While Doflamingo was training Zoro, Diamante and Koushirou were engaged in a friendly exchange on the mountain behind the dojo.
As soon as they arrived, Diamante prepared to draw his sword. Since the man before him was a master, he would surely be able to point out his shortcomings.
Seeing Diamante's intention, Koushirou quickly stopped him.
"Hold on. I didn't come here to fight you," Koushirou said hastily.
"Then... what should I do?" Diamante asked, lowering his hand from the hilt of his sword and looking at Koushirou with a helpless expression.
Seeing Diamante stand down, Koushirou seemed to let out a sigh of relief. He then asked, "What do you think a sword is?"
"What is a sword?" Diamante was baffled by the question, but out of his trust for Doflamingo, he took a moment to think.
Koushirou saw this and didn't disturb his thoughts, waiting quietly for his answer.
"A sword is a sword. Of course, it's used to kill people," Diamante answered quickly after a brief moment of consideration.
"That's not wrong, but that is merely how most people see it. Swords are sharp instruments. Since they were first forged, they were meant to protect us. But now, people's perception has changed. A sword is a weapon, a tool for killing. At some point, its true meaning was forgotten."
Listening to Koushirou's words, Diamante had a flash of insight.
"Then what do you believe is the strongest sword?" Koushirou continued.
"The strongest sword is one that can cut through any obstacle," Diamante said with a firm tone.
"Wrong," Koushirou said, shaking his head and refuting him.
"Wrong?" Diamante asked, puzzled.
"Wrong," Koushirou nodded, affirming his statement.
"Please, enlighten me," Diamante asked respectfully.
"The so-called strongest sword should be one that can protect what needs protecting and cut what needs cutting. A sword that injures everything it touches... I do not consider that a sword," Koushirou explained slowly.
"Protect what needs protecting... and cut what needs cutting," Diamante muttered to himself.
"A good sword, if you so desire, can cut even steel. But when you do not wish it, it will not cut even paper. This is what is known as oneness between man and sword," Koushirou continued.
"Oneness between man and sword..." Diamante felt as if a new continent had been discovered, and he carefully savored Koushirou's words.
"For what purpose do you wield your sword? Is it merely for slaughter? Or for the thrill of a good fight?" Koushirou asked, looking at the contemplative Diamante.
"Do I practice the sword... just for killing? For the thrill of a fight?" Diamante listened to Koushirou's words, deep in thought, repeating the questions to himself.
"No... it's for protection. It's for my Family. For Dof... he needs my strength."
Diamante shouted, the confusion in his eyes lessening as excitement grew on his face.
"I have no ambition to become the World's Greatest Swordsman! I just want to stand at the highest peak with Dof! For Dof, for the Family, my sword is wielded for them! I understand now... I know where my path of the sword lies! Hahaha!"
Diamante spoke to himself, lost in his own world, completely overcome with excitement.
Koushirou quietly watched Diamante's moment of enlightenment, not disturbing him, allowing him to revel in his joy.
"Thank you, Senior Koushirou. You are truly powerful," Diamante said, his laughter subsiding as he turned his gaze back to Koushirou to express his gratitude.
"This was your own realization. I did not give you much help," Koushirou said politely.
"No matter what, I must thank you for your guidance, senior," Diamante said, bowing respectfully.
Koushirou accepted his thanks without refusal.
"Senior Koushirou, you are so strong. Why do you live in seclusion here?" Diamante finally asked the question that was on his mind.
"Training can be done anywhere. Why care about the location? Fame and fortune are like floating clouds to me. The life of teaching students is also a happy one, is it not? Everyone has their own pursuits. Why force things?" Koushirou said slowly, looking out at Shimotsuki Village.
"My apologies," Diamante said.
"Since you have gained what you came for, my task is complete. It is time for you to leave," Koushirou said, issuing an order for them to depart.
Just as Diamante was about to reply, Doflamingo's figure appeared beside him.
"Senior Koushirou, are you sure you won't fight me?" Doflamingo asked, looking at Koushirou with curiosity, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"What if I win? What if I lose?" Koushirou looked back at Doflamingo and asked in return.
"If that's the case, then we will take our leave," Doflamingo said. Seeing that Koushirou had no intention of fighting, he didn't press the issue and prepared to depart.
"May you have a safe journey," Koushirou said politely.
"No need to see us out."
Doflamingo and Diamante turned, and Doflamingo waved a hand back at Koushirou in farewell.
Koushirou watched their figures gradually disappear into the distance, a faint smile on his lips.
"Donquixote Doflamingo... what an interesting man."
Having bid farewell to Koushirou, they once again boarded a passenger ship and left Shimotsuki Village.
While Doflamingo and Diamante were visiting the village, the Arlong Pirates had already made a name for themselves in the East Blue, beginning their reign of terror.
Aboard their ship, Arlong and his crew were counting their recent spoils.
"Shahahaha! These guys were loaded!" Arlong cackled, holding a handful of glittering gold, a wide grin plastered on his face.
"Boss, your name is already famous throughout the East Blue! It won't be long before we rule this sea!" Chew said, flattering him.
"Chew is right," Arlong agreed.
"Arlong-san, what's our next move?" Hachi asked.
"Of course, we'll continue to harvest from those guys! We can't pass up this much money," Kuroobi said excitedly.
"Mm, Kuroobi is right. In that case, let's start by conquering those guys in the East Blue. Make them work for us," Arlong said with a nod.
"So where do we start?"
"I heard there's a nice little place called Orange Town. I bet they're full of cash too. Let's start with those weaklings," Arlong said impatiently.
"Yeah!"
His underlings cheered wildly, celebrating Arlong's decision.
"Set sail! We'll take them down quickly and rule the East Blue!" Arlong commanded with an air of dominance.
"Rule the East Blue!"
"Rule the East Blue!"
Amidst the cheers, the Arlong Pirates set a course for Orange Town.
The villagers of Cocoyasi, living their peaceful lives, were completely unaware of what was happening, oblivious to the fact that they had already been targeted by Arlong.
What is fated cannot be avoided. A calamity was destined to befall Cocoyasi Village.
Arlong's plan to conquer the East Blue had begun, starting with the occupation of all the villages near Cocoyasi Village.
Just as Arlong was setting his plan in motion, Doflamingo was also embarking on his journey to Cocoyasi Village.
The six-month deadline was drawing closer. In Water 7, Tom and Iceburg were working tirelessly, racing against time to finish the Sea Train.
During Doflamingo's absence, the members of the Donquixote Pirates diligently guarded the ark. Law, Monet, and Baby 5 were all working hard to complete the training Doflamingo had assigned them, hoping to finish before he returned so as not to disappoint him.
Aboard the passenger ship, Doflamingo and Diamante were quite at ease. After all, in the East Blue, besides Garp, there was truly no one who could put any pressure on Doflamingo.
Inside a cabin, Doflamingo looked at Diamante, who had just woken from his meditation. "How is it? Have you made any progress?" he asked with concern.
"Dof, it's not that easy," Diamante said with a wry smile.
"Right," Doflamingo said awkwardly. He then left the cabin to get some fresh air and relieve the awkwardness.
He stepped out onto the deck and breathed in the fresh air of the East Blue.
When the ship's captain saw Doflamingo emerge, he quickly bowed respectfully. This was his big patron, after all.
"Honored guest, we are about to arrive at Cocoyasi Village," the captain said respectfully.
"Is that so? I hear the oranges here are delicious."
"That's right. The oranges here are indeed excellent."
"Then I'm looking forward to it."
Cocoyasi Village. Doflamingo has arrived.