Outside the Coliseum – Law & Doflamingo
Explosions rocked the cliffside as Doflamingo tore through stone and smoke in pursuit of Trafalgar Law.
"You've run far enough, Law!!" the warlord bellowed, slicing the sky with sharpened strings.
Law ducked behind a ruined statue, clutching his bleeding shoulder. His ROOM had fizzled minutes ago — too much strain, and Doflamingo wasn't letting up.
"I didn't think you'd risk so much for Caesar," Law muttered, panting.
"I'm not here for him anymore," Doflamingo growled, stepping forward. "I'm here for you. You took something from me."
Law gritted his teeth. "You mean your empire? Or your pride?"
Doflamingo snapped his fingers — threads lashed out.
Law barely dodged, but one grazed his leg.
His breath caught. His pace slowed.
He was running out of time.
Central Streets – Zoro vs. Fujitora
Zoro stood unmoving, swords drawn, as Admiral Fujitora raised his cane.
"I'd ask you to surrender peacefully," the admiral said calmly, "but somehow I doubt that's your style."
Zoro cracked his neck. "Sorry, I've got plans. Like chopping down a navy dog."
Fujitora sighed. "Regrettable."
He tapped the ground.
Gravity slammed down.
The cobblestones around Zoro cratered under invisible force. Civilians screamed and fled. Dust filled the air.
Zoro roared, haki flaring, as he held his stance.
"One-Sword Style…" he whispered.
Then, with explosive speed, he launched forward—blades glowing, slashing through the wall of pressure.
Clang!
The force of their clash sent a shockwave down the street, collapsing nearby rooftops.
Underground – Kael, Riku, Kin'emon & Kanjuro
The toy pit stank of grease and rot. Cracked wooden dolls twitched lifelessly in the corners. From above, the faint clang of gears echoed.
Kael moved with quiet precision, analyzing every loose panel, while King Riku leaned heavily against a wall.
"We must find a way to the surface," Riku said, voice tight with frustration.
Kin'emon paced. "Our allies could already be fighting. We've delayed too long."
Kanjuro, crouched in a corner, used his brush to draw a ladder on the wall — which peeled off and solidified, stretching upward.
Kael nodded. "Smart. Let's move. But quietly. Doflamingo's factory workers may still be watching."
As they ascended the makeshift ladder, Kael paused. A series of red glowing marks on the tunnel wall caught his eye — symbols, faint, almost pulsing.
He touched them lightly.
A heat stirred in his palm.
Not magic. Not haki.
Something older.
Factory Corridors – Robin, Usopp & Tontatta
Robin held one of the Tontatta scouts in her arms as they ducked behind a conveyer belt.
"We're close to the production chamber," she whispered.
Usopp peeked around a corner, swallowing his nerves. "Tell me again why the sniper's the one up front?"
"Because your aim is good," Robin said sweetly, "and your legs are already shaking too much to run."
Tiny rebel Tontatta whispered codes to one another as they planted explosives around the support pillars. Every second ticked toward a full-scale collapse.
Then—
"INTRUDERS!" shouted a toy soldier. Dozens of malformed guards charged the hallway.
Usopp screamed. "Robin!"
"Clutch!"
Arms exploded from the walls, twisting and grabbing toys mid-step.
Usopp steadied his slingshot.
"Special Attack: Kabuto Scatter Star!"
The hallway burst in light and smoke, Tontatta charging into the chaos with toothpicks like swords.
Robin gave a rare grin.
"Revolution begins in the shadows."
Back in the Pit Ladder Shaft – Kael's Group
"Kael," Kin'emon hissed from above, "we've got movement up top."
Kael climbed the last rung silently, drawing his twin shortblades. Peering out, he spotted a long hallway, dimly lit, with shadowed guards patrolling.
He scanned the walls — more of those pulsing marks.
Symbols from Chapter 60. From before Dressrosa. Older than even Kael's time with the crew.
He blinked—his vision flared orange for half a second.
He could read them.
"'Conduit Path: Storage B to Lift Hub,'" he murmured. Then blinked in confusion.
King Riku noticed. "You understand those markings?"
"Apparently," Kael said flatly.
"You're full of surprises," Kanjuro muttered.
Kael turned to the others. "I know how to get to the lift that leads straight into the factory's core. If we move now, we can catch them off guard."
Kin'emon smirked. "Then lead, ghost-eyes."
Kael didn't answer — but he moved
A single phrase echoes in Kael's head:
"You are the key."