While the others were still puzzling over Madam Shyarly's strange behavior, Arlong once again approached Doflamingo, wanting to speak with him alone. This was a matter of great personal importance and concerned the future of Fish-Man Island; he had to be cautious.
"Mr. Doflamingo, there is something I'd like to discuss with you," Arlong said respectfully.
Doflamingo looked at him with curiosity, wondering what scheme he was hatching now. In Doflamingo's mind, Arlong should have been plotting against Queen Otohime at this very moment.
"Alright," Doflamingo agreed without hesitation.
At a glance from Doflamingo, the members of the Donquixote Pirates efficiently got up and headed outside. Arlong's men also quickly departed, and even the mermaid ladies of the cafe left at Shyarly's urging.
Seeing that only Shyarly, Arlong, and himself remained, Doflamingo wasn't bothered. "Go on. What is it?"
"Mr. Doflamingo, I would like to ask for your help," Arlong said with sincerity.
"This isn't the Arlong I know," Doflamingo said, his tone cool. "Didn't you always want to save Fish-Man Island on your own? Why the sudden desire to rely on my power?"
Arlong paid no mind to Doflamingo's attitude. "I know my own strength," he said seriously. "Even if I have some skill, the enemies of our island are too strong. I need the help of an outside ally."
"So you thought of me?" Doflamingo studied Arlong as if seeing him for the first time, surprised that he was capable of such thinking.
"That's right," Arlong confirmed.
"And what makes you think I'll help you?" Doflamingo retorted. He was under no obligation to fight someone else's battles, at least not until Fish-Man Island was his territory.
"I understand," Arlong said, a statement that left Doflamingo completely baffled.
Understand what? Doflamingo wondered, looking at Arlong with intrigue.
Arlong gave Shyarly a meaningful look, and she understood. Her face flushed with a deep blush as she walked to his side, her fish tail swishing nervously, her hands fidgeting.
Doflamingo watched the scene with great interest, his face an unreadable mask. He hadn't expected Arlong to pull a stunt like this.
So this is how you test your executives? he thought to himself. I have to say, Arlong's tests are quite good. He can send a few more my way; I can handle it.
It had to be said, there were no ugly mermaids (even old Kokoro had been a great beauty in her youth), and Madam Shyarly was a true stunner. Her unique charm added several points to her beauty.
Seeing Shyarly hesitate, Arlong grabbed her arm and pushed her straight into Doflamingo's arms.
"Ah!" Shyarly let out a small cry, clearly startled by her brother's actions.
Is this really your plan? It's so crude. But... I kind of like it, she thought. Tumbling into Doflamingo's embrace, she was intoxicated by his uniquely masculine scent. For a moment, she was completely captivated, allowing him to take advantage of the situation.
Seeing Shyarly fall toward him, Doflamingo, ever the gentleman, naturally couldn't let a beautiful mermaid get hurt. He kindly caught her, holding her protectively.
Seeing Shyarly nestled obediently in Doflamingo's arms, Arlong flashed a wicked grin. He knew he had a chance.
"Are you alright?" Doflamingo asked gently.
Shyarly's slender hands rested on his chest, feeling his warmth. Her face grew even redder. She was, for all intents and purposes, still a maiden, and this was the first time she had been held in a man's embrace like this. The usually formidable Madam Shyarly had, for a rare moment, become a demure young woman.
"I-I'm fine," she stammered, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"Good," Doflamingo said softly.
Shyarly buried her head deeper into his chest. After a moment, she shyly tried to get up, and Doflamingo cooperatively let her go. Seeing him let her leave his embrace so readily, a strange feeling stirred in Shyarly's heart. She found she didn't want to leave. Her gaze held a hint of longing as she looked at him.
"Mr. Doflamingo, what do you think of our partnership?" Arlong asked, striking while the iron was hot.
Doflamingo wasn't the type to lose his head over a woman, but since Arlong was so eager to offer her to him, he couldn't exactly refuse such a generous gift, could he? Besides, with this connection, his future claim on Fish-Man Island would be even more legitimate. Haha, he really had to thank his good old brother-in-law Arlong for this.
Still, he had to play the part.
"Arlong, I understand what you're trying to do, but I'm not the type to force someone against their will," Doflamingo said, feigning a pained refusal.
Seeing his reaction, Arlong grew anxious, but someone else was even more anxious than him.
"It's of my own free will!" Shyarly blurted out. "I... I want to be with you."
After saying this, she looked at Doflamingo, her face growing even shier, a pink blush spreading to her tail. Arlong was very pleased with her performance.
"Well..." Doflamingo hesitated.
Thinking he had some concerns, Arlong pressed on. "Mr. Doflamingo, being with you is the best possible outcome for Shyarly. She's my only sister. It would be her honor to be with you."
"That's not a good idea. I'm heading to the New World, after all," Doflamingo demurred again.
"I can go with you!" Shyarly said eagerly, forgetting her shyness. In her heart, she was certain that she was doing this to help her brother, to help Fish-Man Island.
"Mr. Doflamingo, you see? Shyarly herself has said it. Can you really bear to refuse a beautiful woman? Or would you rather see her cry?" Arlong said, sounding like a pimp selling his wares.
Though Doflamingo appeared reluctant on the surface, inwardly he was happier than anyone. Getting something for nothing—it was a sweet deal. He would have to protect Fish-Man Island, but it was his intended territory anyway, so that was part of the plan. And a willing participant was so much more satisfying than a forced one.
"This is..." Doflamingo looked troubled.
"Mr. Doflamingo, please agree! This is not just for my sister's happiness, but for your own as well!" Arlong urged.
Shyarly kept her head down, her face flushed, occasionally stealing glances at Doflamingo, her eyes full of expectation.
"Alright... fine," Doflamingo said ambiguously.
At that moment, Shyarly "accidentally" lost her balance again, falling perfectly into Doflamingo's arms.
Thank you for the assist, brother-in-law!
Having had some practice, Shyarly was much more comfortable this time. She shyly wrapped her arms around Doflamingo's waist.
"Are you alright?" he asked gently once more.
"I-I'm fine," she said, her blushing face pressed tightly against his chest, feeling his heartbeat and his warmth.
Seeing that his plan had succeeded, Arlong didn't linger. He quickly left the room, leaving Shyarly and Doflamingo alone to let their feelings... warm up.
"Do you really want to come with me?" Doflamingo asked, stroking her fair, blushing cheek.
"I... I do," she said, trembling slightly at his touch.
"Even if the path ahead is fraught with danger, with mountains of corpses and seas of blood, you still want to follow me?" His hand slid down, sending a shiver through her body. She went limp in his arms, completely at his mercy. Her usually bewitching face was now covered in a deep blush, adding a different kind of charm.
"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue? Or are you scared?" he asked.
Shyarly gave him a flirtatious glance. She never would have thought that the man holding her, who looked so proper, could be so wicked. But... she held on even tighter, clearly enjoying the situation.
"With you here, what do I have to be afraid of?" she said shyly.
"Fuffuffu."
Hearing her answer, Doflamingo's laughter was even more joyous. And Shyarly, for her part, nestled happily in his embrace.