Carl glanced at Vergo, who looked worried, and suddenly said,
"Vergo, try to sew up his wound with your ability."
Vergo and Doflamingo were both stunned at the suggestion, not expecting the String-String Fruit's ability could be used in this way. They were even more in awe of Carl.
Yet Carl was merely referencing what Doflamingo would eventually master.
But this was enough to baffle the 13-year-old Dover and Vergo. They dared to listen and learn.
Vergo stepped up to Doflamingo, encouraged by Doflamingo's gaze, and placed his hands on his chest, trying to manipulate the threads. He wasn't accustomed to working with anything so delicate—bamboo, sure, but thin, soft thread was a different challenge. He sweated as he worked the threads, while Doflamingo, grimacing, suffered silently, beads of sweat covering his forehead.
Vergo kept his focus on the task, saying nothing as he worked, and finally managed to suture the wound.
Both of them sighed in relief.
Carl watched, arms folded, as Vergo completed the makeshift stitches with a satisfied smile.
Then Trebol appeared, suggesting he use his ability to glue and reinforce the wound.
Doflamingo frowned, blood vessels twitching, and waved off Trebol's suggestion with a strained smile. His physique was extraordinary, making wound infections unlikely. But with Trebol's mucus? He didn't want to risk it.
Vergo's stitches held firm as Doflamingo moved his arm slightly, impressed by the craftsmanship.
Afterward, Doflamingo asked Trebol and the others to lead the way as he and Vergo accompanied Carl toward his base camp. They soon arrived in front of a grand manor.
Carl cast a half-smiling glance at Doflamingo, who flushed slightly. When he was younger, he had seen the Figarland family's estates from a distance in Mary Geoise and had modeled his own manor after them.
Though modest in comparison to the Figarland's wealth and splendor, it had a similar air.
Once inside, Doflamingo hurriedly ordered someone to serve tea to Carl.
Carl took a sip, then looked at Doflamingo seated below him and said,
"Doflamingo, Devil Fruits are powerful, but you shouldn't rely on them completely. Focus on mastering physical skills and Haki."
Doflamingo sat like a dutiful student, nodding earnestly.
Carl then asked, "Don't just nod, do you understand what Haki truly means?"
"I know, but I don't yet know how to practice it..." Doflamingo admitted, embarrassed. Carl wasn't surprised.
Originally, Vergo would have joined the Navy around this time and introduced Doflamingo to the principles of physical training and Haki. Without Vergo joining the Navy, that channel of knowledge was closed.
Carl tapped the armrest with his fingers, and suddenly, a powerful aura burst from him, engulfing Doflamingo, Vergo, and the others in the room. Trebol's eyes rolled back as he fainted, and Pica followed shortly.
Vergo's knees buckled, but he gritted his teeth, determined not to collapse.
Doflamingo felt the pressure mount but managed to stay conscious.
Carl, satisfied, restrained his Conqueror's Haki, and Vergo straightened with a deep breath.
Vergo wiped the sweat from his brow. The last time he faced Carl's Haki, he had collapsed instantly. His willpower had grown, and Carl had shown a measure of restraint this time, making the Haki easier to endure.
Carl ignored Trebol and Pica on the ground and spoke slowly.
"Doflamingo, I'll be here for the next week. During that time, I'll teach you the fundamentals of Haki. The rest is up to your own understanding."
Doflamingo's face lit up. Carl was known as one of the world's strongest, his guidance was a rare privilege.
Listening nearby, Vergo felt a surge of happiness for Doflamingo—and a pang of envy.
Carl glanced at Vergo. "Vergo, you can join as well."
Vergo was so moved he nearly dropped to his knees in gratitude.
Carl rose from his seat, his arms suddenly gleaming with the dark sheen of Armament Haki. He looked at Doflamingo and Vergo with a wicked smile.
"All right, time is precious. Let's begin."
In the blink of an eye, Doflamingo and Vergo were flung out of the door together. Carl had shown some mercy for Doflamingo's wounds, but Vergo bore the brunt.
The onlookers gawked in confusion, unsure what to make of the spectacle. With a flash, Carl appeared, casting a disdainful look that sent them all crumbling to the ground.
Reflecting on this, Carl looked at Doflamingo with a deep, meaningful gaze.
Doflamingo was dazed from the fall and missed the look, while Vergo, lying beneath him, clutched his bruised head, seeing imaginary pink birds circling above.
By the end of the week, both had visibly toughened up.
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+115 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg