergo. Learn some respect."
"In this world, justice belongs to the victor. Only the strong have the right to sit on the throne atop this sea."
"You're just a rookie pirate. Your understanding of the world is still child's play."
Law, bound in chains, couldn't even lift a hand to wipe the blood from his mouth. Vergo grabbed him by the collar and lifted him like a sack.
They continued forward.
Law's mind raced desperately.
If he didn't escape now, once he was delivered to that legendary new Emperor… it would truly be over.
Vergo saw right through him. "Don't even think about running. You don't even know Armament Haki — you couldn't break free from me if your life depended on it."
Law's jaw clenched.
The worst part? Vergo was right.
"But you're still a Marine base commander," Law said sharply. "You used three warships to capture me, and now you're delivering me to a Yonko? Aren't you afraid the Marines will suspect something?"
Vergo didn't even slow his pace. "I'll simply report that you escaped using your Ope Ope no Mi. The Marines understand better than anyone how dangerous a 5-billion-berry fruit can be."
Law's face darkened.
He was being outplayed at every step.
Ahead, a tall young man with draconic horns appeared — Page One.
Seeing him, Vergo instantly switched from proud Marine officer to respectful subordinate.
"Lord Page One," he greeted.
Page One gave him a brief nod. "Come. The Young Master has been waiting."
They boarded a chain-driven elevator that slowly ascended toward the palace above.
With every meter the elevator climbed, Vergo's heartbeat quickened.
And Law's heart sank deeper.
When the doors finally opened, they stepped into a lavish throne room.
At the highest seat sat a tall, sharp-eyed young man with dark hair and an aura that made the air itself feel heavy.
Vergo glanced at him once—
—and felt a jolt of fear.
This presence… was far beyond Doflamingo.
There was no doubt.
This was the Fifth Emperor of the Sea, the Beast Pirates' Imperial Son-in-Law—
Ro-star.
Vergo immediately dropped to one knee, yanking Law down with him.
"I greet the Emperor!"
Ro-star descended from the throne, his tone calm and light:
"Rise."
Yet even that calm voice carried a pressure that made Vergo's spine stiffen.
Law felt it too — even without Observation Haki, instinct screamed that this young man was a monster beyond his imagination.
No wonder he could kill Doflamingo in an instant.
Ro-star studied them both.
He had rushed here from Wano the moment he heard the news. There were two reasons:
First: Vergo's value as a spy within the Marines — something the Beast Pirates had always lacked.
Second: Trafalgar Law himself.
More specifically — the Ope Ope no Mi, the fruit rumored to grant eternal life.
Ever since Sky Island, Ro-star had wondered…
If he used Senzu Beans to repeatedly heal Law, could Law perform the Immortality Operation many times?
He had been planning to look for Law eventually.
And now Vergo had delivered him right to the door.
Ro-star hid a faint smile. Fate had been generous.
(Not to mention… he also missed Viola and Rebecca a little.)
Ro-star gestured to Page One. "Take Law away. Send him to Wano later."
As seastone chains clicked shut around him, Law's hope collapsed entirely.
He was done.
Ro-star noticed and suddenly asked Vergo:
"And the rest of the Heart Pirates?"
Vergo bowed. "All the survivors have also been brought, Emperor."
Good, Ro-star thought.
If he wanted Law to eventually cooperate with him willingly, he couldn't show cruelty.
If Law refused… Ro-star would simply kill him and wait for the fruit to reincarnate.
But there was no need to mention that yet.
Ro-star gave Vergo a few words of encouragement. "Remain in the Marines and continue your undercover work. The Beast Pirates will remember your loyalty."
Just as Ro-star was about to leave—
Vergo stepped forward, voice low and grave.
"Young Master… I've recently learned something important. The Marines have developed a new weapon — extremely powerful. Strong enough to crush pirates worth hundreds of millions."
Ro-star raised an eyebrow. "What is it called?"
Vergo answered:
"A human weapon… the Pacifista."
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