Doflamingo!
Trebol stared hard at Doflamingo's back.
He admitted that the moment Ian spoke to recruit them, a sudden thrill of survival excitement surged in his chest.
But quickly, that excitement shifted into an indescribable emotion.
Was it shame?
A disturbing silence lingered for several seconds.
Then, laughter abruptly broke the silence.
"Hohohoho! So that's how it is!"
Doflamingo laughed loudly. "You actually want me to kneel before you, Ian?"
"Isn't that a bit arrogant? Who do you think I am?"
Law glanced at Doflamingo.
Despite everything, this guy had something worth respecting.
At least, his courage was undeniable.
"Is that so?"
Ian nodded lightly. "I'm not really surprised by your answer."
A man with the Conqueror's Haki plays the role of a rebellious, untamed force.
Doflamingo might be a bit cowardly, but he would never bow down to anyone just to save his life.
Yet Ian was not disappointed at all.
How could he be, when this was exactly what he expected?
Besides, how could anyone truly trust someone like Doflamingo after recruiting him?
Ian looked at the Donquixote family executives behind Doflamingo. "What about you? Are you willing to submit to me?"
These men were the real backbone of the Donquixote family.
Even without Doflamingo, controlling them basically meant controlling the family.
However—
"Pah!"
Pica spat harshly, lifting his head high. His voice was sharp, but his tone was full of resolve. "Who do you think we are, Ian? The Donquixote family will never betray our king!"
"That's right!"
The green-haired beauty, Monet, also wore a firm expression. "The young master is the man destined to be king!"
"Good, very good."
Ian sincerely praised them. "Though weak, at least you're loyal."
To be honest, aside from the Blackbeard Pirates, all the villainous groups in the pirate world were surprisingly united.
The assassins under Crocodile's Baroque Works later even opened a café together.
When CP9 was being hunted by the government, they were willing to perform on the streets to save Lucci.
"Come at us if you want!"
The black-haired girl, Baby-5, declared loudly, "Even if it means death, we will never betray our young master!"
"Well said! Baby-5!"
Gladius shouted in praise, "Don't let this guy look down on us!"
That was the pride of the Donquixote Family!
"Hehehe…"
Doflamingo's laughter rang out. "Look, Ian, your plan seems to be failing."
Even though he was now a beaten dog, making Ian's plan fail wasn't bad at all.
Ian curled the corner of his mouth. "Is that so? But I really need you all."
"Eh?"
Baby-5's eyes instantly lit up with joy. "Y-you really need me?"
The surrounding Donquixote Family officers' expressions suddenly changed.
Almost forgot about this brat!!
"Mm."
Ian smiled and nodded gently. "I do need you very much."
"Can't help it then."
Baby-5's round face flushed a little. "Alright then, I'll join your side."
"Baby-5! You brat!!"
Pica's eyes nearly popped out in anger.
Middle-aged woman Giolla said angrily, "You forgot this girl never refuses anyone's requests!"
"Damn it!"
Diamante glared fiercely at Law. "Kid! You told Ian, didn't you?"
Law just shrugged. He had long forgotten such trivial matters. How could he have told Ian?
It was just that Ian always seemed to know some inexplicable things.
"Alright, let's stop the chit-chat here."
Ian straightened up and looked at the green-haired girl hiding behind Monet.
"Sugar, right?"
"Ugh!"
Sugar was only ten years old this year. She was already terrified, and when Ian called her name, she hid even more fearfully behind her sister.
But Ian didn't care. He tilted his head slightly.
"Law, undo her restraints."
Law, naturally unconcerned, quickly walked over and removed the Seastone shackles from Sugar's body.
The little girl was still full of fear, but now she could hold onto her sister's arm.
"What do you want to do?"
Her sister Monet was fierce in appearance but timid inside.
"The great Pirate Emperor, would you really lay a hand on a child?"
"Don't misunderstand," Ian said with a smile, "The Hobby-Hobby Fruit is such a precious ability. Of course, I wouldn't waste it."
Doflamingo's pupils suddenly trembled.
This guy really knew!
And why did he only remove Sugar's restraints?
"Ian! What are you trying to do?"
Doflamingo suddenly had a terrible suspicion.
"What can I do?"
Ian sighed.
"I've already said I need your family, but I can't shake their loyalty to you. So, Doflamingo, my good brother, I'm afraid you're the one who has to suffer."
"Bastard!!"
