Chapter 8: Perpetual Eternal Surgery

Dressrosa

Throne Room

"Welcome to my Kingdom, the little lamb. You're free to roam around. I was so regretful when I wasn't able to steal you from Kuzan", Doflamingo allowed. Seated at his proud throne, he drank the remaining wine in the bottle. "You're the boss Caesar was calling. You allowed him to perform experiments on those children", Seri said with a stern voice while Baby 5 holds her chains. "Release her chains", Doflamingo instructed. She did what was told. "Leave us", Doflamingo used his strings to open the door.

"For those eyes and those white locks... I think I've seen it somewhere. I get the feeling that we're quite similar", Doflamingo brushed his fingers on her silky long hair." Say, little lamb. Would you like to join my family? Under my name, the Marine will not go after you again", Doflamingo whispered. His words were like a poison that scattered around Seri's mind. "That way, you can live freely", he poured a glass of wine and offered it to Seri.

"The marine also said the same. If I am under their protection, no one can harm me", Seri just held the glass of wine. "Why don't you choose my side? You don't need to be used by both the world government and marine. I will protect my family. I will cherish them", Doflamingo cupped Seri's left cheek. "I am gentle to those who I call my family", Doflamingo had a smirking. "I was told. You cause the demise of the former King and his family. Also, this whole country doesn't know that you're the one pulling the strings", Seri looked straight into Doflamingo. The king grabbed her cheek. Seri winced in pain. "Doflamingo. I know you. You're a person stripped of your power. The reason why you're doing this-", Seri was interrupted when she saw Doflamingo's dark expression. "I thought you're the very person who will understand me", Doflamingo pushed her away. "I can use you as bait. Your purpose is not yet fulfilled", Doflamingo stood and walked towards the window.

Seri looked at his broad and lonely back. "Doflamingo, what do you want?", Seri took the courage to ask. "I will destroy everything! I will take away everything from those who acted like gods", Doflamingo punched the window. The glass broke. "I also don't like them but... I don't think innocent people need to suffer", Seri clenched her fist.

What can I do? I'm so powerless. He's just in front of me. Is killing him the only way to stop this?

Seri saw a knife on the table. She looked at the glass of wine looking like blood. The lady opens the door and runs but was caught by Baby 5.

Palace- Executive Room

"Playtime is over", Baby 5 opened the door. There are a couple of chairs with different signs. They seem to be gathering around the heart's chair. Seri met eyes with Trafalgar and they both froze for a moment. "A fateful meeting for the two of you", Doflamingo crossed his legs.

What is he doing here? I thought he died. What's she doing here? I thought she was with the marine.

"Hmm~ what's this? Do you guys know each other?", Doflamingo asked.

Yes.No.

"Which is it?", Gladius tilted his head. "Anyways. Law. You are going to do something for me before you die. You wasted your chance. You could have been the next Corazon. You looked like me when you were 10. What happened? That look in your eyes. He took it away, didn't he?", Doflamingo said playfully."For someone who wanted to destroy everything. I saw myself in you", Doflamingo remembered Trafalgar visiting him to join the Donquixote pirate.

"You need to perform the Perpetual Eternal Surgery", Doflamingo's words shocked the two. "What are you saying? That surgery can only be done by the one who ate the...", Seri looked at Trafalgar with such horror. "Behold, Code 00404. This man before you is an eater of that fruit", Doflamingo presented Trafalgar who bit his lip. "There's no way", Seri bit her lip. Trafalgar was just wondering what is it to her. "But before you die, let me just tell someone your story since you'll soon perish from this place", Doflamingo chuckled.

"You came to us with bloodlust in those eyes", Doflamingo sat on the table in front of them.

White lead. Buster Call. Corazon.

Baby 5 wiped her tears and hid behind Buffalo. Seri felt something falling from her eyes. "Why are you crying?!", Trafalgar clicked his tongue. "Why? Young lady. Are you now reminiscing your own reason for hating the world government? Ah~ Just like Law, you lost a lot because of these people playing gods", Doflamingo leaned on the wall and laughed. Seri went in front of Trafalgar. "Are you okay?", Seri looked at the floor. "What in the world are you asking?", Trafalgar looked away.

