'An explanation?'
Doflamingo's grip tightened on the Den Den Mushi. 'Explain my ass.' He had called to demand answers, not to be interrogated by this fool. His men had been captured, damn it.
His voice was low and cold. "Overlord of the East Blue. All of my men were taken. I believe you owe me an explanation."
"Wahahaha! An explanation? You've got some nerve asking me for one!" As if stung by the words, the Mock's Den Den Mushi blew its nose in irritation. "I was almost killed because of your people! If I hadn't run fast enough, I'd have been captured right alongside those trash. What, did you want me to get caught with those losers for it to count?" It let out another loud sniffle. "For your information, I'm seriously injured here!"
"..." Doflamingo's expression remained grim as he stared at the snail, a glob of mucus now dripping from its nose and its face tinged a sickly blue. 'Seriously injured?'
It looked more like the man had caught a cold. Of course, Doflamingo knew this wasn't the time to tear the arrogant bastard apart over the phone. All his subordinates were captured, and he was being berated by this maniac. He wanted nothing more than to wrap his strings around the man's throat and squeeze.
But now was not the time.
Doflamingo reined in his anger. "There was an accident with the operation, it's true. But my men were captured."
'Let the idiot live a little longer,' he thought.
"We both suffered heavy losses," he continued. "Since that's the case, let's each take a step back. We can work together to get revenge on that Bartholomew Kuma."
He expected his compromise to be met with agreement, but the response was blunt.
"No."
'He... rejected me?'
Doflamingo froze, his expression reddening in anger once more. Forcing the thought of his larger plan to the front of his mind, he swallowed his pride and let out a low chuckle. "Fufufu."
His tone took on a forced, easygoing lilt, though his face remained grim. "Mock, rest assured. The Donquixote Family will send more officers this time."
"I don't feel reassured!"
'You bastard.'
Shot down again, a muscle in Doflamingo's jaw twitched. He assumed the man was worried the next batch of officers would be too weak, so he forced himself to stay calm and offered another light laugh. "Fufufu, there's no need to worry. I'll send even stronger officers from the family this time. I've also prepared a new plan."
"I'm extremely worried!"
The flat rejection shut Doflamingo up again. His fingers tightened around the Den Den Mushi, and he could feel his anger surging hotter.
'Is this man an idiot? Can he really not hear what I'm implying?' For the sake of the plan, he pushed his frustration down. "Perhaps you'd like to hear my new plan?"
"I don't want to hear it!"
In that instant, Doflamingo's face went blank. He felt as if he'd been thrown right back to his first conversation with the so-called Overlord, the same impossible, unreasonable brick wall. He fought the urge to curse the man out, but the question burned in his mind. 'What in the hell does this guy actually want?'
A thought flickered, and after a brief silence, he spoke in a low, heavy voice. "Five hundred million Berry. I'll add another five hundred million as compensation for your losses."
Sure enough, just as he'd expected, the other end of the line distinctive laugh burst out.
The Den Den Mushi, which had been stubbornly sullen until now, broke into a wide, hearty, enthusiastic grin. "Alright, Doofus-bro! You have my attention. Go ahead!"
'This motherf-'
That sudden change in expression, that greedy smile. Doflamingo fell silent again, his face taking on a faintly greenish cast.
'Are there really no other pirates left in the East Blue? How does trash like this become an Overlord?'
He knew it wasn't the time to dwell on that. The man was infuriating, but for now, he was the only option. Any score-settling would have to wait until after the plan succeeded.
Doflamingo let out a long, slow breath, forcing his expression back to a neutral calm. He looked at the beaming snail in his hand, his voice flat. "Rest assured. This time, I'll be sending one of my top officers..."
After a brief explanation, he hung up. His face immediately turned to ice, his grip tightening on the now-silent Den Den Mushi.
The dim throne room seemed to sink into an even deeper, more oppressive silence.
Sensing his captain's fury, Trebol let out his peculiar laugh. "Behehehe," he snickered. "Doffy, want me to take care of that East Blue Overlord while I'm at it?"
"No need." Doflamingo seemed to snap out of his dark mood at Trebol's words, waving a hand dismissively. "As arrogant as he is, he got away from Kuma when Gladius and Dellinger were both captured. He's no pushover." He gave a meaningful little chuckle. "Fufufu, to be honest, I'd like to recruit him. Unfortunately, that man clearly has his own ambitions. He's not the type to serve under anyone else."
He spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness, then strode back and dropped heavily onto his throne, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint smile. As if the unpleasant call hadn't disturbed him at all, he turned his head toward Trebol.
"I'll be counting on you to make the trip this time." Then he looked at the tall man dressed like a tribal warrior standing nearby. "Diamante, you're going too. As for the other officers..."
He rubbed his forehead in annoyance.
"I didn't expect Gladius and Dellinger to get caught. That's a serious loss. Forget it, see which officers are free and take them all with you. I only have one demand..."
A cold smile touched his lips, and behind his sunglasses, his eyes held a terrifying stillness as he spoke softly. "No matter what, bring our family home. And... bring Law back to me."
'As for 'Oda's Cosmetics' recipe... if they can't get it out, it can be abandoned for now.' Working with the Big Mom Pirates was one part of his plan, but securing a user of the Op-Op Fruit was just as crucial.
--**--**
Soon after, following Doffy's orders, Trebol and Diamante set sail for the East Blue.
They arrived at the designated meeting point in a remote stretch of sea, their fleet a testament to how seriously Doflamingo was taking this second attempt. Trebol and Diamante had brought nearly every available officer in the family.
As they waited in tense silence, a familiar sound rolled over the waves.
"Wahahaha~"
Trebol and Diamante looked up at the same time, their eyes fixed on the massive pirate ship approaching them.
"Behehehe, he's here?" Trebol rasped.
"He's definitely here."
A towering, bald giant of a man, draped in a golden, mane-like cape, appeared before them, and behind him flew the unique couplet banners that belonged only to the East Blue Overlord.
'This Overlord of the East Blue...' they both thought, their gazes sharpening. 'To be this loud and brazen and still be alive... he must have some real strength.'
As the Donquixote officers watched with grim expressions, the pirate ship drew alongside their own. The Overlord wore an excited grin and shouted across the water. "Come on, get aboard! I've already found the layout map for the production base! Everyone, with me!"
Trebol and Diamante were taken aback. They exchanged a look, then nodded in unison.
They hadn't expected the man to come with a welcome surprise.
===============
Dear Readers and Fans,
For those eager to dive into next chapters earlier before others, I invite you to join us on Patreon. By becoming our Patron, you not only gain access to exclusive advanced chapters but also help us continue this endeavour and expand it further.
https://www.pat reon.com/8Ashes8
(no space)
You can read upto 7 Chapters in advance.