Having dealt with Spandam, Wayne felt a great sense of relief. It seemed his life was safe for now. The next move was up to Spandam.
At Enies Lobby, where Spandam was currently located, he set off with his guard detail immediately after receiving Wayne's message. He didn't report up the chain of command, as he didn't want anyone else sharing his glory. If he reported it and something went wrong, that would be a disaster.
All the glory for this would belong to him, Spandam. He wanted it all.
While Spandam was rushing off in a flurry, Doflamingo was enjoying a leisurely time, spending his days eating, drinking, and relaxing.
The repairs on the Ark Maxim would take at least a week. There was plenty of time, so Doflamingo and his crew could get some much-needed rest. Even if the Ark were repaired, Doflamingo was in no hurry to leave. What could be more important than the blueprints for Pluton?
Come quickly, Spandam. Without you, it's really hard for me to stir up trouble.
These past few days, Doflamingo had been muttering Spandam's name.
You have to eat your meal one bite at a time and take things one step at a time. Doflamingo was not in a rush. There was plenty of time to play with them.
The members of the Donquixote Pirates were all enjoying their vacation. Except for Law and Doflamingo, they were all oblivious to their captain's plans, spending their days happily.
Wayne had already informed Doflamingo of Spandam's imminent arrival. The man was sparing no effort to save his own skin.
On this day, a warship bearing the flag of the World Government was rapidly approaching Water 7. Wayne, having received the news, had informed Doflamingo early on.
In a hotel where Doflamingo and his crew were temporarily staying, Law appeared in Doflamingo's room.
"Mr. Doflamingo, is it time for me to act?" Law asked, looking at Doflamingo who was standing by the window.
"That's right, Law. The time has come. Once we have this man's life in our hands, we'll be able to get a grasp on the World Government's movements," Doflamingo turned around and said to Law, his words full of meaning.
A big fish, I see. For Mr. Doflamingo to be so concerned about this person, Law thought to himself.
"I understand. Let's start our revenge against the World Government by taking him down," Law said, his eyes glinting, his tone cold.
"Fuffuffuffu, well said, Law. Let the horns of vengeance sound!" Doflamingo laughed in praise.
At the docks of Water 7, a warship designated for World Government officials was berthed. A haughty, extremely arrogant figure stepped off the ship—it was none other than Spandam.
Wayne had been waiting on the shore since the moment the ship docked.
Spandam, flanked by his guards, walked toward Wayne.
"Welcome, Chief!" Wayne said with feigned sycophancy.
"Wayne, quick, take me to that old man, Tom," Spandam urged impatiently the moment he saw him, completely ignoring his welcome and even the fact that Wayne had come to greet them alone.
This was highly unusual, but the merit-obsessed Spandam didn't care about such minor details. His eyes were currently filled with nothing but the Pluton blueprints.
"Understood, Chief." Wayne remained expressionless. Hearing Spandam's urgency, he felt a sense of relief. Since he didn't even ask why he was alone, it suited Wayne's purpose perfectly. He had already prepared an excuse, so this saved him the trouble.
Under Wayne's guidance, the group headed towards the location he had prepared.
Doflamingo, who had been secretly monitoring the entire island with his Observation Haki, had noticed Spandam the moment he disembarked.
"The guest has entered the trap. The prey has finally arrived. Law, it's time to go," Doflamingo said to Law, who was standing by, ready for action.
"Right."
The two of them moved quickly, heading for the designated location.
"Wayne, are we there yet?"
Under Wayne's lead, Spandam had been led through a series of twists and turns, getting further and further into a remote area. After walking for so long, Spandam was growing increasingly impatient, but he still didn't suspect Wayne. After all, they all knew how terrifying the World Government was.
"We're here."
Wayne stopped. He had brought them to a secluded spot, a place where people rarely came.
Spandam looked around. Before him was just a green meadow and the vast sea. There was no one here. Where's Tom? Are you kidding me?!
"Wayne, what are you doing?" Spandam demanded, furious.
"My apologies, Chief Spandam. I'm just following orders. Someone wants to see you," Wayne said apologetically, though Spandam couldn't see any sincerity in his expression.
"Following orders? Who wants to see me? And you, Wayne, you dare betray the World Government? Do you have any idea how terrifying the World Government is?" Spandam was not at all concerned about his own situation, instead interrogating Wayne.
"You'll see in a moment, Chief," Wayne said nonchalantly.
