"This world only needs one emperor—and that's me!!"
"Mmm! Doffy, you're the future King of the World!"
Smoothie's heart surged with excitement. A man with ambition like that... so dangerously charming.
As Doflamingo turned toward the direction of the Holy Land, his eyes suddenly lit up.
Ah, right. He'd forgotten something.
Aramaki had been taken down.
How could he let those fossilized bastards on the Gorosei off the hook without rubbing their faces in it?
He picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed.
...
Mary Geoise.
In the dim chamber of authority, shadows blanketed the room.
The projected image on the wall froze at the moment Bullet's massive fist closed in—again and again, the same scene.
The Gorosei had watched it so many times they'd lost count.
"Aramaki failed. Again." The bald, bearded elder rubbed his temples in frustration, shattering the oppressive silence.
"Still... it wasn't all for nothing. Seems Doflamingo has grown rather fond of that nation he's built. Not willing to lose a single soul."
Saturn took a sip of the now-cold coffee at his elbow.
"And who would've thought—after vanishing for over two years, the Demon's Heir now serves under Doflamingo's banner."
"Should we awaken Imu-sama early?" the younger Gorosei with the slicked-back hair asked, his voice eager. "To obliterate the kingdom Doflamingo built?"
A sharp glare cut through the room like a blade.
The swordsman Gorosei rasped, "Fool. You'd disturbImu-sama's slumber over a matter so trivial? The entire world isn't worth a single strand of Imu-sama's hair!"
Realizing his blunder, the young elder bowed his head in silence, staring at his own nose in shame.
The long-bearded Gorosei stroked his immaculate facial hair, then spoke.
"Aramaki is a lost cause. He's no longer worth the investment."
Brrrrrr—
Before anyone could respond, a gaudy pink Den Den Mushi rang out, silencing the room once more.
The young elder with slicked-back hair felt several pairs of eyes suddenly fall upon him.
After a pause, he reluctantly stepped forward and pressed the receiver.
"Well, well, well... good afternoon, esteemed Gorosei," Doflamingo's voice rang out. "Seems a naughty little dog wandered into my house. Would you like me to return him?"
...
The young elder's knuckles turned white from the pressure of his clenched fist.
Doflamingo... Who else would dare talk to them like this?
Grinding his teeth, he forced a reply through his rage.
"Aramaki has been expelled from CP0. His actions are his own responsibility!"
At those words, the other four elders silently cursed in unison.
"Oh?" Doflamingo chuckled darkly. "I never said it was little Aramaki... My, how perceptive you are, honorable elders."
His tone was soaked in mockery.
He expected them to deny it—just not so eagerly and stupidly.
Had they spent so much time among fools that it rubbed off?
Or maybe the rot of this world's chaos had finally reached even them.
"Or perhaps... that little dog's actions were never his own to begin with?"
The young elder's face flushed purple with fury. He wanted to slap himself.
The other four Gorosei glared at him with eyes like daggers.
They'd all silently agreed to abandon Aramaki—so why did he go and confirm it out loud?
The silence from the elders contrasted starkly with Doflamingo's smug laughter.
"That little stunt damaged my kingdom. Compensation is expected. I trust you old relics understand that much?"
Their faces darkened at the arrogance.
Compensation? What compensation? Hardly anyone had died! Just a few collapsed buildings—how did that count as a loss?
But Doflamingo wasn't done.
"Oh, and you wouldn't want an island to come falling out of the sky over the Holy Land, would you? Fufufufufufu~"
After delivering that parting threat, Doflamingo hung up without hesitation. The arrogant smile disappeared from his face.
Let Tesoro handle the back-and-forth on reparations. He had better things to do.
As far as he was concerned, if he wasn't satisfied...
Mary Geoise could enjoy a little island rain.
He said it—and not even Jesus could stop him.
"Mm!"
Smoothie's crimson lips crashed into his, emotions blazing.
To speak to the World Government like that... that was her man! Her Doffy!
And as for what came next?
Doflamingo, who had nothing urgent to attend to, gladly indulged her.
His hands began to wander.
Time passed.
Eventually, Smoothie collapsed from exhaustion, the victor decided.
Their parting left a thin string of silver connecting them.
Doflamingo gently patted her cheek and smiled.
"Smoothie... I'm really pissed off right now."
"Mmm~"
Understanding his meaning, Smoothie leaned forward again—
Beginning her second task of the day.
As he enjoyed her efforts, Doflamingo closed his eyes, deep in thought.
He had acted arrogantly today.
But with his current strength, that arrogance was fully justified.
If the Gorosei lost patience and made a move themselves...
That would be ideal. Even if he couldn't win, at least he'd learn something.
It's the unknown that terrifies.
Imu... probably someone who's lived since the Void Century. Still asleep, most likely.
And the Ancient Weapons? According to the latest intel from before his reincarnation, it had the power to destroy islands across the sea.
But such power must come with a cost.
If it didn't, the World Government would've used it to wipe out Whitebeard and the rest long ago.
Even if they couldn't kill them outright, their forces could've been annihilated.
Just to be safe, he'd move Upper Yard again when he returned to Sky Island.
If some Skypieans or Blue Sea immigrants died in the process, oh well.
Might even fuel more hatred toward the World Government. Useful.
He had to protect his assets, after all.
Having thought through the likely responses from the World Government, Doflamingo opened his eyes in peace.
He grabbed a fistful of Smoothie's hair—
And pulled gently.
...
Room of Authority.
The air had grown heavier and heavier.
At last, the swordsman Gorosei spoke, voice low and tight.
"Give Doflamingo what he wants. We can't allow something like that to happen to the Holy Land."
"Agreed." Four voices echoed at once.
Compared to the potential damage, or the cost...
They chose what mattered most: Imu-sama's undisturbed rest.
Sensing the mood might cool again, the slick-haired Gorosei quickly switched topics.
"The Navy's operation has also failed. They're nearly out of the New World. What's the plan?"
"Cut their budget by 20%."
"Send a message to Kong—if he can't handle the job of Fleet Admiral, he shouldn't have taken it."
"Withdraw all bases from the New World. Let them focus on maintaining order in the Four Blues."
"I want to see if Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, Whitebeard, and Doflamingo really can keep the peace among themselves."
Furious and humiliated, the Gorosei turned their rage toward the Navy—striking hard and without mercy.
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg