One Piece: A King's Path Anew

Aboard the Ark Maxim, Law had already mobilized everyone on board to search for Rosinante. Soon, the entire island had been scoured, but there was still no trace of him. By now, even the slowest among them understood what Rosinante's absence implied. Disbelief was etched on their faces; anyone could have betrayed the Family, but Rosinante was Doflamingo's own flesh and blood. For him to commit such an act sent their minds reeling. It was simply unbelievable.

If he knew about this, Young Master definitely wouldn't be able to accept it, right? Who could imagine their own younger brother being a traitor? Law thought silently, leaning weakly against the railing of the Ark, lost in thought.

A heavy atmosphere hung over the Ark. No one could make a decision; they could only wait for Doflamingo to return and take charge. Just then, tremendous rumbles echoed from Minion Island in the distance. The booming sounds made everyone's ears ring uncomfortably.

"What's happening?!" "Could it be the Young Master?" "Such terrifying power!"

Everyone gazed towards Doflamingo's last known location, but all they could see was a swirling snowstorm, obscuring any clear view of the events.

After a long while, just as anticipation reached its peak, Doflamingo returned to the Ark with Enel and the others.

"Young Master, you're back! Lord Rosinante is missing," a subordinate reported immediately, not daring to conceal anything. Doflamingo's authority within the Family was terrifyingly absolute.

Hearing the report, Doflamingo's face remained impassive. No one could guess his true feelings. Perhaps, deep down, there was still some sorrow. But he could only mask it all with a stoic expression.

As the head of the Family, he couldn't show any weakness, not even a hint of vulnerability, in front of his subordinates. Doflamingo was the bedrock of faith for everyone in the Family. He had to set an example. He was their spirit, the banner leading the Family forward. He had to maintain his dignity and not betray the trust everyone placed in him.

"Young Master, Rosinante... he might have defected," Law, seeing Doflamingo's silence, voiced his own conclusion. Although this outcome might be unacceptable to Doflamingo, Law respected him deeply. It was better to face a short, sharp pain than prolonged suffering. He stated his suspicion without hesitation, prepared to bear the consequences, even Doflamingo's wrath, if he was wrong.

Just as Law steeled himself for Doflamingo's fury, Doflamingo sighed, crouched down in front of Law, and gently patted his head. "I know. Thank you, Law," he said with a hint of melancholy.

This was different from what Law had imagined. Instead of Doflamingo's anger, he received thanks. It left Law a little bewildered. He had braced himself, but this was the result? Had they already encountered Rosinante?

"Young Master, did you... did you already meet Rosinante?" Law asked cautiously, voicing his guess. It seemed the only way to explain Doflamingo's current state.

Before Doflamingo could speak, Diamante interjected indignantly, "Hmph! Rosinante was a damn spy sent by the Marines! He's a disgrace to our Family! As Doffy's own brother, he actually sided with the Marines and turned against us!"

"Yeah! And we treated him like real family! This is how he repays us?" Enel added in agreement.

Hearing their words, Law looked at Doflamingo with a new wave of sympathy. He understood Doflamingo's feelings much better now.

"That's right, Law. I killed my brother with my own hands," Doflamingo said, looking at the weakened Law. "Tell me, was I wrong to do so?"

Law's expression didn't change much upon hearing Doflamingo's words, but a profound sadness welled up from within him. His heart ached for Doflamingo. To be betrayed by one's closest family – the pain must be immense.

Young Master must be heartbroken, Law thought silently.

Doflamingo simply watched Law, as if seeking an answer from him.

Law did not disappoint. Weakly, yet with genuine concern, he said, "Young Master, you did nothing wrong. You are not the one at fault. Anyone who betrays the Family deserves to be punished by all. If I were in your position, I would have done the same!"

"Fuffuffuffuffu!" Doflamingo stood up and threw his head back, laughing. Then, he looked at Enel, Diamante, Pica, and the others beside him, his gaze finally settling on Law. Slowly, he said, "From now on, you all are my only family!"

Such profound trust! Everyone who heard Doflamingo's words felt a surge of emotion.

"That goes without saying! We're family forever, Doffy!" Enel said, his voice laced with his usual arrogance, though his heart was deeply moved.

"Of course!" Pica, a man of few words, nodded heavily in agreement.

"Doffy, we'll always be family," Diamante said, his eyes glistening with emotion.

Seeing this, Law quickly chimed in, "Yes, Young Master! From now on, I'm your family too!"

"Family." "Family forever."

The subordinates murmured among themselves, unwilling to break such a precious atmosphere.

Doflamingo's previously heavy mood lightened considerably at this scene. Even the sky, which had been relentlessly shedding snowflakes, seemed to pause.

Doflamingo fumbled in his coat for a moment and then produced a heart-shaped Devil Fruit, presenting it to everyone.

"Is that the Op-Op Fruit?" Diamante asked, looking at the Devil Fruit in Doflamingo's hand.

"It's beautiful, just like a heart," Enel praised.

The others stared intently at the Devil Fruit in Doflamingo's hand, but they all suppressed any trace of greed, making no untoward moves.

Law gazed nervously at the Op-Op Fruit. He knew from Doflamingo that this fruit could save him. This was his hope. But would Doflamingo really give such a precious fruit to him? Law's emotions were on a rollercoaster, soaring and plummeting.

As if seeing through Law's turmoil, Doflamingo said nothing more. He simply crouched down and offered the Op-Op Fruit to Law.

Law looked at Doflamingo's gesture with astonishment. He could almost feel the Op-Op Fruit pulsing, like a real heart beating in Doflamingo's hand.

"This… I… Young Master, I… I can't," Law stammered, suddenly hesitant now that it was before him. He desperately wanted it, but he knew he owed Doflamingo too much. He couldn't possibly accept it.

Doflamingo gave Law no chance to refuse. He pressed the Op-Op Fruit directly into Law's hands, and Law hurriedly took it.

"Eat it. Then you can be healthy again. Aren't we family?" Doflamingo gently patted Law's head again, his voice soft.

"Young Master… Waaaah… I…" Law clutched the Op-Op Fruit tightly, tears streaming freely from his eyes.

The others watched Doflamingo and Law in silence. After all, this was Doflamingo's own hard-won spoil of war; they had no right to comment.

"Eat it," Doflamingo instructed once more.

"Mm!" Law lowered his head and nodded firmly.

And so, under everyone's expectant gazes, Law carefully brought the fruit to his mouth and put the entire thing in.

"Blech!" Law swallowed the whole Op-Op Fruit, but the taste of a Devil Fruit was, as always, unforgettable. Law was no exception to the rule.

"Hahahahaha!"

Seeing Law's miserable expression, everyone burst out laughing.

Hearing the laughter around him, Law couldn't help but scratch the back of his head, joining in the cheerful atmosphere.

"How is it, Law?" Enel asked with surprising concern for his subordinate.

Law quickly checked himself. The white patches on his skin were still deeply rooted and hadn't disappeared immediately, but his previously pale complexion had already improved.

"I can't really tell yet, but I feel much better right now!" Law replied quickly. With so many people showing him care, his heart felt very warm.

"Fuffuffuffuffu. Let's go. Time to go home," Doflamingo said. He naturally knew the Op-Op Fruit would cure Law; he wasn't worried.

"Time to go home!" "Yeah! We should head home!"

The Ark Maxim set sail once more, carrying everyone home.