Gild Tesoro was a tragic figure. When compared to Doflamingo, their experiences were two sides of the same coin.
As a former slave whose beloved was stolen from him, his heart had been completely twisted. His hatred for the Celestial Dragons was no less than Doflamingo's; in fact, it could be said to be even stronger. Doflamingo could fully understand Tesoro's mindset. At the darkest point in his life, what other purpose could he have besides a desperate quest for revenge?
However, the current Tesoro had not yet obtained the Gold-Gold Fruit. Doflamingo had acquired that fruit long ago. Unlike in the original story, he wasn't foolish enough to put it up for auction, giving someone else the opportunity to snatch it. He wouldn't allow Tesoro the chance to rise to power and control twenty percent of the world's Beri. A fruit that powerful was something Doflamingo would, of course, keep for himself. He would never let it go so easily.
As a result, the Tesoro of this timeline had not obtained the Gold-Gold Fruit. Instead, he was holed up in the Sabaody Archipelago, secretly looking for an opportunity to build up strength for his revenge. Although this was the Celestial Dragons' territory and fraught with danger, it also presented the greatest chance of finding something valuable.
For that slim glimmer of hope, ever since escaping the Holy Land of Mariejois, Tesoro had been hiding here without a second thought, searching for the power of a Devil Fruit to aid his vengeance.
During his confrontation with the Celestial Dragon, Doflamingo had spotted him. He had no intention of letting a man like Tesoro slip through his fingers. However, while Tesoro had the talent and strength, his heart would not be so easily won. Bringing Law along was just an extra layer of insurance.
Tesoro, who understood the dangers of Sabaody all too well, was an expert at hiding. The pursuers sent to hunt down escaped slaves had never discovered that the man they were looking for was living right under their noses.
Using his own ingenuity, Tesoro had secretly gathered a number of followers and established a small but formidable underground organization, dealing in human trafficking and speculation. If it weren't for the memory of Stella and his past as a slave, Tesoro's life could even be considered comfortable.
But not a moment went by that Tesoro forgot the dream and the hatred buried in his heart. To achieve his goal, he had been constantly searching for information on the Gold-Gold Fruit. Only with that fruit could he achieve his obsession with controlling money and gain the power he needed to take revenge on the Celestial Dragons.
Tesoro's small operation was based in Grove 8 of the Sabaody Archipelago. In the time since his escape, his intelligence had led him to information about several Devil Fruits, but he had never made a move. From the very beginning, the only one he wanted was the Gold-Gold Fruit.
"Boss, you're back!" a subordinate greeted Tesoro respectfully.
Tesoro ignored him, walking straight to his room to vent his frustration. He had thought he would witness the death of a Celestial Dragon today, but in the end, nothing had happened.
Damn it! Is there really no chance? Stella, I'm sorry. I don't have the strength to avenge you.
Tesoro's face was contorted with hatred.
"Do you want revenge? I can give you power."
The sudden voice startled Tesoro. He quickly suppressed his despair and helplessness, shouting into the empty room.
"Who's there? Show yourself! Stop playing games!"
"We just met not too long ago, didn't we?"
Tesoro replayed the recent events in his mind and realized who it was.
"What does a big shot like you want with me?" Tesoro asked, composing himself.
"Fuffuffu... As expected of a former Celestial Dragon slave who can thrive right under their noses."
CRASH!
Doflamingo kicked the door open and walked in, a smile on his face. His words struck Tesoro like a bolt from the blue, leaving him frozen in place. Then, an immense rage surged up from the depths of his heart. This was his deepest, most hidden secret, and it had been so easily exposed.
Tesoro didn't answer. Fury flooded his mind, and he lunged forward, his fists flying toward Doflamingo.
Seeing Tesoro's attack, Doflamingo sighed and gave a simple order. "Law, cool him down."
"Yes, Mr. Doflamingo," Law replied respectfully.
He watched calmly as Tesoro charged. In a flash, Law appeared directly in front of him and landed a heavy punch.
THUD.
Tesoro hit the ground, the impact clearing his rage-filled mind slightly. He looked up at the young man before him in disbelief.
"Well now, have you calmed down a bit, Tesoro?" Doflamingo asked, looking down at him.
"Doflamingo, what the hell do you want?" Tesoro demanded.
"I already told you. I'm here to offer you a chance to become stronger," Doflamingo said with a hint of exasperation.
"You'd be so kind? I don't believe in free lunches. Only money and power are real in this world," Tesoro scoffed.
"True, there's no such thing as a free lunch. To get something, you have to give something in return. That's only fair, isn't it?" Doflamingo said calmly, unfazed by the mockery on Tesoro's face.
