Rubeck Island — the base of operations for the Donquixote Family.
A sticky, wobbling figure stumbled into the lavishly decorated hall, voice shaking.
"Don't barge in like that all the time, Trebol!"
Lounging on a soft leather sofa, Doflamingo puffed lazily on a cigar, legs crossed atop an expensive marble table, voice heavy with annoyance.
It had been over a month since Darren left the North Blue. The Donquixote Family had by now seized complete control over the underworld of the region, with their trade convoys and influence stretching even into the Grand Line.
Doflamingo himself had grown taller over that month.
The childish softness of youth was now gone—replaced by the fierce arrogance of a young lion.
His presence was sharper, darker. The shadow of a future emperor of the underworld had begun to take shape.
"I-I'm saying—big news!!"
Trebol gasped for air, leaning on his cane, twin streams of snot dangling beneath his nose.
"Word from the New World—Marine Commodore Rogers Darren was captured by Kaido of the Beasts during a mission. His status is currently unknown!"
The moment those words fell, Doflamingo's pupils contracted behind his sunglasses.
All around him, the Donquixote officers either seated or standing, jolted to their feet.
"That monster actually got caught!?"
"Then again... it's Kaido we're talking about..."
"Serves him right, honestly..."
"So if he's dead... doesn't that mean we're finally free of him?"
"Doffy, this is great news!"
The cadre, including Diamante, looked at one another with disbelief and then unrestrained joy.
Though the Donquixote Family seemed unstoppable now, their growth in recent months had only made one thing clearer: no matter how much power they gained, the name "King of the North Blue" still loomed over them like a colossal shadow.
Doflamingo raised a hand, silencing the room. His expression turned cold as he stared at Trebol.
"How reliable is this intel, Trebol?"
Trebol, still catching his breath, nodded solemnly.
"It's solid. Came from the Shipping King, Umit. You know—we've been funneling nearly half our smuggled arms through his routes. So we're on good terms."
A heavy silence fell.
The officers glanced at their young master, noting the darkness growing in his expression. None dared to speak.
They all knew just how... complicated the relationship between Doflamingo and that man truly was.
"Is he... still alive?"
After a moment, Doflamingo asked flatly.
Trebol shook his head.
"Unclear for now. The agents we've placed under Umit's network say Kaido and Umit have formed a deal—he handles a large portion of the Beasts Pirates' weapons trafficking and some of their supplies."
"But every meeting is arranged on a neutral third-party island. No one knows where the Beasts Pirates' main base actually is."
Diamante hesitated, then spoke cautiously:
"Doffy... you're not seriously thinking of... rescuing him, are you?"
He gritted his teeth.
"Having him around doesn't benefit the Donquixote Family anymore. We're strong enough now—we don't need his protection!"
"If he dies, the Marines in the North Blue won't be a threat to us anymore!"
"We could move in on the trades we've always been blocked from—slave auctions, human trafficking, narcotics..."
Doflamingo's voice suddenly cracked like a whip, cutting Diamante off mid-sentence.
Doflamingo slowly stood, step by step approaching him, expression like ice.
Diamante felt a chill crawl up his spine from the weight of Doflamingo's aura.
"I've said this many times, Diamante..."
Doflamingo stood in front of him, the pink feathers of his coat swaying lightly. His brow cast in shadow, face devoid of warmth.
"We don't stay away from that business because Darren told us to."
"We stay away because that business... is outdated."
His mind flashed to the words Darren spoke to him before leaving the North Blue.
"You know why I despise those so-called emperors of the underworld in the New World?"
A mocking smile curved Doflamingo's lips.
"Because they're sewer rats. Vultures feeding on rot and bones."
"Human trafficking. Organ harvesting. Caravan raids. Assassinations. Slave trading. Drug routes..."
"Only rats still cling to that trash. They think they're clever—skimming off the power struggles of giants."
"But when the true tides of change come, they won't even make a ripple."
He patted Diamante's shoulder.
"I know you're thinking about the family. About expanding, earning more."
"That makes me proud. But..."
Doflamingo exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"Money—just enough is enough. No need to chase filth."
"True wealth isn't gold or palaces. It's loyalty."
"And now... it's time we win over hearts."
A deep voice responded from nowhere.
Ripples spread across the wall of the great hall—liquid-like distortions in the air.
A man emerged as if swimming through the surface—slicked-back hair, expensive black pinstripe suit, sunglasses on his face.
"You're a new face," Doflamingo said. "But your ability suits this mission well."
"Yes," the man named Senor bowed slightly.
"But you might die," Doflamingo added.
"I don't mind," Senor smiled. "The Donquixote Family is everything to me."
Doflamingo paused for a moment. Then stepped forward, took out a pack of cigarettes, placed one between Senor's lips.
"From today on... you are one of the Donquixote Family's core officers."
Senor took a drag, exhaled, and smiled.
"Thank you, Young Master."