One Piece: A King's Path Anew

"It? Who's 'it'? Who's coming, Young Master?" Baby 5 asked Doflamingo, her eyes wide with innocent curiosity.

"It's nothing that concerns you. Just focus on being a good little maid," Doflamingo replied, his good mood evident as he playfully teased her.

"Young Master! You're teasing me!" Baby 5 pouted.

"Fuffuffuffuffu."

Soon after, Doflamingo informed the entire Family of the impending operation, not omitting Rosinante. This event, Doflamingo mused, was Rosinante's stage. He had given his brother a chance; whether Rosinante lived or died would now depend entirely on his own choices.

"I've called you all here today to discuss the Op-Op Fruit," Doflamingo announced from his seat of authority. "We need this fruit. With it, Law's Amber Lead Syndrome can finally be cured without further treatment."

"Law, you little brat! Looks like your ordeal is finally coming to an end!" Enel exclaimed, clapping Law on the shoulder. Law was now considered under Enel's wing, and Enel had his own reputation to uphold; a weak subordinate wouldn't reflect well on him. Over the past two years, Enel had grown to genuinely appreciate the resilient boy, seeing a bit of his own past self in him. He increasingly approved of Doflamingo's decision to assign Law to him.

Hearing Doflamingo's announcement, Law was visibly thrilled. Who wouldn't choose life if given the chance? As for Enel's gruff encouragement, Law said nothing; after so much time together, he was well accustomed to Enel's personality.

"Law, your illness is going to be cured!" Baby 5 chimed in, looking at him. Law pointedly ignored her. Seeing this, Baby 5 turned away from him too, silently fuming.

"Neh, neh, Doffy," Trebol piped up, "how many people will we need for this operation?"

"I will lead this mission personally," Doflamingo stated, a meaningful glint in his eyes. "We are not the only ones who desire the Op-Op Fruit."

"Doffy, with you leading the charge, the Op-Op Fruit is as good as ours!" Diamante offered a timely piece of flattery. Doflamingo simply shook his head. Seeing this, Diamante and the others were filled with questions.

"Young Master, what is it?" Senor Pink asked, puzzled.

"The World Government, the Marines, and even figures from the underworld... none of them will let the Op-Op Fruit slip through their fingers," Doflamingo explained calmly. "The North Blue is about to become a massive vortex."

"According to the intelligence I've received," Ibes added, seemingly in perfect sync with Doflamingo's thoughts, "the price of the Op-Op Fruit in the underworld has already skyrocketed to five billion Berries." She provided information that was unknown to most present.

Robin gasped, covering her mouth to hide her shock. That was astronomically more valuable than her own bounty as the "Devil Child."

"Five billion Berries... How much money is that? How much delicious food could I buy?" Baby 5 muttered to herself, her eyes wide. Doflamingo heard her and lightly rapped her on the head, signaling her to stop the silly comments. "Ow! That hurt!" Baby 5 whimpered, rubbing her head and shrinking back.

"Five billion Berries? Such a high price?" Enel was also taken aback. Though he had little interest in money itself, such a sum for a single Devil Fruit clearly indicated its immense importance. "What an incredible sum!" Diamante marveled, genuinely impressed. "Five billion Berries... five billion Berries..." Law repeated, somewhat dazed, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him. The other Family members were in a similar state of shock; none of them had ever heard of such a staggering amount.

"What's wrong? Scared by such a paltry sum?" Doflamingo scanned their faces, then declared with an air of absolute dominance, "Law, rest assured. The Op-Op Fruit... I will obtain it for you!"

"Yahahaha! Such a small amount of money! This great one wouldn't even bat an eye!" Enel declared, his usual bravado returning, the earlier gloom dispelled. The others also quickly regained their composure, their expressions becoming calm and attentive once more as they waited for Doflamingo's further instructions.

"For this mission, besides myself, Enel, Diamante, and Pica will accompany me," Doflamingo announced his decision. "The rest of you will remain here and manage the Family's affairs."

"Yahahaha! Doffy, it's been too long since we last fought side-by-side!" Enel exclaimed, thrilled to be included in the combat team. "My swordsmanship has also been stagnant for far too long. I hope the Marines and the World Government can offer me some... anticipation!" Diamante declared with a cool, self-assured swagger. Pica, as usual, said nothing. He was a man of action, not words. Why waste breath on pointless posturing? It wasn't as if he'd die if he didn't show off! (And he definitely wasn't afraid of others mocking his high-pitched voice.)

Rosinante, who had remained motionless throughout, had heard everything. Though his face betrayed no emotion, his mind was a raging volcano, on the verge of eruption.

