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Hate is a strange emotion. It mixes with anger at injustice and a destructive urge to retaliate. This emotion does not weaken or disappear over time, nor does it vary with location. Once the seeds of hatred are planted, they cannot be changed. They grow in a person's heart, taking root and sprouting into a towering tree, controlling their life from start to finish. It drives people to pursue their goals regardless of the cost. And now, those seeds have been planted. What kind of evil flower will bloom in the heart of this Celestial Dragon boy before me? Darren anticipates the result.
"Very well, you finally see the truth of all this," Darren said, taking a step back. He stared at Doflamingo with eyes full of admiration. "Now, let's discuss how you can achieve your goal."
Doflamingo, startled by Darren's words, quickly regained his composure. "You want to help me?"
"Of course," Darren replied, smiling as he took out a cigar and lit it. "Who in the whole North Blue doesn't know that I, Rogers Darren, am a helpful Marine?"
Inspecting the Marine Colonel sitting on the sofa, Doflamingo hoarsely requested, "Give me one."
Darren looked surprised but tossed him a cigar without refusal. Doflamingo sliced off the top with the String-String Fruit, put it in his mouth, and lit it, taking a hard drag. Darren's mouth twitched at the skillful display; a seasoned smoker indeed. However, the sight of a twelve- or thirteen-year-old kid smoking a cigar so maturely was rather incongruous.
"Why are you helping me?" Doflamingo asked coldly after a few puffs, eyeing Darren through his dark glasses. "You are a Marine... The primary purpose of a Marine is to uphold the World Government's rule."
Darren smiled and shrugged. "I've already told you, I'm no ordinary Marine. If I must give a reason, it's that I dislike the way the World Government and Celestial Dragons behave. The Marines may be the World Government's representative, perhaps even their watchdog... but I refuse to be anyone's dog. Those Celestial Dragons think they're gods, born to rule. Unfortunately, I won't be a puppet for them."
Doflamingo squinted at Darren before laughing scornfully. "Ah, I understand. You want to use me, to use me as a weapon against the World Government. Do you think I will trust you so easily?"
"Trust is not the basis for cooperation; mutual interests are," said Darren with a grin. "We share a common enemy, don't we?"
Doflamingo laughed again. "A common enemy, Darren, your words are laughable. If the World Government, or rather the Celestial Dragons, are indeed your enemy, you should act against them. But you appear to be a coward, hiding in the dark, stirring hatred in others. You want my cooperation, or rather my submission, but you offer nothing to convince me."
After saying this, Doflamingo haughtily exhaled a puff of smoke. "My request is simple. If you dare to kill a Celestial Dragon, a true Celestial Dragon, not a deposed one like me..."
He sneered with confidence. "Then I'll acknowledge your skill, and I might even use the North Blue custom to recognize you as my godfather!"
Darren raised his eyebrows, his expression curious. "Are you sure you want to make this bet?"
Seeing the intriguing smile in Darren's eyes, Doflamingo felt a sudden sense of foreboding, but he still declared firmly, "Yes!"
He was convinced Darren wouldn't dare touch the Celestial Dragons. Doflamingo knew about this North Blue admiral. A greedy, lustful, deceitful man, craving power and favor—such a person wouldn't have the courage to strike at the noble Celestial Dragons. With this in mind, Doflamingo confidently puffed out his chest and smiled slyly.
The most important thing is that if he dares to act against the Celestial Dragons, he will face severe retaliation from the World Government. Naturally, this so-called "agreement" would cease to exist.
"This is what you said." Darren shook his head helplessly. "To be honest, being your father is quite the dangerous job."
"But what a coincidence," he laughed playfully. "I like danger."
While speaking, he pulled out an object the size of a fingernail from his pocket and tossed it before Doflamingo.
At the sight of the object, Doflamingo's pupils shrank and the pores all over his body stood on end. A chilling sensation surged from his feet, up his spine, to his forehead, numbing his scalp.
That thing was... That was a chip! The certification chip of the Celestial Dragons!
Doflamingo was sure he wasn't mistaken. Each Celestial Dragons' family possessed such a chip. When a Celestial Dragon decided to relinquish their power, they had to hand over this chip. But surrendering it meant losing the protection of the World Government and the Marine.
When his father chose to renounce their Celestial Dragons' rights and leave the Holy Land of Mariejois, they were required to return their certification chip.
And he took his father's head back to the Holy Land to retrieve his own chip!
The chip couldn't be forged or duplicated. It was the only proof of a Celestial Dragon's noble identity, the most vital possession that each of them guarded dearly.
Yet now, Darren somehow had a Celestial Dragons' ID chip in his possession! How could this be?
As Doflamingo's mind raced, Colonel Marine's deep voice echoed in the dark hall:
"A few days ago, Celestial Dragon Hildes Saint was tragically killed in the North Blue. The investigation team found no clues on Hildes Saint's official ship, which was destroyed in an instant. Even the monitoring Den Den Mushi on the ship failed to record any trace."
"The investigation team concluded that Celestial Dragon Lord Hildes Saint died in a Sea Kings creatures' attack. It was a tragic accident."
Darren blinked and smiled: "Well, at least that's the official report submitted to the government." He had extracted the identification chip from Shields Saint's body.
Hearing this, Doflamingo was flooded with realization. His forehead grew cold with fear, and his eyes filled with terror. This madman had the audacity to target a Celestial Dragon and got away with it! He could even dare to kill Doflamingo himself!
His mind buzzed, blank with shock.
Darren sat up, smiling as he leaned forward with a hint of aggression. As his mischievous smile drew closer, Doflamingo couldn't help but back away, swallowing nervously.
"Do you understand now, Doflamingo?" Darren said. "I can give you everything you want: power, status, territory, military protection, industry, influence. But remember this fact: North Blue is my territory, and I make the rules here. No one can cause a rampage unless I allow it, not even the Celestial Dragons."
Darren blew smoke in Doflamingo's face without a care.
"Follow me, and the military of North Blue is mine, and the underworld of North Blue," he pointed at the blond kid's forehead, "is yours."
Then, in the astonished gaze of the boy, the black-haired Marine stroked the blond hair of his new ally. The flickering flame from the wall lamp cast deceptive shadows on his face.
Darren welcomed him with a smile: "Welcome to North Blue, my godson."