North Blue, Rubeck Island. The sky was overcast and somber.
Gunfire and explosions echoed through the town as hundreds clashed in the streets. Terrified civilians screamed, fleeing in all directions, their cries filling the air. Buildings, set ablaze by the relentless assault, collapsed amidst roaring flames. The intense heat transformed the fire into massive, fiery wings that seemed to engulf the sky.
"Damn you, Donquixote Family! Rubeck Island is Vils Family territory! You've overstepped your bounds!" A man wearing a newsboy cap, black overcoat, and suit shouted in fury as he slashed the throat of an approaching pirate. Blood splattered across his face, staining his white shirt red. His bloodshot eyes locked onto a blond youth nearby.
The boy, around eleven or twelve years old and approximately 1.4 meters tall, had short blond hair and wore sunglasses, a white shirt, and cropped pants. Despite his youth, a cruel and maniacal smile played on his lips—a smile that even the seasoned gangster leader feared.
Donquixote Doflamingo.
Emerging from nowhere, this ruthless and cold-blooded boy had led the Donquixote Family in causing havoc since their arrival in the North Blue. They had already eradicated several prominent mafia families on nearby islands, seizing their territories and rapidly expanding their influence by recruiting more members.
Trebol, slimy and holding a cane, with snot hanging from his nose.
Diamante, dressed like a Native American, his face painted in vibrant colors.
Vergo, with a piece of steak stuck to his face, wearing a vacant expression.
"Overstepped?" Doflamingo sneered, his exaggerated expression exuding confidence. "No, no, no, I haven't crossed any lines."
Vils glanced around at his fallen family members, his anxiety mounting. The Donquixote Family's recent recruitment had bolstered their strength and armament far beyond that of the Vils Family. If this continued, they would be annihilated within minutes.
Clenching his bloodied sword, Vils gritted his teeth. "The territories of the gangs are clearly divided to maintain stability. Crossing boundaries is against the North Blue's rules!"
Doflamingo's grin widened. "No, you still don't understand. Rules are shackles imposed by the strong to bind the weak—a cage for the incompetent, the mediocre, the useless, and the trash! I haven't crossed any lines..." He licked his chapped lips, spread his arms wide, and laughed cruelly. "Because the entire North Blue is mine for the taking! The rules of this world mean nothing to me, Doflamingo!"
As his laughter echoed, hundreds of Donquixote Family members sneered, wielding rifles, cannons, battle axes, and swords. Like ravenous beasts, they charged into the Vils Family ranks. The street, once bustling and lively, was now awash with clashing steel and spilling blood—a deep crimson blooming amidst the chaos.
"You're asking for it!" Vils roared, eyes blazing with fury. He slammed his foot into the ground, shattering the pavement—then, in a flash, he was on top of the cocky blond youth.
Gripping his blood-stained sword with both hands, he swung it down with all his might toward Doflamingo's head. The sheer force of the strike created a white airwave as the blade sliced through the air. Murderous intent gleamed in Vils' eyes; he could already envision the impudent brat's head cleaved in two by his blade.
But just as the sword was about to connect, Vils' pupils contracted sharply. He noticed the cold smirks on Doflamingo and his subordinates' faces—a cat-toying-with-a-mouse expression.
Clang!
Sparks erupted as Vils' blade halted abruptly, mere centimeters from Doflamingo's forehead. No matter how much strength he exerted, the sword wouldn't budge further. It was as if an invisible force in the air was blocking his strike, producing a sharp, grating sound reminiscent of clashing swords.
"How... how is this possible..."
Vils's throat moved as he forced out the words, dry and rasping.
Looking at the smirk on the blond brat's face, his heart suddenly pounded wildly, as if gripped tight by an invisible hand.
"Fufufufufu... how boring..."
Doflamingo let out a sinister laugh, his fingers twitching suddenly like clawed talons.
Vils's pupils shrank to needle points.
The sharp sound of a blade slicing through the air exploded without warning.
In that instant, it felt as if an invisible sword had split his chest open—blood erupted in a violent spray.
Shhhk!!
Scorching blood shot from the deep, bone-exposing wound in his chest, splattering across Doflamingo's face, twisting his youthful, arrogant features into something monstrous and devilish.
Vils's face turned pale as he slowly collapsed.
Blood gushed out beneath him, spreading into a chilling pool.
"You... crossed the line... Daren... the Marines... won't... let you off..."
The dim sunlight was swallowed by a face twisted with brutality. All Vils could see now was shadow.
Cold. Dark. Bloody. Twisted shadow.
"The Marines?"
Doflamingo looked down at the mafia boss of Rubeck Island and sneered.
"I'm really looking forward to it..."
With those words, Doflamingo slowly lifted his foot.
The pointed shoe came crashing down on Vils's head!
Bang!
A dull thud echoed—Vils's skull exploded like a watermelon, red and white matter mixing into a grotesque mash.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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