Chapter 7: Determination

*Vote Plz....*

"Hiss..."

"Endure it, who told you to run around?"

Receiving the wooden stick handed by Doflamingo, Rosinante clenched it between his teeth.

It wasn't because he was afraid of making noise and attracting attention from others on the ship; it was to avoid accidentally biting his own tongue.

Crunch...

"Ugh!!!"

As Doflamingo forcefully relocated Rosinante's dislocated shoulder, fine veins suddenly protruded on his slender neck, and his teeth gnawed on the wooden stick with a creaking sound!

"Hoo~ hoo~"

"Tsk, it's so difficult to get some food..."

This world... no, any world is cruel to the weak.

For the strong, even if they don't eat free meals or feast on the beasts in the mountains and the fresh fish in the sea, there is an abundance of food. This world is filled with countless formidable beasts of just a few meters or dozens of meters in size, which is no problem for skilled fighters.

However, for Rosinante and Doflamingo now, how to fill their stomachs is a matter of life and death.

Risking their lives for a meal has become their "daily routine."

"You were ambushed by the sailors?"

Ripping his suit's sleeve into strips of cloth, Doflamingo wrapped the wound on Rosinante's back while calmly inquiring.

"I killed one myself. How did you deal with the enemy?"

Since Rosinante was back, it was evident that he had killed the opponent.

He didn't expect a free meal even when being captured. At least Doflamingo had never held such an extravagant hope.

"I stabbed one with a dagger from under the jaw, and the other was shot twice... Tsk, isn't this world messed up?"

Is it so difficult just to have a meal?

Rosinante sighed helplessly, looking up at the sky.

Growing up in such an environment, it's incredible that his mind is not twisted, isn't it?

"Very impressive,"

With sunglasses on, Doflamingo raised an eyebrow, deliberately ignoring Rosinante's latter half of the complaint.

It was a remarkable feat to deal with two sailors while possessing the "Silent Fruit," which barely increased any combat ability. Even relying on sneak attacks and assassinations was a very commendable act.

Especially considering the "previous" Rosinante who was terrified of fighting, the current Roman, though unwilling, was extremely decisive in action.

Feeling that his "little brother" had grown up, Doflamingo's heart also stirred with a hint of nervousness.

"As expected of my brother,"

Patting Rosinante's shoulder, Doflamingo eagerly looked forward to the future.

"As long as we work together, we will surely stand at the pinnacle of the world and trample the Celestial Dragons under our feet!"

"Yes, yes..."

What else could Rosinante say in response to Doflamingo's words?

Trample the Celestial Dragons under their feet?

They should first get through the hurdles of Admirals and CP0!

Moreover, there's the mysterious and unpredictable "Im," who has suppressed the Pirate World for eight centuries, causing countless top-tier experts to wait passively for "Joy Boy's Return."

With just the two of them, they want to fight against the Celestial Dragons?

"Our current strength is at most that of an ordinary Marine,"

"Forget about trampling the Celestial Dragons. You're not Monkey D. Luffy..."

Stretching his arms, Rosinante realized that his shoulder was already functioning freely. He couldn't help but marvel at the physical resilience of human beings in this world... or perhaps it was the excellent potential of this body?

"Who is Monkey D. Luffy?"

In the face of Doflamingo's question, Rosinante leaned against the damp cabin and closed his eyes.

"He's someone who aims to become the Pirate King... Don't mind these details; it was just a casual remark."

"The Pirate King, huh..."

Young Doflamingo stroked his chin, lost in thought.

------

"Another person has died,"

The next day, the three giants on the ship gathered again.

In front of them lay three unrecognizable corpses.

"The killer was not only very cruel but also knew how to cover their tracks."

Crouching beside the heavily built sailor with his face disfigured, Sven the navigator pointed to the melted right hand of the deceased, Binney.

"Beni's right hand was splashed with corRosinanteve liquid, which means that something important was left on his right hand. If we could have seen it, we might have had crucial evidence about the killer! Unfortunately, it has already been destroyed."

After saying this, Sven stood up and walked to another corpse.

"From the traces around here, the killer fought a few moves with Binney,"

"Then, the killer shot Binney in the chest from this position and immediately followed up with another shot."

