One Piece: King of the World

Chapter 226: Tragedy of Donquixote!

"I'll hold them off later, Law. You must run. Don't let Marine catch you," Rosinante whispered urgently to Trafalgar Law.

Before Law could respond, Rosinante straightened up and addressed Gion. "Vice Admiral Gion, the Ope-Ope Fruit... it was destroyed in the explosion just now," he said.

"You expect me to believe that?" Gion asked coldly, her face darkening.

Her sharp eyes moved to Law, narrowing in suspicion. "Is it him? Did this child eat the Ope-Ope Fruit? Are you using him to gain immortality?"

"No! Law hasn't eaten the fruit!" Rosinante retorted firmly.

"You're even more despicable than your brother," Gion spat angrily.

She had misunderstood Rosinante's intentions, believing he was using Law for his own selfish ends, perhaps to gain the rumored immortality. The thought disgusted her. She couldn't bear the idea of handing this child over to the World Government, knowing what kind of treatment awaited him there. He was just a boy!

Law, however, couldn't tolerate anyone insulting Rosinante. "No! Mr. Corazon is trying to save me! I have the Amber Lead Syndrome. Only the Ope-Ope Fruit can save me!" Law shouted defiantly, his voice trembling.

"Law!" Rosinante quickly covered Law's mouth, but it was already too late.

Gion's eyes flickered with understanding. Her anger softened into pity as she looked at the boy. "Amber Lead Syndrome..." she murmured. Was this child a survivor of the tragedy in the White Town of Flevance?

That was a calamity engineered by the World Government itself. To think this child had endured such a fate...

Gion's heart ached for Law. Her gentle nature and sense of justice warred with her duty. A part of her wanted to ignore the mission entirely, apprehend Rosinante, and leave the fruit's fate as a "failed mission."

Sensing Gion's hesitation, Rosinante pressed his advantage. "Momousagi, you know what will happen to Law if he's taken by the World Government. Can you really bear to see this unfortunate child's tragic life grow even darker?"

"This is all your fault!" Gion snapped back, glaring at Rosinante.

"Without the Ope-Ope Fruit, Law wouldn't survive the year! This is his only chance to live!" Rosinante roared, desperation clear in his voice.

Had he misunderstood him all along?

Swallowing his guilt, Rosinante said, "Blame everything on me. I acted alone, without your knowledge. But please, brother, don't hand Law over to the World Government. Let him live. When he grows up, let him live the life he deserves. You're still young. Don't you have time to wait?"

"You betrayed me, and now you expect me to grant your dying wish?" Doflamingo snarled, his tone sharp with anger.

"This is my first and last selfish request as your brother. For our mother's sake, Doffy, please..." Rosinante's voice cracked as tears streamed down his face.

Doflamingo's expression tightened at the mention of their mother. Rosinante had inherited her gentleness, her kindness, traits Doflamingo had always dismissed as "foolish." But despite his contempt for their father's naivety, he had always loved and missed his mother.

Her memory was a sore spot, one that Rosinante's plea had now struck.

For a long moment, Doflamingo said nothing. His fists clenched, his jaw tightened, and his body trembled with suppressed emotions. Was it rage? Frustration? Or something else entirely?

Rosinante didn't speak further, his tearful eyes fixed on Doflamingo with a silent plea.

At last, Doflamingo turned to Gion. His voice was low but clear. "Vice Admiral, I ask this as a favor... for my cousin. Rosinante is his brother. Let me handle this matter."

Gion's eyes narrowed. Doflamingo was nothing if not proud. For him to lower himself and make such a request was unusual. She hesitated, thinking of Claudius and the possible implications.

In the end, Gion said nothing. She turned and walked away without a word, leaving the scene behind.

After Gion's departure, Doflamingo faced Rosinante once more. His voice was cold as he spoke. "You've truly disappointed me, Rosinante. We've lived through the same hell. Why? Why are you still so naïve?"

"Why do we call ourselves brothers?" Rosinante replied softly, a faint smile on his lips.

Doflamingo's orange sunglasses obscured his eyes, but his hands trembled slightly.

Before coming here, he had imagined countless scenarios for this confrontation. In all of them, he had killed Rosinante without hesitation.

But now, standing face-to-face with his brother, Doflamingo found himself unable to act.