The combined efforts of Wood and the Donquixote Family swiftly and decisively wiped out the World Government forces on Minion Island. With the battle over, it was time for the much-anticipated division of the spoils.
Just how much was 5 billion Berries? Wood could say with full confidence—it was an enormous amount, so much so that even he would struggle to carry it all on his own.
One billion Berries could already fill a sizable suitcase if packed with the highest denomination of bills. So, 5 billion Berries? That would require fifty such suitcases, and when stacked together, they could form a small wooden cabin!
As Wood nonchalantly opened one suitcase after another, counting the crisp, fresh bills, Doflamingo couldn't help but feel a twinge of greed. Although he had amassed a fortune in the underground world over the years, 5 billion Berries was still no small sum in his eyes.
Currently, apart from Trebol and Diamante, the other top members of the Donquixote Family were all present. If they were to gang up on Wood all at once, they might not be able to kill him, but they could likely force him to retreat.
However, this idea quickly faded from Doflamingo's mind. The reason was simple: provoking a future major figure on the seas over 5 billion Berries simply wasn't worth it.
Moreover, Wood had agreed to the deal so readily. Considering the intelligence Wood had shown in his previous schemes against the Donquixote Family, it was unlikely that he hadn't prepared some sort of backup plan.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Doflamingo suppressed his desire to make a move, signaling to Pica and the others to stand down. The Donquixote Family members were confused by their leader's decision.
Hadn't they gone through all this trouble—risking conflict with the World Government—to obtain the Ope Ope no Mi and the 5 billion Berries? And now, here was a rookie pirate who hadn't even been in the game for two years, blatantly taking their loot right in front of them, and their young master was just letting it happen?
"As agreed, you can take the 5 billion Berries, but Trafalgar Law stays," Doflamingo said, forcibly tearing his gaze from the money and fixing it on Wood, trying to alleviate the pain of parting with such a sum.
"Your Birdcage is still up, and apart from Rosinante and Law, the only people left on the island are your Donquixote Family members. I don't think you need my help to find them, do you?"
Rather than having his subordinates search for Corazon and Law, Doflamingo opted to wait in the center of the shrinking Birdcage. While sending out his men to search might have been an option, Doflamingo was wary that it could be another one of Wood's traps.
After the previous battle, Doflamingo had decided that being alone with Wood was too unsettling. If his men were sent out in smaller groups and then picked off one by one by Wood, it would be disastrous.
As time passed, the Birdcage continued to shrink, limiting the area in which anyone could move. Corazon's Nagi Nagi no Mi (Calm-Calm Fruit) made him practically unbeatable in a game of hide-and-seek, as it allowed him to completely erase all sounds. Even the most powerful individuals wouldn't notice his presence if they weren't paying close attention.
However, no matter how well Corazon could hide, the shrinking space meant that it was only a matter of time before he was found.
With no way to break through the Birdcage, it was inevitable that Corazon and Law would eventually be discovered.
When Pica finally dragged both Corazon and Law before Doflamingo, the gathered Donquixote Family members all glared at Corazon with murderous intent.
Just as Doflamingo valued the Donquixote Family members, they deeply revered and trusted their young master. Corazon's betrayal was something they could not tolerate.
As soon as Pica dropped Corazon to the ground, Vergo, one of the top officers of the Donquixote Family, disappeared from sight with a swift Soru (Shave). In the next instant, Vergo reappeared in front of Corazon, wielding a bamboo staff coated in Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), aiming to pierce Corazon's skull.
Corazon was the codename for the "Heart" seat in the Donquixote Family. Vergo had been the original Corazon, while Rosinante was the second. Vergo couldn't tolerate the fact that his former "Heart" had turned traitor.
Thus, without waiting for Doflamingo's orders, Vergo took it upon himself to eliminate the betrayer.
However, as fast as Vergo was, someone was faster!
Just as Vergo, also known as the "Demon Bamboo," was about to drive his Haki-coated bamboo staff through Rosinante's head, a powerful force suddenly slammed into Vergo's chest, sending him flying.
Vergo's Busoshoku Haki was indeed formidable—he was one of the few capable of coating his entire body with it. But despite activating his Haki at the last moment, Vergo couldn't avoid being kicked several kilometers away, coughing up blood as he struggled to his feet.
"Rosinante is one of my spoils of war. This was agreed upon by your young master and me. You want to touch what's mine? Did you ask my permission?"
As Wood suddenly made his move, the other members of the Donquixote Family quickly surrounded him. Doflamingo, veins bulging on his forehead, restrained his fury and held back his subordinates.
Vergo was among the strongest of the Donquixote officers. Although Wood had the element of surprise, the fact that he could kick Vergo with such force that the man coughed up blood was proof enough that if they fought, the average officer in the Donquixote Family would stand no chance against Wood.
"Doflamingo, it seems your men aren't too friendly toward me. Or are they simply not taking you seriously? We had an agreement—are you planning to go back on your word?"
Since forming the Donquixote Family, Doflamingo had never been so humiliated in front of his officers. But unsure of what Wood might do, Doflamingo could only channel his anger into a harsh response.
"Enough! I'll release the Birdcage. You can take Rosinante and the 5 billion Berries and get out of here. But Trafalgar Law stays."
Hearing Doflamingo's words, Rosinante looked shocked, just as he was about to speak, but his vision suddenly went black as Wood knocked him out with a single chop to the neck.
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 350+ at p@treon.com/Betek and change @ to a