One Piece: Lord of Calamity

"What a coincidence," Roa couldn't help but exclaim, looking at the two brothers before him. He'd gotten lost, and by chance, stumbled upon them. Was it truly as Rayleigh said, that perhaps there are no coincidences in the world, that all accidents are merely the workings of destiny through fateful encounters? Was it destiny that made him, this bright and cheerful young man, come to save this mischievous brat who would stray onto the wrong path? Sigh, as expected, with great power comes great responsibility, not privilege.

Barrett, trailing behind Roa, carefully observed the two brothers, somewhat confused as to why Lord Roa was looking at these two so differently. However, even if he didn't understand, Lord Roa naturally had his reasons.

As Barrett scrutinized the brothers, they, too, were scrutinizing them, who were deliberately keeping a distance from the garbage pile. But they weren't as meticulous as Barrett. After a panicked glance at Roa and Barrett, the two brothers didn't hesitate, turning on their heels and running.

Barrett's brow immediately furrowed. These local brats are so rude! Lord Roa specifically came to greet them, and they just turn and run! They're asking for death!

"Do you plan to keep running like this?" Roa's leisurely, Kizaru-like tone made the brothers' escape speed seem painfully slow in his eyes. "Until when?"

Doflamingo's running pace visibly slowed. His younger brother, Rosinante, who was lagging behind him due to age, cried out anxiously, "Brother!!"

Doflamingo was startled awake, gritting his teeth and accelerating.

How pathetic, Roa thought, watching the brothers' retreating figures. This is what weakness looks like. Thankfully, I was born strong.

"The crossroads of destiny are before you, Donquixote Doflamingo," Roa said leisurely. "Do you want to continue being a stray dog scavenging in a garbage pile, or turn back and gain the power to change your destiny from me? Which do you think is better?"

Doflamingo stopped. Without any hesitation, he abruptly turned around, staring intently at Roa not far away.

"Brother?" Rosinante looked bewildered, pulling his brother's hand in a panic. "Run!" For the past year, he had suffered too much, been chased countless times, nearly died several times. The innocent child he once was had long vanished, leaving behind only a pitiable, frightened bird.

But Doflamingo no longer wanted to run. Just as this inexplicable person said, until when would he run? When would he finally unleash the boundless anger and resentment within him?

Doflamingo bit his lip until it bled, then he flung away his brother's hand and strode towards Roa.

"That's more like it," Roa nodded, satisfied. Without the courage to go all-in, what was the point of talking about changing destiny? Was Doflamingo afraid? Of course he was; the guy wasn't particularly brave. But deep down, he was more of a gambler. He wanted to take a chance.

"You said you'd give me power?" Doflamingo stopped in front of Roa. He didn't ask who Roa was or how he knew him, but went straight to the most pressing question.

"Only if you desire it," Roa asked with a smile.

Doflamingo suddenly clenched his fists, veins throbbing on his forehead, his voice almost squeezed out between his teeth. "Give it to me! Give me the power!"

"Brother!" Rosinante, standing not far behind him, afraid to approach, was already shedding tears. The seven-year-old boy didn't understand many things yet, but at this moment, he suddenly felt a terrifying sensation. Brother is leaving! He's going to a place he can never reach!

"Brother!! Let's go back!!" The boy instinctively screamed heartbreakingly. "Dad's waiting for us! Let's go back quickly!"

But Doflamingo paid no heed. Go back? He didn't want to go back to that dilapidated shack by the coast!

"Then," the nine-year-old child stared intently at Roa, asking, "What's the price?"

Huh? For that question, there was only one answer.

Roa said meaningfully, "Everything."

Doflamingo paused slightly, then gritted his teeth fiercely. "I don't care!!"

What a pity, Doflamingo. At this moment, you should have replied with 'Donquixote will never be a slave'. Roa sighed, but said aloud, "Wait a few minutes. What you desire is on its way."

Barrett understood what Roa meant. He glanced at Doflamingo again. Just like himself back then, is Lord Roa going to give that Devil Fruit to this brat? Although this brat still doesn't seem to have any value, if this is Lord Roa's judgment, then it's fine.

Doflamingo no longer met Roa's gaze, lowering his head and clenching his fists, his chest heaving violently, clearly not at peace. And behind him, his younger brother Rosinante, with tear-filled eyes, took one last look at his brother, then turned and ran. Brother's in trouble! He's going to find Dad. Dad must have a way!

Doflamingo's heart was also a little uneasy at this moment. A stranger he had never seen before said he would give him power. The possibility of him being a liar was too great. But, at this point, could things get any worse? Having already fallen into hell, could he fall any lower?

His apprehension lasted for a few minutes. On the rooftop of a building on one side of the street, a dark shadow shot out and landed lightly. The beast-like man knelt respectfully before Roa, presenting a small box in his hand.

"Thank you, Vice Admiral Johnson," Roa took the box. "For delivering things, Moonwalk and Soru really are the best." Of course, controlling the changui could be done remotely. But the premise was that Roa had to have a sufficient understanding of the changui's environment; otherwise, even with control, the changui would just be like a headless chicken. It worked best when combined with extremely long-range Observation Haki, but Roa's nascent Observation Haki was nowhere near that level yet.

"If you've made up your mind," Roa handed the box to Doflamingo, "then eat it."

Without any hesitation, Doflamingo snatched the box, opened it, and a look of surprise appeared on his taut face when he saw the fruit inside. It was a Devil Fruit! As a Celestial Dragon before the age of eight, he naturally knew about these miraculous fruits! They truly were symbols of power!

The price is everything he has? Grabbing the fruit, Doflamingo ravenously devoured the entire fruit. On one hand, he was genuinely hungry; on the other, he was truly impatient. Soon, almost seconds after the fruit went down, while he was still grimacing from its taste—

"Fuffuffuffu, power! This is power!!" Doflamingo suddenly burst into maniacal laughter. Purple fluid spread down his hands; the power of the Paramecia Clank-Clank Fruit began to awaken. This kid, like Barrett, was the type who adapted easily to Devil Fruits.

However, what even Roa hadn't expected was this.

"Fuffuffuffu!" Doflamingo's laughter grew wilder. It's here! The moment I've dreamed of! Finally, finally, this day has come!!

Voom! An invisible aura surged from his body.

"Oh?" Roa pushed up the sunglasses on his nose. "So that's how it is?" He awakened it at this moment? That's right, at such a crucial moment of changing destiny, under extreme excitement, his hidden Haki was unleashed.

Meanwhile, Barrett's face behind Roa drastically changed. What a joke! Does this guy have it too?

I handpick only the finest and most captivating novels for you. Don't forget to check out my other novels!

p@treon HongMengZi