"You bastard!" Spandam's face was a mask of fury, his hand involuntarily tightening on the hilt of his sword.
"Don't be so angry, Chief," Wayne said, thoroughly enjoying the sight of Spandam's anger.
"Wayne, I'm asking you, is this business about the Pluton blueprints true?" Spandam's face was grim, his eyes fixed on Wayne with a sinister glare.
"Of course, it's true."
A voice reached the ears of everyone present. Spandam quickly turned to look at the source of the sound.
But that one look was enough to scare the soul out of him.
"D-D-Doflamingo!" Spandam pointed a trembling finger at him, his body shaking uncontrollably.
The person who wanted to see him was Doflamingo. Spandam's heart was filled with a mixture of bitterness and fear. He knew Doflamingo's identity and his power.
"What, are you scared to see me?" Doflamingo taunted, looking at the panicked Spandam.
"Doflamingo, why are you here? What do you want with me?" Spandam managed to control his fear and asked nervously.
"Who gave you the courage to speak to me like that? Is my name something you can just call out?"
Doflamingo's domineering aura washed over Spandam, causing him to collapse to the ground.
"Quick, quick, protect me!" Even as he lay on the ground, the terrified Spandam didn't forget to order his men around.
"Just a bunch of trash. Law," Doflamingo said with disdain.
"Room... Slaughterhouse." Receiving his orders, Law showed no mercy. These were all dogs of the World Government; they all had a share in the grudge he held. This was just a bit of interest.
The members of CP5 were nothing but cannon fodder. The men Spandam had brought with him were no match for Law and were dealt with in a matter of moments.
"It's nice and quiet now, isn't it, Spandam?" Doflamingo said, looking at the man who was now a puddle of mud on the ground.
"I... I... I..." Spandam mumbled incoherently, so scared that his words were impossible to understand.
"Relax, I'm not going to kill you."
Hearing Doflamingo's words, Spandam's trembling stopped, and the light returned to his eyes.
Doflamingo gave Law a signal. Law, understanding, got down to business.
"Is it about to start?" Wayne, who was standing to the side, watched with excitement, ready for the good show to begin.
It's not enough to suffer alone. Only when someone else shares your misery can you feel a little better. At least, he wasn't the only one suffering.
"Room... Scalpel."
"Aaargh!"
Spandam cried out in pain and collapsed, weakened, watching in agony as Law did his work.
The moment he saw his own heart being removed, he understood why Wayne had done what he did. But what did Doflamingo want? The Pluton blueprints were real, so why did he need him to come here? Couldn't he have just taken them himself?
Spandam had many questions, but Doflamingo had no intention of answering them.
Doflamingo took the heart from Law's hand and examined it. It looked no different from a normal person's. Doflamingo had thought that a black-hearted person like Spandam would have a black heart.
"You know what to do, don't you?" Doflamingo said to the man on the ground.
"Yes, yes, yes! I understand! I will follow your every command!" Spandam said, crying and sniveling, his resolve incredibly high.
"Wipe your tears. Go back to your duties. Everything is as normal. Nothing has happened," Doflamingo continued.
"Yes, yes, yes! Nothing happened! Nothing at all!" Spandam said hurriedly.
"I must have the Pluton blueprints. I'll need your help with that," Doflamingo said, getting to the point.
"No problem! Leave it all to me! I will definitely get the Pluton blueprints and deliver them to you personally!" Spandam pledged his loyalty immediately.
"You idiot. If it were that easy to get them from Tom, I would have had them long ago," Doflamingo scolded, seeing Spandam's eagerness.
"Yes, yes, you're right," Spandam didn't dare to argue, simply agreeing with whatever Doflamingo said.
Wayne, watching from the side, couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude.
"You just wait for my orders. For the rest, just do your own job and act normal."
"I understand," Spandam replied cautiously.
"Spandam, your position is too low. Don't you want to climb higher?" Doflamingo tempted him.
"Of course I do! Can you help me get promoted?" Spandam, who was obsessed with climbing the ladder, immediately forgot his fear upon hearing Doflamingo's words.
"That depends on your performance," Doflamingo said coolly.
"I understand."
Using a mix of threats and promises, Doflamingo had Spandam wrapped around his little finger.
It was a smooth operation. Spandam was a despicable, malicious, greedy, and cowardly man, easy to manipulate. As long as Doflamingo held his life in his hands, he couldn't cause any trouble.
The actor was in place. Now, it was time to wait for the big fish.