"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
"Rumble..."
Mariejois was engulfed in flames. The grand palaces that once towered proudly collapsed, turning into smoldering ruins.
"Save me! Where have all the damned slaves gone?"
"Where is the Admiral? Where is the Marine? I'm going to be burned alive! Sob, sob — get me out of here!"
"Where are the Gorosei? Help us…!"
The Celestial Dragons — those who once flaunted their power over the world — now lay pinned under collapsing stones, surrounded by raging fire. They groaned, wailed, and cried out for rescue. But none came.
It was just like that time when he, his father, and his brother had been tied to a cross, waiting for a furious mob to burn them alive. Back then, no one spared them. Nobody helped. And now, no one would escape this hell.
"..."
Donquixote Doflamingo stared silently at the burning Holy Land, his face expressionless for a long while.
But it was merely an illusion. A trap of the mind.
A black, illusory Shirogai stood beside Doflamingo, wearing a sinister grin.
"What, are you feeling sorry for your people now? What is there to feel sorry about? A colony of traitors — why expect a righteous end for them?"
Doflamingo's eyes narrowed, and he hesitated, "You… you look different than usual."
The dark Shirogai chuckled, his handsome grin twisting into something cruel and malevolent.
"It's because I was suppressed by that bastard for too long. I decided to break free and show my true self."
"..."
Doflamingo did not understand. He stared at the illusion and asked quietly, "What are you talking about?"
The illusion's grin widened.
"This fire isn't bright enough yet."
He raised his hand, and black-blue lightning crackled in his palm.
"Let me add more fuel to this hell."
Boom!
A massive bolt of lightning tore across the night sky. In that instant, black Shirogai transformed. Dark, armored scales erupted across his face. Sharp dragon horns spiraled from his forehead. His hands and feet morphed into massive claws. A thick, powerful tail slashed outward and crashed into the ground, gouging deep pits across the devastated city.
"Roar!"
A thunderous dragon roar rolled through the illusion. On the skyline loomed a dreadful black dragon, its body vast and menacing. Black-red Dragon Breath spewed from its maw, a hellfire storm scorching everything below.
The terrified Celestial Dragons, trapped under debris, gazed upward with primal fear.
"What is that monster! Where are our guards? Where are the bodyguards we paid for?!"
"Save me! Save me!" they screamed.
The black dragon roared again, fiery breath tearing through Mariejois until no living thing stirred. Only rivers of fire and ruin remained.
"Pfft."
A small puff of flame hissed from the dragon's maw. The beast flicked its tail and ascended, disappearing into the thunder-clouded sky.
At last, silence. No cries, no smoke, no movement.
"Finally, no more cries from those insects," the dragon hissed, then vanished.
Shirogai descended from the sky, landing lightly amidst the burning ruins. He clapped his hands together with satisfaction.
"Only a world like this… this is beautiful."
He walked among the burning ruins, eyes fixed calmly on the flames that threatened to reach the sky.
"That guy always restrains his killing intent… too strict with me. Only absolute indulgence reveals true joy."
He paused. His lips curved in a dark smile.
"The torture of mercy is far more boring."
Doflamingo watched silently, dread creeping into his bones.
"So… who exactly are you?" he asked, voice low.
Shirogai turned, his calm smile unchanged, but in his eyes lived pure malice.
"I am me," he replied softly.
Doflamingo swallowed. He forced down his fear and spoke again.
"Since I've chosen to join you, then…"
Shirogai cut him off with a wave of his hand.
"Save your pleas. I do not care about ancient treasures or past glories."
"But sir — Mariejois' secret treasure…" Doflamingo began.
"I don't care," Shirogai said lazily. "Ancient relics, old wars, dead empires… petty distractions. I only care about who stands before me. Who is my enemy."
A cold black aura emanated from him. His gaze locked onto Doflamingo's heart.
"So, Donquixote Doflamingo… are you my enemy?"
Doflamingo took a step back, tensing every muscle in his body, instinctively preparing for a strike.
"I…"
He could not finish his sentence. The devil in him was terrified.
"..."
---
Elsewhere, in a different illusion: a meadow, birds singing, flowers blooming. A picnic cloth spread on the soft grass. Two apple pies, sandwiches, steaming cups of coffee. Twin worlds colliding in a fragile peace.
Near the edge of the meadow, a few white foxes peeked from tall grass, curiously watching the two women chatting.
One was Stussy. The other, a serene woman with long white hair, delicate features, and a gentle smile.
"So this thing called nail art can actually make great money," Stussy said lightly, turning to the white-haired woman.
"But are you trying to hide something? With your looks… you must have secrets."
The woman smiled, pointing to the clear blue sky above.
"Personality and temperament are separate from appearance or gender. I simply shaped myself to look female, because you prefer that."
They spoke as soft wind stirred around them.
Suddenly the sky darkened. Storm clouds gathered. A cold wind blew. Lightning arced at the horizon.
Stussy looked up, shivering.
"Why did the weather change so suddenly?" she asked.
The woman smiled softly, her serenity unsettling.
"This isn't your world. This is your mind."
Stussy froze. The world around them twisted and disintegrated. Lush green hills shattered into despair.
