"Is it Uranus, one of the Ancient Weapons?" Luffy asked calmly.
"I only know that the national treasure exists, and its destructive power truly rivals that of an Ancient Weapon. Whether it actually is one… you would have to ask 'Imu' personally." Doflamingo replied coldly.
Even he had only learned the name "Imu" from newspaper leaks.
Before that, all he knew was that someone stood above the Gorosei—nothing more.
Inside the headquarters of the World Government, "non-existent rooms" occasionally appear.
Who owns those rooms?
He had always wondered that. After extensive investigation, he finally uncovered a few clues.
That was many years ago—before he became a Shichibukai.
Eight years ago, immediately after gaining the title of Shichibukai, he returned to Dressrosa and reclaimed the kingdom that once belonged to his family.
Afterward, he extended his threads across the world, becoming an underworld broker and earning the nickname "Joker."
He also partnered with Kaido.
Most of the weapons produced by Kaido in Wano would be sold through Doflamingo's channels to nations or forces around the globe.
He also manufactured artificial Devil Fruits to receive Kaido's protection.
But that wasn't his true objective.
His ultimate goal was to overthrow those damned Celestial Dragons.
Doflamingo spread the string-woven weapons around him, stared at Luffy, and smiled:
"We are 'comrades,' Luffy."
"The Five Elders are terrified of your Devil Fruit—terrified to the point of madness."
"At first, I didn't understand why, but after a little digging, the answer became obvious…"
"Luffy… no. I should call you Joy Boy, shouldn't I? Sun God?"
Hearing the title "Sun God" come out of his mouth, Luffy was once again startled.
Why does it feel like every major figure in this world knows that secret?
The World Government had supposedly buried that story for 800 years.
What a joke, World Government.
Realizing they cannot even control the media—and that Morgans causes them trouble on a daily basis—Luffy understood the situation even better.
It was absurd.
Unless… perhaps domination wasn't what they were truly seeking.
"Well, I'm glad you were honest. Because of that, I won't do anything to you."
Luffy crossed his legs, sensed killing intent, and grinned. "But I can't say the same for the king of this country…"
Boom!
Suddenly, a figure burst through the window.
"DOFLAMINGO!!!"
With a roar filled with resentment, a one-legged man swung a massive sword downward with both hands.
The Donquixote executives froze in shock.
Uta gasped, covering her mouth as she stared at a headless corpse.
Sabo's expression changed—Doflamingo couldn't die yet.
Koala stared blankly. Who was bold enough to rush in and decapitate Doflamingo?
Time seemed to slow in the banquet hall.
Doflamingo's severed head drifted through the air for a moment before hitting the ground with a thud.
"Huff… huff…"
The one-legged man, having taken his revenge, exhaled heavily. He first glared at Doflamingo's head, then at the Donquixote Family, and finally at Luffy, who remained seated atop the grassy platform.
"It's you…!" Diamante's pupils shrank. "Captain of King Riku's guard! Kyros!!"
Plop.
Kyros fell to his knees before Luffy.
With both hands on the floor, he spoke in a deep voice:
"Straw Hat Luffy! Thank you for saving this country!"
He expressed his gratitude earnestly.
Uta blinked and muttered hesitantly, "Saving this kingdom?"
"Yes! I was turned into a toy. For almost 8 years, I waited for a chance—and you gave me that chance. The chance to kill this man with my own hands. The Shichibukai, Donquixote Doflamingo—the man who stole Dressrosa!"
"Unfortunately, he didn't die."
Uta swallowed her dessert, wiped the crumbs from her lips with her thumb, and then licked it clean before continuing:
"He's just a clone, right? Kind of like Robin's clones, but much worse. If you use Observation Haki properly, you notice instantly."
"What?!"
Kyros was stunned.
Sabo was shocked too. He hadn't noticed at all.
Looking again, the "headless neck" wasn't dripping blood—but threads of silk.
It was a clone.
Her Observation Haki is higher than mine?
Sabo thought in disbelief.
"Fufurfur… well done, Kyros."
Doflamingo's severed head moved its mouth as it spoke. "But what a shame. You almost had me."
His voice faded.
The headless corpse—no, the headless clone—suddenly raised its right hand and slashed its claws toward the kneeling Kyros.
Swoosh!
Five nearly invisible strings pierced Kyros' chest from behind like a branching spear.
With a "pff!" Kyros coughed up blood violently.
He turned his head to glare at the headless clone with hatred.
"Donquixote… Doflamingo!!"
Fighting through the pain, he gripped his giant sword tightly, ready to retaliate with the last of his strength.
Doflamingo's severed head unraveled like a sweater's pulled thread, rapidly disappearing circle by circle.
At the same time, threads of silk wove a new head onto the clone's body.
"Die."
Doflamingo waved his hand. The thread at his fingertips spun like a chainsaw, aiming to slice through Kyros' neck.
But then—
"Alright, that's enough."
Luffy's voice rang out.
Doflamingo froze. The thread stopped right at Kyros' throat, barely grazing his skin.
Kyros was still in shock—he had been a hair's breadth away from death.
"Luffy…?" Doflamingo stopped moving.
"When I said I'd let you go, I meant regarding your involvement in kidnapping children. You don't need to be the king of this country."
Luffy grabbed his cup and took a calm sip.
"You want the Riku family to be restored as the royal family?" Doflamingo asked, puzzled. Did the Riku family have ties to the Straw Hats?
"No. Let's try something else."
Luffy smiled lightly. "This is a small country, so let's keep it simple… A king isn't necessary."
---
(End of chapter)