Chapter 41

If I really wanted to get someone like Mihawk on my side, then it had to be a relationship that's been forged through a life-and-death battle. Anything less would simply be an insult to both parties involved. However, for the first time since we met, Shakky's smile faded, and her face was etched with a little worry. But she knew I wasn't joking, and as the one who proposed this fight, she had to see it through to the end.

"Kid, aren't you afraid of losing your own life in the process?" Shakky couldn't help but ask worriedly. Originally, she had thought that it would be a simple spar, but from my words, she clearly understood that I had meant every word I said.

"So what, Shakky-san? If I fall, it just means I am not strong enough. It's one thing not to fear death, another to sing under its sword."

"You truly don't fear death, do you?" Shakky's voice quivered with a mix of awe and concern, her eyes reflecting the weight of my words as she grasped their true meaning.

"Fear death? No, Shakky-san. I don't fear it; I merely respect its power. I have a promise in this life, a dream that must be fulfilled. Until that day comes, even death itself cannot claim me," I declared firmly, my presence commanding the space around us.

Shakky's expression softened slightly, recognizing the weight behind my words. "And what promise is that, if I may ask? What dream drives you to face death with such unwavering determination?"

I met her gaze, my eyes flickering with a mixture of determination and a touch of sadness. "I made a vow to protect my brother, my family, and my loved ones, and to make Doffy the King and not just any King, the King who stands at the pinnacle of this whole world. Until that promise is fulfilled, I cannot rest."

As I spoke, palpable pressure emanated from me, the manifestation of my Haoshoku Haki. It filled the space around us, causing the very air to crackle with energy. The two pirates within the bar were knocked off balance, and arcs of lightning danced sporadically, a visual representation of the intense emotions swirling within me.

Shakky, a veteran of the seas, felt the weight of my resolve pressing down on her. But instead of recoiling, she stood her ground, a glint of excitement mingling with nostalgia in her eyes. "You remind me of the fire that burns in every true pirate's heart," she remarked, a hint of admiration in her voice.

"The thrill of the unknown, the rush of the fight, the dance on the edge of danger—it's what we live for, isn't it?" Shakky's words held a depth of understanding, a shared sentiment of those who had dared to carve their own paths in the tumultuous seas.

"Ah, my apologies, Shakky-san. It seems like I lost control for a bit," I admitted, reining in my conqueror's haki as I realized the extent of the pressure I had exerted. The aftermath was evident—the once pristine bar now bore the marks of destruction, looking as though it had weathered the ravages of time. Cracks spidered across the walls, and the building seemed on the verge of collapse. Despite the chaos, Shakky remained unfazed, finding intrigue in the situation rather than concern.

Shakky's eyes sparkled with newfound respect and interest. No longer did she view me as a mere child; instead, she saw a person of depth and resolve. Unbeknownst to me, Shakky had begun to seriously consider my offer. What had initially piqued her curiosity had transformed into genuine contemplation, fueled by the determination she witnessed within me.

"You are quite the force to be reckoned with, Ross." Shakky remarked, her tone carrying a newfound gravity. "I've seen my fair share of individuals in my time, but rarely have I encountered someone with your level of determination and power."

"You truly are a remarkable individual. A former celestial dragon with the will to challenge the whole world, you kid, are truly an enigma." Shakky downed her entire drink as a gesture of respect and admiration.

I nodded appreciatively, acknowledging her words with a slight smile. "It's been a pleasure meeting you, Shakky-san. Perhaps our paths will cross again."

Shakky returned the smile, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Who knows, maybe they will. Just remember, kid, the seas are vast, and there's always something—or someone—waiting to challenge you."

With that cryptic remark, Shakky bid me farewell as I left the bar, the echoes of our conversation lingering in the air. As I stepped out into the bustling streets of Grove 13, I couldn't shake off the feeling that this chance encounter would mark a turning point in my journey.

***************

In the heart of Spider Miles, nestled in North Blue, stood the formidable stronghold of the Donquixote family. Amidst the grandeur of the main house, Doffy, a young teen whose recent exploits had garnered attention, sat in contemplation. His bounty, now at 63 million Belly, reflected the chaos he had sown, with Diamantés bounty soaring past the 100 million mark at 105 million Belly.

However, the weightiest matter on Doffy's mind transcended mere bounties and accolades. Around him, only Diamante, Pica, and Trebol, freshly returned from a successful mission, bore witness to the gravity of his decision. After eight grueling months, Trebol's discovery of the long-lost Lightning Logia fruit, which had been lost for centuries, added a new layer to their options.

Before him lay two distinct Devil fruits, each promising unimaginable power. The Lightning Logia, a symbol of raw elemental might, and the Flame Fruit, a potent force in its own right, represented Doffy's dilemma.

Yet, he hadn't divulged the find to Ross, his younger brother. Ross had already decided that if the Lightning Logia surfaced, it would be Doffy's to consume. The flame fruit was a contingency, a plan in case fate didn't deliver the lightning's power into their hands.

In silence, the air thick with unspoken tension, Doffy grappled with his ambitions. His desire for dominion over the world clashed with his deep-rooted bond with Ross. He acknowledged Ross's exceptional talent, a prowess that surpassed his own, and recognized that denying his brother the Lightning Logia would be denying him the ultimate chance to soar.

