Drum Island, Royal Palace.
The raging snowstorm had finally subsided.
On the sturdy stone platform outside, nearly fifty doctors stood in a straight line, all wearing white coats and masks.
There was visible anxiety in their posture as they waited for whatever came next.
The sight of Prince Wapol bound like a dog and a ship floating ominously in the sky made it clear—this country had undergone a massive upheaval.
As for Mushiru, after spending the entire night steeling himself with mental preparation and self-hypnosis...
He now wore a flawless, humble smile. His heart felt like it was being sliced apart, but he still respectfully stepped forward and reported:
"Doflamingo-sama, these are all of the doctors!"
If he could just send off this terrifying figure in peace, then maybe—just maybe—good days would follow with a bit of hard work.
"Not bad. Get them on the ship," Doflamingo said, a strange smile curving his lips as he lightly moved his fingers.
The Numancia Flamingo, suspended in midair, slowly began to descend.
Drum Island, untouched by Wapol's plundering, truly did have remarkable medical resources.
For a nation with the population of two small towns, it was impressive to have nearly fifty doctors gathered like this.
"Get on the ship!!"
Mushiru turned and barked the command to the group of doctors who would soon no longer belong to him.
"Yes, King Mushiru!" *N
The doctors, already accustomed to obeying power, lined up and began boarding the Numancia Flamingo.
...
At the foot of the mountain, Dalton was leading his guards slowly uphill, doing the daily rounds and preparing to give his report.
Moments later...
All the doctors were on board, ready and waiting.
"Doflamingo-sama! Everything is ready!"
Mushiru's insides twisted painfully. There was a subtle urgency in his tone, barely noticeable.
Inside, he was screaming in despair: "Doflamingo, you bastard, just leave already!!!"
"Oh? Ready?"
Doflamingo adjusted his sunglasses, gazing at Mushiru with a tone that made it hard to gauge his intent.
"What about you—and your subordinates?"
"What?!"
Mushiru's eyes widened in shock. He staggered back a few steps, unwilling to believe what he'd just heard.
"Doflamingo-sama! You must be joking!"
Taking Wapol and the doctors wasn't enough—he wanted his body too?!
Unforgivable!
"Fufufufufufu~"
Doflamingo's grin widened as he watched Mushiru back away. His voice was full of mockery.
"A joke? What, you think joining my crew would be beneath you?"
"..." Mushiru continued backing away, sweat pouring from his face as he stammered out,
"Of course not! Doflamingo-sama, I just... I'm just worried about what will happen to my people if I leave the country."
"Oh? And what are you saying now? That you want to defy me?!"
At those words, Mushiru, now backed up near the castle, finally lost all patience. He activated the powers of his Bacteria-Bacteria Fruit at full throttle.
The deadly spores he had been stockpiling ever since Twatte started watching him burst from his body in a massive surge.
In an instant, the entire area around the castle was engulfed in a toxic haze.
Mushiru himself was already dashing toward the rear of the castle.
He had never once considered going head-to-head with the Heavenly Yaksha. There was no way Doflamingo would stay on this island for long.
If he could just hide for a little while... the Kingdom would still be his!
Thinking that, Mushiru's lips curled into a smug smile as he looked back at the people now choking in the spores.
He shouted triumphantly:
"Got you, Doflamingo! Can't breathe, can you?! This is my escape route!"
"Spore Explo—"
Before he could finish the name of his move, his words caught in his throat. His body went from full motion to absolute stillness in an instant.
He froze on the spot, his eyes wide and filled with terror.
The next second, his entire world flipped.
A whirlwind roared in his ears.
A wave of nausea crashed over him.
Then—his vision was filled once more by Doflamingo's looming figure.
He tried to beg for mercy, but his mouth was immediately stuffed with a ball of string formed from razor-thin threads.
"Mmm! Mmmmmm!" (Don't kill me! Don't kill me!)
"Fufufufufufu~ What a naughty little guy!"
Doflamingo always enjoyed this kind of futile resistance. So much energy.
With a flick of his wrist, Mushiru—along with the elite soldiers he had spent a fortune training—was strung up on both sides of the Numancia Flamingo's deck.
Doflamingo flashed and reappeared aboard the ship. "Let's go, Enel."
The job was done. Time to head home.
"Yes, Boss!"
Enel slung the now-skeletal Wapol over his shoulder and carried him back aboard.
Wapol, half-conscious, managed to glance sideways at his dear brother.
A flicker of glee danced in his eye.
Suffering alone was miserable—but when your brother suffered too? Now that was satisfying.
Hanging limply outside, Mushiru sobbed silently, tears streaming down his face.
According to the plan, once Doflamingo left, Mushiru would ascend the throne.
He would pin the crime of patricide on Doflamingo, then rebuild the country, develop its medical strength, refine his Devil Fruit powers...
Then launch an invasion against other nations—fulfilling his long-held ambitions.
He hadn't even taken the first step, and it was already over.
That damn Doflamingo never intended to let him go.
Why?! WHY?!
...
Not long after, Dalton and the guard unit reached the summit.
They were met with a chaotic mess, debris everywhere, and an empty royal palace.
Everyone stood in stunned silence.
"What happened?"
"Was there an attack?"
"Where's the King?"
"What about the Prince?"
Then someone looked up and pointed, shouting,
"Hey! Hey! Is that a ship up there?!"
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg