In the North Blue, the Five Great Mafia Families convened for another meeting.
"Coy, look at this half-baked plan of yours!" McNeil demanded furiously, slamming a fist on the table. "The Donquixote Family is running rampant, constantly eating away at our territory! Are we just supposed to keep swallowing this humiliation? How long does this go on? I've had enough!"
"Yeah! The Donquixote Family has gotten way too arrogant. When will this end?!" Warner chimed in, equally agitated.
"Coy, I think it's about time we showed them what's what," Buto added, his tone deceptively calm, but his eyes betraying his impatience with the Donquixote Family's actions.
Only Dole, typically the most vocal, remained uncharacteristically silent.
"Dole, what do you think?" Coy asked, ignoring the others' complaints and turning his attention to the quiet man.
After a long pause, Dole composed himself, his gaze hardening. His voice resonated with grim determination as he declared, "We fight. And this battle should happen sooner rather than later."
"It's about damn time!" McNeil agreed readily. "When have we ever put up with this kind of crap?"
"What's there to fear? If anyone should be scared, it's them! Our position as the rulers of the North Blue isn't something just anyone can shake," another boss added confidently.
"Let's crush them! Did they really think our patience meant we were afraid?" came another voice, eager for bloodshed.
"If that's how it is, then let's fight! Better to deal with the Donquixote Family sooner rather than later. Not just anyone gets to provoke us," Coy finally concurred with the growing sentiment. Then, his tone shifted. "However, take a look at this first."
Coy produced Doflamingo's new wanted poster. The striking figure of 300 million Beli immediately captured everyone's attention.
"Three… Three hundred million Beli?!" "How is that possible?!" "Wasn't it just 160 million before?" "What did he do? How did his bounty jump so fast?"
A collective sharp intake of breath filled the room. They were all stunned by Doflamingo's bounty. They understood exactly what 300 million Beli signified – it was a testament to real power. The World Government and the Marines didn't just assign numbers like that lightly.
Seeing their shocked faces, Coy sneered, "What, is this enough to scare you? It's only 300 million Beli."
"Hey, hey, Coy, you bastard!" McNeil retorted, annoyed. "You're the one who showed us the poster, and now you're calling us scared? What kind of game are you playing?" He had indeed been startled by the bounty, but Coy's smug attitude suggested he had something up his sleeve.
"Yeah, Coy, spit it out! Our nerves can't take this," Warner added quickly.
"Coy, if you have something to say, just say it clearly," Dole urged, his voice low and serious.
"I showed you this poster simply to make sure you don't get careless," Coy explained, his gaze sweeping fiercely across the room, his aura suddenly imposing. "The Donquixote Family is strong. We can't afford to get tripped up by our own mistakes. Everyone needs to give this their absolute all. No more holding back, no more hidden cards. Bring out everything you have. In this battle, it's either they die, or we do. Our own rivalries can wait until after the Donquixote Family is dealt with."
Coy's fierce demeanor acted like a tonic, steeling their resolve. A sense of confidence returned to the room.
"Hahaha! So what if he's worth 300 million Beli? We're not afraid! Our own forces aren't weak either!" McNeil declared, standing tall, his earlier anger replaced with bravado.
"I assume everyone has recruited quite a few powerhouses recently?" Warner inquired.
"Hahaha, it's time they earned their keep! And it's time we paid back all the frustration they've caused us," Buto laughed.
"All out. Kill or be killed. The fate of the North Blue rests on this battle," Dole stated, his eyes burning with fighting spirit, determined to avenge their previous humiliations.
"Only war remains."
And so, the final meeting of the North Blue's Five Great Mafia Families concluded. Tomorrow, war would greet them.
Meanwhile, back at the Donquixote Family base in the port town of Spider Miles, Doflamingo received the latest intelligence.
So, they want to dance after all? Doflamingo mused silently.
His executives waited expectantly for his command, dozens of eyes fixed on him. Some held impatience, others worry or quiet inquiry.
"Diamante," Doflamingo began, looking over his assembled crew, "spread the word. War is upon us. It's time we prepared our counterattack. Time to solidify our claim as the true rulers of the North Blue."
"Understood, Doffy! I'll inform everyone immediately. Prepare for battle!" Diamante replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he rushed off to relay the orders.
"Indeed. This peaceful life was getting a bit too dull. Time to add some spice to the North Blue," Enel declared, practically vibrating with anticipation.
Figures, Doflamingo thought wryly. Enel, the eternal warmonger. Constant battle is the only way he knows how to grow stronger. Such a purely destructive mindset.
"I will also fight with all my strength," Ibes stated in her usual, unhurried tone.
Robin listened quietly to the exchange, sighing internally. So, there's no peace anywhere, is there?
Yet, she felt no revulsion. After all, her current life was immeasurably better than before. And she would fight for her new home, contribute her part. This was Doflamingo's creation, his effort, and she wouldn't let anyone destroy it. What happened to others didn't concern her; anyone who dared threaten her happiness would pay with their life.
Once unleashed, the demon couldn't be contained. Robin was undeniably influenced by Doflamingo's worldview – how could the weak possibly protect anything precious, especially the fragile happiness Robin had fought so hard to find?
"I'll do my part, too," Robin murmured, just loud enough to draw the others' attention.
"Fuffuffuffu… I believe you, Robin," Doflamingo affirmed immediately, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "After all, this is about protecting our happiness, protecting our home. Everyone has to contribute." He effortlessly framed their aggression as righteous defense. Besides, it's just killing a few gangsters. Perfectly justifiable for the sake of the Family, right?
"Behehehe! Doffy's right!" Trebol readily agreed with Doflamingo's spin. Who wouldn't want to paint themselves as the heroes? Everyone dreams of being one. The tale of justice triumphing over evil never gets old.
"For our home! For our happiness!" Ibes echoed, her eyes shining with conviction.
Only Enel and Pica seemed completely oblivious to the nuances of the conversation. To them, the only thing that mattered was the impending battle. They paid little attention to Robin and Doflamingo's words, lost in their own excitement, already silently competing, determined not to lose to the other.
Doflamingo patted Robin's head again, his eyes shifting to Diamante, who had just walked back in.
"Everything is ready, Doffy," Diamante reported.
"Then let's move out," Doflamingo declared, his voice resonating with power. "It's time for the skies over the North Blue to change. Time to welcome our era."
"Welcome our era…?" Diamante repeated softly, then grinned. "As expected, Doffy. Spoken like a true king."
Always the perfect sycophant, my dear Diamante. You know just what to say, Doflamingo thought, amused.
"Yahahahaha! I agree, that sounds awesome! Welcoming our era! Sounds like just the kind of spotlight I deserve!" Enel crowed.
"What the hell would a big-eared fool like you know?!" Pica retorted sharply.
"Shut up! Like a squeaky-voiced punk like you understands anything!" Enel shot back, refusing to be outdone.
It was the first time Robin had heard Pica speak. Watching Enel and Pica bicker, she found it unexpectedly funny and couldn't stifle a giggle.
Hearing Robin's laughter, Doflamingo chuckled along with her. Seeing their reactions, the other executives joined in, filling the room with laughter.
Only Enel and Pica looked bewildered, utterly clueless as to why everyone was laughing so hard. Confused but not wanting to be left out, they eventually started laughing too.
Today, the Donquixote Family headquarters echoed with laughter – a final, shared moment of levity, like seasoning before the main course of war.