Late at night.
The blizzard over Drum Island raged on, and the temperature continued to drop.
Even the fiercest and most energetic of the island's animals had taken shelter deep inside caves.
As for the people slumbering at the base of the mountain pillar, they remained completely unaware of the upheaval taking place within the royal palace.
In the palace's reception hall...
A shrunken Wapol lay curled up in the corner, fast asleep like a baby.
No longer troubled by the pain that wracked his body, he rested with an eerie calm—only the occasional twitch giving away the unease that lurked beneath the surface.
"Roast Lapahn. Better than I expected. Seems like animals that love to move around tend to taste decent."
Doflamingo speared the last piece of Lapahn meat with his fork and popped it into his mouth, chewing slowly.
What a waste. If he had better culinary skills in his past life, he could've at least made some spicy rabbit head out of it.
He made up his mind—before leaving, he'd take a few of them back for breeding.
"Naturally! The frigid climate combined with their muscular build makes the meat incredibly tender and flavorful," Mushiru quickly chimed in, buttering him up. Then, smoothly changing the subject, he asked,
"By the way, Doflamingo-sama, when are you planning to leave? I'll make sure to have a few captured for you to enjoy on the way!"
He was itching to take control of the country already.
Doflamingo, seeing straight through Mushiru's eagerness, gave a playful smile.
"Oh? Mushiru, are you trying to send me off already?"
Clink!
Startled, Mushiru dropped his knife and fork, scrambling to recover.
"Wh-what?! No, of course not, Doflamingo-sama! You're welcome to stay as long as you like! As long as I'm here on Drum Island, the Kingdom will always be at your service. Anything I have, you're free to take! I just didn't want to delay any important plans you might have!"
"Fufufufufu~"
His attempt at magnanimity only made Doflamingo laugh aloud. He was curious to see if Mushiru would still be smiling later.
"In that case, bring your country's medical team here tomorrow. I'll be taking them with me."
Besides Mushiru and the other Devil Fruit user, this island only had three things of real value.
First, the kingdom's renowned medical team.
Second, an elderly female doctor currently hiding somewhere.
Third, the Straw Hat crew's future mascot—Chopper.
That elderly doctor didn't match his vibe, and he wasn't interested in recruiting someone over a hundred years old.
As for Chopper, he hadn't even been born yet.
Which meant, for now, the medical team was the only thing worth taking.
The island wasn't going to last much longer anyway, and other powers might target it down the line.
Let Doflamingo bear that burden instead.
"Ah?!"
Mushiru froze, eyes wide, completely dumbfounded.
The medical team was key to his growth as a Devil Fruit user—how could he just give them away?
But this was Doflamingo. Not someone he could bluff or stall.
What should he do?
"Hm?"
Doflamingo's gaze sharpened, his voice suddenly ice cold.
"You're unwilling? Or… were you lying just now?"
The flush on Mushiru's face drained into a ghostly pale.
The warmth of the palace hearth felt miles away—like he was a child again, walking naked through the snow.
Bone-chilling.
"Of course not!"
Mushiru forced a grin more painful than tears.
Mouth dry, he managed to choke out the words through clenched teeth.
"I'll have everything ready for you tomorrow, Doflamingo-sama!"
"Fufufufufu~"
Doflamingo burst out laughing, rising to his feet and heading toward the floating Numancia Flamingo outside.
He was starting to like this kid more and more.
That ridiculous pink hair, the sunglasses, patricide, knowing how to read the room... this guy was strangely in sync with him.
"Make sure it's all ready tomorrow! Enel, let's go."
"Yes, BOSS!"
Enel passed by Mushiru with a sneer, clicking his tongue. "Tch tch tch…"
Poor guy. Once the BOSS sets his eyes on someone, things usually don't end well for them.
"Doflamingo-sama, safe travels! I'll have everything prepared!"
As Doflamingo and his damned silhouette disappeared from view, Mushiru slumped down.
It was like all the strength had drained from his body.
His cursed brother was about to vanish.
His biased father was already dead by his hand.
The throne he'd dreamed of for years was finally within reach.
So why... why did it feel nothing like he imagined?!
...
The next day, sunlight poured over Jaya Island.
Gentle waves rippled across the calm sea.
Anyone with basic sailing knowledge could tell—it was the perfect time to set out.
Crocodile was no exception.
At a secluded harbor...
"Galdino, I'm leaving the Baroque Works in your hands."
Crocodile addressed the subordinate who had rushed here all the way from Alabasta.
Though Galdino wasn't a powerhouse by Grand Line standards, his Wax-Wax Fruit ability made him more than capable of protecting the ship in the first half of the Grand Line.
Galdino was the chief commander of the Baroque Works faction Crocodile had built in Alabasta.
"Don't worry, Crocodile-sama! I'll defend the Baroque Works with my life!"
Galdino pounded his chest in assurance—young and full of fire, brimming with confidence.
"I trust your loyalty."
Crocodile took a drag from his cigar. In the next instant, his body disappeared from the deck of the Baroque Works and reformed atop an airship's platform.
He turned to the crew beside him.
"Let's go, Bonez."
"Yes, sir!"
Bonez entered the cockpit and began activating the ship's propulsion system.
His crash course in Water 7 had taught him everything he needed to operate it.
Moments later...
The airship slowly lifted off the surface of the sea and soared into the sky.
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg