Chapter 149 Gifting Doflamingo a Marriage
"...Mama, I carefully investigated on Fish-Man Island for several days, and the final result is that Brett's prestige on Fish-Man Island has completely surpassed Neptune's."
The location was Cake Island, where Charlotte Linlin was taking a call. The voice on the other end belonged to a man.
"Quite a few people think he's more suitable than Neptune to become this country's ruler, because everyone agrees that he's the one who brought about the changes."
Charlotte Linlin's expression showed some delight, but immediately the person on the snail continued, "However, there are also many people who think the legitimate ruler Neptune is more suitable, believing such matters are meaningless. The idea that as long as Fish-Man Island maintains its current development speed, it doesn't matter who holds power has many supporters too."
"I'm somewhat unable to judge the situation here, so I can only summarize the general circumstances and ask for your decision, Mama."
Charlotte Linlin furrowed her brow.
She also couldn't get a clear read on the situation.
Had that Brett kid fulfilled his promise or not?
On one hand, just as Doflamingo had said, there were still no visible results, and he still appeared to be on good terms with Neptune.
But on the other hand, he truly had gained very high prestige on Fish-Man Island. In a few more years, perhaps he could raise his voice and the people of Fish-Man Island would spontaneously rise up to overthrow Neptune, just as he had said before.
How should she handle this?
Even someone as experienced as Charlotte Linlin was hesitating now.
So she looked toward the culprit—Doflamingo, who stood to the side with a frowning brow and downturned mouth corners.
Charlotte Linlin naturally wouldn't let this guy just leave.
"Doflamingo, do you have anything to say?"
Charlotte Linlin's voice was very cold.
Doflamingo slowly let out a breath. That bastard Brett was really doing quite well.
Even he was starting to wonder if his information was somewhat outdated—maybe Brett and Neptune only maintained surface-level pleasantries while actually having fallen out behind the scenes long ago.
After all, putting himself in their shoes, he would never allow someone with higher prestige than himself to exist within his ruled country, especially when that person controlled what might be the nation's strongest military force.
What king could tolerate such a situation?
Doflamingo couldn't be certain either.
This world had no shortage of various bottomless scumbags, but Doflamingo also knew there were plenty of fools like his father and brother.
A clear example was King Riku of Dressrosa. Supposedly, Neptune and King Riku were good friends now—it was hard to say if he wasn't equally naive.
However, Doflamingo certainly couldn't remain speechless before Charlotte Linlin, or else he'd confirm that he was deliberately framing Brett, and even Kaido couldn't save him then.
"What was gathered is only surface-level information from Fish-Man Island. Can you really be certain of the specifics, BIG MOM?"
Doflamingo tried hard to maintain his composure. The more one might panic, the more one must not panic. One must absolutely stay calm in front of monsters.
He couldn't peer into Charlotte Linlin's thoughts like Brett could and speak accordingly, but fortunately, he wasn't lacking in experience dealing with monsters.
"You mean I should trust you more than Brett, who has helped the family quite a bit this past year?" Charlotte Linlin sneered.
Doflamingo's eyes behind his sunglasses rolled.
If you really trusted that Brett fellow so much, why would you send someone to Fish-Man Island to investigate?
"Verification is actually simple—just apply a little pressure to Brett," Doflamingo continued, "then have your people on Fish-Man Island observe whether Brett takes any action."
Charlotte Linlin's eyes narrowed. "Mamama, you really are sparing no effort in targeting Brett."
"Fufufufu, can't help it—that guy is my enemy." Doflamingo showed no signs of concealment. "On the contrary, we should be friends, Big Mom. Kaido told me quite a lot about your past together. Aren't you good friends?"
"Mamama! That Kaido guy?" Charlotte Linlin also laughed nostalgically, but immediately her voice turned cold. "That brat thinking he can stand as my equal is still a few hundred years too early!!"
She glared fiercely at Doflamingo. "You better pray that Brett kid really does harbor ill intentions!"
Doflamingo's heart sank.
Now he was the one in an awkward position.
"Mamama, no time to waste—I'll call Brett right now."
Charlotte Linlin didn't even put down the Den Den Mushi in her hand and dialed directly.
When the Den Den Mushi began ringing, Brett was still sparring with Jinbei. Their Armament Haki flow was becoming increasingly skillful—even light touches could unleash considerable power.
This visible progress greatly stimulated both men's desire to train.
Only the Den Den Mushi's call broke this positive atmosphere.
Brett pulled out his Den Den Mushi.
"Is this Tesoro?" he asked expectantly.
Had there been developments in the END POINT investigation he'd asked him to look into?
Shirahoshi was still a child and couldn't properly control Poseidon's power yet. Pluton was still sunk in Wano Country and couldn't be obtained. If he could get his hands on Dyna Stones comparable to Ancient Weapons, he'd have more confidence in future negotiations.
"It's me!" But a different voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
Brett's expression shifted slightly, and he immediately looked up at Jinbei.
Jinbei nodded knowingly and silently stepped aside.
"Big Mom? What's this about—do you have some guidance for me?"
Brett's mind began racing at light speed.
The Charlotte family had contacted him multiple times this past year, mostly about business matters, but there had also been several occasions urging him to quickly conquer Fish-Man Island.
But all these contacts had one thing in common—he was contacted by the Charlotte family's official spokesperson Perospero, not Her Majesty personally calling.
So why this time?
"Mamama! Because some blind fool just had to run to my face and say you're only deceiving me, that you have no intention of seizing Fish-Man Island."
Charlotte Linlin's voice carried heavy laughter, like a neighboring aunt chatting during a visit, but Brett's expression instantly became grave.
"Brett, you wouldn't deceive me, would you?"
"I naturally have no need to deceive you." Brett countered, "However, could I know which bastard dared to come and sow discord between us?"
Cake Island.
Charlotte Linlin looked with amusement at the very unpleasant-looking Doflamingo. "Mamama, of course you can know—it's Doflamingo."
She sold out Doflamingo without hesitation.
Though she suspected Brett, she wouldn't serve as Doflamingo's blade.
"..."
Brett's mouth twitched.
A guy more annoying than a fly.
He really wanted to kill him immediately.
But that guy was far away in the New World...
Wait.
Since Doflamingo was disgusting him, why couldn't he disgust him back?
He went to find Charlotte Linlin? Then he might as well use this woman to strike back.
He'd be doing Doflamingo a favor—let him gift him a good marriage.
Brett's mouth curved upward.
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