"Very fair. So, what can you give me?" Tesoro asked, his derision replaced by a serious expression.
"A Devil Fruit you've been dreaming of. One that can not only bring you endless wealth but also allow you to control your own destiny," Doflamingo said, his voice laced with temptation.
Hearing Doflamingo's words, Tesoro's breathing quickened.
"The Gold-Gold Fruit... you have it?" he pressed.
"That's right. The Gold-Gold Fruit is in my hands," Doflamingo confirmed with a nod.
"Give it to me! Give it to me now!" Tesoro scrambled to his feet and rushed toward Doflamingo, trying to grab his clothes.
THUD.
With a single, elegant kick, Law once again gave Tesoro a chance to clear his head.
"Cough, cough... I got carried away," Tesoro choked out. "Tell me, Doflamingo, what do you want?"
The situation was clear; he had no choice but to submit. Doflamingo seemed to know everything about him, while he knew almost nothing about Doflamingo, aside from the scant information on his bounty poster.
"You're a smart man, Tesoro," Doflamingo praised him as he regained his composure.
"If I weren't, I'd have been dead long ago, wouldn't I?" Tesoro retorted.
"My condition is simple. Swear your loyalty to me," Doflamingo stated plainly. Though his tone was calm, it carried an undeniable weight.
"What do you see in me? I don't think I'm valuable enough to warrant your personal attention," Tesoro said with self-deprecation.
"Don't sell yourself short, Tesoro. We're the same, you and I. We are both avengers," Doflamingo said.
"Avengers?" Tesoro repeated the word, the ferocity in his eyes deepening.
"You, who have suffered so much at the hands of the Celestial Dragons, don't you want to fight back? I can give you the power to do so."
"Fight the World Government? Doflamingo, is that your goal?" Tesoro raised his bloodshot eyes, searching for confirmation.
"I'm just taking back what is rightfully ours. Don't you want to do the same? The pain they inflicted on you, don't you want to return it?" Doflamingo said calmly.
"I do! Of course, I do! I think about it every single moment!" Tesoro roared.
"Good. It seems you haven't forgotten the shame, the suffering," Doflamingo said with approval.
"What do I have to do?" Tesoro asked, his mind made up.
"I will give you the power and wealth you dream of, the strength to take your revenge. However..." Doflamingo paused.
"However what?" Tesoro looked at Doflamingo, waiting for an answer. But Doflamingo remained silent, letting Tesoro figure it out for himself. With his intelligence, he knew that to receive, one must also give.
Haaa...
Tesoro took a deep breath, then exhaled, clearing the turmoil in his chest. He understood.
"Let's do it. I'm ready," he said, his expression devoid of joy or sorrow. To achieve his dream, to get his revenge, he would walk into the abyss without hesitation. For Stella, and for himself, he accepted.
"I knew I wasn't mistaken about you, Tesoro," Doflamingo said with admiration.
"We're both avengers, aren't we?" Tesoro replied calmly.
"Do it, Law."
Doflamingo nodded to the young surgeon. Law acknowledged the order and began.
"Room... Scalpel."
A beating heart appeared silently in Law's hand. Deprived of his heart, Tesoro collapsed weakly to the ground, stunned by what he had just witnessed.
Another Devil Fruit user, and so young, Tesoro thought, shocked by the power of the people at Doflamingo's side.
"This is your heart. I'll take good care of it for you," Doflamingo said, holding the organ. "As long as you don't betray me, I won't do anything to you."
"I will honor our agreement," Tesoro promised.
"You will be glad you made this choice today, Tesoro," Doflamingo encouraged him.
"I'll be waiting to see," Tesoro replied, his eyes fixed on the heart in Doflamingo's hand, his thoughts unreadable.
"I'll have the fruit sent to you. Get yourself ready. I won't restrict your actions. Do as you please. Here is my Den Den Mushi; I'll contact you when necessary. Of course, you can also contact me. Work hard, Tesoro. It would be a lot less fun if you weren't there for the future revenge against the Celestial Dragons."
With that, Doflamingo tossed the Den Den Mushi to Tesoro and left with Law.
"Just you wait, Celestial Dragons. I won't miss this feast," Tesoro said to himself, a meaningful smile playing on his lips as he looked at the device in his hand. "Doflamingo... what an interesting man."
He was more than happy with the freedom Doflamingo had given him. If he was allowed to do as he pleased, then all the better.
Stella, I can finally see hope! Don't worry, I'll make them all pay! Tesoro knelt on the floor, tears streaming down his face as he made a promise to her. After all the suffering he had endured, this moment had been too long in coming.
The famous Gold Emperor was about to make his debut. But what the world wouldn't know was that he was now a member of the Donquixote Pirates.