Doflamingo exhaled slowly as he watched Senor's figure dissolve into the wall.
Senor was a newer member of the family—steady, precise, and far from your typical brutish mafioso. If anything, his calm demeanor resembled that of a gentleman.
Doflamingo had noticed him early on.
His Sui Sui no Mi (Swim-Swim Fruit) —allowed him to merge with and move freely through any surface as if it were water. Walls, floors... no barrier could stop him.
It made him an exceptional infiltrator. Assassin. Spy.
So while Senor wasn't yet a core officer of the Donquixote Family, Doflamingo had quietly begun assigning him critical missions—to test and hone his capabilities.
Senor hadn't let him down.
"...Doffy, are you really sending Senor to rescue... that guy?"
Trebol finally asked, unable to hold back any longer.
Doflamingo lit another cigar, took a heavy drag, then slowly looked around at his gathered officers.
"So... in your minds, Darren dying benefits us. Is that it?"
Diamante clenched his teeth.
"You're our Young Master. Of course, we obey your commands—and trust your judgment."
"If he dies, you become the King of the North Blue, don't you?"
Doflamingo exhaled a long plume of smoke.
He could see it clearly in their eyes—that primal fear of Darren still lingered deep within them.
"Maybe you're not wrong. But I don't think someone like Darren would die so easily."
"You've seen the intelligence from Marineford."
"The name Rogers Darren doesn't just represent the North Blue anymore."
Behind his sunglasses, Doflamingo's eyes glinted with layered thoughts.
"A monster of a man. Top of the Elite Officer Training Camp. A genius Marine who fought Byrnndi World and even Gol D. Roger head-on..."
"There's no way the Marines would abandon someone like that."
"If I'm not mistaken, the Headquarters has already deployed a rescue force to the New World."
"So whether we send someone or not... it might not change the outcome."
That was when Trebol and the others finally grasped the heart of the matter.
"Then why send Senor at all?" Trebol frowned.
Doflamingo gave a bitter, mocking smile.
"It's about attitude."
"Whether or not Senor actually helps doesn't matter."
"What matters is that we showed our intent."
"Think about it... If Darren survives and finds out we stood by and did nothing... knowing his personality, how do you think he'll respond?"
Shivers ran down the spines of every officer present.
The methods of that man...
They didn't dare imagine it.
Doflamingo's lips curled into a grin.
"He should be arriving any moment now."
Trebol and the others froze.
The front doors to the estate slammed open. A gust of gunpowder-laced wind roared through the hall.
Before anyone could react, over a hundred fully armed Marines stormed inside—surrounding them instantly.
"This is the Donquixote Family's territory!!"
The officers began to move—
But shff! Dozens of gun barrels snapped up in unison, pointed directly at them.
Their faces twisted with anger, but none dared move.
These weren't ordinary Marines—they were elite. Armed with shock guns, flamethrowers, alloy-compression nets, high-explosive lances... and more.
The hall fell into dead silence. The pressure was suffocating.
"...Lord Doflamingo... the North Blue fleet has deployed five warships... They've locked down all of Rubeck Island."
A panicked scout rushed in, voice trembling.
Doflamingo sneered coldly.
"Fuffuffuffuffu... What an entrance. You sure don't show me much courtesy, Captain Momonga."
He looked up as a lone figure stepped through the Marine ranks.
The soldiers split into a neat corridor as their commander emerged.
Cloak draped over his shoulders, Captain Momonga—the Supreme Commander of the North Blue—walked into the hall with a frosty gaze.
"In the North Blue, who wouldn't give Donquixote Doflamingo his due?"
"Lower your weapons. The Donquixote Family is a crucial stabilizing force in this region. One of our most... valued guests."
The Marines immediately holstered their weapons and stepped back without a word.
Without sparing a glance at Trebol or the others, Momonga fixed his eyes on Doflamingo and said coldly:
"You know why I'm here."
"I apologize for this unannounced visit. But I don't have time for pleasantries."
Behind the calm words was a hint of urgency... and deeply buried killing intent.
Doflamingo studied him for a moment—then grinned.
"Fuffuffuffuffu... I see. So that's what this is about."
"Relax. I've already sent someone. You'll hear news soon."
"Believe it or not, I might be more anxious than you are..."
"After all, he is my godfather... Fuffuffuffu..."
Momonga nodded, ignoring the biting mockery hidden in the laugh.
"Good. I'll await your report."
With that, he turned and led the troops out.
When they reached the port, Momonga halted, looking up at the line of massive warships patrolling the waters.
Each one was armed with a row of gleaming silver cannon barrels.
"Captain Momonga, how should we proceed?" a lieutenant commander asked, eyes tense.
Momonga turned, eyes fixed on the skull banner fluttering above the Donquixote estate.
"No. Keep watching Doflamingo."
"Wait for word. If Darren really is dead—then regardless of whether Doflamingo acted or not..."
He clenched his jaw, Darren's parting words still ringing in his mind. A glint of resolve flashed in his eyes.
"...We move. And annihilate every last member of the Donquixote Family."