New World, G-5 Marine Base.
In the reception room, Doflamingo sat on the sofa, eyeing the man across from him with a strange look—a man shackled in Seastone cuffs... Shichibukai "Crusher Fist" Slekemind.
He had come to G-5 today by invitation, but he never expected to walk into a scene like this.
How could a Shichibukai have ended up in such a pitiful state?
Slekemind sat stiffly on the sofa, avoiding Doflamingo's gaze, unsure of what to say.
Just then, the door to the reception room opened. Ortoren strolled in with a broad smile.
"Sorry, sorry, Doflamingo. I had a few things to take care of."
Doflamingo immediately stood, smiling in return. "It's fine. I wasn't in any hurry. I've got plenty of time."
Ortoren, ever hospitable, personally brewed tea for both Doflamingo and Slekemind, setting the cups before them. Then he produced a key, unlocked the Seastone cuffs, and freed Slekemind.
"Your subordinate just arrived with two hundred billion Belly. We've counted it, not a single coin missing. Congratulations—you've successfully renewed. Your Shichibukai trial membership has now been upgraded to full membership."
He grasped Slekemind's hand warmly, speaking with heartfelt sincerity.
Upon hearing this, Slekemind nearly burst into tears. If he could go back to that day, the day he accepted the World Government's invitation to become a Shichibukai, he would never, ever take that cursed position!
Whoever wanted the title could have it. He'd even recommend it to his sworn enemies so they too could "enjoy" the wonderful experience of being a Shichibukai.
But now? Now Slekemind was determined to hold onto this title no matter what. He would keep it for life. Anyone who tried to strip it from him would pay with their life. After all, he'd already suffered countless humiliations and forked over two hundred billion just to secure it. No way was he letting it go to waste.
Seeing the grief and bitterness written all over his face, Ortoren looked puzzled.
"Why the long face? This is great news—you should be celebrating! Shouldn't you be thanking me?"
"Thank you... thank you..." Slekemind forced the words out, swallowing his pride.
"No need for thanks. We're all brothers under the World Government's banner." Ortoren patted his shoulder, then leaned in, speaking with deliberate weight.
"But the New World is a rough place. Things aren't easy for anyone, you understand?"
"Huh?" Slekemind looked at him in confusion, unsure what he meant.
"Ahem... as a Shichibukai, you're entitled to premium VIP services going forward. If you run into trouble in the New World, you can always reach out to me. As long as the service fee is paid, I'll gladly lend a hand to fellow allies of the World Government. Got it?"
Slekemind thought bitterly, Every damn problem I've run into in the New World was caused by you, bastard!
So this Shichibukai membership isn't permanent, huh? You're going to squeeze me for more renewals later, aren't you?
Though resentment burned inside, he forced a grateful smile and nodded.
"If I ever face trouble again, I'll definitely turn to you for help, Vice Admiral Benn..."
"Good, good. I'm glad you understand." Ortoren nodded, satisfied.
The room fell silent after that. Doflamingo looked between the two of them, at a loss for words, while Slekemind sat frozen, equally unsure how to continue.
After a moment of silence, Ortoren gave Slekemind a strange look.
"What are you still doing here? Go enjoy your brand-new life as a Shichibukai! Your little brother's waiting for you at the dock!"
"Huh? I can leave already?"
Slekemind shot to his feet, leaving the steaming tea untouched on the table. He rushed out in a panic, even remembering to politely close the reception room door behind him.
Once he was gone, Ortoren sat back on the sofa, lifted the untouched teacup, took a sip, and smiled at Doflamingo.
"My apologies for the spectacle."
"No, I should say it was eye-opening..." Doflamingo shook his head with a sigh.
He had always thought Ortoren was a bit underhanded, treating him like some lackey. After all, he was a direct descendant of the Celestial Dragons, the Little Tyrant of the North Blue! Didn't he deserve at least a little respect?
But after seeing the miserable state Slekemind had been reduced to, Doflamingo finally understood. Ortoren wasn't looking down on him at all—he was treating him like a real brother. He couldn't ask for more. This was enough.
"See? I'm fair and just in my dealings. When it comes to the Shichibukai, I can't just single you out and make you pay a fee. That'd be disrespectful. Rest assured, anyone who wants to become a Shichibukai has to pay the 20 billion Belly bond. That bastard Crocodile might have run off, hiding in Alabasta and refusing to come out, but don't worry. He still owes the fee, and I'm keeping track—with interest. When the chance comes, I'll collect every last bit." Ortoren grinned, his face the picture of righteous loyalty.
"Fair? Hell yeah, that's fair!" Doflamingo raised a thumb in admiration.
"Alright, enough about that. What about Mary Geoise? Have you settled things there? If you have, I'll start preparing your recommendation for Shichibukai..." Ortoren set down his teacup and asked.
Doflamingo let out a helpless sigh. "If those bastards in Mary Geoise had even half the sense of honor you do, Vice Admiral Benn, I wouldn't be in this mess. I tried using my connections, spent a fortune, but all I got was rejection..."
"They really don't know the meaning of honor." Ortoren frowned, then continued, "If you don't make them feel pain, they'll never understand what pain is."
"So, what are you suggesting?" Doflamingo's eyes lit up as he looked at Ortoren.
"Pull off a job. It's almost the end of the year—1501 is coming. Nations will soon be sending in their Heavenly Tribute. You know the North Blue well. Pick a couple of ships carrying the tribute, hijack them, and put some pressure on Mary Geoise. This concerns the face of the World Government—they'll have no choice but to give in."
In the original story, this was exactly how Doflamingo secured his position as a Shichibukai. It made perfect sense.
Doflamingo froze for a moment, then asked with a trace of worry, "Isn't that going too far? What if we push them over the edge..."
"If they get desperate, they'll send the Marines to wipe you out, right?" Ortoren rolled his eyes. "I am the Marines. What are you worried about? Just find a place to lie low. I'll handle it on my end. Headquarters will send forces but won't commit seriously. We'll just say we can't find you. Wait it out, and see who runs out of patience first."
Doflamingo stared at him for a moment, then smirked. "Vice Admiral Benn, the World Government truly deserves a loyal and righteous man like you!"
"Ah, it's their good fortune," Ortoren waved it off with shameless "modesty."
After wrapping up that matter, Ortoren leaned forward.
"This time, I called you here for another reason. I want your recommendation. Do you know of any labor-intensive industries that are especially profitable? I'm thinking of expanding into one..."
"Labor-intensive?" Doflamingo blinked, then cautiously probed, "You're not planning on using Marines to make yourself some private money, are you?"
It wasn't an unreasonable thought. Back in the North Blue, he'd seen plenty of Marine base commanders who used their soldiers for private work.
With Ortoren in the New World, far from direct oversight, and commanding thirty to forty thousand Marines under him, he certainly had the manpower if he wanted to run such schemes.
"That's not it at all. As a Marine officer, I've always worked to provide for my men. How could I ever exploit them? Here's the truth: I've imported a batch of pirates from Impel Down to use as slaves—about fifty to sixty thousand. And there'll be a steady stream coming in. I already have plans for twenty to thirty thousand of them. But the rest... I need to find a way for them to generate value." Ortoren spoke with absolute confidence.
Doflamingo blinked.
Imported pirates? What kind of nonsense was that?
I've been immersed in every corner of the underworld for years, but I've never heard of that term in my life!