Two ships gradually approached the shore.
After dropping anchor, a group of people disembarked from the luxurious ship first. Leading them was an 11-year-old boy with platinum blond hair and strikingly blood-red eyes. His presence exuded a formidable aura, like a towering mountain, radiating intense pressure. He stood 1.8 meters tall, with strong and resilient muscles.
The moment He appeared, the people on the dock fell silent. The ceremonial team, cheerleaders, security personnel, and others all froze with expressions of shock and fear, intimidated by the presence of the Saint Lakeman.
"Saint Lakeman?" Doflamingo's expression changed as he looked at the boy walking down. His eyes, hidden behind sunglasses, were filled with astonishment.
"Yes, it's me," Lakeman nodded with a smile as he walked over. "And you must be Doflamingo."
The two sized each other up.
One was rugged and heroic, the other fierce and unruly. Two completely different auras clashed. Almost instantly, Lakeman's presence spread like a tidal wave, completely overpowering Doflamingo. The entire dock was enveloped by a heavy atmosphere, making everyone's hearts tremble and bodies tense.
"What a terrifying presence..."
"The master is being suppressed..."
"Is he really only eleven years old?"
"His talent is terrifying..."
"Yeah, even giants aren't this extreme, right?"
The Donquixote family members were stunned. Even Doflamingo himself was deeply concerned, his heart filled with turmoil.
'This pressure... it's almost on par with an Admiral,' he thought in disbelief. 'Is this a joke? How can he have Admiral-level strength at just eleven? Am I going crazy, or is the world?'
Doflamingo was horrified, his eyes locked onto Lakeman, using his Haki to sense his power. The result made him break out in a cold sweat. 'I will die. If we fight, I will definitely be killed. There's no chance of winning against him.'
"Just call me Doffy," Doflamingo extended his hand, his gaze becoming more profound. He quickly adjusted his plan and adopted a new attitude towards Lakeman.
"Nice to meet you, Doffy," Lakeman smiled, shaking his hand. After a brief handshake, Doflamingo invited Lakeman into the island.
The path was decorated festively with a red carpet laid on the ground. Countless residents bowed respectfully, as if they were greeting a king, paying their respects to Lakeman and Doflamingo. Meanwhile, beautiful young women followed them with cheerful smiles, and a band played music in the distance.
"It seems you have good control over this place," Lakeman remarked, scanning the surroundings with a smile.
"Hehe, it is the family's stronghold, after all," Doflamingo replied with a laugh.
As they walked and chatted casually, a navy ship also docked, and Kizaru disembarked with a few officers. Just as they were about to proceed, Rosinante stopped them with a stern expression. "Sorry, but you can only stay at the dock. There are complete living facilities here, including hotels, restaurants, bars, and casinos, all free for your use."
Kizaru sighed and turned towards the hotel that Rosinante pointed out, realizing that getting close to Doflamingo wouldn't be simple. 'As expected, it won't be easy to get close to Doflamingo.' He sighed again, accepting that this trip to Dressrosa might end up being fruitless, as the Donquixote family clearly did not welcome him.
"Please follow me, the Donquixote family has prepared accommodations for you. You can settle in first," Rosinante said to another group disembarking the ship.
Guards, servants, chefs, and a team of dozens of people came ashore. Hancock and her two sisters were among them. They didn't follow Lakeman immediately but headed to their quarters to clean and inspect for safety.
"Let's follow his instructions," Hancock nodded slightly, and the others began unloading various items from the ship.
Watching this, Rosinante was puzzled. 'According to the information, this girl was bought as a slave by Saint Lakeman, right? Why does she seem like the mistress, giving orders to the team? Is Saint Lakeman so fond of her?'
As he pondered, Rosinante glanced at Hancock discreetly, but she sensed it immediately. Her cold, sword-like gaze swept towards him, causing him to withdraw his sight in shock.
'Haki? A mere slave has awakened Haki?' Rosinante was in disbelief, quickly averting his eyes to avoid further scrutiny, knowing that any observation would be detected immediately by someone with Haki.
"Sister?" Hancock's sisters noticed her sudden intensity and tugged at her clothes curiously.
"It's nothing," Hancock smiled at them, her eyes returning to normal. "Go help with the unloading. The sooner we settle in, the sooner we can enjoy some afternoon tea."
"Okay." The sisters, encouraged, joined the unloading team. Their training had made them far stronger than ordinary people, easily lifting luggage taller than themselves.
'This person is suspicious,' Hancock thought, smiling at her sisters. 'Interesting. Although he's Doflamingo's brother, he seems different, as if he's hiding something. An undercover agent, perhaps?' She secretly smiled.
