On the route connecting North Blue to the Grand Line, ship traffic was constant. Not only merchant vessels and the Marine, with its self-proclaimed justice, but also pirate ships flying various skull flags, in a truly bustling scene. Hundreds of fleets competed to reach the imposing Reverse Mountain, eager to explore the landscapes of the Grand Line.
A pirate ship, its flag displaying a smiling face framed by a prohibition symbol, sailed alone on this route. Besides the slight ripples left in its wake, the vessel seemed singularly isolated in the vast ocean.
As the saying goes, "the journey is long, and only wine can keep you company."
Onboard, the Donquixote Pirates members, in addition to essential daily training, found in good wine the only relief from the boredom of the voyage.
Although Doflamingo was extremely tolerant of his subordinates and didn't meddle in many matters, leisure options at sea were limited. Thus, fun boiled down to drinking.
"We're here, we're here! Look, ahead is the Red Line!" the lookout announced loudly, attracting everyone's attention. Quickly, the crew rushed to sight the red land in the distance.
The Red Line was a circular continent that crossed the Grand Line in a cross shape. Reverse Mountain, at the intersection with the Grand Line, was an integral part of this colossal formation. Due to its grandeur, it was a mandatory passage point for all pirates. Together with the Grand Line, it divided the ocean into four parts: East Blue, South Blue, West Blue, and North Blue.
No matter which of the Four Seas pirates came from, to enter the Grand Line for the first time, they had to cross the Red Line and be carried by the current of Reverse Mountain. And when people sighted the Red Line for the second time, it would mean that the rookie pirates, who would have already circumnavigated half the world, were about to enter the New World.
To cross the Red Line for the second time, there were two options.
One was to request permission from the World Government. This was the safest alternative, and the Marine used this route to enter the New World.
The other option was to dive ten thousand meters below the surface to reach Fish-Man Island, as there was a rift in the Red Line precisely there, leading directly to the New World. This choice, however, carried significant risks, such as the possibility of shipwreck and loss of lives. Still, most pirates opted for this passage.
After all, the Holy Land of Mariejois, headquarters of the Five Elders and the World Government, possessed overwhelming justice, and no pirate dared to challenge it there.
The final point of the Grand Line, Laugh Tale, also offered a view of the Red Line. The person who sighted it for the third time would be the one to reach the top of the pirate world: the Pirate King!
Doflamingo observed the familiar Red Line, and his memories about the characteristics of the Grand Line and the Red Line resurfaced. As a former World Noble who had lived on the Red Line, he was no stranger to it. However, each time he saw it, its grandeur and imposing nature still inspired awe in him.
"We are about to enter Reverse Mountain. Everyone, attention!" Doflamingo shook off his thoughts and gave orders to those around him.
The ocean currents of the Four Seas were so powerful that they could even make water defy gravity, flowing upstream. Thus, four reverse rivers opened in the mountain, converging into a single channel that led to the Grand Line, forming a colossal "X."
Such a magical spectacle seemed like a miracle. All who witnessed it praised it unreservedly, recognizing nature's masterpiece.
Although Doflamingo had already seen Reverse Mountain in manga and anime, witnessing its magic, being there in person, seeing the scene with his own eyes, and feeling the humidity and current around him, awakened an unprecedented emotion in him. His heart overflowed with heroism. Perhaps everyone who saw this landscape would feel a heroic impulse.
It was no wonder that countless people threw themselves into the sea, without thinking of the risks, in search of exciting adventures. This was what they sought, wasn't it?
Yes, what could be more exciting than taking risks? My blood seemed to have caught fire, and a tremor ran through my entire body. It was a tremor of excitement.
"The seawater... is really going up the mountain!?"
Most of the crew members onboard widened their eyes in disbelief.
"This is the only passage to the Grand Line, Reverse Mountain, where the four ocean currents meet!"
"It's incredible! I'll tell my brothers when I get back!"
Doflamingo was immersed in that grand scene for a long time, hypnotized.
Driven by the current, the ship finally entered the channel, heading for the top of Reverse Mountain.
The imposing ocean current, at last, pushed the vessel to the highest point. There, at the summit of Reverse Mountain, Doflamingo finally understood the old saying: "When you are at the top of the mountain, you see all the other mountains below."
Following the current, Doflamingo and his crew climbed to the top of Reverse Mountain. Pulled by the flow and making a wide turn, they finally entered the Grand Line route.
At that moment, it was possible to see the other three points from which the water also ascended, which were the routes leading to the other three seas.
The exit of Reverse Mountain was Twin Capes. It was a pity that Doflamingo couldn't see the great whale Laboon with his own eyes. At that moment, Laboon was still waiting for news from Dr. Crocus and hadn't started colliding with the Red Line. Otherwise, the number of people entering the Grand Line via Reverse Mountain would be much higher than in that more "calm" period.
After many twists and turns, Doflamingo finally entered the Grand Line.
At the exact moment Doflamingo entered the Grand Line, the North Blue Marine Division received news that the One-Eyed Pirates, with a 50 million Berry bounty, had been completely annihilated. What shocked the Marine most was that such a powerful pirate group had been destroyed by a hitherto unknown crew.
"Truly, the monsters in the ocean are multiplying more and more. For justice, all pirates must be eliminated, one by one," was the sad oath of many.
In the North Blue Marine Division, Commodore Daggs, upon receiving the news, frowned and sighed: "How audacious! Another pirate group with overwhelming force emerges in North Blue. In recent years, the repression of pirates has weakened. Not only in the North Blue division, but the naval strength of the other four sea divisions has also considerably decreased. There is no real threat to these truly cruel elements."
However, Daggs felt completely powerless. Although he was a Commodore, his strength was not even comparable to that of a Major from Headquarters. He truly intended to eliminate criminals, but he lacked the power to do so.
Over the years, practicing justice, he gradually realized that pirates were impossible to eradicate. His heart, once so fervent for justice, cooled as he witnessed all the ugliness of the world. Living on his salary and moving forward became the norm. After all, this was the true psychological condition of most Marines in the Four Seas.
"Come here. Quickly notify the Government to expedite the issuance of their bounty. Also remember to inform Marine Headquarters that the group has already entered the Grand Line," Daggs instructed his men, with a professional demeanor.
There were many Marines with a true sense of justice, but they were definitely rare in the Four Seas. It was sad to see how the weakest of the seas would be corrupted by the Marine's "justice" in the future. Not every Marine wished to uphold that regrettable justice. All they sought was comfort and stability.
After all, with such a low salary, why risk your life? It would be much more rewarding to turn a blind eye and collaborate with pirates to exploit the lower classes. What a tragedy! They dared not wield their swords against pirates, but instead, they sucked the blood of the people they were supposed to protect.
But who could understand the complexities behind all this? The pure would remain pure, and the corrupt would remain corrupt. In this decadent world, everyone just wanted to survive. Some lived like noble swans, others like stray dogs. Either way, living was already a great effort.
The Grand Line, the starting point of dreams. Doflamingo didn't know how many brave men had met their end there, and how many more, in the future, would continue to advance towards this land of dreams. After all, human dreams would never end.
The journey ahead would not be as smooth as what he had experienced in North Blue. Even more intense and passionate battles awaited Doflamingo as he advanced through the Grand Line.