"Combined with the fact that Jick was killed with a single stab through the jaw, it seems that the killer is someone agile and skilled with both knives and guns..."

Unfortunately, all three corpses had been damaged to varying degrees by the corRosinanteve liquid, and they were, after all, merchants... well, armed merchants, but not professional medical examiners. They couldn't extract much more information from the bodies.

"Three more silent deaths... This is driving me crazy!"

The bald-headed sailor grabbed his bald head in frustration. The only thing worth celebrating was that two of the unfortunate victims were the captain's people, and one was Sven's subordinate, so his most trusted men were safe.

Thank goodness...

---

After discussing, the three decided on the result, which was nothing more than some clichéd talk about "not being alone" and "staying alert." After the bald-headed sailor left, the sophisticated navigator turned to the pale-faced noble captain.

"Captain, it's time to make a decision."

Having said that, Sven the navigator pointed at the dead sailor Gick, who was killed with a single strike, and asked in a low voice:

"Gick was just a newly recruited sailor; he was not someone anyone could easily kill. Not to mention Binney, who was skilled with both his fists and his curved blade, making him a formidable force on the ship."

"Who on this ship can kill them both in such a short time and needs to hide the 'details' of the corpses? Doesn't Captain have a target in mind?"

"You mean..."

The captain with the high hat moved his lips, and a cold name came out from beneath his beautiful beard.

"Alec?"

The first person to come to mind when considering someone who could easily kill two sailors on this ship was naturally the bald-headed sailor captain!

But...

"Why?"

Facing the noble captain's question, Sven the navigator spread his hands.

"How would I know?"

"But I do know that the ones who died these past few days were our people. If this continues..."

Once the number of sailors belonging to the captain and the navigator reaches a dangerous level, the question of whose orders the ship should follow becomes worth considering.

"Let me think,"

Although the noble captain didn't immediately give an answer, Sven the navigator knew that he had achieved his goal.

"Please decide quickly, Captain."

"For the sake of everyone's lives, and the dream of revitalizing your family... I'll take my leave."

After adding some 'weight' to the captain's mind, Sven the navigator turned and left, preparing to gather the truly brave and loyal ones!

This ship was about to welcome a new owner.

However,

That boy with the sunglasses is quite capable. He was only asked to kill the "underlings" Sven had arranged, but unexpectedly, he took out two of the captain's men as well.

Now, Sven had to do extra clean-up work. Maybe he should reward him with a few more pieces of bread.

Sven the navigator patted the rapier at his waist, which looked more like a decoration.

After eating their fill, they were ready to go!

---

"Here,"

After handing two pieces of bread to Rosinante, Doflamingo looked serious as he addressed his brother.

"Rosinante, be careful from now on."

?

"I see,"

Looking at the 'abundant' food in his hand, Rosinante nodded.

When would a stingy employer suddenly become so 'generous'?

The answer was when they were about to abandon the other person, just like giving a "last meal." Before humans slaughter livestock, they subconsciously let them eat their fill.

It was a lofty form of "mercy."

"It seems your plan worked,"

After quickly finishing the bread, Rosinante stood up.

"This ship is about to become a battlefield of darkness and greed. Let's wait and see who can laugh last."

"Hahaha, of course, it will be the two of us, brothers!"

Thinking that his plan had gone so smoothly, the 10-year-old Doflamingo couldn't help but laugh excitedly, and his laughter became somewhat eerie, reminiscent of the "Phoenix" he would later be known as.

"...As long as you're happy,"

Faced with Doflamingo's confident expression, Rosinante couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Perhaps strong people in the world of pirates are all like this, overly confident in their own plans and abilities.

"Don't be careless. I have a feeling those three leaders on the ship are not easy to deal with."

This world has always settled disputes with bullets and swords. Moreover, this is a merchant ship daring to transport goods from the Grand Line to the North Sea. The three individuals who managed to reach the positions of head sailor, navigator, and captain, whether in intelligence or strength, are probably not as weak as they appear.

Then it's time for him to take action—

Carrying a bucket and mop, Rosinante headed toward the cabin where the passengers were.

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(End of this chapter)