Red Line.
Holy Land Mary Geoise, Pangaea Castle Council Hall.
"Isn't this operation a bit too risky?"
Figarland Garling sat cross-legged on a plush leather sofa, a steaming cup of tea in hand. He took a light sip, then said calmly,
"With Doflamingo's personality, he doesn't strike me as someone who forgets his grudges easily."
"That brat was only ten when he shot his own father and brought the head back to Mary Geoise… Tsk, tsk, tsk. I still remember the blood all over the Celestial Stairway that day."
He suddenly chuckled.
"But what stuck with me even more was his expression when he gave up everything just to return here and reclaim his status as a Celestial Dragon—only for you to reject him."
"That face, like he'd realized it was all for nothing. Like he was thinking, 'I killed my father for this?'"
"…To assign such a lunatic as my deputy—I sometimes wonder if you people actually trust me, or if you deliberately sent him to cause me trouble."
Saint Saturn gave him a glance and sneered coldly,
"Garling, if we didn't trust you, we wouldn't have placed you at the head of the God's Knights."
"As for Doflamingo, you're right—his temperament is indeed unstable. But in the current circumstances, he's the most viable option."
Saint Warcury spoke slowly,
"The battle at Philseque Island, followed by the Mary Geoise incident… The elite ranks of the Celestial Dragons suffered massive losses. The younger generation of God's Knights reserves were nearly wiped out by Rogers Daren and his North Blue Fleet."
"You should be quite aware of this already."
"Despite his flaws, Doflamingo carries the blood of the Celestial Dragons. Since becoming one of the Shichibukai, his power has only grown. He's even clashed with the Big Mom Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates without being at a disadvantage."
"Add to that his position as the Underworld Emperor, and Doflamingo has already proven his value."
Figarland Garling shrugged, unconcerned.
"I doubt that's your real reason for choosing Doflamingo though. Putting someone who despises the World Government and hates you at the heart of the Holy Land? That alone can't justify the decision."
"You need a butcher."
The hoarse, cold voice came suddenly—Saint Nusjuro, who had been silently polishing his black cursed blade, finally spoke.
"Me?"
Garling blinked, confused.
Saint Warcury rose slowly from the sofa. His black robe shifted with the motion, exuding the quiet pressure of a ruler who held everything in his grasp. A glint of wisdom flickered in his deep, aged eyes.
"For 800 years, the World Government has ruled the seas. While we've amassed immense foundations, we've also let a swarm of parasites thrive in the Holy Land."
His tone was cold, like a blade of winter, and his eyes seemed to pierce walls and doors, gazing toward the land of the gods where the Celestial Dragons resided.
"The once-mighty clan of 'gods' has turned into nothing but drunken, gluttonous pigs—ugly things bloated beyond recognition."
"Twelve years ago, during the World Noble Hunting Tournament in God Valley, we still had 'kings' like you, Figarland Garling. But now, in Philseque? Not a single promising youth could be found."
"Even that brat from your family—arrogant enough to challenge Rogers Daren—had his head lopped off in the end."
At that remark, Garling offered no response.
Of course he knew what his nephew was like. The kid had talent—maybe not on the level of true monsters, but still a genius. Just one who was spoiled rotten by his parents. Arrogant, entitled, always using the family name to throw his weight around in the Holy Land.
That the brat had been killed by Rogers Daren? It didn't surprise him in the slightest. He didn't even feel the urge for revenge.
Too weak, outclassed. He died. End of story.
"So what? What does bringing Doflamingo back have to do with any of this?"
Figarland Garling asked casually as he patted the Western sword at his waist, its hilt shaped like a griffin.
"I already have a slaughtering blade."
"No," Warcury shook his head. "Your sword is meant to intimidate, not to kill."
"The Holy Land has been peaceful for far too long. Not even the North Blue Fleet could shake our people in the Land of the Gods awake."
"The Clan of the Gods... needs a complete overhaul."
"Strict laws. A clear training system. From now on, every young Celestial Dragon must undergo military training, without exception."
"So let Doflamingo play his part."
"He wants revenge, doesn't he? On the Celestial Dragons who mocked and shunned him. Let him join the God's Knights. He'll have the authority to judge, to enforce."
Figarland Garling listened silently, then glanced at the Five Elders and suddenly laughed.
"And then what?"
"Let Doflamingo stain his hands with Celestial Dragon blood so I, as the commander, can keep mine clean?"
"Once the purge is done, you'll just throw him away like a blood-soaked scapegoat?"
Saint Saturn said flatly,
"When there's no more prey, the slaughtering blade has no purpose."
"...At that time, he'll serve his final value. Complete his final mission."
"Heh."
Figarland Garling chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
"But did it ever cross your minds... that the Celestial Dragons Doflamingo wants to kill the most might just be you five old men?"
He hadn't expected what came next.
As his words fell, the Five Elders all showed the same, subtly meaningful smile.
"Of course we know."
"That's precisely why we're keeping him close—right in front of us."
"Keep your friends close, but your enemies even closer... isn't that how it goes?"
...
At the same time.
New World, Wano Country.
Onigashima Laboratory.
As Daren hung up the Den Den Mushi, he couldn't help but let out a low chuckle.
It seemed he really had wiped out an entire generation of elite young Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land.
The Five Elders had no choice but to bring back Doflamingo, the "Celestial Dragon bloodline" who'd been "wandering abroad for years."
Though the whole thing still felt a little off, in the end, it was clearly just a long-distance chess match between him and the Five Elders—with Doflamingo as the piece on the board.
Daren exhaled slowly, turned his head...
And was met with a face frozen in pure shock.
"H-He... he called you... g-godfather?!"
Dragon stared at Daren, eyes wide like he'd just seen a ghost.