"I was ready to make you my right-hand man but that idiot took those fierce looks in your eyes", Doflamingo had his vein-popping. Trafalgar looked at the lady who is still crying. "Why are you crying?", Trafalgar felt irritated. "What are those tears for? Even if I cried a bucket, it won't bring him back", Trafalgar gritted his teeth. Suddenly, there was an explosion.

Due to the explosion, Seri got blown off to Trafalgar. She opened her eyes and saw she was tangled with him. "Hey. Go and look for the key", Trafalgar commanded. The lady looked down into his eyes. She slightly pushed Trafalgar's chest to help herself from standing.

"Then, what kind of person have you become?", Seri asked. "Huh? Didn't I give my answer?", Trafalgar gave a glare. Luffy appeared and he had the key. He was having a hard time unlocking it since it was a sea stone and it was draining his strength away.

"Straw hat~", Pica, one of the Donquixote Pirates, suddenly spoke. Luffy laughed so hard. Pica was furious and went on a rampage. The ground started to shake and suddenly turned into part of his body. The wind blew hard. "Straw hat!", Trafalgar shouted as soon as he saw Seri tossed away so easily. Luffy stretched his hand and grabbed the two. Pica started to move causing a lot of tremors in the land. The three got knocked off the palace.

Somewhere in Dressrosa

"Straw hat-ya, I need the key", Trafalgar grunted as he was carried on Luffy's shoulder. After some time, there was an announcement of a reward for those who will be able to hunt for certain people. "There's no place safe here", Seri looked at the rubble. "Hey, you. Go and hide somewhere. It's dangerous for you to stay with us", Trafalgar raised his head to look at Seri. "Yes, Cherry. I'll be meeting you later.", Luffy gave a big smile.

"Wait", Seri pulled the edge of Luffy's flowery polo shirt. "Doflamingo knew something about me and Admiral Issho is also here. I wonder if I can see you again but Luffy someone told me everything about Dressrosa. The King, the toys, and how his brother tried to protect this beautiful place. For some reason, his brother's plan failed", Seri doesn't want to look at Trafalgar but she did. Trafalgar felt a sharp pain in his chest. " The boys who were once human, the King who was falsely accused, and everyone who's playing under Doflamingo's hand, I want these people to be saved. People are supposed to be free", Seri pressed her lips together.

"But... I'm pathetically weak. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to help. I want to bat my eyes away but it's impossible. How could I possibly turn a blind eye? ", Seri's eyes turned teary. She knelt down and was about to bow her head when Luffy caught it and raised her chin using his hand. "Then get stronger. It can't be helped this time. Just do what you can. For the things you can't yet do, leave it to us", Luffy fixed his hat and gave a big smile. Seri looked at Trafalgar. "It's a sea stone lock, I can't open it", she held her tears and started to run somewhere.

"Are you sure of saying that? She might end up dying trying", Trafalgar asked. "I have a strong feeling that she won't", Luffy started running in the opposite direction. Trafalgar just watched the lady until she was no longer visible.

Old Palace

King Riku, Rebeca, Violeta, Ussop, Robin, Bartolomeo, and the Wano samurai ended up at the same place. Ussop was tended by some of the little men called Tontatta fairies. They heard something rustling on the grasses. "An enemy attack?!", Ussop panicked. Robin prepared her hands. Bartolomeo also crossed his fingers just in case he needs to use his barrier. "Key", Seri went out from the bush panting. "Key?", Ussop asked. She ran as hard as she could to reach the palace garden. The path was filled with fighting soldiers but found some way to sneak in."You're bleeding", Princess Mansherry pointed at the blood falling from her arms. "I'm just fine", Seri assured. Something fell on her shoulder and she hid it. Robin was fast to see two bullets in her palm.

