Chapter 107: Violet

"Violet, any updates?"

Doflamingo asked Violet standing beside him. After dispatching Sugar, he'd tasked her with keeping Luo Ning under surveillance. Violet possessed the Glance-Glance Fruit, a Paramecia-type ability that allowed her to peer into people's hearts. She was another target for Luo Ning, whom he intended to recruit as an examiner for Impel Down.

Beyond reading hearts, Violet's fruit also granted her a limited form of clairvoyance, with a staggering range of four thousand kilometers. This extraordinary power was the very reason Doflamingo had spared King Riku's life in the first place.

"Failed... he... he captured her!" Violet stammered, her voice trembling. Doflamingo's expression contorted in disbelief.

"What caused the failure? Was it the toy soldier?" The only explanation Doflamingo could conjure for the mission's failure was the presence of the toy.

"It doesn't seem that way. They made contact, but nothing happened!" Violet remained bewildered, then witnessed Luo Ning rendering Sugar unconscious through an unknown method.

The moment Sugar fell unconscious, Dressrosa erupted in a blinding light. Bathed in this luminescence, countless toys across the island – in the port, the underground passages, and the city itself – began to transform back into humans. Everyone's memories, including Violet's recollection of her brother-in-law, flooded back. This sudden turn of events plunged Dressrosa into utter chaos.

"Damn it! Sugar's unconscious, and years of the family's work are down the drain!"

Diamante snarled, his face contorted in fury. The rest of the Donquixote Pirates mirrored his expression.

"Doffy, what's the plan now?" Trebol inquired, his voice laced with urgency. The situation had spiraled out of control, defeat hanging heavy in the air.

"We fight back with everything we've got! Even if I have to reduce everything around me to rubble, I won't let him have a peaceful victory. If I can't overpower him, we'll target those around him. Capturing one of them would be a win," Doflamingo declared, his face ashen but his voice resolute.

However, Diamante remained bewildered. "Young Master, while you value family, you wouldn't jeopardize everything for Sugar! We can rebuild elsewhere, why confront him head-on?"

Doflamingo, known for his loyalty to his crew, had surprised everyone with this reckless plan.

"What other choice do we have? Run? Where would we even go? Do you have any idea who we're dealing with? This man single-handedly suppressed the entire Marine Headquarters! His power… the moment I witnessed it, pure terror gripped me. Even attempting escape is futile!"

Doflamingo was right. Surrounded by the sea, escape by boat would require time they simply didn't have. Luo Ning would find them before they even set sail.

The situation was dire. A head-on confrontation seemed like a dead end, but Luo Ning was vulnerable too. While none of the Donquixote Pirates could overpower him, they possessed diverse abilities. Senor Pink, for example, could swim underground, potentially isolating and capturing Luo Ning's companions, forcing his surrender.

The others, convinced by Doflamingo's words, fell silent. They were out of options.

Unbeknownst to them, their plans were no secret to Luo Ning. And they had underestimated Violet's loyalty. She harbored her own thoughts.

"An excellent plan," Luo Ning's voice echoed through the hall. He had materialized before them in a blink, his speed leaving Doflamingo bewildered.

"A monstrous existence indeed," Doflamingo and his crew stammered, a cold sweat breaking out on their faces. They had just formulated their strategy, and here he was.

"Impossible! You were just outside!" Violet's scalp tingled. She had seen Luo Ning on the street moments ago – it would take time to get here. Yet, in the blink of an eye, he stood before them.

"That's right, Violet. Speaking of which, you're one of my targets. I'd like you to join me as an examiner at Impel Down. Your abilities are invaluable. In return, I'll reinstate King Riku to the throne and ensure Dressrosa's safety."

Luo Ning ignored Doflamingo and his crew, addressing Violet directly.

Understanding dawned on Violet. Cyrus had revealed Luo Ning's identity, and she, in turn, had relayed it to the others. Joining Luo Ning was undoubtedly the most logical course of action.

"I accept! Please, eradicate the Donquixote family!" Violet readily agreed. She wasn't naive; she understood the best path forward.

"Violet!" Doflamingo roared, a vein throbbing on his forehead. While he harbored doubts about her loyalty, witnessing her betrayal in broad daylight was infuriating.

Gnashing his teeth, Doflamingo lashed out. Five multi-colored threads materialized in his hand, one of them reaching for Violet in a clawed grip.

"Harming my subordinates in my presence, Doflamingo? You clearly underestimate me," Luo Ning stated, appearing before Doflamingo in an instant. He seized Doflamingo's hand, leaving the pirate leader stunned.

Even the most reckless individuals feel a tremor of fear in the face of overwhelming power. Before Doflamingo could react, his hand contorted like a spring.

The moment Luo Ning touched him, he infused his power of fantasy. He whimsically imagined Doflamingo's arm functioning as a spring, and a spring it became, twisting unnaturally. Doflamingo's body, however, remained human, and the forced transformation crippled his arm with a sickening twist.