Chapter 458

But at this very moment, Doflamingo’s vision of the world became clearer than ever before.

His perspective was lifted to an unprecedented height, allowing him to easily glimpse everything that had been crushed within the historical tide he knew.

From the founding of the World Government eight hundred years ago, to the national treasure in Mary Geoise that only the immortal could wield, to the great battle at God Valley thirty years ago, to Roger’s initiation of the Great Age of Piracy…

Everything passed before his eyes, finally settling on the boy standing at the edge of the massive crater, calmly watching him.

Gak—!

Doflamingo spat out a mouthful of blood, his grotesque laughter cut short, yet the light in his eyes blazed brighter than ever:

“Though only for an instant, the white-haired form is undoubtedly the Five Elders—no, the monster that sits upon the Void Throne and inspires terror!”

“The Sun God who sought freedom eight hundred years ago!”

“Nika!”

“The end of the World Government is coming; the future of this sea must collapse!”

“Everything will be turned upside down!”

“I truly look forward to that day…”

At one moment.

Doflamingo’s throat was as if forcibly clenched, his voice abruptly silenced.

Because everything before his eyes had been replaced by another figure!

Glorious, majestic, solemn, tyrannical…

Sacred and inviolable!

That was the Tyrant King who reigned atop Britannias, ruling over the entire New World!

“Knight…”

“Gao Wen?!”

“Knight Gao Wen!”

“Of course!”

“There’s still that monster towering above all else in this era!”

“How could such a monster exist?!”

Doflamingo had only seen Gao Wen twice, but even during their first meeting, when the man was still unrefined, he had barely escaped in disgrace.

Had it not been for the convenience of his String-String Fruit, he would have died then.

By the time of their second meeting, the two were no longer on the same level.

At that time, Gao Wen had nearly tormented Whitebeard—the man once hailed as the strongest in the world, whom Kaido dared not challenge—into submission.

As for his third encounter with news of Gao Wen, it came from within the World Government: the man had survived direct strikes from an Ancient Weapon.

No matter how strong a person is, there is always a limit.

Even Whitebeard, Logic, or Rocks—all mighty figures who once ruled the seas—remained within the bounds of humanity.

Gao Wen, who withstood the blow of an Ancient Weapon, had transcended this realm!

“A god?!”

Doflamingo’s smile widened, tinged with an indescribable mockery, his gaze returning to the Straw Hat.

His breath grew fainter.

Yet his expression grew more grotesque:

“Straw Hat, no—Sun God Nika, perhaps you don’t yet know?!”

“In no more than two years, the Red Line at the world’s apex will be swallowed by the sea; at that time, even a monster like you will meet only one end—drowning in the Grand Line.”

“Your only chance for survival lies in the hands of the World Government.”

“Now is the time for your choice.”

Doflamingo’s eyes carried unmasked sarcasm:

“Will you answer the World Government’s call, journey to Britannias, and hunt down the tyrant king who stands atop the world, nearly invincible—or continue your doomed journey?!”

“How thrilling… Will the most free of all ability users willingly submit to the Celestial Dragons’ collar, or embrace the despair of freedom and be swallowed by the sea along with the earth?!”

“Heh…”

“Fufufufufufu!”

Doflamingo’s laughter grew louder, higher, then abruptly ceased.

He was dead.

Just like the civilians he had killed when he returned to Dressrosa.

Kid, who rushed over just in time, paid no attention to Doflamingo; instead, his face darkened as he stared at the Straw Hat.

“Luffy.”

“If what that man said is true, this is trouble.”

This was a crisis of life and death.

If everything sank into the sea, even finding One Piece would mean nothing.

It would be nothing more than a final comfort before death.

Kid turned to look at the Straw Hat, saw the boy still silent, then ordered his crew to search for related information.

Soon.

Kizaru handed Kid a newspaper.

“The world will fall silent within two years…”

“The World Government holds one hundred Arks of Salvation, sufficient to carry ten thousand people across the sea, land on the moon, and rebuild their homes…”

“The World Government has issued a global summons to exterminate Britannias…”

…

One piece of news after another, countless and varied.

The more Kid read, the darker his expression grew; he turned to look at the Straw Hat, opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

During this voyage, he had already come to understand the Straw Hat’s nature.

He would never obey the Celestial Dragons—the very people he despised most—at a time like this.

Especially since Britannias harbored that monster!

The scene he had witnessed in Britannias returned before his eyes; recalling the crimson dragon with wings spread atop the Red Earth, his very soul trembled.

That was a height no human could ever reach!

That man was invincible—even the entire sea could not harm him in the slightest.

This was the shared conviction of all who had witnessed that moment; Kid was no exception.

Moreover, whether it was the Straw Hat or Kid himself, their freedom—having rejected the man’s offer—had come at a price.

To uphold their moral code, to never stand against Britannias!

That was the vow he had made—but now he faced a crisis of life and death…

Kid wavered, unable to help asking:

“Luffy…”

The Straw Hat grinned widely:

“There’s always a way to solve the problem of the land sinking, but before I find One Piece, I won’t run away.”

Saying this,

the Straw Hat’s expression turned serious; he pressed his straw hat down firmly, his voice low and heavy:

“Kid!”

“Anyone who cannot keep their promise can never become Pirate King!”

Kid froze; his moment of doubt vanished instantly, and a cruel smile curled his lips:

“To stand against the world? How arrogant—but I like it!”

“Yes, Captain!”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh—!”

…

Hancock sat upon her throne, back on Amazon Lily.

Nui-hime stood beside her, desperately pleading the merits of abandoning personal grudges and seizing the last chance for survival in the coming apocalypse.

“Aligning with the World Government is the only chance for Amazon Lily’s survival!”

“Enough!”

Hancock roared, her clenched teeth tearing her lips, drawing crimson blood.

No one understood better than she what this meant.