"Hey. Did you get hit ?", Ussop asked worriedly. "Please. Help me look for a key", Seri bowed very low."Don't worry. Violeta-san had the ability of clairvoyance", Rebecca informed. "That's great then. Luffy-san and Tra-guy are on their way to flower fill", Seri sat down beside Ussop."There it is", Violet saw it.

"Then, how are we going to deliver it?", Robin asked and looked at the flower hill. "We will be asking for some help", Leo, a Tontatta fairy spoke. "Oh, I didn't see you there", Seri apologized because she sat on him. She stood up and helped the little guy. "You're really not surprised with anything at all", Ussop sighed. Leo explained how the bugs will help them. "That man is badly wounded. I need to help him", Seri was referring to Trafalgar. "He's a doctor. Tra-guy can handle himself", Ussop assured. "You can join us then", Robin smiled.

"Robin!", Usopp shouted in disagreement." Really?", Seri felt excited."You will just be in their way", Ussop slipped his tongue and covered it as soon as she saw Seri looking at him. "You're right", Seri stepped back."Who is she? Could it be that she's a secret member?!", Batrolomeo twirled in happiness."We'll deliver the key", Rebecca took the key from Violeta."Are you sure you won't tag along?", Robin asked."Don't encourage her!", Ussop scolded.

Seri looked at Riku and the rest of the group. "Why are you trusting those pirates?", Riku asked. "I no longer want to leave this to the Marine. In the first place, they're the reason why Doflamingo is here. Those pirates are doing it due to the goodness of their hearts!", Violet shouted.

Few moments after

"Sugar is in front of them. This is bad. If she touches them, they'll turn into toys", Violeta informed. Ussop flinched, he already tried to put his life in line during the time in the dungeon. Without anyone else to save the day, he pushed himself to the limit to set the toys free by making Sugar unconscious."We need to knock her out again", Ussop held his chin to show that he was thinking of a plan. He doesn't look much but he's the kind of person who plans out an attack." I see. You are both samurai from Wano", Seri sat with the two and they had a couple of conversations. "I need you to draw this one, Kanjuro", Ussop gave him instructions. They went to work on the plan of knocking Sugar out.

"King-sama, I heard from Doflamingo. That night when tragedy fell on this place, he used his strings to use your people as puppets", Seri opened as she was few meters away from the old man. "Whatever happened that night, I take all the blame. It's my fault for being unable to protect my own people", Riku bowed his head.They heard noise coming from the Palace gate. It's the people who are trying to get Ussop and King Rinko's prize on their head."So when these youngsters appeared, I foolishly saw a ray of hope. For me to place such burden on them, it is quite shameful for me", Riku showed his regrets. "King Riku. They will save Dressrosa. I'm sure of it. Luffy-san will never drop empty words", Seri assured.

"It's King Riku and god Ussop", they pointed. As soon Ussop was able to position his weapon and the bomb he created, something crept into his mind. It's an image of him failing and Luffy turning into a toy. If that happens, it is the end of them all. His sweat dropped." Ussop-san", Violeta called his name. The rest of the group along with Seri are pushing the people away. "Don't let them distract Ussop-san", Kinei'mon furrowed his brow. He can't use violence against those innocent people." Here is King Riku! We'll get our revenge for what he did", the people roared."You're wrong-", Seri was cut off when the people started to use their weapons. Kinei'mon, Kanjuro, and King Riku are getting wounded. "Get back young girl, don't let them get anywhere near Ussop", Kanjuro instructed. She nodded and went close to Ussop. She noticed a certain fear in Ussop's eyes and yet it suddenly was filled with fire to shoot to save his captain."Let this reach you, Luffy!", Ussop shouted and released the bomb. People swarmed over them and knocked them off. They were tied into rope except for Violeta and Seri."You are... so brave", Seri looked at Ussop."Ah, no need to mention it", Ussop felt quite embarrassed." Because, for someone who has the most fear, you will still make your move", Seri added.

"Luffy-san is fortunate to have friends like you", Seri chuckled.

Chapter end.