Doflamingo arrived with Robin at the Donquixote Family's current base. The black-suited subordinates standing guard saw him approach and hurried forward, bowing respectfully. "Welcome back, Young Master! A triumphant return!"
"Mm," Doflamingo acknowledged with a neutral hum. Beside him, Robin curiously took in their surroundings.
The men didn't seem bothered by Doflamingo's typically detached attitude; rather, they considered it normal. It would have been far stranger if the Young Master had seemed overtly pleased.
Two guards escorted Doflamingo and Robin inside the family headquarters, where he soon came face-to-face with his core Executives.
"Yahahahaha! Doffy, you were gone so long, I almost started to miss you!" Enel greeted him with his usual boisterousness.
"Fuffuffuffu... Enel, are you itching for a fight? Want me to help you loosen up a bit?" Doflamingo shot back playfully, bantering with Enel.
"Maybe later! Everyone knows you just tangled with Marine Vice Admiral Kuzan. Plus, you wasted all that time sailing back. You should rest up first. I wouldn't want to take advantage of you when you're worn out!" Enel retorted, matching Doflamingo's teasing tone.
"Oh? Alright then! We'll have to find some time for me to test how much you've improved," Doflamingo replied, easily picking up on the eagerness underlying Enel's words. He had to admit, Enel was fiercely competitive, his desire to grow stronger surpassing almost anyone else's. Doflamingo had high hopes for him; Enel was destined to be one of his key pillars, his right-hand man.
"Sounds good, pick a time!" Enel declared, his fighting spirit ignited as he met Doflamingo's gaze with confidence.
Heh, looks like your training stint has made you cocky, Enel, Doflamingo thought, seeing the battle lust in Enel's eyes. It's time I reminded you just how painful a lesson can be.
"Doffy, welcome back," Diamante greeted, ushering Doflamingo further into the room.
"God, welcome home. And who is this little girl?" Ibes, who had clearly been waiting, inquired politely.
"This is Nico Robin, a new member of the family," Doflamingo announced, his tone carrying a distinct warning. "You will all look after her. If anyone dares to bully her, you'll answer to me."
"Neh, neh, of course not, Doffy! We'll treat her like a little sister," Trebol chimed in with a grin.
"Rest assured, Doffy," Diamante, the ever-reliable steward, stated firmly, leaving no doubt he would enforce Doflamingo's command to the letter.
"Oh, what an adorable little girl! God, please let me take care of her!" Ibes cooed, her maternal instincts immediately surfacing at the sight of the young newcomer.
The other executives observed Robin with scrutinizing gazes.
"I don't want to," Robin mumbled, shrinking behind Doflamingo. The bizarre assortment of people unnerved her – especially the man with two thick trails of snot dripping from his nose. He looked utterly disgusting! And the lady with wings... she was beautiful and seemed gentle, but Robin still felt hesitant to approach her. The others looked relatively normal, at least.
"Robin's still a bit shy with strangers. She'll warm up eventually," Doflamingo interjected smoothly, sensing the potential awkwardness. After all, Robin was still only eight years old. Despite everything she'd endured, which had matured her considerably, the past month under Doflamingo's almost paternal care had allowed some of her childlike innocence to return. Meeting so many strange new faces at once was bound to make her wary.
"It's alright, it's alright! She's just a kid," the executives chorused good-naturedly, accepting Doflamingo's explanation and giving him face.
"Robin," Doflamingo said gently, turning back to her. "Why don't you go with Ibes for now and get some rest? You've been on a ship for a long time. This is your home now, too. You should start getting familiar with it."
"Okay, fine," Robin agreed reluctantly, sensing that Doflamingo and the others had business to discuss and wanted her out of the way.
"Ibes, I'll leave her to you," Doflamingo said, nodding to the winged woman.
Ibes led Robin away, and silence fell over the room once more.
"Any movements from the Five Great Families in the North Blue?" Doflamingo asked, settling into the main seat.
"Doffy, we haven't received any reports of significant activity from the Five Families," Diamante reported. "Ever since our last victory against them, they've gone quiet. We don't know what schemes they're hatching."
"Hmph. A bunch of filthy cowards," Enel scoffed. "All they know is how to hide in the shadows and plot. Our influence keeps eating into their territories, yet they don't dare retaliate. They're scared, plain and simple."
"I agree with Big-Ears' assessment," Pica added in his distinctive high-pitched voice.
Trebol remained silent off to the side.
