Chapter 775 - 774: Choice of a New Era

"It’s over, Law!"

Five thin lines of different colors erupted from the tips of Doflamingo’s clawed fingers. After narrowly weaving past the edge of Law’s blade, the strings, sharper than any steel, were inches away from Law’s head, poised to shred his skull into mincemeat.

"Is this the end?"

As the Penta-Chromatic Strings loomed over his face, a flicker of despair crossed Law’s eyes. So this is as far as I go... Corazon-san...

Sizzle—!

In an instant, Doflamingo’s clawed hand froze mid-motion. It wasn’t because he wanted to stop, but because he was physically unable to move.

The scene shifted. The "Heavenly Yaksha," stripped of his feather mantle and covered in blood, now found his entire right hand, right abdomen, and his entire lower body completely encased in ice.

Following the trail of frost, the ice led all the way to a ruined rooftop where it originated beneath the feet of Kuzan.

"You!?"

Doflamingo gasped in shock. Even Law stared blankly, utterly bewildered. He never expected his savior to be Aokiji.

"An ’Immortal’ interfering in a private matter between me and Law... what’s this? Has he jumped ship back to the Marines?"

Veins bulged on Doflamingo’s forehead. He was one step away from finishing off the brat who had defied him time and again, only to be stopped by the most unexpected reinforcement imaginable.

"No, I’m no longer a Marine. But currently, I’m serving as the liaison for negotiations between the Navy and the Immortals."

Kuzan, with a backpack slung over his right shoulder and his left hand tucked in his pocket, hopped down from the building. "The coming new era has no room for a King of Evil."

"Fuffuffufu... compared to that Captain of yours, my ’evil’ is practically saintly, isn’t it?"

Doflamingo laughed maniacally, exerting every ounce of strength to break free from the ice binding half his body.

But he couldn’t. Although his injuries weren’t as severe as Law’s, he had less than a third of his strength remaining. Breaking through ice released in earnest by Kuzan was a physical impossibility.

"Phew... I’m too lazy to explain," Kuzan exhaled a breath of frost, his voice low. "Just assume I’m a shameless scoundrel who only picks on the weak. I’ll leave the rest to you."

The moment he finished speaking, a golden flash streaked across the sky. Countless light particles coalesced behind Doflamingo into a human form: Borsalino.

"Kizaru!"

The pupils of both Law and Doflamingo contracted simultaneously.

"Mmm~~ The World Government has fallen, but the Navy’s duty to arrest pirates remains," Borsalino drawled, stepping forward. "Doflamingo-san, your old acquaintance, Vice Admiral Tsuru, is here too. She came personally just to escort you to Impel Down."

"Kuzan, you bastard... have you struck a deal with the Navy?" Doflamingo hissed through gritted teeth.

Kuzan didn’t say much; he simply shrugged and repeated his earlier sentiment. "The new era doesn’t need you, King of Evil, Donquixote Doflamingo."

Borsalino, at full strength, easily restrained the heavily injured Doflamingo. "In any case, why don’t you come with me, Doflamingo-san~~"

"Fuffuffu... the Navy bowing its head to pirates? That’s not a good omen at all."

Even while being subdued, Doflamingo remained the arrogant and haughty King of Evil. His lips curled into a wide grin. "But you’d best not leave me alive. That man... he might do something you’d never expect at any moment... Fuffuffu..."

Once Borsalino led Doflamingo away, Law collapsed onto the ground. His hat was gone, his left arm was severed at the shoulder, and he was drenched in blood, the very picture of wretchedness.

"You’ve played an incredibly dangerous move."

After a long silence, Law finally spoke.

"I happen to think it was the right move," Kuzan replied, pursing his lips.

Is this my revenge? Law wondered.

Yet, for some reason, he felt empty inside. Was it because he wasn’t the one to personally strike Doflamingo down?

The simultaneous appearance of Kuzan and Borsalino, combined with Kizaru’s words, allowed Law to deduce Kuzan’s plan. Is that even possible? What will become of the world now?

Mad Treasure and Tesoro had been defeated by the combined force of the three brothers—Straw Hat Luffy, Fire Fist Ace, and Sabo of the Revolutionary Army. Doflamingo, who should have defeated Law, had been ignominiously hauled away due to the intervention of two Admiral-level fighters, Kuzan and Borsalino.

In an instant, the Donquixote Alliance, once a power in the New World second only to the Yonko, had crumbled.

Even as he was escorted onto the Marine battleship by Borsalino, the smile never left Doflamingo’s face.

"Vice Admiral Tsuru, it’s been a long time. But you’d best be careful... the question of who exactly is being abandoned by the new era has yet to be fully answered."

"Save it, Doflamingo. You lost," Tsuru said coldly, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Fuffuffu, then let us wait and see."

Following Doflamingo, his subordinates, along with Tesoro and Mad Treasure, were also loaded onto the battleship. In one fell swoop, the Seven Warlords of the Sea had effectively lost two members, though the title was now hollow, and few people cared anymore.

"This ship is under our control now. I’ll have to ask the Navy to leave."

Ivalis arrived, his tone sharp and confrontational toward the Marines.

With both Borsalino and Momonga present, the Navy should have been confident. However, faced with Ivalis’s cold threat, they found themselves unable to retort, feeling a surge of stifled frustration.

"Now, now, don’t be so murderous. We’ll all be working together soon enough," Kuzan cut in, trying to diffuse the tension.

"Who wants to work with the Navy..." someone muttered with immediate disdain.

Kuzan looked up at the sky helplessly. There’s still a long road ahead...