Just half a day earlier, Rosinante had received a special coded signal from Marine Headquarters. He had then secretly contacted Sengoku. Their discussion had centered on precisely this: the Op-Op Fruit. Both the World Government and the Marines were determined to acquire it at all costs; failure was not an option. Rosinante had been agonizing over how he could possibly complete his mission regarding the fruit when Doflamingo suddenly announced his own intention to seize it. Rosinante certainly couldn't allow Doflamingo to succeed. Moreover, to let such a precious Devil Fruit be "wasted" on a little brat like Law was unthinkable! Whatever it took, he had to disrupt Doflamingo's plans. However, it was clear Doflamingo was also taking this matter very seriously. For the moment, Rosinante had no viable counter-plan.

"Brother," Rosinante wrote on a piece of paper after a moment's hesitation, "I want to go with you."

"Rosinante, you want to go too?" Doflamingo feigned concern upon finally seeing his brother make a move. "This will be a very dangerous undertaking." The other executives looked at Rosinante with meaningful expressions. Law, surprisingly, felt a flicker of gratitude, thinking that perhaps Rosinante was willing to set aside their personal enmity to help him. Alright, Law thought internally, when I 'educate' you after I'm cured, I'll try to be a little gentler.

"I just want to contribute to the Family," Rosinante's note clarified. "Very well, Rosinante. Your loyalty is commendable. Then we shall go together!" Doflamingo didn't challenge his brother's flimsy excuse, choosing to go along with his wishes. Rosinante was satisfied with Doflamingo's response. He had achieved his immediate objective; there was no need to say more.

"Law," Doflamingo suddenly declared, his focus shifting, "you will come as well. As soon as we obtain the Op-Op Fruit, you will eat it immediately." "Me?" Law looked up, surprised at being addressed. Without hesitation, he replied, "I understand!"

"Young Master, I want to..." Baby 5 began hesitantly, seeing Law included and wanting to join as well. "No, you don't!" Doflamingo cut her off flatly. "You are far from ready." Absolutely not, he thought. I don't need another troublemaker on this critical mission. You'll stay safely with the Family for now. "Ooh..." Baby 5 looked utterly dejected, her face falling. "Alright, that settles it!" Doflamingo declared, his tone final.

Marine Headquarters, Marineford. Sengoku once again received a report from Rosinante. Aside from repeatedly cautioning him – "Be careful, protect yourself" – there was little else Sengoku could do but watch helplessly as his adopted son walked into what was almost certainly a trap.

This won't do! Sengoku fretted, a dangerous premonition haunting him. If Doflamingo, that dangerous element, discovers Rosinante's true identity, he will definitely not spare him! Rosinante accompanying Doflamingo to Minion Island... it's undoubtedly a journey fraught with peril, not good fortune.

Purupurupuru... Sengoku quickly dialed a number. He was extremely agitated, and the continuous ringing of the unanswered Den Den Mushi only fueled his frustration. Finally, the call connected.

"Moshi moshi~ Here is Borsalino. Admiral Sengoku, is there something you need~?" The voice that came through the receiver, with its infuriatingly laid-back drawl, made Sengoku's blood boil. It instantly reminded him of another certain troublesome individual. Composing himself with considerable effort, Sengoku suppressed his urge to explode and said sternly, "Vice Admiral Borsalino, there is a matter I need you to attend to!"

"Oh, how troublesome~ I'm rather busy over here, you know~" Borsalino drawled.

"Borsalino!" Sengoku snapped, dispensing with the formal title. "This matter is of utmost importance! The Op-Op Fruit absolutely must not be lost! The World Government and the Fleet Admiral are also placing great emphasis on this. We must ensure complete success! Right now, you are the only one who can reach the location in time!"

"So troublesome~" Borsalino sighed. "Well, if the World Government itself has spoken, then I suppose I'll just have to work some overtime~!"

"Also, remember this!" Sengoku added urgently. "We have a Marine undercover within the Donquixote Family! You are to bring him back safely! His name is Rosinante!" He poured out all his instructions at once.

"How scary~ The Donquixote Family, and the Barrels Pirates too~" Borsalino remarked in his usual sing-song voice before hanging up. On the other end, Kizaru sighed as the connection cut. "Another day of overtime," he lamented to himself. "And no overtime pay, as usual."

Minion Island. The Barrels Pirates were making their preparations. Several days prior, Barrels, utilizing Doflamingo's underworld connections, had "auctioned" the Op-Op Fruit in his possession to the World Government and the Marines. Now, he was simply waiting for them to arrive with the payment. Barrels was ecstatic. He hadn't imagined the Op-Op Fruit would command such an astronomical price. And all those Berries would be his! Anyone would be dazed by the sight of so much money – more than he could have ever earned in a lifetime in the Marines.

Too bad for him, he'd have the fortune but no life left to spend it. In a few days, the one knocking on Diez Barrels' door on Minion Island would be the Grim Reaper himself.