One Piece : Brotherhood

Dressrosa, New World

As our ship docked at the bustling pier of Dressrosa, the familiar sight of my older brother, Doffy, towering over the crowd, brought a smile to my face. His iconic pink coat fluttered in the sea breeze as he strode towards us, a playful grin already on his face.

Despite the years apart, his commanding presence hadn't changed—but then again, neither had his annoying habit of treating me like a kid.

"Ah, little brother," he said, his deep voice laced with affection as he reached me and ruffled my hair like I was still a toddler. "How long has it been? So, you finally decided to come back home, huh?"

I glared up at him, brushing his hand away. "I'm taller than you now, you know."

"Only barely," Doffy shot back with a smirk. "And height doesn't count if you're still a brat at heart."

Behind us, Robin, Smoker, and the others snickered at the sight of me, a man who commanded respect in nearly every corner of the seas, being treated like a pesky younger sibling. Even Issho allowed himself a chuckle, while Gladius outright cackled—until Doffy silenced him with a pointed smack to the back of his spiky head.

Before I could retort, Doffy's attention shifted to Miyamoto, who was directing Christina and her crew to ready a smaller galleon for his immediate departure. His expression softened slightly, though concern flickered in his sharp eyes.

"Is he going to be alright?" he asked, nodding toward Miyamoto.

I sighed, watching as Miyamoto ignored Christina's protests and oversaw every detail of his ship's preparations.

"He'll be fine. He needs to make this journey for his own peace of mind—and for ours. We need eyes on the ground in Wano to figure out what really happened. We still don't know all the players in this game."

Doffy nodded, his grin fading into a more serious expression. "Stopping Whitebeard… that's no small feat. There's more going on here than even the reports are telling us." Then, his usual smirk returned.

"But let's not dwell on it now. We'll let Miyamoto handle Wano for the moment. Come on, little brother. Shyarly's been divining something interesting, and I think you'll want to hear it." He gestured toward the capital with a flick of his hand.

"Wait—did you come all the way to the pier just to welcome us?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course," he said, as though it were obvious. "We are family, after all."

His words caught me off guard for a moment, but then Senor Pink appeared, giving me a respectful bow. "It's been too long, young master," he said solemnly, though the warmth in his voice was evident. I stepped forward and wrapped him in a firm hug, causing a rare flicker of surprise to cross his usually stoic face.

"Senor, no need for all that formality. You're family." I chuckled, releasing him. "Oh, and I've brought a little something back with me—quite a few devil fruits, actually. I think you'll find them interesting."

Senor's lips twitched into a small smile. "That's generous of you, young master. I'll be sure to take a look."

As I turned, my gaze landed on Diamante, who stood with his usual theatrical grin. "And you, Diamante," I said with mock seriousness, "don't think I didn't notice that little trick you pulled with the sea mines last time. We'll talk later."

"Eh? What did I do now?" Diamante asked, feigning innocence.

Doffy clapped a hand on my shoulder, steering me toward the palace. "Alright, alright, enough reminiscing for now. We've got a lot to discuss." But as he turned, I smirked and added casually, "Oh, and Doffy? Don't think I don't know you've been slacking off on your training."

Doffy froze mid-step, his expression twisting into one of pure betrayal. "You wouldn't dare…"

"Oh, I dare," I said with a wicked grin. "I'll be taking over your training now that I'm here. No more excuses."

The others erupted into laughter at Doffy's expense. Even Issho, always composed, gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "Looks like you're in for a rough time, Donquixote-san."

"Traitor," Doffy muttered under his breath at Issho before quickening his pace, clearly trying to escape the topic.

Gladius, still snickering, made the mistake of laughing a little too loudly. With a sharp slap to the back of his head, Doffy snapped, "Keep laughing, and you'll join me in those 'training sessions.'"

The massive dining hall of the royal palace was a testament to opulence, a blend of aristocratic elegance and the raw power of the Donquixote Family.

A grand chandelier, dripping with diamonds, cast a warm golden glow over the sprawling table laden with a feast worthy of emperors. Ornate silverware and fine porcelain plates adorned the polished mahogany surface, while dishes from across the Grand Line and the New World tempted even the most disciplined palate.

The aromas of roasted meats, spiced stews, exotic fruits, and fine wines mingled in the air, underscoring the rare occasion of the family's reunion after more than a year. The sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and the rhythmic ringing of cutlery filled the hall, creating a lively, almost intoxicating atmosphere.

Despite the grandeur, the gathering was a business as much as it was a celebration. Every key member of the Donquixote Family, barring those on critical missions, had gathered. Even amidst the laughter and camaraderie, an undercurrent of respect and focus lingered—this was, after all, the gathering of a dynasty with influence spanning the seas.

