In the New World, within the opulent halls of Doflamingo's palace atop King's Heights in Dressrosa, the flamboyant pirate had returned from his latest endeavor.
After parting ways with Claudius and the others following their mission in Totto Land, Doflamingo had wasted no time and made his way back to Dressrosa.
Seated comfortably on his throne, he lazily asked, "Where's Rosinante?"
Standing beside him was Trebol, his ever-loyal subordinate, leaning on his cane. "Corazon? He left with Law not long ago," Trebol replied, his nasally voice ever-present.
"Left again? He still hasn't given up?" Doflamingo murmured, a flicker of emotion crossing his face.
Rosinante was, without a doubt, a peculiar presence in Doflamingo's life. Despite the cruel and ruthless environment he'd grown up in, Rosinante was a fundamentally kind soul, an embodiment of compassion. Upon learning about Trafalgar Law's terminal illness, Rosinante had devoted himself to finding a cure. He had spent the past two years traveling the seas with the young boy, seeking out renowned doctors to treat his lead poisoning.
But their efforts had borne little fruit so far.
As he spoke, Doflamingo reached out and picked up a stack of documents on the table before him. These were records of various matters that had accumulated during his absence.
Though he was a pirate, Doflamingo took his responsibilities as the ruler of Dressrosa seriously or at least, he managed his affairs with precision. Under his leadership, Dressrosa had become a vital hub for the underground world, functioning as both a transit station and a processing center. The influx of wealth had revitalized the once-impoverished nation, transforming it into a thriving economy.
But Doflamingo's methods were anything but benevolent. Dissenters were ruthlessly silenced, many of them transformed into toys via the power of the Hobi-Hobi Fruit. In the current Dressrosa, the happiness index was extraordinarily high, not because everyone was genuinely content, but because those who weren't could no longer express their dissatisfaction.
With flourishing gladiatorial arenas, picturesque flower fields, and the capital of toys attracting visitors, Dressrosa was a spectacle of prosperity.
As Doflamingo skimmed through one of the documents, he asked casually, "Any updates on the whereabouts of the Gold-Gold Fruit?"
"Not yet," Trebol replied with a smile. "But we've deployed a lot of manpower to search for it. Plus, there's a two-billion-berry bounty out in the underground world for any leads."
"Good. My cousin is eager to get his hands on it," Doflamingo said, leaning back. "Tesoro is a valuable asset—ambitious, talented. I know both Big Mom and Kaido are eyeing him as well. If we can secure the Gold-Gold Fruit for him, it'll be a massive advantage for us."
Trebol's expression shifted slightly as he asked curiously, "Speaking of which, Doffy, is it true? Did you really captured Charlotte Linlin?"
"Of course," Doflamingo replied smoothly. "But the World Government hasn't announced it officially yet. I imagine they'll wait until my cousin returns to consolidate everything before making the news public. That said, there are likely already rumors circulating. Kaido might try to suppress the information, though. Knowing him, he'll want to move on the Big Mom Pirates first and claim their forces for himself."
After a brief pause, he added with a grin, "But give it a few days, it'll be all over the headlines."
"If that happens, the prestige of the Donquixote Family will soar even higher," Trebol said, his voice tinged with excitement. "It'll also strengthen the influence of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—maybe even rival the Yonko."
Doflamingo nodded confidently. "That's the plan. According to my cousin, the Seven Warlords of the Sea are meant to stand as equals to the Yonko. Otherwise, how could they represent one of the two major factions in the pirate world?"
This operation, he knew, would elevate not just the World Government's prestige but also that of Marine Headquarters, CP-X, and the Warlords. It was a clear demonstration that the greatest power in the world wasn't any pirate emperor, but the World Government itself.
And as one of the key players in this mission, Doflamingo was poised to reap significant rewards.
As for the Big Mom Pirates' remnants, while he was tempted to seize some of their spoils, he knew better than to challenge Kaido or the World Government for them. There would be little left over anyway. Instead, Doflamingo chose to focus on more strategic matters, such as securing the Gold-Gold Fruit. With the financial system that CP-X was building, Doflamingo and his Donquixote Family would be firmly integrated into the global economy, ensuring their long-term power and influence.
But as he flipped through another document, his expression darkened.
"Where exactly did Rosinante take Law?" he asked suddenly, his tone sharp.
Trebol hesitated. "Huh? I'm not sure, but… I think it was North Blue?"
The moment the words left Trebol's mouth, Doflamingo's face twisted with rage. He slammed the document onto the table, his voice thunderous.
"That bastard! How dare he betray me like this?!"
Trebol flinched, startled by the sudden outburst. "Young Master, what happened?!"
He quickly picked up the document that had enraged Doflamingo, scanning its contents. His eyes widened as realization dawned.
The document was a request for a transaction in the underground world. As a broker, Doflamingo frequently facilitated such deals, but this one was different. The item in question was the Ope-Ope Fruit.
The request came from a former Marine named Barrels, now a pirate, who sought to sell the Ope-Ope Fruit at a high price in the underground market. The location of the transaction? North Blue.
For most, the Ope-Ope Fruit was known as a powerful Devil Fruit that could transform its user into a world-class doctor. But Doflamingo knew the truth, the fruit's ultimate ability was the power to grant immortality.
He had long coveted the Ope-Ope Fruit, recognizing its unparalleled value.
Now, with Rosinante and Law heading to North Blue, it was clear to Doflamingo that they had discovered this deal and were intent on securing the fruit to cure Law's illness.
To Doflamingo, this wasn't just a betrayal, it was a direct challenge to his plans.
"Doffy, maybe it's just a coincidence? Corazon wouldn't—" Trebol began, attempting to calm him down.
But Doflamingo cut him off. "No! The document was opened. I have my ways of knowing. None of you would dare open my files without permission. Only Rosinante could've done this. Him and that brat!"
His voice was cold, filled with venom. "He's been defying me from the start. I should've dealt with him a long time ago! Brother? He's not even worth a fraction of what my cousin is to me!"
Trebol fell silent, unsure of how to respond.
Doflamingo clenched his fists, his mind racing. He felt utterly betrayed, his trust shattered.
After a moment, Trebol asked cautiously, "What's the plan, Doffy?"
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Doflamingo's rage subsided into a chilling determination.
"Call Rosinante. Tell him to return immediately," he ordered. "And prepare the ship—we're heading to North Blue."