You know, this wasn't just some casual desire for Doflamingo.
He had paid a heavy price, in every conceivable currency, to even get a whiff of the Golden Lion's location.
He had mobilized countless agents, expended vast material resources, and burned through a fortune in financial assets just to track down the legendary pirate.
This opportunity, this chance to seize the power of the Float-Float Fruit, was so rare, so close to his grasp, that he would not, could not, miss it.
Shiki, hearing himself discussed and bartered for like a prize sow at the market, was immediately furious.
This pink-feathered flamingo was so unbelievably annoying!
He was the Golden Lion Shiki!
A legend!
Not some item on a damn price list!
His entire body tensed as a low growl rumbling in his chest.
He was about to explode, to unleash a torrent of rage and remind everyone in the room exactly who he was.
But just as he was about to erupt, his eyes accidentally swept over Ron.
At that moment, it was as if a basin of ice-cold water had been poured directly over his head, extinguishing the inferno of his anger in an instant.
The cold, unseen chains of the contract tightened around his soul, a silent, absolute reminder of his new reality.
He was keenly, painfully aware that this was not the time for him to speak or act impulsively.
To rashly interrupt Ron now would be more than impolite; it would be a violation, and he had already felt a terrifying glimpse of the consequences.
Ron, for his part, stood before everyone, looking as calm and composed as if he were discussing the weather.
The entire situation was perfectly under his control.
He knew, with absolute certainty, that Doflamingo would never give up the chance to acquire the Float-Float Fruit.
In the entire world of pirates, air superiority was the ultimate strategic advantage.
Whoever controlled the skies held an unbeatable hand.
So, when Doflamingo made his demand, Ron put on a masterful performance.
He pretended to think about it seriously, his brow furrowing slightly, his eyes taking on a thoughtful, distant look, as if he were weighing the complex pros and cons of such a monumental transaction.
After a long, dramatic pause, he nodded slowly.
"Okay."
In truth, Ron wasn't surprised by Doflamingo's other choices either.
The powers of the Admirals were Logia-class.
These abilities held an immense intrinsic advantage, allowing their users to become forces of nature.
Unlike many Devil Fruits that required decades of painstaking effort to master, a Logia granted its user overwhelming destructive power the moment it was consumed.
And, as a little secret, Ron had cleverly ensured that the fruits he replicated and sold were base models.
The perfect, instant mastery that the originals possessed was a feature he kept for himself and his crew.
His clients would have to develop their new powers the old-fashioned way.
"The Phoenix ability is a Mythical Zoan," Ron began, his tone shifting into that of a high-end merchant explaining his wares.
"Extremely rare, as you know. The potential they contain is often beyond imagination. Their value is naturally much higher than ordinary fruits." He then gestured towards the shimmering vials of the Admirals.
"Furthermore, the difficulty of obtaining an Admiral's blood is… well, I don't need to explain the dangers involved. With your knowledge and experience, Joker, you're well aware."
Ron paused, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes.
"So. The original order between us was for twenty replication Devil Fruits. A straightforward deal." He let that hang in the air before continuing.
"But now, if we adjust this deal to include these premium blood-based abilities, the terms must change. Here is my offer: I can give you the Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit, plus two of the Phoenix Mythical Zoan."
He then pointed to the Admiral's vials.
"There are also three of Kizaru's Glint Fruits. The light-speed attacks are impossible to defend against. And finally, three of Aokiji's Ice Fruits. The power to freeze everything. What do you think?"
After hearing Ron's proposal, Doflamingo's brow furrowed.
The original deal for twenty replication fruit was worth a staggering sixty billion Berries.
Now, after this "adjustment," he would only receive nine fruits in total.
He quickly did the math in his head.
That came out to an average of nearly 6.7 billion Berries per fruit.
It was an outrageous price, far higher than the standard black market rate.
But then he looked at the quality.
These were perfect replications of Admiral-class Logias, a legendary Paramecia, and a life-saving Mythical Zoan.
Doflamingo had to admit, in a twisted way, it was worth every single Berry.
Once these powers were mastered, they would be walking disasters, capable of world-altering destruction.
He began to silently weigh the pros and cons, the cost versus the monumental gain.
Just as he was wrestling with his inner turmoil, he glanced up and saw Ron looking at him, a knowing, half-smile on his face, as if he could see right through him and had already anticipated his every thought.
Doflamingo's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
An inexplicable sense of vigilance washed over him.
He secretly reminded himself to be careful, to not be so easily led.
But after calming himself, he felt a wave of resignation.
He had already boarded this pirate ship; what was the point in being afraid of going deeper into the storm? Besides, based on his rapidly evolving understanding of Ron, this cooperation could never be so simple.
This was just the opening bid.
Thinking of this, Doflamingo made his decision.
He let out a soft, airy laugh. "Vice-Captain Ron, your price is… considerable. While the offer is tempting, I'm not convinced it's the best option for my Family. Why don't you stop playing games and speak frankly?"
"Clever!" Ron clapped his hands in genuine praise.
"It's so much more comfortable talking to smart people."
'What about me?! Am I not a smart person?!' the Golden Lion fumed internally, unnoticed.
Ron ignored Shiki's silent indignation and picked up a cup of tea from a nearby crate, taking a small sip.
"This tea just doesn't taste as good as wine," he mused aloud, before setting it down. He looked Doflamingo in the eye.
"I have a second proposal. It all depends on your choice."
Hearing this, Doflamingo perked up instantly, a nervous energy coursing through him.
As expected! Here it comes!
"I can give you twenty Devil Fruits," Ron began, his voice neither hurried nor slow, but each word landing with the weight of a cannonball.
"At the standard market price. You can choose any ability you want from the encyclopedia." He paused, letting that incredible offer sink in.
"There are no restrictions. Mythical Zoan, Logia, whatever you desire. And what's more… the blood is free."
What?!!!
The sudden news was a bombshell that detonated in the middle of the clearing, instantly causing an uproar.
Everyone's eyes widened, their faces a mask of pure shock and utter disbelief.
They stared at Ron in confusion, as if he had just started speaking in tongues.
"What kind of joke is this?!" Diamante couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.
Free of charge?
How was that even possible?! In their cognition, these blood samples were the most precious, rare treasures in the world, each one containing incalculable value.
If it wasn't Ron standing there saying this, they would have rushed forward and beaten the speaker for insulting their intelligence.
This wasn't a deal; it was a blatant deception.
Doflamingo was also rocked by the shocking news, rendered completely speechless.
His eyes were fixed on Ron, his mind reeling, trying to find the trap, the hidden clause, the poison pill in this impossibly sweet offer.
....