"Iceburg-san," I began, cutting into a perfectly seared red steak. The knife sliced through the tender meat effortlessly, the juices pooling on the plate. "Have you had any word from Tom-san? Has there been progress on the sea train project?"

Iceburg, seated a few chairs away, paused mid-bite, his expression as calm as always. Years in our fold hadn't changed his composed demeanor. His presence here was proof of the family's reach; a man once tied to Water 7 was now a critical piece in our grand plans.

"Master Tom says the project is progressing smoothly," Iceburg said, his tone professional. "But there are challenges. A lack of skilled workers is slowing us down, and the funding from the World Government—while sufficient for appearances—won't meet the true needs of the timeline." He frowned.

"More concerning is that the World Government is already sniffing around Water 7, investigating the ancient weapon associated with the city's past. They've started scrutinizing the shipwrights, their backgrounds, and anyone tied to the project."

The hall quieted slightly as the gravity of Iceburg's words settled over us. I placed my fork down and leaned back in my chair, my fingers steepled in thought. The World Government's interest was expected, but their pace was troubling.

I turned to Senor Pink, who had been sipping his wine in silence. "Discreetly send some of our most trustworthy men to protect Tom-san. They're to remain invisible, but if any threat arises, I want it dealt with swiftly."

Senor gave a firm nod. "Consider it done, young master."

Then I turned my attention to Doffy, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. "As for funds, I don't think we have much to worry about—thanks to Flevance."

Doffy's signature laugh echoed across the table. "Fufufufu! Indeed, little brother. Even I was taken aback by the sheer wealth that kingdom managed to hoard in just a century. Four dozen ships overflowing with gold and treasure—it was almost a shame to take it. Almost." His grin turned wicked, and the table shared in his laughter.

Doffy swirled his wine casually, then turned back to Iceburg. "So, how long does Tom-san estimate the sea train project will take?"

Iceburg rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "He believes it'll take another five years, perhaps longer. He's already working tirelessly, but with the current limitations…"

Five years. The number made me frown. Even with all our resources and efforts, we had only shaved a single year off Tom-san's original estimate. The construction of New Pluton was a monumental task, far beyond the scope of the sea train, but Tom san was the linchpin—and he had clearly expressed his stance that he would only join after the sea train prototype was completed. Every delay felt like a stone in my shoe. Time was not a luxury we could afford.

"Iceburg-san," I said, my voice calm but firm, "would it help if you returned to Water 7 to assist Tom-san directly? With your expertise and the additional funds we're prepared to inject, could you reduce that timeline to under three years?"

Iceburg's brows furrowed as he considered my words. "It's doable," he said after a moment. "With my help and the additional resources, I'm confident we could meet that target."

I turned to Doffy, who nodded without hesitation. If I made a decision, he rarely questioned it. That was the level of trust—and power—I held in this family.

"Fufufu," Doffy laughed again, though this time his tone carried a touch of concern. "If Iceburg's returning to Water 7, we should send someone from the inner circle to ensure his safety. The World Government is snooping around, and their presence could complicate things."

Senor chimed in, his voice thoughtful. "We can't send anyone already on the World Government's radar. If they detect our involvement, it could endanger the entire operation. We need someone they're unaware of."

"I've got it," Diamante said with a grin. "Send Kyros. The government doesn't know about him, and unlike the rest of us, he doesn't have a bounty. He's more than capable of handling anything short of an Admiral-level threat."

The table murmured in agreement. Kyros was a powerful and loyal member of the family, and his relatively low profile made him the ideal candidate.

"Agreed," I said, my tone even but laced with authority as I turned my gaze to the far end of the table where Kyros sat. His broad shoulders and hardened demeanor gave him the aura of a man who had survived countless battles—and he had.

"Kyros will accompany Iceburg. Ensure you remain discreet, but if anyone threatens the mission…" I let my voice drop, each word carrying the weight of my intent. "Or worse, endangers Tom-san or Iceburg…they are to be buried with no trace left behind. Is that understood?"

Kyros gave a curt nod, his eyes sharp with resolve. Though a relatively new addition to the inner circle, his skill and ruthlessness had silenced all whispers of doubt.

Many had challenged his position, but Kyros had shattered every opponent—physically and mentally. He was the embodiment of raw strength and unyielding loyalty, a man forged in the fires of the coliseum and honed by our cause.

At the far side of the table, King Riku fidgeted, his anxious demeanor betraying the storm brewing within him. For all his composure, the weight of the conversation—and the legacy of his inclusion in this circle—was almost too much. He finally mustered the courage to speak, his voice strained but steady.

"Doflamingo-sama… Rosinante-sama… I must confess something. The Elders… they contacted me."

The room stilled. Even the faint clinking of glass ceased. Doflamingo's smile spread wide, his signature laugh breaking the silence.