Her newly awakened Observation Haki allowed her to sense subtle emotions and attitudes, like she had sensed with Rosinante's heavy and suppressed feelings similar to Stussy's.
'Awakening Haki feels wonderful...' Hancock mused, grateful for her close interaction with Lakeman, which had strengthened her spirit and will, making the awakening of Haki a natural outcome.
within the Donquixote family manor.
:
"Try the fine wine and the special green silk snakes. They may not compare to the Holy Land's products, but they have a unique flavor," Doflamingo invited Lakeman into a spacious, bright hall.
The table before them was laden with various wines and delicacies, with utensils made of gold and silver, intricately engraved and adorned with gems that gleamed brightly. Nearby, maids of various types stood ready to serve at any moment.
"Not bad," Lakeman tasted a few bites before putting down his utensils, seemingly uninterested in the gourmet food and beautiful maids around him. In reality, his attention was on the system.
[Ding.]
[Detected the talented Donquixote Doflamingo, would you like to bind?]
[Upon binding, you will receive daily training feedback from Doflamingo.]
'Yes,' Lakeman confirmed mentally.
[Binding in progress...]
[Current progress: 1.4%... 1.58%... 1.63%...]
As expected, Doflamingo was a talent worth binding.
Meanwhile, Doflamingo, noticing Lakeman's lack of interest, decided to change the subject. "Lakeman-san, I plan to get into the Devil Fruit and arms business."
"Oh?" Lakeman's interest was piqued.
"I intend to establish a base on the Sabaody Archipelago and create an underground auction house for illegal trades," Doflamingo's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Illegal weapons, especially heavy arms, are incredibly profitable. Devil Fruits are a goldmine. I deal in everything, whether it's slaves, drugs, minerals, unclaimed islands, or navy ships."
Doflamingo's wild grin matched his fervor. "But what I lack are high-quality sources."
"I see. I can help with that, but you have to provide me with high-quality devil fruits you find," Lakeman smiled and replied, understanding immediately. The World Government monopolized most resources and high-quality goods, which were prohibited outside, accessible only to Celestial Dragons.
"Then let's toast to our cooperation," Doflamingo raised his glass.
"Hahaha, to a fruitful partnership." Lakeman clinked his glass with Doflamingo's, laughing heartily. "I'll give you three streets in Area 5. Our auction house will be the public front, while your auction will be the hidden one.
The hidden auction will be invite-only, with restricted entry. Public auction attendees can earn entry to the hidden auction by spending a certain amount, and selling entry qualifications can be a lucrative business."
Excited, Doflamingo laughed wildly, his face flushed. "Lakeman-san, you have a brilliant mind. I never thought of making money this way."
"Of course, I can also use the Black Hemp Kingdom as your transit point, forging financial documents to avoid naval scrutiny, and selling contraband to the West Blue," Lakeman declared.
"Lakeman-san," Doflamingo began with a more serious tone, "I have another plan. I aim to overthrow King Riku's rule and take over Dressrosa. With your support, I can accomplish this. If you ensure that the World Government turns a blind eye, I will rule Dressrosa in your name."
"It would have taken me a few years of planning if I did it myself, with your help it can be done within a few months. I just have to make King Riku's reputation within the kingdom stink completely, then I would save the Kingdom from the evil king and become king of Dressrosa."
"Fufufu."
Lakeman's eyes sparkled with interest. "In return, I want King Riku's daughters, Scarlett and Viola."
Doflamingo's grin widened. "Consider it done. Once I become the king, they will be yours."
'Idiot, You will be the perfect tool man to help me conquer their heart. After you reach your full potential, I will help them kill you to regain the kingdom back. Your business and network you will develop over the years will be given to shakky and the throne will be given to scarlett. Viola will faithfully accompany me as I help her avenge her father. "
Lakeman sneered in his heart and raised his glass again. "To the new king of Dressrosa."
"To a prosperous future," Doflamingo echoed, their glasses clinking with a resounding clang.
Whether it was Lakeman's butler or the Donquixote family members, they were stunned by the casual way Lakeman and Doflamingo discussed illegal business, like it was as simple as eating and drinking. They spoke without fear, disregarding the laws and the World Government.
'Hahaha, I knew it. Lakeman-san is just like me, a natural-born outlaw,' Doflamingo thought, thrilled. At that moment, he felt a shiver deep in his soul, as if he had finally found a kindred spirit. 'A true kindred spirit.'
But to Lakeman, there was no such feeling. He felt no excitement or thrill from breaking the law. He was simply indifferent, considering everything beneath him.
The atmosphere was electric, the tension palpable. The alliance between Lakeman, a Celestial Dragon, and Doflamingo, a shrewd and ambitious pirate.
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