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Chapter 70: North Blue's Greatest Darkness
North Blue houses the largest commercial port with the most prosperous economy - Port Tas. As Doflamingo and many members of the Donquixote Family entered the harbor, they were greeted by a chaotic scene. Ships of all kinds were jostling for space, their sails emblazoned with various marks billowing like waves. Sailors shouted on decks, while nobles and wealthy businessmen puffed on their pipes, directing workers onshore against a backdrop of overwhelming noise and crashing waves.
Streets lined with diverse shops extended into the distance from the port, crowded with people and bustling activity. Exotic goods from North Blue and beyond filled the market stalls. Looking down the street, the city seemed to spread endlessly, intersected by dense inland rivers that raced through large buildings and private houses. The atmosphere was a mix of prosperity, wealth, congestion, and filth, permeated by the odors of money and decay.
"I said… I said… it really is the largest trading port in North Blue…" Trebol mumbled in wonder, a line of snot dangling from his nostril.
"There should be plenty to take here," Diamanti said, her face painted, as she licked the corner of her mouth.
Virgo remained silent, a half-eaten slice of bread stuck to his cheek.
Pica let out a shrill laugh. "Soon this will all belong to our Donquixote Family!"
Their faces were marked by intense ambition and arrogance, emotions they were more than qualified to harbor. Within just half a month, they had risen from nothing, claiming over 30% of the mafia territory and underground world business in North Blue. They had become one of the most formidable underworld forces, setting a pace and displaying a might unseen in North Blue's history. The Donquixote Family had achieved the impossible.
Now, their eyes were set on the thriving trading port before them. "The Rodriguez family…" Doflamingo, standing at the ship's bow, eyed the bustling town with a growing cold smile. His attire was familiar—sunglasses, shirt, cropped pants, and pointed shoes—but now adorned with a pink feather coat that fluttered in the salty sea breeze, making him resemble a proud, young flamingo.
"Joker… I said, as long as we take out the Rodriguez family and seize their assets, we'd own half of North Blue's underground world, right?" Trebol asked, with a wretched smile, stumbling over with his cane.
Doflamingo grinned sinisterly in response. "Exactly. The Rodriguez family controls the Port of Tas, and their influence runs deep on this island. With Tas as their business hub, they hold sway over at least 30% of North Blue's illegal activities. Once they're out of the way, the troublesome Snooker family, Vincent, and Rockefeller won't be significant problems anymore."
His confidence inspired admiration in his colleagues, and his four most trusted cadres laughed in approval.
"Young master… We don't really need to bow to that Marine," Diamanti interjected darkly. Discontent and indignation were evident in her voice. "Once we dominate North Blue's underworld, the Marines won't dare touch us. Moreover, Rogers Darren may claim the underworld is yours, but we won those territories without his help."
The others fell silent at her words.
The smile vanished from Doflamingo's face. He turned to face the four Trebol cadres. "Do you all feel the same way?"
They lowered their heads, unable to meet his icy stare.
"We just think that you are a born king."
"A king must never bow his head to anyone," they whispered.
Doflamingo looked at them for a few seconds without saying a word, then turned around. After a moment of silence, he calmly said, "I've never heard those words before. I don't want to hear them again in the future. Do you understand?"
The four from Trebol bowed deeply and said respectfully, "Yes."
But as they spoke, they exchanged glances with each other.
Doflamingo's tone was calm, but they knew their young master too well. Often the calmer he sounded, the more it indicated the turbulence and deeply suppressed anger in his heart. Would the born king truly bow his head to another person? The name Don Quixote would not permit it.
"Let's go," Doflamingo took a deep breath, and the corner of his mouth raised his usual cold and sarcastic grin again. "Eh, oh, oh, oh... To take everything that belongs to us."
He raised his hands high, countless invisible silk threads spraying out from his palms, disappearing into the void, and shooting towards the distant town. The bitter wind blew his pink feather coat into the air as Doflamingo laughed ferociously, "The rules of this world are essentially the law of the jungle!!"
The moment the voice fell, boom! A member of the Donquixote Family drew a pistol and fired into the sky. "Donquixote Family is doing business, and people who have nothing to do with it quickly get out of the way!!"
The surrounding civilians, businessmen, and sailors were startled by the sudden gunshots. With pale faces, they dropped everything in horror and fled in a panic. The Donquixote Family members also leaped from the boat with grimaces and rushed toward the stronghold of the Rodriguez family, as indicated by the intelligence. The battle had begun.
At the same time, in a luxurious mansion, within a conference room with the door closed, the flames burned in the fireplace, casting the shadows of two figures looking at each other across a round table. The middle-aged man in a black lapel collar suit looked solemnly at Colonel Marine, who was sitting across from him, smoking a cigar unscrupulously, and said hoarsely, "I know you're angry, Admiral Darren. But don't you think it's a bit unfair to confront a banker in person?"
Darren narrowed his eyes, and a sneer curled up at the corner of his mouth. "Yes, it's not fair. But that's the way it is."
The middle-aged man's forehead veins bulged as he gritted his teeth. "For so many years, I have followed your rules, and now I just..."
"But you still broke the rules," Darren cut him off rudely.
The middle-aged man's face instantly turned pale. He looked at Marine with red eyes, his fists clenching and unclenching. "Why me?" he gasped.
"No, it's not just you. Everyone who breaks the rules will be punished," Darren replied.
Startled by the words, the man then laughed. He laughed so hard that he shed tears. "Hahahaha!! So that's how it is!! It's good like this!! We've been fighting each other for so many years, and we won't admit defeat... At least we all end up the same, hahahaha!!"
"Rogers Darren, everyone calls you 'Marine's scum'... but I know that you are actually a Lion Majesty. Extremely cunning and cold-blooded, I even doubt if you have any trace of compassion in your heart! Let's do it! From the day I set foot on this road, I knew that this day would come sooner or later! People call me the giant of the North Blue black underground forces..." He laughed self-deprecatingly, trembling and staring at Darren, "It's ridiculous... In North Blue, the darkest is you, wearing the banner of justice!"