"Task 'Repay Kindness' completed. Reward: 1000 attribute points."
Immediately after Doflamingo's death, Marco heard the system AI announce the result.
"Law, what are your plans now? Do you want to join us?" Marco asked, extending the invitation once more. He admired Law greatly, and as captain, his ship still lacked a skilled doctor. Law would be the perfect addition.
Bepo and the others glanced at Law. After spending so many days together, they trusted Marco's judgment. Joining the Phoenix Pirates was ultimately a decision for their captain.
Though he had finally exacted his revenge, Trafalgar Law felt no joy. For years, all he had thought about was killing Doflamingo. Now that it was over, a strange lightness filled his heart. The man who had been a nightmare was gone, and Law could finally pursue his own path.
Logically, joining Marco's crew—a Four Emperors pirate crew—would be advantageous. But Law still had personal goals, including understanding what Corazon once said about D being the natural enemy of God. That mystery remained unsolved.
After a moment of thought, Law shook his head. "No. I still have my own path to follow. I won't join another crew for now."
Marco's lips curled in a small smile. "I see. That's fair. We're all pirates. I respect your freedom. If you ever change your mind, the Phoenix Pirates' doors are always open."
Law nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Leader of the Phoenix Pirates. I appreciate all your support during this time."
Marco smiled warmly. "It wasn't really support. You saved many of us. If anyone deserves thanks, it's us. Otherwise, my more than two thousand brothers might still be incapacitated!"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a transponder snail, handing it to Law. "If you ever run into trouble, call us. If it's within our power, we will help."
Law accepted the transponder snail, aware that after Doflamingo's death, various dark forces would pursue him. Even Kaido of the Beasts could take an interest. "Thank you," he said sincerely.
Marco nodded and called out to the crew, "Brothers, set sail for home."
---
Meanwhile, in the New World, the Donquixote Family raced toward Punk Hazard. Trebol and the others discovered that their young master's life had ended, and despair overtook them.
"Damn it! It must be the Phoenix Pirates who killed our young master!" Gladius shouted.
"Speed up! We must avenge him," another cried.
Trebol, however, spoke calmly. "Do not act rashly. We cannot yet confirm the Phoenix Pirates killed him. Even if they did, can we truly defeat them with our strength alone?"
The others paused, though anger still glinted in their eyes. Diamante asked, "Trebol, what's the plan?"
Trebol's eyes were cold. "To avenge the young master, our own strength isn't enough. We must rely on the power of the Four Emperors."
"Are we going to pledge to another Four Emperors? Or Kaido?" Diamante asked.
A few days earlier, Vergo, the Donquixote Family's top executive, had abandoned his Marine Vice Admiral post to serve Kaido. His outstanding strength and Zoan-type Devil Fruit powers had earned him a place among the Tobiroppo.
Even if the family pledged to the Beasts Pirates, they reasoned, they might not rise high. Trebol explained, "We don't know for certain if the Phoenix Pirates killed the young master. Even if they did, the Beasts Pirates alone cannot defeat a Four Emperors crew. Vergo is already among them, and Kaido favors Zoan users like him. Our efforts would not be recognized."
"Then the Big Mom Pirates," Trebol concluded. "If Marco killed the young master, we will unite with Vergo and persuade Big Mom and Kaido to join forces against the Phoenix Pirates."
The Donquixote Family members all nodded. Their priority was clear: avenge Doflamingo.
---
Within half a day, news of Doflamingo's death spread across the seas.
The Four Emperors' Phoenix Marco, in alliance with Trafalgar Law, the Surgeon of Death, had eliminated Donquixote Doflamingo, a former Warlord of the Sea.
Trafalgar Law's bounty rose from 200 million Berries to 440 million Berries.
Other forces at sea cursed in frustration, while various dark factions set their sights on Law, unwilling to challenge a Four Emperors' pirate crew directly.
---
On Onigashima, Kaido of the Beasts received the news. He buried his face in his hands, weeping. "Waaah, waaah, waaah… Joker, you bastard! You promised we'd build the strongest crew together. How could you die so easily? It's your fault for being too weak!"
His subordinates tried to console him. "Kaido-sama, there is nothing we can do! Even the strongest Joker could not match a Four Emperors-level pirate crew."
Kaido's tears stopped, his face hardening with rage. "Marco, I didn't seek revenge against you, yet you came for me! He must have known Joker's connection with me. That's why he killed him! Waaah, waaah, waaah… Joker! You scoundrel! To die like that… so pitiful."
The subordinates were helpless as Kaido sobbed again. "Kaido-sama," one spoke up, "according to Queen-sama, the one who actually created SMILE was Caesar Clown. If we capture him, Joker was only an intermediary. If we take Caesar, we can manufacture SMILE ourselves."