In truth, Doflamingo didn't think much of Spandam as a person. However, keeping a troublemaker like him around had more advantages than disadvantages. In any case, the World Government would be the one to pay for all of Spandam's actions.
Doflamingo was actually looking forward to Spandam's performance remaining as consistently incompetent as ever. After all, the World Government had some valuable assets. For example, those fellows in CP9—Doflamingo could certainly see their potential.
Ever since setting his sights on Water 7, Doflamingo had naturally also targeted Rob Lucci and the others in CP9. Although some of them, aside from Lucci and Kaku, were a bit lacking, there was no denying that they would be excellent assets for Doflamingo to infiltrate the World Government.
Besides, Blueno's Door-Door Fruit was indeed quite useful.
However, those guys were a stubborn bunch. Unless they were made to lose faith in the World Government, simply controlling them with their hearts probably wouldn't be enough. Especially that guy Lucci; he was certainly not comparable to a coward like Spandam and would be difficult to control.
But for now, Spandam was only the chief of CP5. He hadn't even seen a shadow of Lucci and the others, let alone commanded them.
Doflamingo's immediate priority was not to make a move on Tom, but rather to elevate Spandam's power and influence to make him more useful. Although he now had his heart and didn't have to worry about him disobeying, a treacherous little man like him would only give his all if he saw a benefit for himself.
The Pluton blueprints had to be obtained, but it wouldn't be easy. Not to mention Tom's wariness, even if he got his hands on them, it would require a massive amount of manpower and resources to build it. It was a huge undertaking.
Although Doflamingo currently had a considerable foundation of power, something like Pluton was a massive money sink. And he didn't want to just build one Pluton. If he was going to do it, he was going to do it big.
Wouldn't it be magnificent to bombard the Holy Land of Mary Geoise with tens of thousands of Pluton cannons? Although the sheer number made it difficult to achieve.
But to be honest, Doflamingo was still at a bit of a loss as to how to start. Although he had dealt with Spandam and had made a good impression on the two apprentices, he hadn't even seen a shadow of the blueprints, let alone gained control of the vast workforce of Water 7.
It still has to be you, Spandam.
Doflamingo glanced at the man crumpled on the ground, pulling his scattered thoughts back to the present. He decided to let Spandam facilitate the matter.
"Spandam, I'm entrusting the matter of the Pluton blueprints entirely to you. I hope you won't disappoint me."
Spandam, who was still in a dream-like state, was baffled by Doflamingo's instructions. He didn't know why Doflamingo had changed his mind.
However, he wasn't about to question it. This was his opportunity, and he had to seize it.
"I will definitely complete this task for you!" Spandam quickly stood up and puffed out his chest, making a guarantee.
"Report this matter to the World Government now. In addition, you must elevate your own status and request that the World Government let you personally oversee this matter," Doflamingo continued.
"This?" Hearing Doflamingo's words, Spandam hesitated. He didn't understand Doflamingo's plan. Why would he do this? Wasn't he afraid that the World Government would actually get their hands on the blueprints? Or was he testing him?
Doflamingo didn't know about Spandam's mental gymnastics, but he could hear the hesitation in his voice.
"Don't you want a promotion? An achievement this great is enough to put you in charge of CP9. I believe with your ability, getting the World Government to let you personally oversee this matter won't be a problem. What? Don't you trust my sincerity?" Doflamingo said coolly.
"No problem, no problem at all," Spandam, hearing the impatience in Doflamingo's tone, quickly replied.
"Once you report this to the World Government, they will surely take it very seriously. This is your chance. In addition, if you want to get the blueprints from Tom, the only way is through his two apprentices. Iceburg is a tough nut to crack, but his other disciple, Cutty Flam, is your target. It's up to you how you handle it."
Doflamingo ignored Spandam and laid out the next steps for him.
"Right, right! I will definitely complete the mission!" Spandam's face lit up, as if he could see a bright future ahead.
"Then tell me, what's your plan?" Doflamingo asked, splashing a bucket of cold water on Spandam's excitement.
"This... well... I haven't thought of a good plan yet," Spandam came back to his senses, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He had been so lost in his fantasy that he had forgotten a god of death was still standing right here.
"Frame Franky for a crime. Put pressure on Tom. Force him to hand over the blueprints," Doflamingo said coldly, his tone a world away from the amiability he had shown with Tom and his apprentices.
"Right, right! Lord Doflamingo, what a brilliant plan!"
Flattery will get you everywhere. Spandam was overjoyed and laid it on thick.
