Donquixote Doflamingo would never allow himself to run away like a defeated dog, nor hide like a rat scurrying from shadows.
Facing Vergo's deafening and terrifying words.
Donquixote Doflamingo fell into deep silence for a moment.
A monster as powerful as a navy Admiral?
He really didn't expect that there would be such an unreasonable monster like Rosen in this sea, who could rise to Admiral-level strength in just a few months.
What's even more outrageous was that such a monster was now heading towards the North Sea, pointing his sword at him.
"Doffy."
"Did you hear me?"
When Vergo saw that Donquixote Doflamingo remained silent for a long time, he thought the Den Den Mushi's signal had been cut off.
"I heard it all."
After a long while, Donquixote Doflamingo finally spoke.
"And what is your decision?"
Vergo asked quickly.
"My decision?"
Donquixote Doflamingo stood up from his chair, holding the Den Den Mushi. He walked to the window, stretched out his hand, and pushed the glass open. He looked down at his family cadres who were either talking, reading, or exercising. Then he looked further — not only at the Donquixote headquarters but even overlooking the North Sea outside.
This was his Donquixote family.
This was his North Sea.
"Partner."
"I know."
"Perhaps you made the right choice in asking me to run for my life."
A hint of arrogance flashed in Donquixote Doflamingo's eyes. He spoke slowly, his voice deep and cold.
"Since you know what I said is right, then leave immediately and don't think about anything else."
"Doffy, you are the king of Donquixote."
"As long as you remain on this sea, the Donquixote family will never fall."
Vergo immediately interrupted.
"I see."
"But, I'm sorry."
"This time, I can't listen to you."
Donquixote Doflamingo made a shocking statement.
"That's Rosen!"
Vergo was anxious.
"I know."
"However, I still want to see this monster you are talking about."
"If I don't even dare to meet him, and I haven't even fought him, yet I flee like a defeated dog… I won't be willing to die."
Donquixote Doflamingo raised his arm, clenched his five fingers into a fist, and a powerful Conqueror's Haki burst out.
He was a Celestial Dragon.
He possessed the qualities of a king.
And he was at the age when one was young, reckless, and full of vigor.
Just like the future King Luffy.
Just like the future King Kid.
Even if it was the Four Emperors who reigned over the New World, they still had to be defeated first.
"You have no idea how powerful he is."
"Doffy."
"Don't act on impulse."
Upon hearing this, Vergo grew even more anxious.
If he were already the base commander of G-5, he could have used his authority to send the video of Rosen's battle with Redfield and Douglas Bullet to Donquixote Doflamingo.
But he wasn't yet a future vice Admiral.
Once he transmitted such a recording, evidence would inevitably be left behind, and the current G-5 commander would discover his identity as an undercover agent.
At G-5, if you wanted to transmit video, you had to do it from the base director's office. Evidence would always be left behind.
So, in order not to reveal his cover, Vergo could only resist the urge and instead tried to use words alone to make Donquixote Doflamingo understand Rosen's power.
After all, his undercover identity was still too useful.
Especially when Donquixote Doflamingo acted irrationally — he was the family's last line of caution.
"Maybe."
"Maybe I really don't know."
"So, I will be waiting for the monster you mentioned in the North Sea, in Donquixote's base camp, to experience his power."
Donquixote Doflamingo was not completely blinded by Arrogance. In fact, everything he had today had not come easily.
The title of Shichibukai was within reach.
After that, he could set off for the Grand Line, and even the New World, to expand the Donquixote family's influence.
How could he give up all of this just because of Vergo's warning?
If it was just like before, when he faced Tsuru's pursuit — running around the North Sea, temporarily giving up some territory and industry in a tactical retreat, then reclaiming it all once
Tsuru left
He could still accept it.
But now it was different.
Vergo wanted him to abandon everything, flee to the Grand Line like a stray dog.
Doflamingo was unwilling.
Just because of a navy he had never even met?
To abandon the power he had built in the North Sea?
To abandon the Shichibukai title within his grasp?
To abandon the Celestial dragon's Gold he already held in his hands?
And then flee with his entire crew to the Grand Line?
No.
Entering the Grand Line was a long-term plan — but not like this.
Not like a beaten cat with its tail tucked.
This was far from the plan he had envisioned: seize the Celestial Gold, gain the Shichibukai title, make the navy and government too wary to touch him, and then march into the Grand Line openly.
Ultimately…
It was Donquixote Doflamingo's royal Dignity and Pride that decided it.
Of course, it was also because he had only heard of Rosen's strength but never witnessed it with his own eyes.
Unlike Vergo, who had seen Rosen fight firsthand.
That's why…
Donquixote Doflamingo would never allow himself to run away like a defeated dog, nor hide like a rat scurrying from shadows.
"Does it really have to be this way?"
Vergo felt Doflamingo's courage and determination.
He knew he could no longer persuade this man.
After all, this was the King of the North Sea, who dominated both the underworld and nobility.
He was no longer the child who had needed Vergo, Trebol, Diamante, and Pica's support.
"Definitely."
"You don't need to get involved in this matter."
"Friend, just wait quietly in G-5. I will give you a satisfactory answer in the North Sea."
Donquixote Doflamingo finished speaking.
And as if to prove his determination
To not allow Vergo to shake it
He hung up the call.
He placed the Den Den Mushi on the windowsill and looked out at the distant sea, as if he could already see a sword all kings feared slashing from beyond the horizon, aimed at the North Sea and his base.
"Fuffuffuffuffu!"
"Whether you want to arrest me or take back the celestial's Gold, then just come at me."
"I'm waiting right here in Donquixote's base camp, Rosen!"
Donquixote Doflamingo grinned grimly, raised his hands high, and spread them wide.
"I'll make you understand."
"The North Sea."
"But it's my time."
As he roared to the sky, his eyes hidden by sunglasses flared with a creepy scarlet glow, and a violent wave of Conqueror's Haki burst out of him, sweeping through the Donquixote base like a storm tearing through autumn leaves.
"Ah!"
"It's Doffy!"
"Conqueror's Haki!"
"Who made him angry?!"
...
Seeing their subordinates faint one after another, Pica, Trebol, and Diamante — the highest-ranking officers of the Donquixote family — put down what they were doing, stood up, and turned to face Doflamingo's direction.
Domineering and powerful.
Looking over the island below, and even dozens of surrounding islands — only the king of their Donquixote family could wield such force.
Most importantly, the roaring Haki flooding their headquarters was telling them something.
The King of the North Sea.
Ten'yasha.
Was furious.