While Doffy harbored aspirations of becoming a supreme force, he understood that having a peerless ally like Ross was paramount. With the Lightning Fruit, Ross could become an unstoppable force, capable of challenging even the World Government. Doffy's trust in his brother was unshakable, and his belief in their joint destiny was resolute.

With a smile tinged with resolve, Doffy reached for the flame fruit, symbolizing not just power but a profound commitment to his brother and their shared journey towards greatness. And thus, a pivotal chapter in the Donquixote family's saga unfolded, echoing the complex interplay of ambition, kinship, and destiny.

Just as Doffy was about to consume the flame fruit a wax arm shot out of Trebol and stopped Doffy from taking a bite.

"Doffy you should rather eat the lightning fruit, it was meant to be yours" Trebol commented while the wax still struck to Doffy's arm firmly, however Doffys veins popped out in anger.

Doffy infused his arm with Haki, effortlessly breaking free from the wax. "Let this be the last time, Trebol. Do not repeat this." Doffy's voice carried a warning, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"I understand your concern, but let me ask you this," Doffy continued, directing his question at the three executives. "Between Ross and me, who do you think can unlock the true potential of the Lightning Logia? Who can harness its power to its fullest?"

Although Doffy's executives held immense respect for Ross and acknowledged his superior talent, they also believed in the established hierarchy within the family. Despite recognizing Ross's abilities, they hesitated to admit openly that Doffy might be better suited for such a powerful Devil Fruit. Their silence spoke volumes, as they grappled with the delicate balance between acknowledging talent and upholding loyalty to their leader.

"You may forget our true ambition, but Ross and I never will," Doffy asserted firmly, his gaze unwavering. "Perhaps my resolve in myself may falter in the future, but my trust in my little brother's resolve never will. Ross consuming the Lightning Fruit gives us better odds at achieving our goals. If I deny him this opportunity, he would rather forgo consuming any devil fruit in the future. That's why he will not know about the Lightning Fruit for now. I forbid any of you from disclosing this to Ross. The Lightning Fruit will be kept as a gift for when he returns to the family. The fact that we have it must remain an absolute secret."

Pica, trying to interject, started, "But, Doffy, don't you think..."

Doffy raised a hand to silence him. "My decision is final. Besides, it's often easier to seek forgiveness than permission. I can handle my little brother."

With determination, Doffy quickly devoured the Flame Fruit, albeit with a grimace. "Ugh, this is the nastiest thing I've ever tasted," he remarked, his expression contorted from the peculiar flavor. He couldn't help but chuckle, imagining Ross's reaction to the fruit's less-than-desirable taste, realizing that his little brother's insistence on the family consuming the entire fruit was perhaps part of a grand joke.

A few seconds after consuming the Flame Fruit, Doffy felt profound changes coursing through his body. He raised his arm, watching as it transformed into flickering flames that danced around him. Immersed in his newfound power, Doffy started to increase the intensity of the flames, momentarily forgetting the confined space of the room. The flames grew stronger, and the temperature inside soared glaringly.

Just as Trebol wanted to intervene, a quick knock on the door caught everyone's attention. Doffy swiftly reined in the flames and put the Lightning Fruit within a small chest, setting it aside.

Afterwards, Pica opened the door, and in walked Senor, who was dressed immaculately.

"Young Master, the Five Families of the West have sent an invitation for a meeting to discuss the recent skirmishes between our families. The location of the meeting is in North Blue itself, but the island falls under the control of the West Blue mafia," Senor explained the situation after stepping into the room. However, the people in the room understood what this meant.

Doffy started laughing like a maniac when he understood what the mafia was playing at and turned to Senor, one of his most capable subordinates, who had already firmly secured a place within the inner circle of the family.

"What do you think, Senor? What do you think their intentions are?" Doffy asked with a smirk on his face.

"It's a trap, young master. We already have information that the five families have gotten their hands on some Sea Stone bullets after paying a hefty price," Senor conveyed, turning to Diamante, the Logia user who had gone unchallenged after consuming the Logia Soot Fruit. In the last battle with the five families, Diamante went completely unchallenged as he mowed down the opponents one after another.

"Hehe, Diamante, it seems like they are preparing to take you down during the meeting and catch us off guard," Doffy laughed while taunting Diamante. Although Diamante was sure he could survive a shot from a Sea Stone bullet, especially now that he could use Haki, the issue was his inability to resist the sea stone. Doffy had yet to receive details about resistance training, which Ross had promised to share once he learned them from Zephyr. If the bullet lodges within his body, Diamante would lose his ability to use the Logia power.

"Doffy, we shouldn't have left them with just burning a single town. We should venture to the West Blue and start targeting them in their own backyard," Diamante declared, his face now darkened with the knowledge that they were planning to use Sea Stone to restrain him.

Originally, the Donquixote family had no clash with the West Blue Mafia family. However, recently, a bounty of 100 million was placed on Ross's capture. Despite the Donquixote family's threats, the Five Families took on the bounty mission, sparking the conflict. Despite their long-standing background, the five Mafia families couldn't shake the Donquixote family's standing within North Blue. However, when it came to the quality of forces, the Donquixote family was superior, although the West Blue families had numbers on their side. The conflict, which started with Ross's bounty in the underworld, had now grown into a full-blown confrontation.

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