Doflamingo was immune to such flattery. He looked at Wayne and said, "Wayne, you and Chief Spandam will have to get along well."
"My lord, I understand. I will do my best to assist Chief Spandam," Wayne, being a smart man, immediately understood Doflamingo's meaning.
Spandam, however, glared at Wayne with hatred. If it weren't for this guy, he wouldn't have fallen into this pit. Seeing the smile plastered on Wayne's face, Spandam felt the urge to smash it in.
But he didn't dare. Wayne had been placed by his side by Doflamingo to monitor him. Or rather, they were to monitor each other. With the animosity between them, Doflamingo could be sure they wouldn't team up.
"I'm sure you two will cooperate very well. You are both smart men. Follow me, and you will get what you want," Doflamingo said, ignoring their petty squabbles and dangling a carrot in front of them.
"Thank you, my lord."
"Thank you, my lord."
The two of them respectfully expressed their thanks.
"Alright, this is my Den Den Mushi. Contact me if you have anything important. Remember, from now on, call me Joker," Doflamingo said, taking out a Den Den Mushi and giving it to them for communication.
"Joker?" they both muttered.
A clown is a clown. What's the big deal about 'Joker'? Aren't we all clowns in the end?
Doflamingo didn't care about the codename "Joker," but others certainly thought a lot about it. The first reaction to hearing that name was that this was not a person to be trifled with, a man with a black heart.
Law stood to the side like a guard, silently listening to their conversation. He offered no opinion. Doflamingo had brought him to witness this good show, and that in itself was a sign of recognition.
"Alright, that's all. I'll leave everything to you. Notify me when you're ready to begin your operation. I'll be sure to enjoy your grand performance," Doflamingo said coolly.
"Understood."
The two replied in unison. With a wave of Doflamingo's hand, they both left. Doflamingo then quickly departed with Law.
In the empty clearing, only the bodies of a group of World Government officials remained, staining the tender green grass a stark red. If no one took care of them, it wouldn't be long before the place started to stink, swarming with flies.
On the way back, Spandam and Wayne walked with grim faces, each lost in their own thoughts.
Spandam was filled with worry, trying to figure out how to report to the World Government. After all, the men he had brought with him had been completely wiped out, and many people had seen him in action. It wouldn't be easy to smooth this over.
Of course, Doflamingo didn't care about Spandam's worries. How he reported to the World Government was his problem. Doflamingo had no intention of cleaning up his mess.
Wayne, on the other hand, was thinking about his next steps. Ever since falling into Doflamingo's hands, there was no getting out. Getting his heart back from him would be harder than climbing to the sky.
Unless he wasn't afraid to die. But Wayne knew that more than anyone, he wanted to live. How could he possibly choose death? A bad life was better than a good death. Besides, the World Government wouldn't necessarily give him a good death either.
There was actually no difference between being with the World Government and being with Doflamingo.
Having thought it through, Wayne's brow smoothed, and he felt a lightness in his step. Now, he just had to get along with this idiot of a chief. They were both grasshoppers on the same rope now; he was no longer afraid of Spandam.
"Chief Spandam, is something troubling you?" Wayne asked, feigning ignorance, the very picture of a petty man.
Of course, after taking so much of Spandam's abuse, he wanted to get some revenge. Seeing Spandam unhappy made him even happier.
Hearing Wayne's words, Spandam looked at him, the fire of anger burning in his eyes.
SLAP!
But how could a complete weakling like Spandam be a match for Wayne? His slap was caught by Wayne, hitting his hand instead.
"Chief, why so angry?" Wayne asked with a smirk, holding Spandam's hand.
"Wayne, you bastard!"
Spandam was full of rage with nowhere to vent it. He raised his other hand to strike Wayne.
"Chief, be smart, will you? We're in the same boat now," Wayne said, glancing at Spandam's pathetic attempt, completely unfazed.
"If it weren't for you, you damn bastard, would I have been caught by Joker?" Spandam said, his voice cracking with rage.
"Heh heh. Chief, you should actually thank me. If it weren't for me, how would you have such a chance to get promoted and rich?" Wayne sneered.
"I should really thank you, shouldn't I?"
Spandam swung his other hand at Wayne's face. Unsurprisingly, it was also blocked.
"We both work for Joker. You understand what he means, don't you?"
"Hmph! Bastard! Just you wait!"
"Heh heh, we'll see about that."
The two of them quickly disappeared. However, they didn't know that behind them, two people had witnessed this wonderful scene.
Truly, dog-eat-dog. What a good show. How exciting.