One Piece : Winged Dragons of the Beast Pirates

Ian effortlessly grabbed the incoming whip with his hand.

Too slow.

Even before awakening his Observation Haki, dealing with such an attack would have been a breeze.

With a casual tug, a terrifying force surged from the stringed whip, sending waves of power straight toward Doflamingo below. He was unable to resist it and was immediately pulled into the air.

Then, a flash of gold came at him.

"Ugh!" 

Doflamingo let out a muffled grunt as a strong hand gripped his throat. 

This single action felt as if his throat might snap. 

Next, he was jerked downward and smashed into the ground.

Boom!

The pit, which had already been created, was struck again with a powerful impact. Stones flew everywhere, and the earth shattered.

"Ahhh!" 

Doflamingo screamed in agony.

What kind of power is this? My neck feels like it's going to break!

Ian flapped his wings and rose into the air, looking down at Doflamingo, who was lying on the ground.

"Alright," Ian said calmly, "The most important thing in life is to keep your promises, right? I've come through on mine, so Doflamingo, you shouldn't have deceived me."

This guy is so weak.

He hasn't even awakened his Devil Fruit yet, has he? If this is his full strength, then he's even weaker than Moria, who I encountered eight years ago in Wano.

Well, it makes sense. Someone who's been stuck in the North Blue doesn't really compare to the titans of the New World. 

His Devil Fruit ability is flashy, sure, but his Armament Haki is too weak.

He wouldn't even be able to break through if I just stood there and let him hit me.

Though his offensive and defensive abilities aren't great, he sure can take a beating.

I didn't even hold back, and yet I didn't break any of his bones.

As expected of the man who managed to beat Luffy into the ground until the time limit of Gear 4.

The only one who didn't need to unlock Luffy's blood, but instead unlocked his own.

"Heh heh heh!" 

Doflamingo was still laughing at this point, sitting up while massaging his throat and laughing maniacally. "You really are a monster. It feels like I can't even fight back."

He laughed, but the fear in his heart was evident, unshaken.

What kind of monster is this guy?!

Doflamingo couldn't understand.

Why is he so strong?

His strength was beyond Doflamingo's ability to resist.

His defense is something I can't break through.

It wasn't even a battle of the same level!

If he's already like this, then how formidable must Kaido be?

"Now that you know, it's time to make a decision."

Ian said, his voice calm.

"Doflamingo, answer me."

"Seems like I have no choice but to accept. Fine."

Doflamingo raised his head, looking up at Ian.

"The Celestial Dragon's national treasure, I don't know much about it, but it's probably a weapon passed down from 800 years ago."

Lies were caught, and once exposed, Doflamingo was completely outmatched in battle, his skills nowhere near Ian's level. What else was there to say?

The opponent had already shown mercy.

"A weapon?"

Ian landed in front of him.

"I heard it's a ship."

Doflamingo said. "A very special ship."

"How special?"

"I don't know that much. One thing I do know is that the national treasure seems to be impossible to use."

"Why?" Ian asked.

"Because there's no power supply."

Doflamingo answered. "There's no energy to power it."

"Oh?"

Ian raised an eyebrow.

So it really is the weapon that destroyed the Kingdom of Lulusia?

It could only take effect again after Vegapunk creates the Mother Flame.

"But it's not absolute."

Doflamingo added.

"What do you mean?"

Ian immediately became alert.

If that thing could be used normally now, it wouldn't be good news.

"Because I've heard that once you undergo the immortality surgery, you can control that weapon."

Doflamingo said, "But that's all I know, it's just something I heard."

Right.

In the original story, this guy also mentioned that if he underwent the immortality surgery, he could steal the Celestial Dragon's national treasure.

"That immortality surgery," Ian asked seriously, "What exactly is the power of the Ope-Ope no Mi? Does it grant eternal life, or does it make someone truly immortal?"

"Hehehe! Ian, you sure know a lot! Are you asking the Gorosei?"

Doflamingo laughed loudly, "Maybe. But honestly, I'm not very sure. But they really do have what you'd call a true immortality. They've lived for many years, and I suspect they're recipients of the Ope-Ope no Mi's immortality surgery."

Ian thought for a moment. "Then, what do you know about Imu?"

"Imu?"

Doflamingo froze for a moment. "I think I've heard that name before... Imu—are you talking about the King Imu of the Nerona family, one of the 20 kings from 800 years ago? That's an ancient figure. What's so special about him?"

Ian observed Doflamingo carefully.

This guy didn't seem to be lying.

He didn't know about Imu's existence? 

Then, this trip might not be as useful for gathering information.

Doflamingo—a Celestial Dragon didn't know more than this outsider? Shouldn't that be embarrassing?

The information about the only known recipient of the immortality surgery being able to control the Celestial Dragon's national treasure was still uncertain.

Was this trip wasted?

Ian glanced at Doflamingo.

He was running a scam, wasn't he?

Should he bring him to justice?

"Oh, right, I'm a pirate."

"Well, never mind."

Later.

The Donquixote family, who had been anxiously waiting, witnessed a sight that left them speechless.

Ian and Doflamingo returned, chatting and laughing together.

"Hehehehe! Let's have a feast!" Doflamingo laughed loudly, "To welcome my good friend!"

**********

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