Year 1491 of the Sea Calendar.
Somewhere in North Blue.
A black figure descended into this pirate world.
The tall figure brushed the dust off his body, then pulled out a black book from who knows where, his slender fingers flipping through the pages.
"So it's here, that's perfect."
A low voice sounded. After speaking, he closed the book, and his figure immediately transformed into a ray of light, flying into the distance.
At night, a once peaceful small town was now ablaze. On the tall building in the center of the town, one large and two small figures hung from the wall, their eyes blindfolded, crying out helplessly.
The area around the building was surrounded by fierce-looking villagers, holding torches. They ignored the feelings of the people hanging, pointing steel forks, bows and arrows, and stones—any weapon they had—directly at them.
A few years ago, the people hanging were high-and-mighty Celestial Dragons, World Nobles, enjoying the reverence of the entire world. However, one of them, a self-aware yet foolish Celestial Dragon, abandoned his status and came to North Blue with his wife and two sons.
That Celestial Dragon's wife had died two years prior due to illness and poverty. The remaining three were now hanging on that high wall, sought out by those seeking revenge because of their former status.
And one of the Celestial Dragon's sons, under the villagers' attack, in a surge of intense emotion, awakened his Conqueror's Haki.
The Conqueror's Haki wave rapidly spread from him, and people around him fell to the ground one after another, some even foaming at the mouth.
The person who awakened Conqueror's Haki was none other than one of the future Underground Emperors, Joker, Donquixote Doflamingo.
The other two who were also hanging were his father and his younger brother, Rosinante. Both of them had also fainted due to the effects of the Conqueror's Haki.
The young Doflamingo was also exhausted from his first outburst.
The second before he closed his eyes, a shadow appeared before him, and then Doflamingo also lost consciousness.
"Oh? It seems I was a step late."
When Doflamingo opened his eyes again, bright lights flashed in his eyes. The ropes on his body were gone, and he was lying on a soft, large bed. He clutched his forehead and struggled to sit up. This was a luxurious room.
Doflamingo nudged Rosinante, who was lying beside him, trying to wake him up.
"Rosinante, wake up quickly."
Rosinante rubbed his eyes and slowly sat up. When he opened his eyes, the sight before him startled him. He rubbed his eyes again.
"Brother, I'm not dreaming, am I? Where is this? Even the Holy Land feels incomparable."
Doflamingo's expression was a little strange as he replied.
"I don't know either. I just woke up here."
Their dirty clothes had already been changed, and their bodies were clean and refreshed.
"Click."
The sound of the door opening startled Doflamingo, and he immediately became alert.
Entering through the door was a stunning woman in a maid's uniform. She ignored Doffy and Rosie's reactions, simply bowed to them, and softly said:
"Young masters, my master invites you to dinner."
After speaking, she made a 'please' gesture.
Rosinante looked at his brother, and seeing his brother give him a 'let's go' look, Rosinante scurried behind Doflamingo, tightly clutching Doflamingo's clothes, as if trying to hide his entire body behind his brother.
The maid led the way.
"Hey, who exactly is your master!"
Doflamingo asked in a low voice.
But the maid did not stop, merely replied softly:
"Young master can ask the master directly when you meet him."
After that, no matter how Doflamingo asked, the maid remained silent, simply leading the two Little fellows through a long corridor to a large door.
Beside the luxurious door stood two armored knights. After a brief confirmation with the maid, the two tall knights pulled open the magnificent door.
After all they had seen along the way, Doffy and Rosie were somewhat numb. They walked towards that opulent door as if going to their deaths.
Behind the door was a dining room. Only one person sat at a long table. Sitting in the main seat was a young man in a black suit, his dark eyes visible beneath his black, disheveled hair. He was an outsider named Adrian.
Adrian lazily extended a hand towards the two Little fellows, but Doflamingo vigilantly shielded Rosinante behind him.
"Who are you!"
Doflamingo demanded.
Adrian didn't seem to care, merely saying calmly:
"Come and have a meal first. You must be starving. It's not too late to ask questions after you've eaten."
Indeed, the long table was laden with fresh food, though it was all on the lighter side, but it could not hide that it was a grand feast.
The aroma of the food stimulated their appetites.
Rosinante's stomach even started to rumble. They hadn't had a full meal in a long time. He looked helplessly at his brother.
At this moment, Doflamingo, who had also been hungry for a long time, couldn't help but swallow at the sight of these delicacies. He looked at his brother's hopeful eyes for food, hardened his heart, and led Rosinante to a seat far from Adrian.
Rosinante still seemed a bit reserved, as if he couldn't believe the delicious food in front of him existed, even though he had been tied up just yesterday.
"You can eat freely. You've been hungry for so long, you need to replenish yourselves in time. Don't mind me. I will only answer your questions once you've eaten your fill."
Adrian reminded them.
Doffy and Rosie heard this and couldn't control their desires, directly digging in. Rosinante even grabbed a long loaf of bread and stuffed it down his throat, filling his mouth completely. Doflamingo, though slightly more elegant, also choked quite badly from eating too quickly.
Adrian gestured to the maid nearby to pour water, which she handed to the two choking Little fellows.
Half an hour later, the two Little fellows were full. Rosinante couldn't help but let out a satisfied burp. Now, they had to face the person sitting at the head of the table.
Adrian didn't wait for Doflamingo to ask, but spoke first: "Let me introduce myself. I am Adrian, the one who saved you. Won't you introduce yourselves?"
"Doflamingo."
"I... I'm Rosinante."
Doflamingo's expression didn't change much, but Rosinante eagerly asked:
"Excuse me, have you seen our father!"
Doflamingo's expression was not good. He always believed that their current predicament was all due to their father.
Adrian did not mind Rosinante's urgency, merely narrating calmly.
"When I arrived, only the two of you were alive."
Rosinante's eyes became vacant, and tears flowed uncontrollably. He had already lost his mother, and now his father too. From now on, only his brother would be there to accompany him.
Adrian stood up, but Doflamingo immediately became alert, wanting to protect his brother.
"I won't hurt you."
Adrian stated quietly, walking over to Rosinante's side.
But Doflamingo still stared intently at Adrian, as if he would raise a dining knife if Adrian dared to harm his brother. But to his surprise.
Adrian just silently looked at the crying Rosinante, then tightly embraced him, gently stroking Rosinante's beautiful golden hair, and whispered comfortingly.
"Little fellow, don't be sad. I will take care of you from now on. I've decided to adopt you."
Night.
Rosinante was already fast asleep on the soft, large bed.
Doflamingo, however, was in the corridor outside the door, staring at someone.
"Rosie, that Little fool, trusts you, but that doesn't mean I will. You definitely have ulterior motives."
Adrian chuckled.
"To be honest, I'm not a good person, but I can give you a warm family, ensure you're well-fed and clothed, and let you experience the happiness of family."
Doflamingo stopped talking, merely pouting.
Adrian looked up at the moon in the night sky, lost in thought for a long time, his expression becoming solemn.
Then, he looked at Doflamingo with a serious face.
"Hey, Doffy, call me Dad."
Doflamingo turned and walked away, a vein throbbing on his forehead.
Adrian's voice came from behind him.
"Doffy, become my family."