The power of the Float-Float Fruit had long been known throughout the world due to its former owner, the legendary Golden Lion.
Since Golden Lion's death, countless people have fantasized about becoming the next wielder of the Float-Float Fruit.
But what they don't realize is that whether one can obtain the Float-Float Fruit isn't up to fate. The user of the Float-Float Fruit is determined only by Carl's decision.
Carl tossed the Float-Float Fruit in his hand, and the eyes of Doflamingo and the others followed its rise and fall, their expressions wavering in anticipation.
Noticing Doflamingo's reaction, Carl's mouth curled into a playful smile. His voice, alluring and impossible to ignore, echoed,
"Doffy, do you want to be the next user of the Float-Float Fruit?"
Doflamingo was visibly shocked. He stammered in disbelief, "Saint Carl, are you… are you offering me the Float-Float Fruit?!"
"Why else would I bring it out?" Carl replied. "I believe you're worthy of it."
Doflamingo's heart pounded, a storm of emotion swirling within him.
Thanks to his father Saint Homing's disastrous decision to abandon the privileges of the Celestial Dragons, Doflamingo had tasted the bitterness of a fall from grace—from heaven to hell. That loss could drive anyone mad, let alone a young Doflamingo, still grappling with the wounds of his past.
In the original story, he had endured the pain of losing his mother and, in his desperate desire to reclaim his status, did not hesitate to take his father's life. A ten-year-old child, cradling his father's head, had pinned his hopes on returning to the Holy Land, only to be met with ridicule and disdain from the Celestial Dragons. That rejection had marked the lowest point in Doflamingo's life.
The Celestial Dragons' scorn became the final blow, thrusting Doflamingo completely into darkness.
Then Carl appeared at this crucial turning point.
Though Carl had no connection to him, he had extended his admiration, saying, "My Figarland family can accept you."
Those words had a profound effect on Doflamingo. The sense of recognition from someone like Carl, a member of the prestigious Figarland family, struck a deep chord in his heart.
Unlike the allegiance of people like Trebol, Carl's recognition felt genuine to Doflamingo. Despite his ties to Trebol and the others, he had never fully opened his heart to them. Only Carl, a Celestial Dragon of distinguished heritage, could fill that void of acceptance.
Determined to prove his worth, Doflamingo had been working relentlessly ever since to gain Carl's approval.
When he noticed the disappointment in Carl's eyes moments ago, an overwhelming fear seized him.
But now, as Carl offered him the supreme Float-Float Fruit, claiming he was deserving, Doflamingo was left speechless.
Fixated on the Float-Float Fruit in Carl's hand, Doflamingo's gaze wavered uncomfortably. With both the Float-Float Fruit and his String-String Fruit powers on the line, the choice should have been obvious to anyone.
But he had already forfeited his right to choose.
Doflamingo lowered his head and addressed Carl with humility, "Saint Carl, I… I already possess a special ability. Forgive me, Saint Carl…"
"I know," Carl replied calmly.
Thinking Carl had been unaware of his Devil Fruit powers, Doflamingo was filled with anxiety. But Carl's acknowledgment left him bewildered, as if there were some hidden test of his worthiness.
Carl approached Doflamingo slowly, leaning in to murmur, "I can give you a second chance to choose a Devil Fruit, but you'll have to pay a price. Are you willing?"
Without hesitation, Doflamingo answered, "I am!"
"Even if that price is your life?"
Doflamingo hesitated briefly, his resolve wavering, before he nodded firmly.
Carl placed a hand on Doflamingo's shoulder, approvingly. "Very well. Now, hurt yourself. The more severe, the better."
Carl's calm gaze held Doflamingo's, while Vergo and the others looked on, stunned. The ever-loyal Vergo trembled, and Trebol dropped to the ground in shock.
Vergo, alarmed, shouted, "Doffy, don't—!"
Bang!
Vergo's voice faltered as Doflamingo shot himself in the chest. The blast sent him flying, his body forming a sprawled "T" shape as he skidded across the floor.
Blood spurted from the wound, pooling beneath him.
"Doffy!" Vergo cried in horror, rushing to his side. Diamante and Pica followed, though Pica inadvertently stepped on Trebol, who fainted again from the impact.
Carl reached Doflamingo before any of them could.
Kneeling beside him, Carl placed his scarlet right hand on Doflamingo's chest, and with a flash of red light, the bleeding stopped instantly.
The others halted, afraid to interfere in Carl's work.
Examining the wound, Carl saw it was dangerously close to Doflamingo's heart—a testament to his unflinching loyalty.
Doflamingo lay on the ground, pale and exhausted. He whispered, "Saint Carl… is this… enough?"
Carl nodded, his hand turning dark as he channeled his powers. A moment later, he withdrew a second Devil Fruit—a white, pear-shaped fruit, which he held before Doflamingo's astonished eyes.
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+115 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg