"Miss Robin, what about these?"
Otohime pointed at the armed replicants surrounding them, separating them from the citizens.
The fully-equipped replicant soldiers made her visibly uneasy.
"Don't worry. This is for everyone's safety."
Nico Robin gestured casually, and a replicant respectfully stepped forward.
"Otohime-sama, you can request a personal escort for your protection when traveling. Of course, it's optional. But each street is assigned two soldiers."
"They'll intervene to prevent any potential physical altercations—this is the law of the kingdom..."
All of these replicants had undergone basic biological modifications to help maintain public order.
As Otohime focused intently on Robin's explanation, trying to adjust to this new environment...
Doflamingo returned to the Divine Palace with Tiger and his group.
Seeing the two uneasy fish-men below, the crimson eyes behind Doflamingo's sunglasses shifted.
He idly twirled a strand of silk in his fingers and asked:
"Go ahead, what are your questions?"
These orphaned fish-men still had value.
It was unfortunate that the young adults, led by Arlong, refused to work under him.
Jinbei and Tiger exchanged glances, each sensing the weight of the other's thoughts.
Finally, Tiger stepped forward, placed his left hand over his chest, and spoke earnestly.
"Doflamingo-sama! We're willing to uphold the agreement. But could you give the children some time to grow?"
They had come here for the future of Fish-Man District.
This group was only a small portion.
From everything they'd seen and experienced along the way, Tiger and Jinbei were certain—this place was the future of their people.
"Of course. Unripe fruit can't satisfy my appetite."
"All the young ones from Fish-Man District will be integrated into the kingdom's combat corps. Food is just the most basic of needs. Because of you, they'll receive top-tier training."
Doflamingo had already taken note of the performance of the young fish-men on the journey.
Malnourished as they were, even using them as child laborers would be cruel.
Better to raise them first.
Hearing Doflamingo's promise,
Jinbei was overwhelmed with emotion. He had loyally served Neptune for so many years and Neptune had never once extended even the slightest aid to Fish-Man District.
But here, on Sky Island, the lifelong issue they'd struggled with had been resolved so easily.
He dropped to one knee and shouted from the heart:
"Thank you for your generosity, Doflamingo-sama!"
"Fufufufufu~"
Seeing his colleague pledge loyalty, Doflamingo's twisted sense of satisfaction was fulfilled.
Too bad there was still one stubborn fool who refused to bow.
Shoving aside his drifting thoughts, Doflamingo focused once more on the two fish-men in front of him.
He couldn't exploit the young ones yet, but these two grown specimens still had their uses.
"As for you two—take a good rest. Say your goodbyes to your people, and get ready to depart for the West Blue. It's time to contribute to the glory of the family!"
In the windless zone between the West Blue and the New World, a new sea train route was under furious construction.
These two strong fish-men were perfect for the job, and they could help lighten the load on others.
Tiger and Jinbei bowed their heads and replied in unison.
"We understand."
"Dismissed. Smoothie, take them to the Combat Division. Get the fish-men enrolled."
Doflamingo waved a hand.
Clack!
The palace doors closed, and silence fell once again upon the hall.
Light streamed through the skylight, casting shadows on Doflamingo's face, making his expression unreadable.
"Fufufufufu~"
After mentally reviewing his ongoing projects, Doflamingo's lips curled into a manic smile.
"Once the plan is complete... It'll be time to stir this damn world up into a complete frenzy."
...
Elsewhere—
Leaving the lab with his prize in tow, Kuro walked toward the Combat Division, dragging Lucci along with a playful grin.
"Lucci, I really thought you'd stay loyal to CP9 to the bitter end."
Rob Lucci's face was pale, lips sealed tight.
In the lab just now, this user of the Leopard-Leopard Fruit—Krili—had suffered terribly in the hands of the green-eyed researchers.
They'd immediately begun dissecting him like a cadaver. His limbs were practically fought over and stomped off in a frenzy.
If not for emergency measures at the end, Lucci suspected he might have actually died right then and there.
If he'd stayed behind and refused to cooperate, would his treatment have been better than Krili's?
The image of Krili's mutilated body chilled him to the bone.
Lucci remained silent, and Kuro didn't mind. The first time he'd visited the lab, he'd felt something similar.
Lucci, being a prisoner, likely felt it even more deeply.
After just a few steps, they ran into Senor Pink and Weevil, who were on their way to collect their bounty from Tesoro.
"Long time no see, Kuro."
With a promotion around the corner, Senor Pink was in high spirits and raised a hand in greeting.
Weevil: ԅ(¯﹃¯ԅ)?
With a brain that didn't even register past acquaintances, Weevil couldn't recognize his "mama" and had completely forgotten ever meeting Kuro.
"Long time no see, Senor Pink-san. And... Weevil—what do you think of Fish-Man Island?"
Kuro returned the smile, but it faltered slightly when he looked at his "precious boy."
Just earlier in the lab, he'd been filming a 'loving message' for this good boy. Seeing him in person now, Kuro nearly slipped.
Senor Pink stomped lightly on the ground of Tenryu Island.
"Hmm, how should I put it? It's just as strange as Sky Island. Even though it's 10,000 meters under the sea—
there's sunlight, white clouds, and even bubbles like Sabaody."
"I wonder if I'll ever get a chance to see it for myself."
Kuro gave a wistful sigh, then shook the limp Lucci in his grip and continued.
"I'll be off now, Senor Pink-san. The boss wants to see him."
...
A little while later—
After inspecting the so-called prodigy of the past 800 years, Doflamingo dismissed them, looking slightly disappointed.
He didn't see any remarkable potential in Lucci.
At most, he had a naturally cold demeanor.
For now, they'd just keep him as a child laborer.
At this point, Doflamingo still didn't grasp the true weight of CP9's greatest genius in 800 years.
This was the future Lucci, who would one day awaken a Zoan-type Devil Fruit in just two years and trample even veterans like Queen, King, and Marco into the dirt!
As he casually flipped through Kuro's sketch based on memory, Doflamingo smiled faintly.
Once this event was over, it would be time to collect interest from the World Government.
...
Time passed.
After saying goodbye to the Trafalgar family,
Rosinante vanished from Tenryu Island.
He'd left in such haste, even the members of the family barely knew.
Tiger and Jinbei, after seeing the young fish-men enrolled in school, also set off on their journey to the West Blue.
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg