Hatred is a strange thing.
It simmers with rage over injustice, burns with a desire to destroy, and refuses to fade with time or distance. Once planted, the seed of hatred cannot be removed. It grows, roots deep within, and blossoms into something that shapes an entire life.
And now—the seed had taken root.
What kind of twisted bloom would it become in the heart of this young Celestial Dragon?
Darren could only look on with anticipation.
"Good. You've finally seen the truth," Darren said, stepping back. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he looked at the golden-haired boy before him.
"Now, let's talk about how you're going to achieve that goal."
Doflamingo blinked, pulled from the storm in his mind. "You're going to help me?"
"Of course. Who in North Blue doesn't know I'm a helpful sort of Marine?" Darren said with a grin, lighting another cigar.
Doflamingo stared at the man seated comfortably on the ruined sofa. After a pause, he rasped, "Give me one too."
Darren raised a brow, surprised, but he didn't say no. He tossed one over.
Doflamingo caught it and, with practiced ease, used his String-String powers to clip the end, lit it, and took a deep drag. The sight made Darren twitch.
...This kid's a seasoned smoker already?
Twelve years old, sitting there puffing a cigar like a crime boss—something about the image just felt wrong.
"Why are you helping me?" Doflamingo finally asked, smoke curling from his lips. His voice was calm again, eyes hidden behind cracked lenses.
"Told you, I'm not your average Marine," Darren shrugged.
"If you want a reason, it's simple: I can't stand the World Government or the Celestial Dragons."
"Marines might be their guard dogs, but I don't do collars."
"They think they're gods, born above all. But me? I refuse to be anyone's puppet."
Doflamingo squinted, then let out a mocking laugh. "Fufufu... I see now."
"You want to use me, make me your pawn to strike back at the World Government. And you think I'd trust you that easily?"
Darren chuckled. "Trust has nothing to do with it. Only profit."
"We share a common enemy."
"Fufufu... A common enemy? That's rich, Darren," Doflamingo sneered. "If the Celestial Dragons are your enemy, go after them yourself."
"All I see is a coward hiding in the shadows, trying to spark someone else's hatred."
"If you really want to impress me, if you want me to play along, show me something. Kill a real Celestial Dragon. Not someone like me, someone who's already been stripped of their rights."
"Do that, and maybe—just maybe—I'll recognize you as my godfather."
Darren raised an eyebrow. "You sure you want to make that bet?"
There was something in his grin that made Doflamingo's stomach twist. But he didn't back down.
He's bluffing. No one has the guts to actually kill a Celestial Dragon. Especially not someone like Darren.
He might be powerful, but he's just another greedy, power-hungry officer clinging to his uniform.
Darren leaned forward, his grin widening. "You said it."
"Funny thing about being a father," he added. "It's a dangerous job."
"But lucky for you..."
He reached into his coat and tossed something onto the ground.
Doflamingo's eyes narrowed—then bulged in disbelief.
A chip. No, not just any chip.
A Celestial Dragon Identification Chip.
His breath caught in his throat. Ice flooded his veins. Every nerve screamed.
He knew what that was.
Every Celestial Dragon carried a proof-of-status chip, a symbol of their rank and right to protection by the World Government. They were irreplaceable. They could not be forged.
Darren's voice echoed calmly through the chamber.
"A few days ago, Saint Shaldes of the Celestial Dragons suffered an unfortunate accident in North Blue. His official ship was destroyed in an instant. No witnesses. No clues. Even the surveillance Den Den Mushi caught nothing."
"The conclusion? A tragic encounter with a Sea King."
He smiled. "Or at least, that's what the report says."
That chip came from the corpse of Shaldes.
Doflamingo stared, stunned. His legs threatened to give out.
This man—this lunatic—had actually done it.
He killed a Celestial Dragon. And lived to tell about it.
Darren leaned in again, eyes gleaming.
"Do you understand now, Doflamingo?"
"I can give you everything. Power. Territory. Wealth. Protection. Influence."
"But understand this... North Blue is my territory. And my rules are the law."
"No one makes trouble here without my permission. Not even the Celestial Dragons."
He exhaled a long stream of smoke into Doflamingo's face.
"Stick with me, and the Marines are mine."
He jabbed a finger against the boy's forehead.
"And the underworld of North Blue... is yours."
Then, in the stunned silence that followed, Darren reached out and ruffled the boy's blond hair.
The flickering lamp threw strange shadows over his face.
"Welcome to North Blue, my godson."