Baby 5 and Buffalo were completely stunned the moment they heard the warning from Mork's system.
"B-Buffalo… did you hear that voice?"
"Yeah!" Buffalo nodded quickly.
"What's going on? Did the island just… talk?"
The two stared at the island in disbelief—it was strange, unnatural, and shocking.
But soon, they spotted Mork lying on the beach.
"There's someone on the shore!" Buffalo called out.
"I see him." Baby 5 was no longer as relaxed as before. She crouched slightly on Buffalo's back and reached behind her to pull out a bazooka.
"Looks like the island belongs to that guy," Buffalo muttered. "And that warning voice must've been something he rigged up."
His huge mouth curled into a grin. "But warning us not to approach? Now I have to get closer."
As members of the Donquixote Family, when had they ever listened to anyone?
To them, Mork—just one guy on a beach—was completely harmless.
Baby 5 spat out her unlit cigarette and scoffed. "Fire? He wants to fire? I'd like to see whose firepower is stronger—mine or his."
Every part of her body could turn into a weapon. As far as she was concerned, the boy on the beach was a weakling who couldn't even wring a chicken's neck.
"Host, the two individuals ignored your warning and intend to attack."
The system's voice sounded in Mork's mind.
Mork sighed helplessly. "Then give them a lesson, Baby."
"Host… I must reiterate, I am a highly advanced intelligent system."
"Understood, Baby."
System: "..."
At Mork's command, the island began shaking once more. Massive steel plates rose from all sides of the island with thunderous clanging, causing the surrounding sea to churn violently.
Buffalo froze mid-flight. "W-What's happening!?"
On his back, Baby 5 was also dumbfounded. She watched the steel plates assemble rapidly before her eyes, her expression filled with disbelief.
"A f-fortress!?"
In barely ten seconds, the island vanished—replaced by a colossal steel fortress rising from the sea.
"This speed is insane… is he a Devil Fruit user?" Buffalo guessed.
Baby 5 swallowed. "I-I guess so…"
"But even so, it's just defense. Baby 5, use your cannon and blast—"
His sentence abruptly stopped.
His pupils shrank sharply.
Baby 5's face stiffened, her mouth opening slightly as her voice trembled:
"S-So… SO BIG!!"
"What are you calling big?" Mork's amused voice echoed across the sea through the fortress's speakers.
At the same time, the system reported:
"Host, main cannon fully loaded."
Mork rubbed his nose and snorted lightly.
"I'll show you personally—not only is it big… it's extremely powerful."
He gave the order.
"Fire."
With a deafening BOOM, the massive black cannon barrel unleashed a colossal shell, roaring straight toward Baby 5 and Buffalo.
"Danger!!" Baby 5 screamed.
"Buffalo, dodge!!"
"O-Of course I'm trying—!"
But the cannonball's speed was monstrous. Even after swerving, the shell streaked past them with a sharp hiss.
A heartbeat later—
BOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion erupted behind them, sending a violent shockwave crashing into their backs.
The two froze in midair.
Cold sweat drenched both of them.
Behind them, a brilliant "firework" bloomed in the sky—its light illuminating their petrified faces.
After over ten seconds, Baby 5's legs gave out. She collapsed atop Buffalo, trembling.
"S-So close… I almost died…"
"Y-Yeah…" Buffalo stammered. He was completely shaken.
The two stared at the steel behemoth ahead of them, terrified to move an inch.
Just moments ago they'd been approaching boldly—now they wouldn't dare even dream of getting closer.
If that cannonball hadn't missed slightly, they would've been reduced to ash.
"W-What is that guy…?" Buffalo whispered, horrified.
"I don't know… he must be a Devil Fruit user. How else can an island instantly turn into a steel fortress…?"
"Probably something like Pica's Stone-Stone Fruit…"
Baby 5's eyes brimmed with tears behind her goggles. She was terrified—her traumatic childhood had made her extremely sensitive and prone to crying.
Normally, Buffalo would grumble at her for crying.
Right now?
He wanted to cry too.
All he wanted was to leave this cursed place as fast as possible.
"Young Master told us not to fight anyway… just report back. Baby 5, I'm not being cowardly. It's the Young Master's orders."
Buffalo gave himself an excuse, then immediately turned and fled with Baby 5 in tow.
"Host, the two intruders have left."
"I have eyes, Baby. I can see that," Mork answered lazily.
"...Host, should we revert to island mode?"
"No need for now." Mork's eyes glimmered with amusement.
"I have a feeling more people will be coming soon…"
Dressrosa.
Baby 5 and Buffalo rushed back to the palace at top speed.
Before they even arrived, Doflamingo and the others heard Baby 5's crying.
A vein bulged on Doflamingo's forehead. "Looks like something happened."
Before the two could approach, he asked sharply:
"What happened, Buffalo?"
Buffalo's face was pale, his voice still trembling.
"Y-Young Master… we found a… a steel fortress out there!"
Everyone in the room froze.
"A steel fortress!?"