Aboard the Ark, Doflamingo convened a meeting with his executives. Between the impending arrival of the Whitebeard Pirates and Vergo's operation, there was much to discuss.
"Doffy, let me say this first: I'm going with you this time," Enel declared before Doflamingo could even begin.
"Tsk, tsk. Enel, you bastard, since when did you learn to jump the gun?" Doflamingo teased.
"Yahahahaha! Doffy, I just know how you operate by now," Enel laughed, unfazed.
"Fine. This time, it'll just be the two of us heading to Bugara Island," Doflamingo said, making the decision with a wave of his hand.
Hearing this, Enel beamed and fell silent.
"Doffy, is that really wise?" Diamante wasn't trying to argue, he was genuinely concerned about the plan.
"Brother, I agree. It's not right," Robin added urgently.
"Oh? What's not right about it?" Doflamingo said, unconcerned. "I'm not looking for a life-or-death battle with the Whitebeard Pirates. I just want to test the waters."
"But we're a family! How can we let you and Enel go on such a dangerous mission alone?" Robin protested.
"Doflamingo-san, we won't hold you back," Law also volunteered.
"That's right, Young Master. We want to fight alongside you, too," Monet said anxiously.
The others all looked eager, showing no signs of fear.
"Alright, Robin, Law, Monet, I know what you're thinking, and I appreciate the sentiment," Doflamingo said, placating them. "But I have another mission for you, one that's just as challenging as mine. Are you willing to accept it?"
"Young Master, what's the mission?" Baby 5 asked, her emotions shifting as quickly as ever.
"Vergo needs your help over there. Listen closely," Doflamingo said, patiently explaining the details of Vergo's plan.
"Brother, if we do that, our mission will be just as difficult," Robin said, voicing her concern after he finished. "But there's that one guy... we have to get him on our side. If he doesn't cooperate, it could ruin everything." The others widened their eyes, waiting for Doflamingo's solution.
"Don't worry. In a moment, I'll follow the phone line right to him. He can't run," Doflamingo said. "Besides, he and I have a lot of old scores to settle. I won't let him off easy."
"If that's the case, then I have no objections," Robin said, satisfied with his answer.
The meeting quieted down. "Doffy, what about the prisoners from the Whitebeard Pirates?" Ibes asked.
"Brother, we should take them with us. It'll be a form of insurance," Robin interjected.
"I agree with Robin," Monet said with a frown.
Fearing Doflamingo might refuse, Diamante quickly added, "Doffy, I think that's a good idea, too."
Doflamingo glanced at them, seeing through their little scheme. But he didn't refuse. After all, you only live once; a little insurance wasn't a bad thing.
"Alright. I'll take Whitey Bay with me. The rest of them are your responsibility," Doflamingo announced.
"Don't worry, Doffy. I'll take good care of them," Diamante promised.
"Then it's settled."
After the meeting, in Doflamingo's private quarters, he and Ibes prepared for a private activity.
"Let's begin, Ibes," Doflamingo said to the beautiful woman before him.
"Yes," Ibes nodded obediently.
"Morgans, it's time to settle our accounts," Doflamingo sneered as he watched Ibes begin.
Purupurupuru...
The sound of a Den Den Mushi echoed through the office of the World Economic News. Its president, "Big News" Morgans, was riding high. All the recent major scoops had come from him.
He casually picked up the receiver. "Hello?"
"It's connected," Ibes said to Doflamingo.
"Fuffuffu... excellent. Human Data Transmission!" The moment Doflamingo's voice fell, he vanished from the Ark, leaving Ibes alone in the room.
She stared at the empty space, still amazed by his ability. No matter how many times she saw it, it was always a shock.
"Hello? Hello? Say something! What's 'Human Data Transmission'? What kind of prank is this? I'm a very busy man! My time is worth hundreds of thousands of Berries a minute! Are you messing with me, you bastard?" Morgans grumbled, about to hang up.
"President Morgans, why are you in such a foul mood?"
