Doflamingo gave a slight nod and issued the next mission objective.
"Judge, Caesar. Figure out the anatomy of the Tontatta. Uncover the secret behind their strength despite their tiny size."
The Tontatta were around 20 centimeters tall on average, yet their physical strength surpassed that of most pirates.
Extremely valuable for research.
"Understood, BOSS. We'll get it done."
...
Several days later, after the Tontatta had finished touring all the public facilities...
On the shores of Upper Yard.
Pica tossed the Numancia Flamingo's anchor up onto the deck.
In the center of the deck, a pot of IQ grass sat proudly, surrounded by the Tontatta, who were gathered around it like bees to honey.
They inhaled it with the enthusiasm of cats on catnip.
Ganfu watched the scene with a wry smile, glancing at Pica as he turned away toward the shore.
After a moment's hesitation, Ganfu looked toward the bow, where two members of the "big people" sat together cross-legged.
He spoke up.
"Your Majesty Doflamingo, is Pica not returning to Dressrosa with us this time?"
"Pica still has tasks to complete. This time, I'll be the one to send you back."
Doflamingo turned to look at him, his expression unusually gentle.
"Don't worry, it won't take long!"
"Ah... alright then!"
Ganfu answered hesitantly.
Something about this just didn't feel right.
He glanced at the empty middle of the ship and asked,
"This ship... it's not an airship, and it doesn't even have sails?"
"Fufufufufu... Numancia is built differently."
Patting the deck beneath him, Doflamingo called out to the side,
"Smoothie, let's go!"
"Got it, Doffy."
Smoothie pushed her glasses up and activated her powers.
...
Moments later.
"So... so fast!!"
"Your Majesty Doflamingo, this speed and altitude—it's way too dangerous!"
...
The Numancia Flamingo tore through the skies at breakneck speed.
Though the Tontatta were secured to the deck with silk threads, the sheer velocity of the wind left them unable to open their eyes, their faces rippling and trembling in the gale, the roar of the wind drowning out all other sounds.
At the bow of the ship, Doflamingo wore a mischievous smile.
He had deliberately retracted the protective glass dome he'd had installed—just so the Tontatta could fully experience the pure, overwhelming force.
How considerate of him.
Fufufufufu~
...
A few days later.
Sabaody Archipelago.
Inside the KGB Agency.
Kuro returned to his true form, slipping out of the ill-fitting suit.
Adjusting his glasses, he closed his eyes and collapsed into a chair.
The "KGB" identity had been secretly arranged for him by Tesoro.
Though Kuro wasn't entirely sure what the BOSS intended,he trusted that it wouldn't be anything harmful.
Setting up this agency had two purposes:first, to make a living,and second, to showcase his information-gathering skills.
Thanks to his Clone-Clone Fruit abilities, the name "KGB" had already gained some small fame around area No. 5.
Still, the vague, ungraspable nature of his mission left him feeling constantly uneasy.
Knock knock!
Kuro's eyes snapped open.In an instant, he transformed into the form of a mature man.
"Is this KGB?" a voice called from outside the door.
"Come in."
Click.
A man in a striped suit and fedora entered, carrying a suitcase.
Gloved hands, no calluses from weapons—but a build that revealed the dense, powerful muscles beneath even the suit.
It looked like another unpaid "favor" was on the horizon.
Studying the visitor across the desk, Kuro offered a formulaic smile.
Pouring a cup of tea for his guest, he asked,
"This is the KGB Agency. May I have your name, and what services you require?"
The visitor tilted his head slightly, revealing an utterly ordinary, forgettable face.
"Linton, I need information on the Bloodthirsty Gang on Island No. 7—their trade location two weeks from now."
"Two weeks? That's not much time, Linton-san. It'll take a lot of effort on my part."
Clack!
Linton popped open the suitcase.
Inside, stacks of neatly bundled Belly gleamed.
Kuro immediately got a sense of the man's sincerity,and discreetly retracted the sleeve arrow that had almost launched from excitement.
It was a dangerous job—but this guy?He paid well.
And he wasn't here to scam free labor.
"I imagine these should help KGB-san replenish some of that energy."
"Hahaha, I like people like you, Linton-san."
Kuro reached out his hand.
"Pleasure doing business!"
"Pleasure doing business," Linton replied, grasping his hand firmly.
The moment their palms touched, Kuro's body was flooded with weakness, and he reverted to his child form.
His eyes widened in shock.
He stared at Linton in terror.
"As I thought... Clone-Clone Fruit. You're lucky, kid—normally the dead don't walk."
Looking down at Kuro's shocked face, Linton chopped his hand down sharply.
"Next time you imitate someone, make sure you know whose background you're copying."
BOSS... what exactly did you throw me into?!
Wasn't this supposed to be a safe identity???
Kuro's eyes stretched wide in disbelief, hatred rising in his heart,as he watched the hand chop down at the back of his neck and rob him of consciousness.
Everything was transmitted, via a Den Den Mushi hidden in the ceiling, to the other side of Sabaody.
...
Ten thousand meters above the sea.
Doflamingo, glancing down at the tiny speck that was Sabaody, suddenly sneezed.
Suspicion immediately flared.
Someone's plotting against me.
Maybe Tesoro hadn't been properly disciplined in a while?
As Doflamingo pondered reasons to rough up Tesoro...
In the Donquixote Family's Sabaody base.
The monitor room attendant rushed anxiously into Tesoro's office.
"Tesoro-san!The target you instructed us to keep an eye on at area No. 5 has been captured!"
Tesoro, far from panicking, broke into a pleased grin.
"You can go."
Meanwhile, Doflamingo, soaring across the Red Line, quickly heard the news.
A wide, amused grin spread across his face.
Kuro had originally been placed as a "dormant piece" —but after months of no movement, Doflamingo couldn't resist giving him a little push.
Since the intelligence department hadn't picked up on Kuro's presence...
Well, Doflamingo figured he'd help them notice him a bit more.
Wasn't he thoughtful?
...
Nighttime.
On an unknown sea, a tiny, swaying boat.
Kuro groaned as he struggled awake, his head pounding.
The first thing he felt was the cold, sharp point of a weapon against his throat.He instinctively shrank back.
"Kid...Were you the one who killed KGB?"
"I was just hiding near his house...I buried KGB-san myself," Kuro said, lowering his head slightly at the right moment.
That much was the truth.
He hadn't killed him—it was that bomb kid. Kuro had only helped bury the body.
As a top-notch intelligence agent, Linton could tell Kuro wasn't lying.
But if he only buried him...
How had KGB's corpse ended up back where everyone could see it?
Someone was trying to muddy the waters.
Linton's mind whirled with possibilities. But one thing was certain:
A kid with the Clone-Clone Fruit was far too valuable to pass up.
Meanwhile...
Aboard the Numancia Flamingo.
The ship was descending toward the seas near Raijin Island.
Gradually approaching the surface.
Suddenly—
A flash of cold steel, growing longer as it cut through the wind,slashed straight toward the Numancia Flamingo.
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg