Rett still lounged lazily upon a throne woven from blood mist, propping his chin with one hand, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.
Moria, Enel, and Tesoro stood before him like an unshakable wall.
"Oi oi, want to challenge the captain?" Tesoro stepped forward first, a sneer curling across his lips. "Then you'll have to get through us, little birds."
At his feet, a golden tide began to surge. The stored gold hidden within the ship's hold flowed like water, spilling into the sea before rising as crashing waves that rushed straight toward the Donquixote Family's ship.
Diamante's face twisted, sword flashing as he struck desperately, only to be swallowed and smashed aside by the tidal wave of gold.
"The Golden Emperor… truly deserving of his name!" he snarled, charging forward again despite his injuries.
One had to admit, say what you will about the Flamingo and his crew, but loyalty wasn't their weak point. Even knowing they couldn't win, they still tried to protect Doflamingo's pride.
The golden waves rolled ceaselessly, and Tesoro stood high atop a colossal golden giant, gazing down with condescending eyes.
"In my domain…"
He slowly raised his hand, and the sea of gold convulsed, reshaping itself into countless razor-sharp spears aimed directly at Diamante.
"…you don't even have the right to struggle."
The words had barely left his mouth before the golden spears rained down. Diamante swung frantically, but the moment his armor touched the gold, it was assimilated. His blade shattered, pupils shrinking in disbelief.
"Divine Punishment of Gold: Dominion."
It's true what they say like captain, like crew. If this were the real world, Rett would owe Tesoro a luxury apartment for his service. But in this hot-blooded world, it felt perfectly fitting.
Tesoro clenched his fist, and Diamante's armor completely solidified, locking him inside a golden coffin. The waves slammed against the statue with a dull boom.
"Pathetic insect."
Turning his back, Tesoro released his grip, letting the gold unravel and flow back to form a glittering path across the deck. He strode along it until he stood once more before Rett, though still beneath his captain's gaze.
"Captain, it's done."
Rett's smile deepened within the blood mist as he replied, "Nicely handled, Mr. Tesoro."
Tesoro pressed one hand to his chest and gave a slight bow.
"Enemies of this level aren't even worthy of a warm-up, Captain."
He then turned, silently taking his place at Rett's right hand, looking down upon the battlefield.
From the shadows, Moria's massive frame emerged, jagged fangs gleaming in a grin. He stretched lazily, though the shadows at his feet twisted into countless tendrils that licked hungrily across the deck.
"Heh-shishishi…"
"In the face of darkness, your slime is worthless."
Ever since Moria had fallen into his slothful habits, his shadow techniques had taken on grotesque forms.
Trebol's viscous body swelled, spewing toxic mucus like torrential rain. Yet Moria didn't even bother to move. With a snap of his fingers
"Shadow Box: Strangulation."
Instantly, a prison of shadows erupted from the deck, ensnaring Trebol. Jagged spikes of darkness pierced through the slime with a hiss, corroding it away. Trebol's face twisted in horror as he realized his Devil Fruit powers were being devoured by the shadows themselves.
"Impossible! My mucus… it can't—!"
Moria's mocking eyes gleamed. His body split into a swarm of bats that scattered, then reformed behind Trebol. Leaning close, he whispered in his ear:
"Heh-shishishi… your nightmare has only just begun."
The Shadow Box tightened brutally, Trebol's screams muffled as Moria casually popped open a soda and took a long swig.
"Captain, should I leave him alive?"
Rett gave a slight nod. Crushing their opponents was natural after all, Doflamingo himself barely scraped the level of a Warlord. Rett's crew, aside from a few non-combatants, each easily stood among the Warlords' strongest.
Now came our resident chuuni boy's turn Enel.
Golden lightning exploded across the clouds as Enel sat cross-legged in midair, thunder drums floating behind him. He rested his cheek in his palm, glaring down at Pica's massive stone form with obvious irritation.
Just as he prepared to show off his "divine" punishment, Doflamingo suddenly intervened.
His hands flicked, threads lashing out with lightning speed, dragging Pica away from Enel's thunderous assault. His trademark laugh rang out, but there was a strange restraint beneath it.
"Fufufufufu… enough."
The thunder drums still rumbled, Enel narrowing his eyes dangerously. "Oi, pink bird, what's the meaning of this?"
Doflamingo's sunglasses caught the crackling lightning as he slowly raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. "I admit it…"
The words grated against his pride, twisting his grin. "…the strength of the Blood Dawn is far beyond what I expected."
The deck fell silent. Tesoro and the others ignored Doflamingo, instead glancing toward Rett upon his throne.
Finally, Rett stirred, flexing a single finger. His blood-mist throne slowly descended. Tilting his head, he grinned playfully.
"Oh? Giving up already?"
Rett knew perfectly well: if Doflamingo wasn't beaten into submission, he'd never stop scheming. But the results spoke for themselves today's lesson had been effective.
Sweat beaded at Doflamingo's brow, though his manic smile didn't falter. "Rett… your crew is truly formidable."
Removing his glasses, his eyes burned with ambition. "I hope Captain Rett will support the growth of my influence."
"Support? Wholeheartedly?" Tesoro scoffed, gold glittering between his fingers. "You're not worthy. Maybe before the battle we could've talked. But after? The price has changed."
Doflamingo's fingers trembled, but he steadied them quickly. "Fufufufu… perhaps I'm unworthy now."
He locked eyes with Rett. "But give me time, and I'll prove my worth. Don't you want to be king of this world? Will you let the Celestial Dragons trample you forever?"
That speech again? Hadn't Tesoro said something similar once? Whatever.
The sea breeze swept across the deck, salty and sharp. Rett was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.
"Interesting!" Rising to his feet, blood mist billowed behind him like a cloak. "Flamingo, I'm starting to like you more and more."
Doflamingo secretly exhaled in relief, though his manic façade remained. "Then… shall we continue our partnership?"
Rett snapped his fingers, dispersing the blood mist. "I won't help you, but I won't stop you either. If you want to prove your worth, then show me."
Of course, he'd pay a price for trying to test Rett but at least Rett wouldn't cut him off entirely.
A grin flashed across Rett's face. "But remember…"
He fell silent.
Tesoro finished the threat, golden spears condensing in his palm. "…next time you try to play games, you won't walk away so easily."
Doflamingo slid his sunglasses back on, pink feathers whipping in the wind. "Fufufufufu… I look forward to our next meeting."
"You did well," Rett said calmly. "I don't mind helping you cut down every last one of those Celestial nobles."
Doflamingo turned, his grin sharp as a blade. "Fufufufu… I can't wait, Captain Rett."
As the Donquixote Family's ship drifted away, Enel sulked, muttering, "Tch. This god didn't even get to unleash divine punishment."
In truth, Rett's agreement with Doflamingo was simple. The bird had tested his strength out of arrogance, but Rett had beaten him into submission. And more importantly, Flamingo's desire to wipe out the Celestial Dragons burned brighter than most.
Rett didn't dislike ambitious men with ability. And for someone with foresight like him, keeping a little pink bird under his thumb was nothing but easy.
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