One Piece: Waves of Destiny

West Blue

A brutal struggle for the "Ope Ope no Mi" was unfolding!

"Corazon, tell me where Law is! Otherwise...!" On the snow-covered ground, Doflamingo toyed with the heart-shaped Devil Fruit in his hand, laughing maniacally.

He extended one arm toward the sky, declaring, "Everyone on this island will die because of you!"

Suddenly, countless sharp and unyielding white threads sprouted from Doflamingo, spreading across the entire island like roots.

From above, the white strings descended upon the inhabitants, binding them. Those ensnared lost control of their bodies, raising fists or weapons to slaughter each other mercilessly.

Some fortunate ones, unbound by the threads, attempted to escape the Birdcage, only to be sliced apart by its razor-sharp wires. In mere moments, the island became a blood-soaked battlefield. The crimson of spilled blood stained the snowy landscape, creating grotesque, frozen rivers of red.

"Birdcage!"

Corazon's pupils contracted as he witnessed the horrifying scene.

As a Navy operative working undercover, Corazon knew all too well the depths of Doflamingo's cruelty. Even if he revealed Law's location, the warlord would undoubtedly betray his word.

Yet, the justice burning in Corazon's heart left him at a loss.

"Is there truly no other way?"

Corazon collapsed weakly onto the ground, blood pouring from the bullet wounds riddling his body. He was holding on by sheer willpower, but despair began to settle in.

"Law..."

The light in Corazon's eyes dimmed.

But then, from the western edge of the island, a blazing pillar of fire suddenly erupted into the sky, its fiery aura halting the snow and silencing the wind. The entire island seemed consumed by this overwhelming inferno.

"What is this?!"

Doflamingo's senses screamed as he felt an ominous and terrifying force approaching. Instinctively, his body erupted with Haoshoku Haki, preparing for defense.

But before he could react...

"Boom!"

The supposedly unbreakable Birdcage was torn apart by the flames as effortlessly as paper.

The fire expanded in all directions, raining down from above and engulfing the island in a sea of skyfire. The oppressive flames melted the island's ice and snow, leaving the once-frozen landscape steaming and drenched in molten water.

The heart-shaped fruit in Doflamingo's hand was snatched away in the fiery chaos.

Doflamingo's veins bulged with fury as he trembled uncontrollably. "Damn it! My fruit! What kind of monster could wield such power?!"

The victory he had all but claimed was snatched away by this unknown force. With the Birdcage destroyed, the Navy's arrival imminent under Admiral Tsuru's command, and this mysterious foe in the mix, Doflamingo was left with no choice.

"Retreat!" he barked to the Donquixote Pirates, his frustration barely contained.

Meanwhile, out at sea, the Navy fleet was awestruck by the fiery spectacle.

"I underestimated Doflamingo's speed," Tsuru muttered, her expression grim. "Change of plans! Deploy to the island immediately. Stay alert—there may be other players involved."

On the island's outskirts, in a remote and scorched area, stood Roja—a man who had just crossed into this pirate world. He calmly sheathed his fiery blade, the weapon responsible for the destruction, as the Ope Ope no Mi floated into his hand. A small smirk formed on his lips.

"A sign-in reward, huh? Not bad."

Suddenly, a system notification echoed in his mind:

[Ding! This is a god-tier sign-in system. Congratulations! Reward for signing in at Haiyan Island: Ryūjin Jakka—the most ancient and powerful flame-based sword. Its spiritual pressure rivals even Haoshoku Haki.]

[Ding! Visit iconic locations to unlock bonus rewards. Note: You must be within proximity to successfully sign in.]

Roja's smirk widened at the system's announcement.

As he stood, a young boy stumbled into his view. It was none other than Trafalgar Law—the future "Surgeon of Death" and one of the Pirate King's key allies.

Under Corazon's protection, Law had escaped the massacre and now stood before Roja, trembling yet determined.

Law had witnessed Roja shatter the Birdcage with a single stroke. Seeing such overwhelming power, he was filled with both fear and hope.

"Please..." Law's voice was shaky at first, but desperation pushed him forward. "Please help me save Corazon!"

Roja walked past Law without a word, his indifference like a cold gust of wind.

Unwilling to give up, Law ran after him and shouted, "I'll do anything! Please, save Corazon! He means everything to me!"

At that moment, the heart-shaped fruit landed softly at Law's feet, thrown by Roja.

Staring at the fruit, Law's eyes filled with tears. Trembling, he picked it up with both hands.

From a distance, Roja's calm voice drifted to him. "Use your own strength to save the person who matters most to you."

Law wiped the tears from his face and clenched the fruit in his hands.

He silently vowed to follow Roja from that moment onward.

Corazon had once given Law the hope to survive with the Ope Ope no Mi. Now, Law would use that same power to bring Corazon back from the brink.

As these thoughts surged in his heart, Roja disappeared into the horizon, as if he had never been there at all...