Doflamingo feared that Carl might escape, so he swiftly used his string ability to pull up the unconscious Vergo and others lying on the ground, dragging them along as he followed Carl. After they left, the street returned to an eerie silence, broken only by the sight of bodies strewn across the cobblestone.
The townsfolk, hidden indoors, waited a long while before daring to emerge. Whispered conversations filled the air as they exchanged glances, still shaken by what they'd witnessed.
"Who was that? Even Doflamingo seemed afraid of him!"
"I couldn't see clearly, but thank goodness for him. Otherwise, who knows what Doflamingo would've done."
"Did he look a bit like Admiral Black Dragon to anyone else…?"
"Oh, stop it! Why would an Admiral be in a place like this?"
As Doflamingo pulled Vergo and the others along, Vergo gradually regained consciousness. Looking around in confusion, he spotted Doflamingo up ahead.
"Dof…"
Upon hearing Vergo's voice, Doflamingo's face lit up with relief. He withdrew the string connecting them and beckoned Vergo closer.
"You're awake… Good. Vergo, come here!"
Vergo, still dazed, ran over, muttering, "Doffy, what happened? I think I blacked out."
"There's no time for that now. Quickly, help Trebol and the others!" Vergo wanted to ask about the stranger in front of them, but instead, he turned to awaken Diamante and Pica.
Too groggy to walk alone, Trebol had to be slung over Vergo's shoulder as they followed Doflamingo.
The three conscious men glanced nervously at Carl's back, whispering to Doflamingo.
"Who… is he?" asked Pica, his voice filled with awe.
Doflamingo replied solemnly, "He is Saint Carl."
"What? Saint…?" Vergo and the others' eyes widened in shock, and Pica even let out a shriek.
Carl paused, turning slightly to look back at Pica, whose heart seemed to stop with fear at the sight of Carl's red eyes.
"It's… Saint Carl…" Pica stammered, his voice barely audible.
Finally catching a glimpse of Carl's face, Vergo and Diamante averted their gazes, unable to meet his intense gaze.
"Doffy," Diamante whispered urgently, "should we kneel?"
They'd learned from Doflamingo about Carl's identity, whom he described as "a Celestial Dragon among Celestial Dragons." Though it sounded strange, it was the most direct way to convey Carl's nobility.
And Carl was more than just a Celestial Dragon, he was a Navy Admiral who had recently cornered both Whitebeard and Roger.
Doflamingo's family, known as the Donquixote Family, was founded in Carl's honor. Though they'd never met him, the members revered Carl almost as a god.
Carl turned his gaze to Doflamingo and his three subordinates, asking, "Are these all the men you have?"
Doflamingo replied promptly, "Our family has over 300 members now, with Vergo among our three top officers. I plan to recruit more skilled allies soon."
Carl frowned slightly. For all his ambition, Doflamingo had gathered only three prominent figures. But considering that Doflamingo was only thirteen, already well-built and determined, the gang he'd formed was impressive for someone so young.
Reflecting on this, Carl softened his tone, addressing Doflamingo with a rare gentleness.
"Doffy, it's the quality of your subordinates that matters, not their numbers. Don't forget that."
He shot a glance at Trebol, still draped over Vergo's shoulder. Carl respected Vergo's loyalty but had little patience for Trebol, whom he found lacking in skill despite his early devotion to Doflamingo's cause.
Doflamingo, struck by Carl's words, stared up at him in awe. Carl looked back at him, an unreadable expression on his face, and asked,
"Doffy, do you crave power?"
Doflamingo nodded vigorously, eyes gleaming with determination.
Carl smiled subtly and, with a flick of his wrist, produced a dark purple fruit with a cantaloupe-like texture, as if conjuring it from thin air. The sight of it left Doflamingo and his men stunned.
"A Devil Fruit?" gasped Vergo.
Unlike in later years, when Devil Fruits were auctioned casually, Devil Fruits were rare and highly coveted treasures.
Eagerly, Doflamingo asked, "Saint Carl… What is the power of this fruit?"
Carl's smile widened. "This is the Float-Float Fruit. Its last user was Shiki, the Golden Lion."
"What!?" Doflamingo's eyes widened in disbelief, feeling as though the fruit itself radiated a golden aura in Carl's hands.
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+115 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg