Chapter 185

"This can't be real—that's the King of the Underworld, the Joker! How could he possibly be killed so suddenly?!"

"Unbelievable…"

"Who did it? The Four Emperors or the Marines?!"

"It's not clear yet, but rumors say it was the former Marine Admiral, Black Arm Zephyr."

"Zephyr… that old man could indeed be capable—he still held a grudge against Doflamingo."

"But… could a single elderly Zephyr really wipe out the entire Donquixote Family?"

"Dressrosa was stolen by Doflamingo—he really had the audacity to pull that off."

"I just want to ask one question: if Doflamingo is dead, does that mean the position of Warlord of the Sea is now vacant?"

……

Among underground forces, upon hearing this news, disbelief was overshadowed by rage.

"Are you kidding?! The Joker's dead?! I just ordered a massive shipment of weapons from him—now that he's gone, who do I get my goods from?!"

"I just bought three artificial Devil Fruits—spent a full three hundred million Berries!"

"How can I accept this, damn it! Why did he die so suddenly? What happens to my business?!"

"I was about to launch a war against the neighboring country, and I was counting on his weapons—looks like I won't get them… Damn it!!"

"Who did it?!"

"Rumors say it was that old bastard Zephyr."

"That former Marine Admiral Zephyr… Damn it, you old bastard! Why haven't you died yet?!"

……

As soon as this news spread from the New World, it shook the entire sea and land, drawing global attention.

……

The first half of the Grand Line.

"Captain, Beppo fell into the sea!"

Xia Qi rushed to the deck, only to find Luo sitting there, holding a newspaper, his pupils contracting violently, face filled with disbelief—he didn't even hear him.

"T-that Doflamingo… is dead?!"

This can't be true!

That bastard was the one target I would kill no matter what!

How could he just die at someone else's hands?!

……

Amazon Lily.

Empress Hancok, upon hearing the news, showed little interest and asked casually, "Who did it?"

"The information isn't confirmed yet, but the most likely suspect is the former Marine Admiral Black Arm Zephyr—though some claim to have seen the Traveler Luo En in Dressrosa… Again him?"

Laopo said, staring at the newspaper in her hands.

Upon hearing that name, Hancok's beautiful eyes flickered:

"Tell me more."

……

"The black slash that tore through the sky of Dressrosa, cleaving the darkness…"

Dracule Mihawk lay on his coffin-boat, staring at the newspaper, his hawk-like eyes flickering slightly.

…………

Marine Headquarters.

"Doflamingo is dead?!"

Karp and He were both stunned upon hearing this from Zhanguo.

"What happened?"

"Details are still unclear, but according to Kuzan's report, Zephyr was in Dressrosa and admitted that he was responsible for Doflamingo's death and the fall of the Donquixote Family."

Zhanguo said grimly.

Karp and He's expressions hardened.

"Did Zephyr really do it?"

He asked Zhanguo.

"It's not confirmed," Zhanguo said, head bowed, his round glasses glinting coldly: "But there's one thing worth noting."

"What?"

Zhanguo looked up at them, voice low: "On the day the incident occurred in Dressrosa, witnesses saw the Traveler Luo En, Zephyr, and A'in walking together on the streets of Dressrosa…"

General He's expression grew slightly solemn.

Karp frowned: "Is that kid involved in this too? Isn't he being hunted by Huang Yuan and Kuzan?"

"He arrived in Dressrosa while fleeing—Kuzan and Huang Yuan went there specifically to capture him."

He tapped his chin in thought: "Are you suggesting Zephyr and Luo En had planned to go to Dressrosa together?"

"Yes—it's a possibility."

Zhanguo stood up: "They both had ample reason to join forces against Doflamingo. You haven't forgotten what happened back then, have you?"

"Of course not."

Karp scratched his nose: "Wasn't it that incident that made Zephyr lose all faith in the Marines? If the Marines had made a fair decision back then, things might be different now…"

"Karp!"

He interrupted him sharply.

Kapu glanced at Zhan Guo and said nothing more.

Zhan Guo sat back down in his seat, folded his hands, and said not a word.

Silence settled between the three of them.

…………

The World Government's highest intelligence agency, CP0, upon learning of this news, immediately rushed to Dresrossa to gather the most accurate intelligence on the matter.

Soon, a detailed and precise intelligence report was delivered to Mariejois, to the World Government, onto the table of the Five Elder Stars.

"That eyesore has finally been killed, has he?"

"Although it's somewhat unexpected and abrupt, the outcome is a good thing for us."

"Indeed, that arrogant and overbearing brat used the secrets he knew to wantonly threaten us. He should have died long ago."

"It's just that the ones who killed him were Zefa and that Luo En. If those two were to walk together, that wouldn't be good."

"That Zefa probably wouldn't become a criminal, would he?"

"That's hard to say."

"In my view, why not leave this matter to the Marines to judge and handle."

"I agree."

"Agreed."

……

……

While the entire sea was utterly shocked by the events at Dresrossa.

On a certain uninhabited island in the New World.

One enormous boom after another kept spreading outward beyond the island.

Earth-shaking.

The entire uninhabited island trembled violently, massive cracks spreading out in all directions.

Accompanied by a tremendous sound, the entire uninhabited island was completely smashed apart!

Luo En, gripping 'Disaster' Jin—who had reverted to human form, his entire body smashed and battered, a bloody pulp, utterly unrecognizable as human—walked out from a deep crater in a fragment of the island.

His eyes were closed, his black hair fluttered, his whole body bathed in blood, his right hand gripping Jin's head as he flew toward the sky.

164, Armament Haki third stage, Flowing Sakura!

When Luo En flew over from the distant sea surface.

On the ships of the Big Mom Pirates still lingering in the sea area beneath the floating ship, someone spotted him through a telescope.

"Minister Biscuit, th-that is……"