"Confidence is good," Doflamingo stated after hearing their opinions, "but don't underestimate the Five Families. They aren't minor powers; they still have resources. We shouldn't be too complacent."
"Doffy is right," Diamante conceded. He looked intently at Doflamingo. "Doffy, when do you plan for us to begin the full takeover of the North Blue?"
"We still don't know what they're planning, or why they're being so patient," Doflamingo mused thoughtfully. "But it likely means they're preparing for a major move. Therefore, we shouldn't delay. Best to strike sooner rather than later. It's time they faced their reckoning!"
A stir of excitement went through the room.
"It's time for a change in the North Blue's skies." "The time has come for us to rule the North Blue!" "Yahahahaha! Does this mean more fighting?" "We await your orders!"
Hearing Doflamingo's words, the executives grew animated. They hadn't expected him to decide on launching an all-out offensive against the Five Families immediately upon his return. Previously, Doflamingo had seemed content to let them handle the expansion gradually. They wondered what had changed his mind.
Truthfully, Doflamingo hadn't initially planned to intervene directly. He'd intended to let his subordinates use the North Blue conquest as a training ground. However, his clash with Aokiji had been a wake-up call. His overall progress was too slow. He needed to seize control of the North Blue quickly, consolidate his grip on the underworld, find more Devil Fruits for his Family members to boost their strength, and then head for the Grand Line. That tumultuous sea was where his crew would truly be forged and tempered, not wasting time here. Still, there were certain people, certain things, Doflamingo wanted to acquire before leaving the North Blue.
It wouldn't take that long. Securing dominance in the North Blue sooner would allow for earlier strategic planning. By the time Law arrived, the Ope Ope no Mi should also be making its appearance!
"Let them await our ascension," Doflamingo declared, rising to his feet, his voice resonating with power. "Let them learn who the true masters of the North Blue are! A new era is dawning. The weak must scatter and make way!" His words were undeniably inspiring.
Fueled by Doflamingo's declaration, a fire ignited in the hearts of his crew. They all stood, looking at their leader with fervent eyes.
With Doflamingo, Diamante, and the others having settled on their course of action and preparing for war, a different scene unfolded elsewhere in the base.
Ibes was giving Robin a tour of their new home.
"Um, Miss Ibes... are your wings real?" Robin couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. She asked tentatively, "C-can I touch them?"
"Ah!" Ibes blinked in surprise but smiled kindly, indulging Robin's curiosity. "They are real, yes, but they're mostly symbolic, like decoration. Of course, you can touch them if you'd like."
Ibes knelt, allowing Robin to gently feel the feathers of her wings.
"Miss Ibes," Robin said after a moment, still curiously examining the wings, "You're not from the Blue Sea, are you?"
"My, Robin, you're very clever!" Ibes exclaimed, impressed. "You're right, I'm not from the Blue Sea. I come from a Sky Island! How did you figure that out?"
"Even though I'm only eight, I already have my doctorate," Robin stated proudly. "I've read lots and lots of books. I just analyzed the information."
"Wow, Robin, you really are amazing!" Ibes praised her warmly. She reached out to pat Robin's head, but the girl darted away deftly before she could make contact.
"Hehehe, you sly little thing," Ibes chuckled, covering her mouth as she watched Robin scamper off a short distance.
Robin wasn't about to let just anyone pat her head. That was a privilege reserved exclusively for those she truly acknowledged. And right now, aside from Doflamingo, no one else qualified.
Wandering through the Donquixote Family's stronghold, Robin felt a wave of complex emotions. Just a short while ago, she had been constantly on the run. Now... this felt almost like a dream. No pursuit, no betrayal, no lies. It felt real, tangible.
It's... nice, she thought.
Later, sitting on a rooftop watching the setting sun paint the sky in fiery hues, tears welled up and silently tracked down Robin's cheeks.
"Well now, is our little Doctor contemplating the meaning of life up here?" Doflamingo's voice suddenly sounded beside her. He had appeared in an instant, settling down next to her to watch the sunset as well.
"N-no! It's just... the sunset is so beautiful," Robin stammered, blushing slightly. But the crimson light bathing her small face hid the flush from Doflamingo's eyes.
"Yes, it is beautiful," Doflamingo agreed softly. "But as beautiful as the sunset is, it represents an end, its prime already passed. It lacks the vibrant energy of the morning sun. This era, too, will eventually give way to a new dawn."
They sat together in a rare moment of shared silence, watching the last rays of the sun dip below the horizon.
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