"Huh? What?!"
Enel racked his brain, trying to recall what Trebol had told him four days ago. But no matter how hard he tried, his mind was blank.
Doflamingo frowned. "Trebol didn't tell you the basic information?"
"Lord Doflamingo, I..." A member of the group stepped forward.
"Hmm?"
The moment the subordinate interrupted, his vision went white, and under the overwhelming pressure, he collapsed to his knees.
Enel steeled himself and answered bluntly, "I forgot!"
Boom!
Enel crawled out of the rubble, clutching his head.
"I like your arrogance toward your enemies. But when you take your family on a mission, understanding your opponent's abilities and mastering them should be second nature."
"Underestimation will cost you your life."
"Think back to your past, Enel."
"Otherwise, next time, the only thing left of you might be your corpse."
Enel lowered his head. "I understand, Young Master. There won't be a next time."
Sensing the genuine shame radiating from Enel, Doflamingo shifted his attention to the bespectacled youth standing before him.
"Tell me what you've learned."
"Yes, Lord Doflamingo."
"I've mastered several techniques of Rokushiki—Tekkai, Shigan, and Soru. Soru is the one I'm most proficient in, but my eyesight affects my performance."
As he spoke, he adjusted his glasses.
Doflamingo remained indifferent—after all, he wasn't recruiting combatants.
"Eyesight can be compensated for with Observation Haki. What about the other courses?"
"I've completed Royal Etiquette, Beggar's Survival, Voice Mimicry Training, and an overview of the Family's industries."
This time, it was Trebol's voice that responded.
Doflamingo nodded in satisfaction. This bespectacled kid was growing on him.
"Not bad. What's your name?"
"Kuro."
Kuro?
Doflamingo's eyes flicked up and down, assessing him with newfound interest.
Originally, he had just planned to pick up some random Clone-Clone Fruit user, then stage an 'accidental' severe injury to reclaim the fruit later.
But Hundred Plans Kuro?
Not a fan of playing pirate games?
Then let's play spy instead.
Carefully, Doflamingo examined Kuro's mental fluctuations, confirming that there was no sign of rebellion.
"You're from the East Blue?"
"Yes..."
After a thorough round of questioning, Doflamingo pieced together Kuro's story.
Three years ago, during their period of rapid expansion, Kuro had been kidnapped by an unknown pirate crew as a potential asset. Unfortunately for them, they ran into Diamante—the biggest trafficker of the bunch. The pirate crew was swiftly annihilated on the spot.
Doflamingo took out a black banana and held it out.
"Eat."
Without hesitation, Kuro swallowed it in one gulp.
After brief contact with Doflamingo, he had already grasped a fundamental truth about his new boss:
First, be obedient. Don't be a rebellious idiot like the so-called 'Thunder God.'
Yuck!
As expected, he gagged from the familiar nauseating sensation. The Clone-Clone Fruit had found its new host.
"Come, Enel, try it out."
"Kuro, show me something fun."
"Understood, Young Master."
The usually withdrawn Enel silently stepped forward.
Kuro, following his newly acquired instincts, reached out and touched Enel's skin.
In the blink of an eye—
A second Enel appeared, awkwardly dressed in ill-fitting clothes.
"Huh?"
The original Enel circled around Kuro, trying to find any noticeable differences.
Watching this scene, Doflamingo spread his arms wide, as if preparing to cast his web over all of Loguetown.
"Fuffuffuffuffu. Let's begin."
...
"The victor is Miss Buckin!"
"Oooohhh!" Weevil cheered loudly. "Mama, you're the winner!"
With the final match of the tournament concluded, Miss Buckin basked in the euphoria of victory.
She felt as if she had returned to her glory days as part of the Rocks Pirates—when every day was a bloodstained thrill ride.
"Miss Buckin, please come with me to enjoy the rewards of your victory. A token of respect from the Sky Dwellers."
A handsome young attendant approached, bowing deeply and extending a hand.
Miss Buckin leaned lazily onto his arm and smirked. "You guys sure love your theatrics."
"This is how our Boss honors champions, especially those who embody both power and charm. Please, wear this blindfold. It adds to the surprise."
The attendant produced a butterfly mask.
"Weevil-sama, your room is this way."
The excellent treatment over the past seven days had effectively lowered both Buckin and Weevil's guard.
"I wonder what surprise you have for me today."
With that, she donned the mask and allowed herself to be guided into a separate room from Weevil.
Bang!
The heavy door slammed shut, sealing her inside.
"Hmm? My Son! Baby!"
The moment she stepped into the trap, Buckin's heart sank. Her body went limp, completely unresponsive to her commands.
She was in danger.
The lights flared to life, and the blindfold was ripped away.
Doflamingo loomed over her from his throne, grinning.
"Miss Buckin... Surprise! Good evening, my dear lady. Fuffuffuffuffu~"
"It's you?! The brat who fought Kaido? What do you want?"
"Nonono, the question isn't what I want... but rather, what do you have?"
Doflamingo strode forward, each step pressing down on Buckin's chest like a lead weight.
"What do you want? Money? Treasure? I was part of the Rocks Pirates. Kaido should've told you—I know plenty."
Buckin baited him, stalling for time. As long as Weevil came charging in, everything would be fine.
"Of course, but none of that matters."
Doflamingo's fingers twitched, effortlessly contorting her into unnatural positions.
As her joints cracked and twisted, his smirk deepened.
"Think harder. What is your most valuable asset? It's right beside you."
"Right beside me?!"
Buckin's face twisted in realization. No...
Doflamingo laughed.
"Weevil won't listen to you. He's a good baby, obedient only to his mama. Even if I die, you could never control him."
"Fuffuffuffuffu. Naturally."
Doflamingo threw his head back in laughter—this was his favorite part, the moment when bravado shattered.
"That's why... I prepared a male mom for Weevil."
A male mom?!
"Kuro, showtime."
"Understood."
The attendant who had escorted Buckin stepped out from the shadows.
He touched her face with his right hand.
Buckin's expression changed drastically. She shrieked in horror.
"The Clone-Clone Fruit!!!"
As her scream echoed, a second Miss Buckin materialized before her eyes.
"Bingo. You got it right."
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