The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

Theoretically, yes.

Even from the very beginning, when he sensed Gern's presence, he had the opportunity to immediately flee thousands of miles away.

But... he dared not!

Because he knew perfectly well that if he really turned around and ran away, what awaited him in the next second would be a devastating blow with no way out!

Gern had been lurking in the shadows from the very beginning, but it was precisely when Gern was at his most triumphant and closest to success that he unleashed his suffocatingly domineering aura.

This in itself is a clear warning and a verdict.

If you dare to run, you'll die!

He had witnessed this man's explosive power firsthand on the battlefield of Marineford!

That power that shook heaven and earth, made all living beings tremble, and that absolute dominance that looked down on everything!

Doflamingo had no doubt that if Gern wanted to kill him, it would be... a piece of cake!

........

Soon, the Thousand Sunny slowly docked, and Nami, Chopper, and the others felt incredibly complicated and apprehensive.

They cautiously stepped onto the beach of Greenbite Island, stood silently in a row, and dared not approach.

Despite his injuries, Luo Ye carried Caesar, his eyes fixed on this side.

When Doflamingo saw Guern step ashore, he immediately forced a smile that was extremely strained and even obsequious.

He took a few steps forward, trying to mask his inner panic with laughter: "Fufufu... I really didn't expect this."

"Such a trivial matter as relinquishing the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and you've personally come to handle it! Grand Admiral 'Tianzhen'."

Gern didn't reply, not even bothering to lift his eyelids, simply staring blankly ahead, as if Doflamingo didn't exist.

This complete disregard put Doflamingo under even more pressure than a direct reprimand.

But he dared not be negligent in the slightest; cold sweat poured down his forehead even more profusely, and his brain raced, trying to find a topic to ease the tension.

"Actually, there are some misunderstandings regarding my decision to relinquish my position as a Shichibukai. I was just about to explain this in detail to the Marine Headquarters, especially to you..."

Ming bowed slightly, adopting an extremely humble posture, "But your personal presence here must be for the sake of the stability of the New World."

Dressrosa has always been a peaceful country, and I am willing to fully cooperate with the Navy's investigation to ensure order in this sea area..."

Unfortunately, Gern still didn't even glance at him.

Seeing this, Doflamingo grew even more anxious, his tone becoming more humble, even carrying a hint of imperceptible pleading.

"Fufufu... Not long ago, you single-handedly intimidated all nations and upheld justice and dignity. This is the true demeanor of a strongman!"

Compared to you, my previous actions were really... insignificant.

If the Grand Commander needs the Don Quixote family's help in any way, whether it be intelligence or resources, I will certainly..."

This scene contrasts sharply with his arrogant and domineering demeanor when he was chasing Law and the Straw Hat crew earlier.

The image of the "Heavenly Demon" who views all living beings as ants forms an extremely stark and ironic contrast.

Doflamingo harbored a sliver of hope, believing that his status as a former Shichibukai and the underworld emperor would give him an edge.

Guern would at least give him some face during a conversation.

Gern finally moved.

He slowly turned his gaze towards Doflamingo, but his eyes weren't level; rather, they held a disdainful indifference, as if looking down upon an ant.

Then, under the incredulous gazes of everyone, including the Straw Hat crew and Lonzo...

Gern lowered his eyes, spoke, and his voice was not loud.

"Ha, Doflamingo."

"Have you forgotten...?"

"When facing me... what posture should you maintain at eye level?"

Upon hearing this, Doflamingo's pupils suddenly contracted to the size of pinpoints!

Images of my two meetings with Gern flashed through my mind instantly.

The fear I felt before the Marineford War, and even earlier...

This man appeared before me with Hawkeye, and that unforgettable warning about status and power!

Yes! How could he forget!

He never had the right to be "equal" to this man!

"Um... I'm sorry." Doflamingo clenched his teeth.

In an instant, overexertion due to extreme humiliation and fear caused blood to seep from the corner of his mouth, and his face, which always wore a wild smile, was now twisted to the extreme.

Then, under everyone's gaze, amidst the shocked stares of the Straw Hat Pirates, and in Law's eyes filled with complex and triumphant joy...

This arrogant "Joker," who controlled the underworld and was a powerful figure in the New World, began to tremble uncontrollably.

Then, he made a move that all witnesses would never forget!

Doflamingo, trembling, used all his strength and dignity to slowly, with extreme difficulty...

He knelt down in front of Gern.

"Pfft."

A soft sound.

Doflamingo knelt down.

Until his gaze dropped so low that he could only see the tips of Gern's boots, until he was completely shorter than his opponent.

Only then did he dare to slowly raise his eyes, looking up at Gern's cold, expressionless gaze.

At this moment, all arrogance and ambition were crushed into dust in the face of absolute power and strength.

This is what he should be facing!

Because from the first time she met this man, he had told her...

In his 'Tianzhen' eyes, he was only fit to kneel and speak!

Chapter 546 Momonosuke

"Hahaha!" Gern laughed as he looked at Doflamingo kneeling before him, and waved his hand.

"Oh dear! I was just joking, trying to lighten the mood, what are you doing?!"

Hearing this, Doflamingo's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and a sliver of hope that he might be able to get away with it arose in his heart. His knees instinctively wanted to lift up.

