Rubeck Island.
The Donquixote Family residence.
In the opulent hall of the estate, a cool breeze stirred the curtains on the windowsill, rippling them gently.
The open glass windows creaked in the wind, while dust danced in the sunlight.
On a wide, plush leather sofa, Doflamingo lounged in a white shirt, leaning back with his head tilted and a book covering his face.
"No... no... no!!"
Suddenly, Doflamingo began to tremble violently in his sleep. His eyes snapped open as he shot upright, gasping for air, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
He panted heavily, eyes bloodshot behind his sunglasses. Without hesitation, he grabbed the glass of red wine from the coffee table and downed it in one gulp.
Glug, glug...
The wine, red as blood, trickled down his neck and soaked into his shirt, staining it heavily—he didn't even flinch.
"Doffy..."
At some point, Trebol and the others had entered the room. Watching Doflamingo shakily light a cigar, their eyes were filled with concern.
"I'm fine..."
After taking a few hard drags, Doflamingo finally managed to compose himself and waved a hand dismissively.
The same dream again.
Burning city walls. The scornful curses of the pariahs. His father's anguished cries. And that searing pain...
"How's business been lately?"
Compared to the arrogance and naivety he had when first arriving in North Blue, there was now a sharper edge to Doflamingo—less bluster, more calculated ruthlessness.
He'd grown ten centimeters taller, his expression colder. His short blond hair had grown out and was slicked back neatly, giving him the chilling air of an underworld king.
At the mention of business, Trebol animatedly swung his cane, snot dangling beneath his nose as he gestured excitedly.
"I say... I say... after all our recent cleanups, the Donquixote Family now controls nearly all of North Blue's underground industries!"
"We're now the undisputed kings of the North Blue underworld!!"
Diamante chimed in enthusiastically,
"It's all been so easy! No one's been able to stop our rise! At this rate, our influence and operations will reach the Grand Line in under a year!"
Pica let out a shrill laugh.
"The arrogant kings and nobles of North Blue are groveling like lapdogs! Doffy... you've got to see their pathetic faces—hahahahaha! You'd love it!"
Seeing the smiles and confidence on the faces of his core officers—those he considered family—Doflamingo felt much of the gloom in his heart begin to lift.
He licked his dry, cracked lips and grinned menacingly.
"The North Blue is just the first step in our conquest of the seas. Once we've built up enough of a foundation, we're leaving this place."
"I've got a feeling... a new era is just around the corner."
As he spoke, Doflamingo clenched his fists. A cold gleam flickered behind his dark sunglasses.
A powerful, almost imperceptible aura surged from his body, making his pink feathered coat ripple despite the still air.
Trebol and the others watched in awe, unable to hide the worship and fanaticism in their eyes.
At first, they had feared that after submitting to the Marines, their young master would lose his commanding presence.
But now, it was clear—the great young master hadn't faltered at all! If anything, his aura was even stronger than before!
"But young master, isn't the tax we're paying to the North Blue Marines a bit much?"
Vergo, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up in a low voice.
"We've raised so many people here in the North Blue, and we're running such a massive operation, yet more than half of the profits are being handed over to the Marines—"
Before he could finish, Doflamingo cut him off with a cold glare.
"There's money we just can't touch. Without the Marines' protection, our business wouldn't be running nearly this smooth."
Smoke curled around his face from his cigar, casting shadows across his expression.
"Just wait. That guy Daren won't stay in the North Blue forever..."
A cold, defiant smirk tugged at the corner of Doflamingo's lips.
"He thinks he's got me completely under control. But everyone slips up eventually."
Trebol and the others grinned wickedly at their young master's words.
This was the sharp, untouchable young master they revered.
He would never bow to anyone.
But right then—everything changed.
Boom!!
The family council hall suddenly shook as if a meteor had crashed down from the sky.
With a thunderous roar, the solid walls shattered and collapsed.
Dust and rubble whipped into a storm, and the powerful shockwave sent Trebol and the others flying through the air.
They crashed into the debris, blood spurting from their mouths.
"Barorororo! Where's that little punk Doflamingo?! Get out here and face me!!"
A wild, hoarse laugh echoed through the hall.
Trebol and the others, faces covered in dust and disbelief, stared wide-eyed at the hulking figure stepping through the smoke—a man in a horned helmet, moving with terrifying calm.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"You've got some nerve barging into the Donquixote Family's stronghold!"
"You must have a death wish!"
"..."
Furious shouts erupted as Trebol's group sprang into action, each unleashing their own attacks toward the intruder.
But in the next instant, they couldn't even see how he moved—
A blur flashed before their eyes, and it felt like they'd been hit by a speeding train.
Their bodies were sent flying like cannonballs.
Rumble...
Thick stone walls crumbled as they slammed through them, clouds of dust billowing into the air.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a sharp, ear-splitting blast ripped through the air.
Ssst!
Threads shot from Doflamingo's hand, razor-sharp and gleaming, slicing clean through stone and earth as they slashed toward the intruder.
It was Doflamingo's attack!
But what happened next was unbelievable—
Clang!
A metallic clang rang out as the threads struck the man's chest, sparks flaring on impact.
Doflamingo's eyes narrowed in shock.
He clearly saw it—The man's upper body was coated in a sleek, jet-black armor, radiating a chilling sheen.
"Armament Haki!"
Before he could react further, the man vanished from sight.
BAM!!
A heavy fist crashed into Doflamingo's stomach.
His body doubled over, eyes bulging from their sockets as his mouth flew open.
A massive hand grabbed his blond hair and yanked his head up.
A rough, cold, and merciless face stared him down.
"So, you're Doflamingo?"
Byrnndi World looked down at the bloodied blond punk and sneered.
"I hear you're the one running the entire arms smuggling trade in North Blue?"
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake