Why did "join the Divine Guard within three days" become such a powerful lure? Simple. Doflamingo offered too much.
First, as members of the Divine Guard, they could choose a plot of land on the outskirts of the Upper Yard to live on. For sky islanders who romanticized the earth beneath their feet, that was an irresistible temptation.
Second, as Divine Guard members, their pay and benefits were such that every meal could be meat and fish—a life of plenty.
Third, as Divine Guard members, they had the chance to receive the god's blessing.
They didn't even know what this "blessing" was. But if it was a god's blessing—how could it be bad?
With terms so generous, applications went from a trickle to a flood. Before long, the young and strong of Skypiea were clamoring to sign up. In the end Doflamingo had to raise the entry requirements and conduct screenings just to cap the roster at one thousand.
Those thousand Guard were split under Pica and Vergo, five hundred each, and drilled according to the Earth-style military training Doflamingo recalled. Of course, the daily indoctrination—swearing fealty to the god—never missed a day.
As for who gave those speeches, Doflamingo discovered that when he used Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) while addressing them, the brainwashing effect was absurdly potent. It was as if he exuded an invisible charisma that influenced people without their noticing. In just a few days, he found their worship of him edging into fanaticism—so much so that he felt they would kill themselves on the spot if he commanded it.
He suspected there were many reasons for this outcome. But the result itself was exactly what he wanted to see.
Among them, one sky islander stood out—Sofron—who pushed his loyalty and adoration to the extreme. Doflamingo appointed him deputy-commander of the Divine Guard, a rank only beneath Vergo and Pica.
People affect people. After Doflamingo taught Sofron some oath-phrases for pledging fealty to "the god," he had someone even more suitable than himself to handle indoctrination. Sofron became the spark in the crowd, until the whole Divine Guard blazed.
As Skypiea's order stabilized and the voices of resistance and doubt faded, Doflamingo began to consider his next step.
A few days ago, Diamante had passed on news from MADS. In the days since, Trebol used bribes to pry information from subordinates of the Loan Shark King, Du Feld, and obtained the rough position of MADS—also known as the "Peace Research Institute." To evade the World Government, their headquarters was aboard a large paddle steamer. By coincidence, the "Peace Research Institute" was presently sailing near the Silverfish Waters of the North Blue. Doflamingo didn't delay—after entrusting a few tasks to Diamante and the others, he set out for the Silverfish Waters.
Having the Goro Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit) was truly convenient. The ability to fly alone made it the ultimate travel tool; per hundred kilometers, the energy cost was maybe a few buns at most.
In the first half of the Grand Line, he briefly lost his bearings and had to land on a nameless islet. After a short rest and resupply, he took off again.
But things didn't go as smoothly as he'd imagined. In the bar on that nameless islet—before he could even sit down for a drink—someone fixated on him.
The reason was simple. A pack of men had their eyes on his golden revolver.
As for why Doflamingo had a golden revolver—he had reforged the golden scepter he'd obtained on Beast Island into a handy weapon using a method he called "Thunder Metallurgy."
Weapons-wise, he preferred handguns over swords. With his lightning powers, ammunition was effectively infinite—lightning was bullets; bullets were lightning.
"Kid, hand over the gold, or you're not getting off this island." A mohawked giant in military garb—easily four meters tall—strode to Doflamingo's table and opened with a threat.
"Oh? Threatening me?" Doflamingo gave him a chilly side-eye.
"Walk away now while you still can. Otherwise, you and your buddies are all staying here—for good."
"Arrogant brat. I'll take it myself!" The mohawk brute reached out to grab him.
"Ridiculous." Doflamingo didn't dodge. He seized the man's arm; two sharp cracks sounded. The limb snapped instantly.
He still didn't let go. He poured Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) into the brute's body, wreaking havoc from the inside out.
Clang-thud—the giant hit the floor and didn't move again.
Doflamingo pulled out a handkerchief, wiped his fingers with distaste, and tossed it aside. Then he glanced at the rest of the uniformed toughs.
"Are you coming to me, or am I coming to you?"
One of the soldiers stammered, voice shaking, "Y-you're dead. We're with Bullet. You killed Demana. Bullet will avenge him."
"Bullet? That name's familiar. Where did I hear it…?" Doflamingo wondered, then dismissed it. No need to entertain the words of the soon-to-be dead.
"In that case, you can all die now." He drew the golden revolver and squeezed the trigger. Black arcs crackled; a dozen black-blue, lightning-charged rounds screamed toward the group.
Just then, a tall, powerfully built man with slicked-back, thick golden hair and sharp, chiseled features—eyes like a demon—wearing an old-era officer's uniform, the emblem of the Goltz Army stark on his left sleeve—vaulted into the rounds' path.
Only, to his surprise, the bullets didn't strike him. They bent midair like they had eyes, hooking around his back to chase their targets.
But the golden-haired man wasn't slow. He reacted instantly, whirled, and met them with an Armament-hardened fist.
With one outward-projected punch, he hammered into all the rounds. Their speed faltered for a beat—but they still struck home and blossomed like fireworks inside several bodies. The men died where they stood.
"Waaah—those guys deserved to die, but only by my hand. You've pissed me off—die!" Their deaths genuinely angered the golden-haired man. His demon's eyes glittered with predatory light.
Even as he spoke, a wave of Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki) rippled out unintentionally, and his Armament-hardened fist slammed toward Doflamingo.
"Oh? What an honor." Doflamingo casually caught the blow. Seeing the man up close finally jogged his memory about the name the brute had shouted—Bullet. Wasn't that the top combatant of the Roger Pirates, on par with Rayleigh—Douglas Bullet?
Looks like he hadn't joined Roger's crew yet. In that case, since fate had delivered him first, how could Doflamingo let such a talent slip away? Better he become the highest-ranking officer of the Donquixote Family—obediently.
(End of Chapter)
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