"That damned bastard, how does he still have the face to call us his people?"
"Get out! Get lost!"
The citizens of Dressrosa roared in fury at the familiar figure on the light screen.
But-
Doflamingo inside the projection didn't seem to care at all. Wearing that same arrogant, disdainful smile, he said, "What a pity. You could've lived happily in my kingdom, but..."
His eyes behind the sunglasses seemed to narrow, cold and sharp.
"All of it was ruined! Ruined by one foolish man."
Even so, the people of Dressrosa were still burning with anger.
"No, that was never happiness!"
"That's right! You only deceived us!"
"Demon! Get out of this country-you're not welcome here!"
"Of course, none of that matters anymore. Hatred, resentment... whatever it is, everything has already happened." Doflamingo remained indifferent, unwilling to justify himself, letting out a cold snort before sneering, "If you hate me so much, then come take my head!"
"I'll be waiting for you right on this throne! If you think you've got what it takes, come!"
"And I'll slaughter every last one of you!"
"Fufufufufu!"
His unique laughter echoed once again. Then, still smiling under the glares of the crowd, he continued-
"Of course, you have another option. You can join the Donquixote Family!"
His tone suddenly shifted. Something icy flashed beneath his sunglasses.
"And together, you can punish the foolish man who caused all this and destroyed your happiness!"
As his finished speaking.
The projection changed.
A striking portrait appeared on the screen.
It was...
A bald giant of a man, draped in a cape made of golden mane, arms crossed, an arrogant grin on his face.
Beside him, a line of black text appeared:
[Captain of the Mock Pirates, East Blue Overlord, Mock!]
Then the image rotated-
Ten stars appeared beneath the words.
Everyone stared blankly at the screen, instantly understanding something.
"That's the man who saved us?"
"East Blue Overlord? A pirate from the East Blue? He looks really strong!"
"So badass!"
Cheers erupted. Everyone stared tightly at the figure on the screen. Even King Riku murmured to himself, "East Blue Overlord, Captain Mock... was he the one who exposed the Donquixote Family's conspiracy?"
Was this the savior of Dressrosa? Realizing something, King Riku drew in a deep breath. "He is our savior! Everyone don't fall for Doflamingo's trick!"
"That's right, he saved us!"
"Even pirates have morals, we'd never lay a hand on our savior!"
"Doflamingo won't divide us!"
The crowd echoed King Riku's words loudly.
However, it wasn't over yet.
"Each star represents one hundred million Berry! That's right, fufufufufu! Ten stars, a full one billion Berry." Doflamingo's image resurfaced, wearing a cold smile. "Bring that man to me, and you'll not only receive one billion Berry! You'll be allowed to leave safely! Anyone tempted?"
Sure enough, as soon as he finished, a number of pirates in the crowd erupted into cheers.
Many were tempted. With one billion, they'd never have to worry again!
Though, there were still those who valued their sense of morality.
Tempting as the sum was, they wouldn't raise a hand against their savior.
Even so, with one move, Doflamingo plunged the crowd back into chaos.
But he wasn't done.
"Fufufufufu! If you're tempted, bring that guy to the palace!" Doflamingo sat back in his throne again, like a true king looking down upon the masses, crossing one leg over the other with a cold smile. "Or... you could come take my head, too!"
The projection shifted once more.
The photo of Mock-East Blue Overlord, now wanted with ten stars, filled the light screen again.
In that moment, as soon as Doflamingo's image disappeared.
The crowd erupted again.
"Where is the East Blue Overlord?!"
--**--**
"You've been put under bounty?"
"...I saw." Mock nodded, sounding melancholy. "Didn't expect it. How much hatred does this guy have for me? He was so enthusiastic earlier, and now he slaps a bounty on me? And a billion? Why bother? If he has a billion, he could just give it to me!"
"..."
Yeah, that grudge is real.
Kuro stared silently at Mock's bulging pockets.
Not only had he messed with Doflamingo's officers, stripped him of gemstones, and dragged a Marine Admiral into the mix...
And now this?
"Just give it to you"?
You really are saying that?!
How could Doflamingo not hate him?
If he heard this, he'd probably add another one or two hundred million to the bounty.
"Forget it, let's go. We still have work to do." Kuro pushed his glasses up and took a step toward the palace, then paused, frowning, turning to see Mock still standing there, rubbing his chin, eyes narrowed.
Kuro frowned deeper. "Why aren't you moving? We've got work to do! What, are you scared?"
"No, I just had a thought."
"...What thought?"
"You think..." Mock scratched his chin, "if you bring me in, could you collect that one billion bounty?"
This guy, Kuro was stunned.
He actually has the nerve to complain about being given a billion, berry bounty? Try being a decent person!
Kuro snapped, "We're literally going there to empty out his treasure vaults. You think he'll still have a billion left to give you?"
"Oh right! I almost forgot!" Mock smacked himself on the head. Then he turned toward the projection's direction and spat, "Tch, broke bastard!"
Then, he waved at the thoroughly exasperated Kuro.
"Hurry up already! Since he put a bounty on me, watch me clean out his treasury!"
--**--**
Elsewhere.
Still unaware that someone was preparing to strip him of every last berry, leaving him unable to pay out a single Berry, Doflamingo was finally in a good mood after putting that bastard under a billion-Berry bounty.
He wasn't worried no one would take the offer.
A "savior"?
True pirates never cared about things like that.
A few unexpected hiccups aside, if he could kill that East Blue Overlord, he'd be thrilled.
That bastard...
Ever since he started cooperating with that bastard, everything had gone downhill.
"Mock..." Doflamingo gently swirled the red wine in his glass, eyes cold. "Who will bring you to me, I wonder? I'm really looking forward to it. Fufufufufu... I'll be right here waiting-"
He hadn't even finished-
"Ara-ara~"
A lazy voice drifted in from the doorway.
Doflamingo's smile froze. His hand stopped mid-swish. Slowly, stiffly, he turned his head toward the door-
Where a languid figure stood.
"Well..." the newcomer scratched his head, looking troubled. "You probably won't be getting that guy. I'm here to arrest you."
Doflamingo: "..."
At this moment, he had one thing he really wanted to say.
Damn it!
Was he really never going to get the chance to kill that bastard Mock?
===============
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