As a result, the second half of Gern's sentence instantly pinned his body, which had just lifted an inch off the ground, back firmly to the spot.

"Do you think I'd kill you if you stood up now?"

His tone still carried a smile, but it left Doflamingo with no doubt about the truth of his words.

So his body, which had just relaxed, stiffened again, and he knelt even more properly and humbly than before, even lowering his head, not daring to make any further moves.

Seeing how Doflamingo was so flexible and resourceful in order to survive, Gern clicked his tongue, seemingly finding it somewhat boring.

Changing his tone, he asked casually, "Speaking of which, did you really give up your position as a Shichibukai?"

"That's right! He gave up!" Before Doflamingo could answer, Law immediately interjected, his voice filled with urgency and confirmation.

He must solidify this point in order to give the Navy a reason to intervene.

However, even though Doflamingo was kneeling on the ground in a humble posture, his attitude instantly reverted to its usual arrogance and mockery when facing Law.

He raised his head, his gaze still lower than Gern's, but gave Luo an extremely wicked smile.

"Fufufu... Luo, you're still too naive!" He dragged out his words, as if enjoying Luo's bewildered expression. "Sorry to disappoint you."

I never gave up my position as a Shichibukai, that front-page report on the world economy...

It's just fake news that Morgans, that idiot, made up to grab attention!

"You...!!!" Luo's pupils contracted sharply as he immediately realized that his carefully planned scheme had failed him.

The crucial element of using the navy to kill someone was actually based on false intelligence from the very beginning!

But then he found it hard to believe. How could the World Government allow Doflamingo to play with the "Shichibukai" identity so casually?

If this suspicion is true, then his years-long investigation into Doflamingo's identity is also confirmed.

Doflamingo, of course, could see that Law, with his intelligence, must have already guessed it.

But with an air of superiority, he took a deep breath and slowly said...

Eight hundred years ago, twenty kings who each ruled the world jointly established the World Government.

He then moved into the Holy Land of Mary Geoise and became the supreme 'world noble'!

Only the Neferutali family of Alabasta refused this honor.

The other nineteen members of the royal family, including... the original royal family that founded Dressrosa—the Donquixote Family!

His voice gradually rose, carrying a kind of primal arrogance: "And I am..."

Just as Doflamingo was about to utter the words "Celestial Dragon"...

"You're a bastard!"

Gern suddenly interrupted him, his voice still calm, tilting his head slightly as he looked at Doflamingo kneeling on the ground, his expression frozen.

"Do you think you, this so-called Celestial Dragon, are of any use to me?"

Doflamingo's facial muscles twitched, and he could only manage an extremely awkward smile. He didn't say anything more, swallowing all his resentment and fear.

Gern, as if he had finished a trivial task, casually glanced around at the crowd on the shore.

The battered and bruised Law, the four members of the Straw Hat crew still in shock, and Doflamingo kneeling on the ground.

He smacked his lips lightly and uttered a casual remark: "They're all pirates."

These words, devoid of any emotional coloring, made Law and the Straw Hat crew's hearts leap into their throats once more.

There's no way around it; in front of the 'Navy,' their very identity is a sin.

But at this moment, amidst the tense atmosphere, Momonosuke, who had been keeping a close eye on Gern, began to have his own thoughts, devising a plan that was completely different from the others.

Especially after learning for certain that Gern was a Marine and possessed terrifying strength comparable to or even surpassing that of Kaido, one of the Four Emperors.

A thought, like a poisonous vine, began to grow wildly in his mind.

After all, Momonosuke isn't the single-minded Luffy.

This guy has a unique set of "wisdom" that he considers himself to be.

When his father, Kozuki Oden, failed in his battle against Kaido, he was captured by Kaido and immediately burst into tears, displaying extreme cowardice.

Kaido, who only killed tough guys and not softies, let him go and he survived.

Later, his mother used the Time-Time Fruit's power to travel twenty years into the future, and Momonosuke quickly came to terms with reality.

In this unfamiliar era, only by attaching oneself to the strong can one survive.

She directly recognized Kin'emon as her "father," and with just one sentence, he made Kin'emon vow to protect her to the death, thus initiating a mode of complete dependence.

It wasn't until he met Luffy on Punk Hazard that Momonosuke keenly realized that this group was "enthusiastic" at meddling in other people's business.

So he didn't show up himself, but instead pushed Kin'emon and the others to ask the Straw Hat crew for help.

Knowing full well that his status as the rightful heir of the Kozuki family was enough to make these "chivalrous men" set aside their dignity and work for him.

The effect was obvious: Luffy readily agreed when Kin'emon knelt and wept, begging for help.

This caused Law's original plan (to destroy the factory) to be changed to include "rescuing the samurai".

Even when Luffy suggested that he transform into a dragon and carry people, Momonosuke immediately refused, citing his fear of heights.

In truth, he knew in his heart that he was a future general, of unparalleled nobility, and could not tolerate being ridden like a horse by a group of pirates.

The group then split up, and he "wisely" chose to stay on the relatively safer Sunny.

During their time on the ship, once only the three relatively "easy-going" individuals and Sanji, who listened to Nami, remained, Momonosuke immediately adopted the demeanor of a future shogun.

He ordered Chopper to serve tea and water, instructed Nami to massage his shoulders and legs, and had Brook play and sing for him!