The Grand Line, an unknown island.
Inside a luxurious entertainment club,
The frenzied music pulsed through the air as countless beautiful women danced in the center of the floor. Pirates, merchants, and gangsters who had come from far and wide joined in with enthusiasm.
Above the dance floor, a young man with slicked-back green hair, dressed in a golden tuxedo, held a wine glass and gently swirled the expensive red wine inside.
His outfit was the epitome of extravagance—on closer inspection, the golden embellishments on his clothes were actually made of real gold. A confident and flamboyant smile played across his face.
He was flanked by a group of muscular bodyguards and a stunning red-haired woman, all standing respectfully by his side.
He didn't join the wild revelry on stage. Instead, he toyed with the golden ring on his finger, eyes filled with nostalgia, as if no ordinary beauty could catch his interest.
He raised his glass and downed the luxurious wine in one go.
Suddenly, a figure with a disproportionately large head popped out from the ground in front of him.
"Tesoro-sama, it seems you truly are the destined wielder of the Gold-Gold Fruit!!!"
It was Tanaka, who had the ability to phase through inorganic matter and was the one who brought the Gold-Gold Fruit to Tesoro. He stood with his hands behind his back, bowing deeply with great respect.
He was genuinely delighted—Tesoro was indeed someone worth following.
In just a short time, he had already begun to master the powers of the Gold-Gold Fruit, not to mention his potential influence and connections.
Tesoro's lips curled into a smile.
He had already tasted the pleasures of wealth. With the power of the Gold-Gold Fruit, he quickly gained control over the industrial chains on several islands.
Even when he ran into unexpected troubles, he overcame them one by one.
Money could make even ghosts grind your mill.
His ability to rapidly accumulate capital was inseparable from the power of the Gold-Gold Fruit.
"You've done a great job, Tanaka. The Gold-Gold Fruit plays a decisive role in expanding our business."
"No… Tesoro-sama, it wasn't entirely my doing."
Tanaka's expression grew serious as he recalled the events. He had managed to escape successfully, but only because someone had deliberately let him go.
After all, the Sabaody Archipelago had long become the underground world's stronghold.
There were always powerful Haki users stationed at key locations, like the auction houses…
Yet, after he got away with the fruit, no top-tier Conqueror's Haki users chased after him. That was… quite telling.
"It felt like someone wanted me to have it. I didn't encounter any serious resistance along the way."
"Is that so…"
Tesoro stretched out his right hand. The golden ring on his finger melted and flowed, forming the delicate figure of a long-haired young man in his palm.
"I actually figured that out not long after. Someone that powerful must've just wanted me to make money for him. But it doesn't matter. As long as I can get Stella back by my side, even becoming his subordinate is fine by me."
Tanaka frowned.
"Tesoro-sama… the person you're referring to… is it Donquixote Doflamingo, the underground's top broker? With all due respect, at the rate you're growing, it won't be long before you no longer have to fear—"
After all, they had "snatched" the Gold-Gold Fruit from Doflamingo. That was the only person Tanaka could think of.
He did admit Doflamingo was a rising power on the seas with strong forces backing him, but he wasn't exactly invincible.
To submit to him so readily… Tanaka couldn't accept it.
"No… it's someone far more powerful than him."
Tesoro gave a bitter smile as he slowly raised his arm and showed them the golden figurine in his hand.
The moment Tanaka, Baccarat, and the others saw the figure's face, their previously calm expressions changed dramatically.
Their faces were filled with disbelief and horror!!!
No way!!!???
Wasn't this man said to have no interest in the affairs of the underground world?
If it was that Black Emperor...
Being his subordinate…
Didn't sound so bad after all.
They looked at Tesoro, their eyes practically saying, "Are you flexing right now?"
There were countless people who would kill for the chance to be Orin-sama's subordinate—but didn't even qualify.
"Anyway, let's gather the funds as soon as possible. It's not a small amount, but it shouldn't be too difficult to manage. Worst case, I'll lead a team to search for gold mines."
With the power of the Gold-Gold Fruit, making money was no longer a challenge.
...
Elsewhere—
The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
"...That's the situation, Doflamingo-sama. The Gold-Gold Fruit has been taken by Tesoro's crew. Moshi moshi, Doflamingo-sama?"
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, a member of the Donquixote Family was reporting respectfully. They had completed the task as instructed.
But although Doflamingo was on the line, his mind wasn't in the conversation.
"I got it."
Click.
He hung up the call.
Doflamingo stood there in stunned silence, completely out of place among the surrounding nobles and royals enjoying the party.
What a fucking joke!!!
Damn Elder bastards!!!
He had committed patricide, the gravest of taboos, and brought his father's head to the Holy Land—only to be chased back to the North Blue in shame.
Yet Orin, a complete outsider without a single drop of Celestial Dragon blood, had only been in Mary Geoise for a couple of days before they practically forced the identity onto him.
Were they that desperate to make him one of their own?
This blatant double standard made Doffy question his entire life all over again.
So…
The only reason he wasn't accepted…
Was because he wasn't strong enough?
If the Elders had just told him that from the start, he would've focused on getting stronger. Why the hell did he kill his dad for!?
His father had died for nothing!!!
Perhaps sensing the collapse of his resolve, Orin handed him a bottle of red wine.
"Orin…sama."
Doffy muttered the name, face expressionless. He wanted to let out his signature fufufufu laugh, but he just couldn't.
He drowned it all in wine.
Gulp gulp gulp…
He drank furiously, not even caring as the red liquid dribbled from the corners of his mouth and soaked his clothes. It was clear—he was truly heartbroken.
"Let's skip the -sama part, sounds too awkward. Don't lose hope, Doffy. You'll definitely have another chance someday."
Orin patted his shoulder in consolation.
"Honestly, this title means nothing to me. It's not something I can even pass on to my descendants—after all, I don't actually have the bloodline of a real Celestial Dragon."
Hearing that, Doflamingo froze. His hand paused mid-motion, and his entire body tensed.
He turned his head to look at Orin. His mind raced—until he came up with an idea.
"Orin-sama, as long as the child is yours and has Celestial Dragon blood, that's enough, right?"
"Well... theoretically, yes."
Orin scratched his chin thoughtfully. That was something some of the Celestial Dragon girls had just told him.
"Fufufufu… bloodline, huh… I just so happen to have one!!!"