Suppressing his frustration, Doflamingo forced himself to remain calm, though his voice dripped with cold anger. "Trebol, is everything ready as I requested?"
At the mention of his name, Trebol, who usually maintained an air of unflappable confidence, visibly tensed. Wiping the snot from his nose, he stepped forward cautiously, speaking in a lowered, respectful tone.
"Reporting young master. Our men have scoured every possible contact to collect Devil Fruits, but we've only managed to secure half of what Kaido requested—ten Devil Fruits." He took a nervous breath before continuing, "As for the artificial fruits, production's been slow due to Caesar's lack of raw materials. We've managed to produce thirty-five, but their effectiveness is… unknown."
He paused, nervously glancing up at Doflamingo's expression before proceeding. "However, we've also gathered 4 billion Berries in cash, along with various treasures valued at over 6 billion. It's all ready, but… I'm not sure if Kaido will find it sufficient."
As Trebol finished, his voice faded, and his head dipped lower, anticipating Doffy's wrath. But Doflamingo didn't immediately explode in anger. Instead, he let out a bitter, mirthless laugh.
"Fufufu~ Well done, really well done," he said, his tone icy. Though his laugh might have sounded amused to a stranger, the seasoned officers of the Donquixote Family knew all too well that this was a sign of his barely restrained fury.
Because of one damned man, Jack, he seethed inwardly, I'm about to exhaust all my liquidity. He continued aloud, his tone dropping to a deadly calm. "If we don't secure new capital soon, our entire empire could collapse from a broken financial chain."
Doflamingo let out a long breath, then gave a single nod as he issued his next command. "Sell off all assets except the arms trade."
His subordinates, loyal as they were, couldn't hide their shock. Treasures, auction houses, and other profitable ventures—they'd built these enterprises over decades. To sell them all off was unthinkable.
"But, young master!" one of his officers protested. "The auction houses alone bring in a fortune. We'll be throwing away years of hard work!"
Doflamingo's gaze turned steely. "I said, sell everything but the arms trade. Now. Do as I say."
Silence fell over the group as they exchanged glances, knowing better than to argue further. While Doflamingo understood the value of these industries, he knew he couldn't afford the luxury of hesitation. A broken capital chain would mean instant ruin, and it was better to sell these assets now, while they still held value, rather than lose them to debts later.
Yet, behind his controlled demeanor, Doflamingo's mind raced with doubts. He feared that even with everything he had, Kaido might still demand more. And if it came to that, he thought grimly, he'd rather die than be left with nothing. But do I truly have the strength to face Kaido?
The Donquixote Family waited on Green Bit from dawn until afternoon, hunger gnawing at them but too anxious to take a break. Finally, just after one o'clock, they spotted a fleet flying the Beasts Pirates' flag approaching from offshore.
Kaido had brought neither King nor Queen, only three of the Tobiroppo and several of his trusted subordinate, totaling five ships and over 4,000 crew members. When the Beasts Pirates' flagship docked, and Kaido himself stepped onto the shore, Doflamingo forced himself to wear a smile, though his heart pounded with unease.
"Fufufu~ Welcome, Mr. Kaido," he greeted, straining his neck to meet Kaido's gaze. At over seven meters, Kaido towered over him, and the sheer size difference added to the overwhelming pressure he felt. "I've arranged a welcoming banquet for you and your men. Please, do me the honor."
Kaido's towering figure radiated power, his mere presence enough to make Doflamingo's entire cadre feel an invisible weight pressing down on them. The warlord's men exchanged wary glances, feeling a suffocating tension emanating from the silent, imposing figure before them.
But the tense atmosphere didn't last long. Kaido's stoic presence abruptly shifted as he let out a loud, rumbling burp, his massive frame swaying slightly.
"Hic~ Who are you again?" he slurred, his eyes half-lidded and bleary. "And why'd you call me here?"
A stunned silence fell over the Donquixote officers as they exchanged bewildered looks. Doflamingo's eye twitched, his forced smile faltering at the sight of the drunken emperor.
He quickly composed himself, resisting the urge to grimace. "Mr. Kaido, I am Doflamingo," he said, his tone still polite but laced with barely concealed frustration. "Are you alright? I can arrange for someone to take you to your quarters to rest."
But Kaido only shouted back, his voice loud and resentful. "I'm fine! Never felt better!" His tone was defiant, almost as if Doflamingo's offer had somehow offended him.
Doflamingo took an instinctive step back, wary of the giant's erratic mood. He turned his gaze to the crew behind Kaido, hoping to find a more stable face among them. Before he could ask for assistance, a striking figure descended from the flagship.
It was a woman clad in a black, off-shoulder kimono, cinched at the waist with a turquoise obi. She carried herself with an aura of elegance and danger, her grace matching her height, which rivaled even Kaido's towering form. Her sharp eyes scanned the gathered Donquixote Family members with a quiet intensity, and as she approached Kaido, her commanding presence eased the tension in the air.
Doflamingo eyed her warily, trying to place her. She was clearly no ordinary member of Kaido's crew, and her influence over the situation was immediately apparent.
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