Just as Morgans was about to end the call, a mocking voice boomed in his ear.
A flash of lightning erupted from the Den Den Mushi, rapidly coalescing into the form of Doflamingo.
Seeing him, Morgans's eyes narrowed, and his heart skipped a beat. He never imagined Doflamingo could track him down like this.
"Haha! Well, if it isn't the famous Captain Doflamingo! To what do I owe the pleasure?" Morgans, ever the professional, quickly recovered his composure, not overly concerned for his own life.
"That depends on how smart you are, President Morgans," Doflamingo said, casually seating himself on the sofa and crossing his legs.
"Haha, what's that supposed to mean, Captain Doflamingo? Whatever you command, I will speak freely and do my utmost to accomplish it for you," Morgans said, using the art of language to feel out the situation. He knew his own limits; he was no match for this monster.
"Relax, President. It's just a small matter for you. I'm sure you can handle it. After all, your newspapers are full of exaggerations, aren't they?"
"Now, now, Lord Doflamingo, you can't say that! The news we report is the absolute truth! We would never engage in fake news. At most, we just... embellish a little," Morgans said, his eyes narrowed.
"Really?"
"Really, just a little," Morgans said, making a small gesture with his fingers.
"Then why did you write about me like that?"
"Haha, that was a sign of respect for your strength! I'm sure the title of World's Strongest will be yours in the future," Morgans flattered, not blushing in the slightest.
What a cunning old fox, Doflamingo thought.
This Doflamingo fellow is not easy to fool, Morgans thought at the same time.
"Well then, as it happens, I have a big scoop for you. I wonder if the esteemed President is willing to accept it?"
"You're too kind, Lord Doflamingo. For you to come all this way just to give me such a gift... I really couldn't accept."
"So you're refusing?" A piercing crackle of lightning formed in Doflamingo's palm, sounding like a thousand birds screeching at once.
Seeing the undisguised threat, Morgans felt a sense of helplessness, but his expression remained perfectly composed.
"How could you say that? I never said I was refusing! How could I possibly refuse such a generous gift?"
"Morgans, you're a smart man. You've made the smartest decision," Doflamingo said, looking at the ever-cautious newsman.
"You flatter me. Compared to you, I'm just a small fry, hardly worth mentioning," Morgans said with a fawning smile.
"I know whether I'm flattering you or not. Morgans, drop the act and do as I say. Thunder Bite."
Before Morgans could react, a bolt of lightning shot from Doflamingo's hand and into his body.
Morgans wanted to dodge, but one look at Doflamingo's expression and he resigned himself to his fate, watching as the lightning entered him.
"Relax. It's just a little precaution. It won't kill you. You're a very good partner of mine, after all," Doflamingo said, standing up.
"Heh heh," Morgans laughed, a sound more painful than a cry.
Doflamingo walked over to him and whispered a few words in his ear, then dialed Ibes's signal.
"I look forward to our next meeting, President Morgans."
With that, Doflamingo's figure vanished, leaving Morgans alone with a sinister expression on his face.
"Bastard! Damn it! You shameless, despicable... why don't you just die!" Morgans vented his fury.
"Ara, ara... President Morgans, did someone upset you? Why are you in such a temper?" Doflamingo's voice came through the still-open line, instantly silencing Morgans's tirade.
"Haha! Of course not, Lord Doflamingo! I was just scolding a subordinate. Rest assured, I will carry out your instructions perfectly," Morgans said with a forced laugh.
"I'll be waiting for your good news, then."
The line went dead. Morgans finally let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding and collapsed into his chair. He could feel the powerful throbbing in his chest, and his brow furrowed in a complex knot.
Aboard the Ark, Ibes listened to Morgans's side of the conversation. "Hee hee, that guy sure can change his tune quickly!" she giggled.
"Isn't that the truth."
Only three days remained until the meeting at Bugara Island. It was about to get very lively.
Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, the Marines... What a lively party this will be, Doflamingo thought.