"Doffy, are you saying Vergo was forced to betray us under the Marines's various abilities, and because he knows all our operational methods, even the spies we planted were discovered through targeted investigations?"
Looking at Trebol's terrified expression, Doflamingo sighed.
"That's one possibility. But we can't rule out that damn brat Jake might actually have the brains and intellect to uncover those spies through some method we're unaware of. Still, I think that possibility is slim.
After all, no matter how capable someone is, it's impossible to flawlessly capture every single spy in one sweep."
Hearing this, Trebol seemed to open a new line of thought.
He looked at Doflamingo and said softly.
"Doffy, that guy's Devil Fruit is the Seraphim Fruit. Do you think he might have some ability to read minds? In many stories, angels have the power to easily discern the good and evil in those around them."
Doflamingo grinned and replied.
"That's not impossible. But we should always prepare for the worst. Get ready to act. Make one last attempt to contact Vergo. If there's still no response, we'll treat it as a betrayal."
Trebol wanted to say more, but Doflamingo's glare made him shudder and lower his head.
"Yes, Doffy. I'll arrange it immediately."
"Also, Trebol, Jake is coming for us. Prepare our counterattack. Recall all the family executives and bring Sugar here. There's an important task for her."
Doflamingo sat in his seat, narrowing his eyes as he watched Trebol leave, his expression dark.
There was much intelligence he hadn't shared with Trebol—including Jake's ability to discern minds.
Days earlier, after Jake killed those soldiers from other nations, Doflamingo had already learned about Jake's abilities through his own intelligence network.
The spies he sent out were actually bait—a test.
Clearly, Jake's ability was no fabrication.
He truly could read people's intentions.
Which meant Vergo, the spy he planted within the Marines, had most likely been exposed by Jake.
If this logic held, then the reason Jake hadn't played the Vergo card yet was likely because he was planning a massive strike.
Thinking about Jake's identity and status, Doflamingo felt his face turn pale.
Nearly all of the Marine Headquarters' top combatants were currently connected to that brat.
Not long ago, that brat had killed so many soldiers from allied nations, yet the Marine Headquarters and the World Government hadn't uttered a single word of protest.
That alone spoke volumes.
This time, the Marines was likely determined to protect Jake at all costs.
Jake was an extremely important piece the Marines were betting on for the future—no, the Marine Headquarters had never treated Jake as a mere pawn.
That brat was the future successor of the Marines, one of the candidates destined to ascend to the throne of the Fleet Admiral!
Damn bastard!
If not for his useless father, he wouldn't have been reduced to hesitating over how to deal with a mere Marine.
If he were still a Celestial Dragon, someone of Jake's caliber could be crushed with just a casual word!
At this thought, Doflamingo's expression grew even more sinister.
****
Meanwhile in Flevance where Jake was stationed, the atmosphere was one of grim tension.
Yesterday, Jake had blockaded all of Flevance's ports.
The day before, he had arrested all the spies Doflamingo had planted.
Last week, he had completely severed most of Doflamingo's business operations.
Now, it was time to close the net.
Today, he would nail this not-yet-fully-grown "Former Celestial Dragon" to the ground in Flevance.
Every member of the Donquixote Family.
Trebol, the Sticky-Sticky Fruit user. Diamante, the Flag-Flag Fruit user.
Gladius, Lao G, Senor Pink...
All the combatants and high-ranking officers of Doflamingo's family currently in Flevance had been thoroughly investigated by Jake through various means.
At this point, the Donquixote Family hadn't yet reached the peak of its power as in the original story—it was still missing some key figures.
But Jake didn't care about that.
To him, most of the Donquixote Family members were expendable; none of them were innocent.
However, there was one exception—someone who might be persuaded to defect if given the chance.
Senor Pink, the man who wore a baby outfit to awaken his lover from her illness and also the Swim-Swim Fruit user.
His personality was almost entirely at odds with the cruelty of the Donquixote Family, and Jake had uncovered the reason why he followed Doflamingo.
During a brawl with others, Doflamingo had saved him and out of gratitude, Senor Pink had pledged his loyalty.
But Senor Pink didn't know that the people who had caused trouble for him and his lover had been orchestrated by Doflamingo himself.
For Doflamingo, using underhanded tricks to recruit strong fighters was nothing unusual.
In fact, he took great pleasure in it.
Given Senor Pink's devotion to his wife, if Jake could cure her and reveal the truth of what happened back then, there was no doubt—Senor Pink would most likely switch sides.
Even if he didn't switch sides to join them, Jake wouldn't kill him.
He couldn't make waves anymore—in Jake's eyes, he was now a very weak Pirate.
With the power of thunder and Holy Light, Jake's current combat abilities were terrifyingly exaggerated.
A knocking sound suddenly came from the door.
Jake looked up and smiled while saying.
"Monet, is everything prepared? Have the shelters for the residents been arranged?"
"Don't worry, Jake. I've already contacted Zephyr-sensei. He'll lead some Marines to protect these residents and prevent them from being harmed by the crazed Donquixote Family. But Zephyr-sensei won't interfere in our affairs. You need to be ready."
"Thank you for your hard work, Monet. Tonight will be the day the Doflamingo family falls, and the day we rescue Sugar."
-----------------------------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator