G–5 Branch, the core of the New World Marine "Absolute Laziness" zone.
Sunlight streamed through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows and poured warmly over the CC No. 1 resting at the center of the office.
Renzo lay sideways on it, covered with a thin blanket made from the fur of some unknown rare beast.
His breathing was slow and steady, and there was even a faint, satisfied string of drool at the corner of his mouth, clearly, he was dreaming about some kind of perfect pudding.
In one corner of the office, Ain worked with a level of efficiency that was practically artistic, flipping through encrypted documents just received from HQ.
The shff, shff of turning pages blended harmoniously with the room, soft and rhythmic, more like a soothing lullaby than a disturbance.
Over at the small bar counter, Monet was carefully preparing Renzo's afternoon chilled fruit juice.
Her movements were practiced and elegant, her eyes scanning each fruit as though choosing precious gems.
Ever since Doflamingo's previous "I'm busy" phone call, the balance in her heart seemed to have quietly shifted a little more toward this peaceful life.
Potts, meanwhile, buzzed around like a hardworking little bee, organizing shelves, wiping windowsills, making sure this "sacred" napping space remained spotless.
Everything was peaceful, calm, idyllic.
If not for the garish, flamingo-marked, obscenely pink caravel that had suddenly appeared at the dock outside.
Purururu purururu
In the corner of the office, a standard Den Den Mushi responsible for external calls suddenly rang.
Potts, wiping a vase at that moment, jumped and nearly dropped it.
He glanced at the unmoving admiral on the sofa, then at Ain and Monet, both of whom had also frowned, before reluctantly picking up the receiver.
Click.
"This is the Marine G–5 Branch, office of Admiral Haiiroyo. Who is calling?"
On the other end, silence lingered for a moment, then a distinct voice came through, filled with malice...
"Fufufufu… Marines, huh?"
'Doflamingo!'
Potts' heart immediately flew into his throat.
"This is Doflamingo."
His tone this time was noticeably more "polite" than before, though the arrogance deep in his bones still leaked through.
"I have come bearing adequate 'sincerity,' to pay a visit to Admiral Renzo. Tell me… is he available?"
Potts instinctively looked toward the sofa.
Still no response.
He then looked at Ain and Monet, both tense.
He swallowed."That… Admiral Renzo is… taking a nap."
"Fufuf… is that so?"
The laugh paused, like its owner was trying very, very hard to stay calm.
"No matter. I can wait."
"I can… wait as long as needed."
The last three words carried an almost imperceptible grit of teeth.
Potts hung up, wiping sweat from his forehead, feeling like he'd just held a polite conversation with a cobra.
"He's here."
Ain set her documents aside, walked to the window, and stared at the pink caravel that had docked but released no one. Her eyes sharpened.
Monet, holding a freshly pressed glass of juice, tightened her fingers around it.
Her heart churned.
'Young master… you really came.'
'Did you bring something… to retrieve me?'
At that moment, Renzo finally stirred on the sofa, the oppressive aura outside had completely ruined his nap.
He sat up, grumbling, rubbing his eyes with obvious irritation.
"Who the hell is it? It's noon, can't they let a man sleep?"
"Admiral," Potts reported immediately,
"Warlord Doflamingo… he's at the dock, waiting for you."
"Waiting for me?" Renzo frowned. "Then let him wait. Can't he see I'm busy?"
"But… Admiral, he specifically asked to see you, and…" Potts glanced at Monet, hesitant.
Renzo followed his gaze, noticing Monet's tense, conflicted expression, and instantly understood.
"…Sigh."
A long exhale.
There went his perfect afternoon nap.
"So annoying."
He floated lazily down from the sofa, stretching.
"Fine. Let's go see what 'sincerity' the pink flamingo brought."
…...
G–5 Dock
The atmosphere was tense, even eerie.
Doflamingo stood alone on the deck, hands in pockets, wearing his trademark sunglasses, expression unreadable.
Two family officers stood behind him, while the ship's sailors hid deeper within the vessel.
On the dock, Tea Beard and the G–5 soldiers stood guard, though in their usual disheveled, sloppy fashion, their eyes were sharp and ready.
They still remembered how this Warlord's men had once tried to set fire to the base.
But more importantly, Admiral Renzo hadn't spoken yet, so no one dared let Doflamingo come any closer.
"Yo! Isn't this the great Heavenly Yaksha?" Tibeard called out with mocking cheer, cigar in mouth.
"Our shabby little G–5 doesn't have much to entertain you."
"How about going back to Dressrosa and being a king instead?"
Ever since he'd latched onto Renzo's thigh, and watched the Admiral drive off Big Mom, Tibeard's courage had skyrocketed.
Forget Shichibukai, even if a Yonko showed up, as long as Renzo was around, he dared spit at them.
The corner of Doflamingo's mouth twitched, but he still held himself back.
He even forced out a smile painful enough to resemble crying.
"Fufufufu… I merely wish to pay my respects to Admiral Renzo, and… bring my family home."
Right then, Renzo appeared, moving slowly, surrounded by his people.
Still half-asleep, still wearing his rumpled Justice coat, still in comfortable slippers.
Ain and Monet walked at his sides; Potts and Sanji followed behind.
Doflamingo felt his heart tighten.
The humiliation of being hung up on mid-sentence last time surged back, but again, he swallowed it down.
"Admiral Renzo," he greeted first, voice steady, "My apologies for arriving uninvited."
Renzo raised an eyelid in acknowledgment, then cut straight to the point:
"Where's the 'sincerity'?"
Doflamingo's jaw tightened, but he clapped his hands.
Several sailors carried down two massive, cloth-covered crates and set them before Renzo.
"Fufufufu… a small token of goodwill."
He pulled off the black coverings.
A brilliant glow exploded outward, forcing everyone to squint.
The first crate was packed with Devil Fruits.
Dozens of them, most SMILEs, but two were genuine, rare Zoan and Paramecia fruits.
More than thirty fruits in total.
The second crate held only one fruit, but that one fruit radiated a presence so far beyond the others that everyone froze.
A Mythical Zoan!
Even rarer than a Logia!
A treasure beyond monetary value!
Seeing the shock on everyone's faces, Doflamingo finally smiled with a hint of pride.
Surely, even this lazy monster couldn't ignore such an offering.
"Admiral Renzo," he stepped forward, voice persuasive,
"These are my sincere gifts. Thirty-three Devil Fruits, including a Mythical Zoan.
As long as you return Monet to me-"
But he never finished.
Renzo cut him off lazily.
Without even glancing at the fruits.
He simply looked at Monet's conflicted expression, then waved his hand casually.
"Oh. I see."
"Leave the stuff. The person… you're not taking."
"My vice-officer and chief administrative aide has been working hard lately. I'm very satisfied."
"If she leaves, I'd have to process all those documents myself."
"Too much hassle."
Doflamingo's smile froze instantly.
His entire face stiffened like stone.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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