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In the New World, at Dressrosa, after ten years of operation, the Donquixote Family had accumulated a vast amount of wealth, along with tens of thousands of toy slaves. However, it was clearly unrealistic to bring all of them back to the Holy Land.
Abandoning them was also unacceptable to the Donquixote Family. Even in the Holy Land, wealth was extremely important.
He couldn't bear to part with it.
Doflamingo sat by the window, contemplating his next move.
He'd decided to go to the Holy Land.
Without him personally overseeing Dressrosa, it would be difficult for the few officers to defend this country—not to mention he planned to take his officers to the Holy Land.
His officers were not only his subordinates but also his only remaining family.
But what about Dressrosa?
The officers were currently organizing the wealth, selling off all of the family's physical assets to gather funds as quickly as possible.
But the toys were truly problematic.
The Celestial Dragons would never allow so many toy slaves into the Holy Land.
And among the toy slaves were individuals from various factions, including nobles from other countries, Marine officers, and government officials. If the truth were exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Fufufufufu~~"
Doflamingo quickly made up his mind.
If he couldn't take them, he would destroy them all!
"Doffy!"
Trebol, like a snail, climbed the outer wall of the royal palace and soon arrived outside Doflamingo's room.
"News from the port: Groudon is about to arrive. According to their call, Daichi is also on the ship and wants to see you!"
"Daichi!"
Doflamingo's expression changed instantly.
The name he least wanted to hear right now was Daichi.
"Precisely at this juncture!"
Veins throbbed on Doflamingo's forehead. In a few more days, he'd be able to take his wealth to the Holy Land, with no further ties to the lower world.
But Daichi appeared at this time.
Did he hear something?
No, impossible.
Only his officers knew about his plan to go to the Holy Land, and his officers would never betray him. It must be for something else.
Trebol reminded him worriedly. "Young Master, Daichi coming at this time is very likely for the Flame-Flame Fruit!"
"Fufufu, that's indeed very likely."
Doflamingo sneered.
That man controlled the two major forces—the Beast Pirates and Hoenn—as well as the worldwide Hoenn communities. Coupled with his cooperation with various underground organizations, his intelligence-gathering capabilities had long been the best in the industry.
It was impossible to hide even the slightest disturbance in the underworld from him.
Although he'd bought the Flame-Flame Fruit immediately, before that, it had already appeared in an auction house. It wouldn't be difficult for anyone with keen interest to know this news.
Doflamingo's face was grim.
He'd planned to have Vergo eat the Flame-Flame Fruit.
He wanted Vergo to become an admiral!
Vergo was only 40 years old, in his prime. Although he'd lost to Law before, it had allowed him to further improve. Coupled with the Flame-Flame Fruit, he was absolutely qualified to compete for the vacant admiral position.
In another ten-odd years, when Akainu and Kizaru retired, Vergo—supported by him—could naturally become the next Fleet Admiral, and the Marines would fall into his hands.
A rather perfect plan.
Provided he could keep the Flame-Flame Fruit.
"Fufufu, welcome Daichi-san!"
"Yes."
At Royal City's Lovers' Avenue, Daichi walked down the center of the street, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding shops.
"Shop for sale?"
Many shops had "For Sale" signs.
Many shops also had Donquixote Family members inside.
"This is... absconding with funds?"
Daichi's eyes showed amusement.
What a selloff!
But then he thought—once Doflamingo left this country, according to tradition, Dressrosa would definitely elect a new king, or there might even be a coup.
In short, it was full of uncertainty, so liquidating assets wasn't wrong.
Once Doffy became a Celestial Dragon, he could simply lie back and collect Heavenly Tribute, so why bother with hard work in business?
About ten minutes later, at King's Plateau:
"Here."
Daichi looked at the guards who intercepted him.
No explanation was needed. With just a glance, the guards' eyes rolled back, and they lost consciousness and fell.
"Fufufufufu~~"
Laughter came from above.
Daichi looked up slightly and saw Doflamingo suspended in mid-air.
"One of the things I hate most is when someone flies around in front of me. If you don't want to die, you'd better come down quickly."
"..."
Doflamingo suppressed his smile and obediently landed on the ground. "I didn't expect you to come personally."
"There's something I want here."
Daichi was not polite, stating calmly. "I received news that the Flame-Flame Fruit is in your hands. You should know how long I've been looking for it."
"It is indeed in my hands!"
Doflamingo slowly spoke.
He knew he couldn't hide it, and he also knew the other party's way of doing things. Bargaining was useless once the other party had made up his mind.
Just like when he'd redeemed Caesar back then.
Doflamingo stared at Daichi, his fingertips twitching slightly. Strands of string bounced and stretched at his fingertips.
Sweat trickled down his forehead.
Facing Daichi once again, he couldn't feel a shred of a chance of winning. The gap between them was growing wider and wider!
What a monster!
"Fufufu, Daichi-san, I have prepared a lavish banquet. If you don't mind, would you do me the honor of joining?"
Doflamingo released his fingers, revealing his signature smile. "In business, both sides must be satisfied, right?"
"Indeed, lead the way."
Daichi nodded slightly.
He'd entrusted Doffy to find the Flame-Flame Fruit, and now that it was finally found, he naturally couldn't burn his bridges. Otherwise, if this got out, what other forces would dare to help him?
He was no longer a small-time player. His reputation was extremely important.
At the royal palace's rooftop garden:
"Clack!"
A treasure box was placed in the center of the dining table. When opened, it contained an orange-red Devil Fruit, burning like flames.
"It's it!"
Daichi's gaze sharpened slightly.
It was indeed the Flame-Flame Fruit. He'd already consulted the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, which contained a picture of it.
He wondered how much it could strengthen him.
The Groudon within him was already in its perfect state. Ordinary Devil Fruits were basically of little use to it. Relying solely on the Flame-Flame Fruit for a Primal Reversion felt somewhat lacking.
"Fufufu~~"
Doflamingo picked up the Flame-Flame Fruit.
"Daichi-san, I can give you this fruit, but we haven't discussed the specific compensation yet."
"Mm."
Daichi nodded slightly.
Indeed, compensation hadn't been discussed, as it was originally a probabilistic event. Perhaps Groudon Company could have found it first.
"What do you want?"
"Fufufufufu~~"
Doflamingo grinned, but a murmur rose in his heart.
If the Holy Land hadn't called him back, he would have further increased his influence in the underworld, and the compensation would have leaned in that direction.
Now, he didn't need it anymore.
Among the things in the lower world that he valued, only one remained.
At this moment, at the port, warships were docking.
On the deck stood several agents in white robes and masks.
CP0!