"Fufufufu… King Riku, did the Elders truly believe you could deceive me? How amusing." His tone was light, but his eyes glinted with a sharp, dangerous edge that made Riku pale.

"Tell me, what did they offer you? Power? Position? Perhaps the restoration of your precious throne?"

Riku, his face drenched in sweat, quickly shook his head. "No, Doflamingo-sama! I would never—" He caught himself, realizing his outburst could be misconstrued. Clearing his throat, he continued.

"They promised to help me reclaim Dressrosa in exchange for… for spying on the family. They sent a transponder snail and asked me to report on your movements. They also hinted at a request they would make when the time came."

"What request?" I interjected, swirling the whiskey in my glass with casual precision, my calm tone amplifying the weight of the question.

"They did not tell me, Rosinante-sama," Riku replied quickly. "I received the transponder snail just yesterday. I've already informed Senor about the matter, and I was instructed to wait for further guidance. But earlier today, I received a direct call from the Elders themselves, urging me to act."

Doflamingo leaned back in his chair, his laughter filling the room once more. "Fufufufu… How predictable. They're playing a game of desperation." His sharp gaze locked onto Riku, his tone suddenly cold.

"Perhaps you should take their deal, Riku. Work with them. Who knows? They might even offer you a title among the World Nobles if you help bring us down."

Riku's face turned ashen. Was this a test? A joke? The uncertainty gripped him like a vice until Scarlett, his daughter, intervened.

"Master Doffy," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension. "Please, don't tease my father like that." Though her tone was respectful, it carried the weight of her position within the family.

Doflamingo smirked, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I was only joking. After all, I know King Riku wouldn't dare to betray me." His voice softened, but the underlying threat remained palpable.

Turning his attention to me, Doflamingo's smile faded. "Little brother, the matter I wanted to discuss ties directly to this."

The room seemed to hold its breath as Doffy's words sank in. "It seems the World Government intends to send one of the Five Elders to Dressrosa. If we allow it."

A murmur swept through the room, but my eyes immediately shifted to Shyarly, seated at the chair next to Doffy at the head of the table. Her enigmatic gaze met mine, and with a subtle nod, she confirmed Doflamingo's words. Shyarly's powers of divination, coupled with her devil fruit abilities, had proven invaluable time and again. Her insights were never to be ignored.

"The Elders," I said, my voice calm but laced with concern. "That's… troublesome. Do we have any idea why they're coming here personally?"

Doffy shrugged, his grin returning. "No specifics, but I'd wager it's connected to the upcoming Reverie."

Senor Pink, ever the strategist, spoke next. "Given what we've pieced together from King Riku and Shyarly's visions, the Reverie seems to be at the heart of this. Whatever they're planning, they're willing to take the risk of coming here themselves to pull it off."

Pouring myself a generous amount of whiskey, I stared into the swirling amber liquid, piecing together the fragmented puzzle. The Five Elders moving personally—this was no ordinary matter.

For centuries, they had viewed those outside their circle as pawns to be manipulated or discarded. If they were willing to step into Dressrosa, it meant only one thing: someone above even them had issued the order. Someone like Imu.

My fingers tightened around the glass as the implications crystallized. The World Government didn't see us as just another nuisance anymore. They were starting to view us as a threat—small, perhaps, but growing. If we weren't careful, they would unleash the full weight of their power to crush us before we could rise further.

I looked around the table, letting my gaze rest on each member of the family. From Doffy's confident smirk to the stoic determination of Kyros, this was my empire. Powerful, yes, but we still had much to accomplish before we could challenge the World Government directly. Their power was a mountain, and we had barely begun our ascent.

Taking a slow sip of the whiskey, I let the tension hang for a moment longer before speaking. "If the Elders wish to set foot in Dressrosa, we'll allow it—but on our terms. Let's see what game they're playing. But I'm really curious…"

My voice dropped, the steel in my tone unmistakable. "I really want to know what kind of plan they are brewing this time around to bring us down. It seems like I will have to extend my stay in Dressrosa for some time."

Suddenly, the grand dining hall trembled under the weight of Doara's voice as she groaned in disappointment, shaking the chandelier above. Despite its massive size, her presence seemed to fill every corner of the room.

The giantess leaned forward, tearing into a slab of sea king meat as if it were a mere snack. Her size and strength had made some of the family uneasy at first, but it became clear she was more akin to a child than a threat. Like the rest of the children and teens scattered across the room, she represented the future pillars of the family.

"Ah, I thought we were only staying on Dressrosa for a couple of months…" Doara grumbled, her voice tinged with petulance. "Ross, you promised to take us to find Dorry and Brogy in the first half of the Grand Line."

I sighed, my fingers idly tracing the rim of my whiskey glass. Entertaining her complaints would only lead to a headache, and there were far more pressing matters to address. I stayed silent, letting her rant fade into the background.

"Fufufufu… It seems you've had a rowdy voyage, little brother," Doflamingo chuckled from his seat at the head of the table. His signature laughter echoed through the hall, though his sharp eyes betrayed a deeper curiosity. Shifting the topic from the Elders' impending visit, he decided to probe me about other matters.

"Since Wano has fallen, why don't we pay Kaido a visit?" Doffy leaned forward, his grin widening.

"I'm sure his forces are depleted. Perhaps we can finally tear a limb from him this time." His tone was light, but his rage and need for vengeance were unmistakable. Yet my response wiped the smirk from his face.

"You're not at the level where you can tear Kaido limb from limb, Doffy," I said bluntly. I didn't even bother to look at him, swirling my drink instead.

"You've neglected your training, brother. I expected better progress from you over the past year. Do you think our enemies sit idly by while we grow stronger? They're sharpening their claws just as we are. If you face Kaido with an outdated view of his strength, it will blow up in your face."

Doffy's grin faltered, and the room fell silent. The weight of my words was heavy, but necessary, they all knew that no one other than me could speak to Doffy in such a blunt way.

Just as I was about to continue, a flicker of motion caught my eye. Smoker, ever the troublemaker, was trying to sneak a glass of whiskey. I snapped my fingers, sending a small jolt of black lightning to zap him.

"Shit..! What was that for?" Smoker cursed, earning a sharp smack on the head from Lucci, who sat beside him. Robin, seated across from them, chuckled softly, her lips curving into an amused smile.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "You're a bunch of children," I muttered under my breath.

"We're discussing matters that could change the course of the world, and you're sneaking drinks." Shaking my head, I made a mental note to push them harder during their next training session. For now, it was our burden to shoulder the weight of the family's future. But I swore they would learn the meaning of discipline.

"So what do we do then?" Doffy asked, his tone more serious now. "We can't sit idly by while Linlin and Kaido expand their territories. With Linlin's return, you can bet she'll remember her grudges against us."

I leaned back in my chair, my gaze thoughtful. "Let's not concern ourselves with Big Mom or Kaido for now. They'll soon have to face someone they wouldn't expect. This time, they won't walk away unscathed."

At my words, Mansherry, who was gnawing on a grape in a chair custom-built for her diminutive frame, stiffened. Her wide eyes darted to me for a moment before she quickly returned to her meal, but her reaction did not go unnoticed by Doffy.

"Oh?" he said, his interest piqued. "What are you getting at, little brother?"

I didn't mince words. "Golden Lion Shiki is alive. And soon, he'll start reclaiming what's rightfully his. The seas are about to witness the birth of a new powerhouse—one no less threatening than Whitebeard himself."

A hush fell over the room as the gravity of my statement sank in. Even Doffy, whose composure rarely wavered, stared at me in shock. Then, to everyone's surprise, he erupted into a fit of maniacal laughter.

"Fufufufu…! First Big Mom, now Shiki! It seems everyone targeted by that ancient weapon has crawled out of their graves. If someone told me Zephyr is also alive and has joined the Revolutionaries, I might just believe it!" His laughter echoed, but there was a glint of unease in his eyes.

The room remained tense, despite Doffy's outburst. It wasn't just the return of Shiki that hung heavy in the air—it was the implications. The Sorbet Kingdom attack had targeted three individuals: Big Mom, Shiki, and Zephyr. Now, two of them had defied the odds and returned.

"I'd give anything to see the Elders' faces when they learn not just Big Mom but Shiki walked away alive," Doffy said with a smirk. His tone shifted, his gaze turning to me. "But tell me, little brother… does Shiki pose a threat to us?"

I gave him a reassuring smile. "Unless we provoke him directly, Shiki won't move against us. He's a man of his word. He won't break an oath made in his friend's memory."

Doffy leaned back, digesting the information. His instincts told him there was more to Shiki's return than I was letting on, but he trusted me enough not to press further—for now.

Senor Pink broke the silence. "Speaking of which, Master Doffy, what should we do about the message we received from the Revolutionaries?" His gaze flicked to Reiju, who sat next to Doffy.

The room's attention shifted to the young girl, whose composed demeanor barely faltered under the weight of their scrutiny. The message, allegedly from her mother, had been intercepted and handed to Doffy. In a rare show of trust, he had passed it to Reiju, allowing her to decide how to proceed.

Reiju glanced at the table, her sharp mind already weighing the risks. I watched her closely, intrigued by how she would handle this little test; after all, she was someone Doffy had personally chosen to be his disciple.

"Well, Reiju," Doffy said, his smile returning. "What will you do?"