Hearing that the Navy was on its way, Souta Kiryuu finally calmed down. Today's goal was to take away the Tontatta tribe and maybe snatch some loot—not to start an all-out war with Doflamingo.
If that had been his true intent, he would have brought along Bartholomew Kuma and Law as well.
Right now, he needed time to get the little people out safely. Pushing the fight further held little meaning, especially with the Navy's uncertain reinforcements en route. That posed its own danger.
"Then there shouldn't be a problem if I take that maid with me, right? And… throw in a couple of Devil Fruits while you're at it."
Souta reined in his savage aura. He had no time to waste clashing endlessly with Doflamingo, but that didn't mean he wouldn't seize every advantage he could.
"Devil Fruits I can sell you a few… but that maid is my family," Doflamingo replied, his grin widening at the shift in tone. To him, anyone who agreed to cooperate became part of his web—another connection in the vast net that brought him endless profit.
After all, the Donquixote Family's services were world-renowned. Their black, white, and gray businesses stretched across the globe.
"Sell? No—I said gift. And I'm taking her today. I want to see if you dare stop me!"
Souta's Conqueror's Haki flared violently once more. His image as a madman, a man who dared kill a Celestial Dragon, had to be etched deep into the world's memory.
"You…!"
Doflamingo narrowed his eyes dangerously, staring at the deranged God-Slayer before him.
"Fuffuffuffu… Then let Baby 5 serve you well. As for the Devil Fruits, I'll gift you two—consider it my way of making a friend."
Sensing Souta's reckless resolve, Doflamingo instantly shifted his expression, as if it had all been his idea to sponsor such gifts.
"Erahahaha! Then I'll gladly accept your presents." Souta laughed, satisfied. If this flamingo knew that Law was now one of his men—and that he intended to spirit away the Tontatta tribe as well—perhaps this dark emperor of the underworld would have flipped the table on the spot.
"My friend, if you need anything in the future, just come to us. But next time, it'll be business."
Doflamingo swallowed his frustration and forced a booming laugh, addressing the lunatic who had slain a Celestial Dragon.
"Then I won't hold back. Truth is—we're not exactly short on money."
Souta laughed again, signaling to Enel and Capone Bege to prepare for departure.
Baby 5 bounded forward cheerfully, clinging to Souta's arm like a shy bride-to-be. Seeing that her "fiancé" and her young master hadn't come to blows, her guilt eased somewhat. After all, the Donquixote Family had raised her for more than a decade.
"Come find us anytime," Doflamingo called, tossing Souta a Den-Den Mushi. That sealed the beginnings of their cooperation. Perhaps, one day, he could even use Souta to accomplish deeds too dangerous to attempt himself—like striking against certain Navy bases or World Government facilities.
"Oh, right—give me the contact info of the other underworld emperors. Especially Morgans the News King and Gild Tesoro the Golden Emperor."
Just before leaving, Souta turned back, speaking as if the demand was nothing but natural.
"…Fine."
Doflamingo's smile was tight, but he gave a nod. He signaled to Monet, his secretary, to hand over the private numbers of the other dark emperors. At the same time, the Donquixote vault produced two standard Zoan-type Devil Fruits.
"By the way, I'll share some good news—I have accurate intel on Pure Gold."
With everything in hand, Souta transformed into a divine dragon and soared skyward, carrying Enel, Bege, and Baby 5 with him out of the underground port.
But not before tossing out one last smoke bomb—an irresistible bait meant to pacify Doflamingo and stretch his bottom line thinner. If one day Souta pushed even further, this fallen Celestial Dragon, desperate for immortality, would endure any indignity.
"Pure Gold…?"
Doflamingo's eyes gleamed as he watched the dragon vanish into the sky. Greed and hunger sparked in his gaze. Did this experimental monster really know where Pure Gold was? Or was it just another ploy to squeeze more benefits?
Either way, hope was hope.
As King of Dressrosa, Shichibukai, and Emperor of the Underworld, his influence had nearly reached its limits. He no longer lacked money. What he sought now was greater strength, the fall of the Celestial Dragons—and the dream of immortality.
"…Young Master, are you really sending Baby 5 away just like that?"
The rotund Buffalo asked pitifully, his face full of worry. He'd grown up with Baby 5, and the thought of her leaving their family cut him deeply.
"Hmph. Baby 5 is an ungrateful wolf we could never tame. After all the times Young Master bailed her out, she still dared raise a blade against him. Now she openly betrays him? I won't allow her back."
The bomber Gladius spoke coldly. They all knew Baby 5 had her flaws, but her repeated attempts on Doflamingo's life had long since worn their patience thin.
"Forget it. Let's just say we found her a new master. Hopefully she'll take care of Souta Kiryuu well enough."
Doflamingo chuckled faintly. With her personality, Baby 5 might even bring some trouble to Souta. And if the time came, they could use her to feed intel back to the Donquixote Family, learning the secrets of the Arlong Pirates' hideout.
"What about the losses suffered by the Delago Family and Kibakun's crew?"
The sharp-voiced Pica frowned. After all, the attacks had happened on their turf. The Donquixote Family bore some responsibility.
"Compensate them a little, then tell them the truth. Let them chase down Souta Kiryuu themselves."
Doflamingo sneered. He wanted nothing more than to see Souta stir trouble with the other dark emperors. If that lunatic—who had dared kill a Celestial Dragon—could topple one of them, the Donquixote Family would swoop in and claim the spoils.
He'd been coveting their industries for a long time. If this rampaging dragon could shake up the balance of the underworld, he'd be ready to take his share.
"Count the losses and restore order," he commanded. "Business must continue."
Meanwhile, Souta left the underground port and returned to the Tontatta Kingdom of Green Bit. But to his surprise, several unexpected figures awaited him there.
"Souta Kiryuu, please… take the Riku royal family with you as well,"
pleaded Princess Mansherry, leaping onto his shoulder and clasping her hands together. After persuasion and promises of safety, Gancho and Kyros had agreed to temporarily leave Dressrosa.
Moreover, Violet, upon learning of the plan, had used her Gaze-Gaze Fruit to witness Souta wreaking havoc at the underground port. Taking advantage of Diamante's absence from the coliseum, she'd spirited away King Riku, hidden among the gladiators, and united with the Tontatta, Rebecca, and the others.