When the transformation completed, Stussy and Shirogai stood on a deserted rocky island, the sea raging around them. The air tasted of salt and fear.
Dark clouds swirled overhead. A flock of black bats circled ominously above.
"So this is…" Stussy whispered, eyes wide.
Shirogai studied the scene with calm amusement.
"This place is the projection of your fear," he said softly. "You're afraid. Afraid I will unmask your secrets."
He raised his voice as thunder rolled.
"This island is your loneliness, your helplessness. The ocean below hides the depths of your secrets. The storm… your fear of misfortune."
Suddenly, a massive lightning bolt struck the sea beside them. The island trembled. Wind and sea roared.
"You can't kill me," Shirogai said calmly, stepping forward through the lightning.
Stussy gasped. Her eyes filled with shock and realization.
"So that's why they call you a monster," she said. "You truly are terrifying."
Shirogai's voice remained calm.
"You cannot hide anything from me."
The island screamed under the storm. Rocks shattered, waves crashed, the sea swallowed sand and stone alike.
He turned to her — steady, unafraid.
"I know you work for Dr. Vegapunk," he said softly.
Stussy froze. Her face betrayed shock.
"Yes, Vegapunk chose to join us when he broke free from the World Government."
The storm vanished. The island stilled.
Suddenly, Stussy and the white-haired woman were back on the meadow, cups of coffee in hand. Silence hung between them.
"So that's it," Stussy said, trembling slightly. "I tried to hide my identity from you, but… you already knew."
The white-haired woman gave a soft, sad smile.
"Vegapunk had no protector. Only we… only those with Emperor-level power could guarantee his safety."
Stussy toyed with her cup, sighing quietly.
"Then him joining you… makes sense."
The woman nodded.
"As long as you keep acting as their instrument, your status in the World Government remains intact."
She gave a gentle, elegant smile.
---
In a dark underground cavern illusion, a fat man trembled under the dim flicker of an oil lamp. His hands shook violently, sweat beading on his brow. This was Gusman, the Thief King.
"Shirogai Yamikuro sama… I, I… I pledge allegiance to you! Spare me, spare my people! I can give anything!" he stammered.
Shirogai sat across from him, casually spinning a gleaming blade between his fingers. The knife vanished and reappeared in his hand as if by magic.
"Do you know why I invited you here?" he asked softly.
Gusman shook his head, terror in his eyes.
"You're not traps I'd normally bother with… but your group of thieves appears useful."
Gusman dropped to his knees, voice trembling.
"Please… I beg you. Spare us."
Shirogai's lips curved.
"Get up. I'm not a monster."
From the darkness behind them came a roar — an echo of some underground beast. Instinctively, Gusman flinched.
Shirogai laughed.
"This man thinks he's dealing with monsters," he said. "Some may see him as villainous, but compared to others… he might be the kindest rat in the dirt."
He stood and scanned the shadows.
"In this world, moral alignment does not matter. Only usefulness does."
---
In another illusion, deep within a grim castle hall lined with severed heads, the hardened figure of the so-called Killer King knelt before Shirogai, wounded and trembling.
"If I surrender… what would I gain?" he asked, voice hoarse.
Shirogai's eyes were cold as steel.
"You will gain a chance to live."
No promises. Just life.
---
In yet another illusion, under the dim glow of oil lamps and golden IOUs and gold coins, the Loan Shark King wept before Shirogai, desperation infecting every quiver of his body.
"All my money… all of it's for you! Please spare me!" he begged, tears streaming down his face.
Shirogai accepted nothing. He watched impassively.
---
Across the Underworld, every king — hundred of underground lords, thieves, smugglers, poisoners — was pulled into their personal hallucinations by Shirogai. Their deepest thoughts, every hidden deception sniffed out.
Some thought they could bluff him temporarily. But once exposed, fear and submission took hold. They bowed on trembling knees, loyalty bleeding out of their wills.
Others, stubborn and deceitful, resisted. But their resistance was broken.
From above, Shirogai spoke, calm and merciless:
"Those who betray me… deserve death."
Moments later, four fallen kings lay lifeless on the ground — eyes empty, clothes stained with ichor. Their corpses stiff, terror etched onto their faces.
"Smuggling King Ellison…"
"Poison King Quake…"
Horror and disbelief spread through the ranks.
"These four tried to deceive me," Shirogai said softly, standing tall on the platform. "They failed. So they died."
Silence reigned. Then, as one, all other underground lords bowed deeply.
"Shirogai sama." they whispered.
Yes, the name had changed. The Underworld had a new master.
Shirogai nodded once.
"Rise."
The four dead revived, walking out among the rest — but fate would catch up with them soon. A few days later, each of them would meet a tragic end, victims of accidents or betrayals.
News spread in trembling whispers. The greatest power of the Underworld now belonged to a single organization.
Morgans spread his wings, eyes wide with dark delight.
"This is big news," Morgans cawed. "From now on, World Government orders mean nothing to me."
He grinned, cruel and satisfied.
Half a day later, Shirogai quietly left Gran Tesoro. In the blink of an eye, he vanished — a ray of black light searing through the skies, disappearing into the horizon.
All the secret strings behind the Underworld's rise had been pulled. The world would soon change.
---