Doflamingo immediately started sweating profusely.
"Alright, Sugar," Ian raised one finger and gently tapped.
A gust of wind brushed past Sugar's ear. The girl instinctively turned her head, and a small hole appeared in the wall.
The little girl's body trembled violently, tears shining in her big eyes.
"If you don't want this strike to land on your sister later, stand up and walk over to Doflamingo."
Ian smiled gently.
"Think of it as using the Hobby-Hobby Fruit's power for your sister's sake."
"No! No way!!"
Pica suddenly screamed,
"Ian, you can't do this!!"
No one understood the Hobby-Hobby Fruit better than the Donquixote family.
Once Doflamingo got caught, it was all over!
Ian ignored his wails and calmly looked at Sugar. "Doflamingo, or your sister, young lady, make a decision."
Sugar's face turned pale. She wasn't the legal loli of twenty-two yet — she was still a genuine ten-year-old girl, and faced with Ian's threat, she was utterly confused.
Instinctively, she looked to her sister.
Monet shook her head repeatedly. "No! Sugar! You can't do this!"
"Oh?"
Ian curled the corner of his mouth. "You better think carefully. If you use the Hobby-Hobby Fruit's power on Doflamingo, he might still survive — after all, I would forget about him."
"But if you refuse, then death is his only option."
Ian said calmly, "If he lives, there's always hope, right?"
They froze.
All the Donquixote family officers froze.
Law couldn't help but want to laugh.
What kind of devil's choice was this?
Ian, as always, was delighting in his twisted sense of humor.
Monet's expression changed, and she looked toward Doflamingo.
But her respected young master's face was stiff as well.
"Go on, Sugar!"
At that moment, Trebol bit his teeth and said, "Use the Hobby-Hobby Fruit's power on Doflamingo!"
Ian was right — as long as he lived, there was hope.
"What a joke!"
Doflamingo roared angrily, "You want me to become a toy?"
"Sorry, Doflamingo. It has to be done."
Diamante looked exhausted as he spoke deeply.
If he died, there would be no chance to turn things around.
Sugar glanced at her sister.
Monet clenched her teeth and nodded painfully.
Sugar sniffled, shakily stood up, and walked beside Doflamingo.
She spoke carefully, "Young master, I'm sorry."
A small hand stretched out cautiously, reaching forward.
"Sugar!!"
Doflamingo's eyes widened with rage. "Stop right there!"
How could he endure being turned into a toy, scurrying for survival like a rat?
Sugar's hand trembled but didn't stop. Finally, it touched Doflamingo's chest.
At the last moment, Doflamingo instinctively lifted his eyes and saw Ian shining with golden light.
How did this guy use his ability?
Bang!
White smoke exploded, and Doflamingo vanished. In his place stood a flamingo plush doll, shorter than Sugar by a head.
For a moment, the expressions of all the Donquixote family officers present turned complicated.
Damn it!
Doflamingo struggled to lift his head.
The sudden drop in perspective was disorienting.
He realized—everyone had forgotten him!
"Then let me ask you once more."
Doflamingo heard Ian's voice: "Surrender to me, or die. What's your answer?"
He watched his most treasured family members' bodies begin to tremble.
Soon, Trebol stammered, "I-I surrender! Lord Ian!"
A strange feeling in his heart urged him not to yield, as if there was someone he should follow.
But no such person existed in his memories.
Trebol couldn't find a reason to resist.
Refusal meant death!
Besides, following this man—following Emperor Ian—was the surest way to reach the top of the world.
It was like a switch had been flipped.
"I surrender too!"
Diamante quickly followed.
"And me!"
Giolla refused to back down.
Doflamingo watched helplessly as his family members one by one swore allegiance to Ian.
Without him, everyone had lost their backbone—who would dare to defy Ian now?
His eyes instantly widened with rage.
Ian!!
You bastard!!
But there was still a chance!
Sugar had not made a contract with him; he was not bound by anything—he was a free puppet!
There was still hope!
He still had a chance!
Right now, Ian had forgotten about him. He could hide in the shadows and carefully plan!
As long as he could knock Sugar unconscious, he could regain his human form!
A hand grabbed his neck and lifted him off the ground.
The next moment, Doflamingo came face to face with a face.
Ian's face, wearing a strange smile.
"How are you feeling now, Doflamingo?"
Doflamingo froze.
He—he still remembered him?
**********
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