"It's Demon Dragon! I didn't expect him to show up too."
The battle between Bege and Doflamingo had caused a significant commotion, drawing the attention of many onlookers.
"Doflamingo, with a bounty of 200 million Berries, is being completely crushed by Demon Dragon! He truly lives up to the title of a Great Pirate!"
Figures stood perched on nearby rooftops – pirates, many of them quite skilled themselves. Watching Bege on the street below, they were stunned by his overwhelming power.
"Are they insane?! Loguetown is swarming with Marines! How dare they fight here?" Some pirates felt a tremor of fear, worried the Marines would decide to purge all pirates from the island in response. "If the Marines get angry, we'll all be caught in the crossfire!"
Is the difference really that big? Doflamingo climbed out of the rubble, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His eyes were glacial, and the Five Color Strings swirled defensively around his hands.
Bege casually puffed his cigar and strode towards Doflamingo. Doflamingo tensed, bracing himself.
But just then, a wall of ice abruptly materialized in front of Bege, halting his advance. Simultaneously, a figure stepped between them.
"Capone Bege," the newcomer stated, a tall, lean young man radiating an intense chill, the ground beneath his feet rapidly frosting over. "Fighting is currently forbidden in Loguetown. If you're looking for a battle, I'll be your opponent."
"Kuzan," Bege said slowly, recognizing the man – the future Admiral Aokiji.
The rhythmic sound of marching boots echoed down the street as squads of Marines converged on their location. The pirates who had been watching quickly scattered. Several imposing Marine officers emerged, four bearing the rank of Vice Admiral and three Rear Admirals. They positioned themselves behind Aokiji, their sharp gazes fixed on Bege and Doflamingo. Their primary focus, however, was clearly on Bege, whose demonstrated strength far surpassed Doflamingo's.
"Relax," Bege said with an easy laugh, turning away. "I didn't come here looking for a fight. I was just dealing with an annoying fly."
"A fly? Fuffuffuffuffu..." Doflamingo let out his signature, unsettling laugh, though his face was a mask of fury. He considered himself a natural-born king; aside from those lofty Celestial Dragons, no one had ever insulted him with such blatant contempt. Rage boiled within him, and undisguised killing intent burned in his eyes.
"Aokiji," Doflamingo purred maliciously, "this guy is only twenty years old, yet he boasts a bounty of 950 million Berries. A man like this could very well be the next Pirate King! Are you Marines really just going to let him walk away?"
Aokiji and the other officers' faces darkened. A subtle, yet palpable, killing intent began to emanate from them, directed squarely at Bege.
Bege stopped and turned back abruptly, his easy smile vanished. He fixed Doflamingo with an ice-cold stare, recognizing the blatant attempt to manipulate the Marines into eliminating him.
"Doflamingo, let me give you some advice," Bege said, his voice dangerously low. "If you don't have the strength to back it up, don't provoke people stronger than you." He slowly drew a finger across his own throat. "Otherwise," he finished coldly, "you'll die a miserable death."
Doflamingo's expression froze, the veins on his forehead bulging even more prominently.
Bege turned and walked away once more. The Marines made no move to stop him.
"Vice Admiral Aokiji, are we really not engaging?" one of the other Vice Admirals asked quietly.
Aokiji's serious expression quickly melted away, replaced by his usual lazy demeanor. "Engage? How? There are only five Vice Admirals here. That's hardly enough to stop him. Better to wait for Mr. Sengoku and Mr. Garp to arrive." He was aware of the ambush battle on Giginia Island; anyone capable of escaping an Admiral was beyond their current capabilities. "Keep someone on Capone Bege," Aokiji ordered in a more serious tone. "We'll deal with him after Roger's execution is over."
The other four Vice Admirals voiced no objections.
Their conversation reached Doflamingo's ears. He laughed soundlessly, but inside, he felt worse than ever before. Bege's overwhelming power had shattered the pride he had carried his entire life.
Fuffuffuffuffu... We'll see about this, Capone Bege, Doflamingo thought, his arrogant smirk slowly returning. One day, I swear, I will crush you beneath my heel. With his characteristic swagger, he turned and walked away.
Bege had left the main street when he suddenly paused, sensing a sharp, piercing presence. He turned his head and saw, at a nearby street corner, a man leaning against the wall, watching him intently.
Bege calmly identified the figure. Those hawk-like eyes, that cool, stern face – it was the man destined to become the World's Strongest Swordsman, Dracule "Hawk-Eye" Mihawk.
Bege noted the single longsword hanging at Mihawk's hip. He didn't yet possess Yoru, the Black Blade, one of the twelve Supreme Grade Swords.
Mihawk's hawk-like eyes were like unsheathed blades themselves, incredibly sharp and focused. They burned with an intense fighting spirit.
"Demon Dragon Swordsman," Mihawk stated directly, his voice even. "I have heard your swordsmanship is as ferocious as a wild beast. I wish to test my blade against yours." He explained that he traveled the seas seeking out powerful swordsmen to challenge.
"I know of you too, Hawk-Eye Mihawk," Bege replied, a flicker of interest in his own eyes. Mihawk was already a formidable swordsman; even if he hadn't yet reached the pinnacle, his skill was undeniable. An excellent whetstone to sharpen his own blade against. "And I would also like the chance to cross swords with you." He shook his head slightly. "Unfortunately, now is not the time for battle."
"It doesn't matter," Mihawk responded, his battle intent unwavering. "I can wait."
"Alright," Bege agreed, accepting the challenge. "After this business in Loguetown is concluded, meet me on Jaya Island. I will await you there."
"Consider it done!" Mihawk replied crisply, turning and departing without another word.
Bege hadn't taken more than a few steps when he heard faint voices calling his name from a nearby alleyway. He glanced over and saw two figures peering out at him – familiar faces: Shanks and Buggy the Clown. Likely members of the Roger Pirates, here to see their captain off, Bege surmised.
Smiling, Bege walked over to them. Shanks immediately spoke, his tone laced with concern. "Bege! Why were you just fighting with Doflamingo? Loguetown is incredibly dangerous right now! I really think you should leave as soon as possible!"
"I came to see Captain Roger off," Bege replied with a reassuring smile. "Once that's done, I'll be leaving."
"I heard Captain Roger is being escorted by Sengoku and Garp!" Buggy interjected frantically. "By the time they arrive, you might not be able to escape!"
"Hahaha! Relax," Bege laughed confidently. "If I dared to come to Loguetown, you can bet I already have an escape plan prepared."
Shanks nodded, looking somewhat relieved.
"Are you two the only ones here to see Captain Roger off?" Bege asked. "Did Mr. Rayleigh or Mr. Gaban not come?"
Shanks and Buggy's expressions turned somber. "After the crew disbanded, everyone went their separate ways," Shanks explained quietly. "We haven't seen Rayleigh-san or Gaban-san in a long time. I... I don't know if anyone else will come to see the captain off."
Bege clapped them both reassuringly on the shoulders. "We haven't seen each other since Skypiea, eh? Come on, let's go get a drink."
"I don't want to!" Buggy shook his head violently, clearly wanting nothing to do with Bege for fear of attracting Marine attention.
"Buggy, don't be a spoilsport," Shanks chided, grabbing one of Buggy's arms. Bege took his other shoulder, and together, they half-dragged the protesting clown towards the nearest tavern.