A crackle of lightning—an arc flashed—and Doflamingo stood before Douglas. Startled mid–wolf-down of meat, Douglas realized with a jolt that he hadn't sensed Doflamingo's arrival at all.
His body snapped into guard. Having recovered a good bit through eating, Douglas glared up with feral eyes.
"Didn't get enough the first time? Want to spend another day flat on your back?" Doflamingo looked down at him and spoke without the slightest courtesy.
Seeing Doflamingo make no move to attack, Douglas—knowing he couldn't win—held his hand as well. "Who are you? Why did you ambush us?"
"Me?" Doflamingo asked himself aloud.
"I'm the one destined to upend this world. Doflamingo."
"Upend the world, huh? Cocky talk. But…" Douglas's pride bristled at the tone—only to remember that overwhelming strength. Maybe it wasn't impossible. At fifteen, he'd already been chewed up by betrayal and the darkness of war more than once. He knew: if Doflamingo hadn't killed him outright, then he must have seen something in him. Thinking it through… they'd just met, no real ties; the most likely draw was his strength—Doflamingo wanted him under his banner.
So Douglas spoke first, boldly, not waiting for Doflamingo to invite him.
"Name's Douglas Bullet. I can swear to you and work for you. But the day my strength surpasses yours, I'll come take your head myself."
"Fufufufufu…" Doflamingo laughed, wild and delighted. "Good. If you've got that strength, you're welcome to try anytime. Then—welcome to the Family."
He wasn't worried about a one-line oath. If Douglas ever betrayed the Family, Doflamingo would show him the most painful death in the world.
Over the next two days, Douglas got the shape of the Donquixote Family. Not a pirate crew—more like an organization. Its leader: a twelve-year-old named Doflamingo. When he learned Doflamingo's age, Douglas stared into space for hours in shock.
He could tell Doflamingo was young, but not this young—younger than himself, yet stronger. Douglas, who'd never accepted anyone above him in strength, found the first person he could concede to. He resolved to train even harder—and to learn how Doflamingo had become this strong.
In those two days, Doflamingo introduced him around. Douglas met the current cadre. Judging by Trebol, Douglas figured the number two seat would sooner or later end up in his pocket.
Doflamingo didn't assign him anything yet. With Douglas recruited, he wanted to deal with the scientists first. As for what to do with Douglas after, he felt the only way to keep that war machine from stirring trouble was to keep him by his own side. None of the current Family could suppress him if he went wild.
For operational ease, he told Douglas he'd return to the 8th Base in a few days to take him up to Skypiea—then became lightning and shot off toward the Silverfish Waters, thanks to the Goro Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit).
Silverfish Waters, North Blue.
A large paddle steamer was moored at a deserted islet's dock. A white flag on the mast read "PACIFIST." On the hull, bold letters: "MADS." Below, smaller print: "Presented by Du Feld."
Aboard, in the bio-lab, a scientist with a massive head in a lab coat and lolling tongue was locked in a fierce argument with a younger man in a lab coat as well.
"Judge, I've said it many times. The discovery of the Lineage Factor cannot be used to build instruments of slaughter. Don't think about taking my results."
"Hmph, Vegapunk, your brains are what's rotten. You talk about fake 'peace' while you build worthless toys. The world is one giant slaughterhouse. The deeper you cut, the safer the world gets. That's the brutal truth. Give up that foolish dream. Nika? Just a fantasy spun from dreams! Keep exploring with me. The Lineage Factor we uncovered together—if we join forces, powerful bio-weapons will change the world."
"There's no getting through to you. I do this research entirely for world peace. And you know the World Government has us in its sights. Keep pushing such dangerous experiments and they'll mark us as enemies."
"A boring excuse. The World Government? One day I'll use science to govern this world."
"Stussy Number One, take these records. We're moving to another lab."
Not intending to waste another word with Judge, Vegapunk turned to leave. He had barely gone a few steps when the ship's klaxons howled.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! All units on alert! Quickly—scientists get priority escort!" Guards hefting assorted weapons raced through the corridors, locating researchers and hustling them toward safe compartments.
In one lab-hold, two men in black suits barred Vegapunk's path.
"Vegapunk. Come with us. The higher-ups want a word."
"CP0?" Vegapunk wasn't surprised. He'd long known the World Government had planted spies inside MADS, so their appearance was well within expectations.
He disliked the idea of serving the Government—but Du Feld, MADS's patron, could no longer bankroll such massive research. Vegapunk had to consider a well-funded backer. The World Government might be the most viable option. As for whether they'd kill him—such a thought didn't even register.
"Since you know who we are, you'll come along." One CP0—hound-masked—spoke in a voice stripped of feeling.
"Very well. Give me a moment to collect crucial materials. I assume that alarm is your work as well? Please cease the killing. I'll advise them to cooperate."
"Vegapunk, you don't get to question the Government's decisions. Don't involve yourself in anything else. You have five minutes. Whether you're ready or not, in five minutes we depart." The hound-masked CP0 cut him off without courtesy.
"Sigh." Vegapunk understood how the Government operated. Bloodshed was inevitable today; he could only hope fewer would die. He and Stussy rushed to gather research data for transport.
At the same time, in Mechanical Engineering Lab No. 2—
"What in the world is going on?" Caesar asked, frowning, in mid–brainstorm with Queen over a new killing-weapon design.
"Did someone break in?! Hey-haa—Caesar, want to field-test our newest toy?" Queen bounced on his heels, itching for action.
Before they could step out, a vaguely humanoid silhouette of living lightning blurred into being in the doorway.
"Oh my, so lively. But I suggest you don't move a muscle."
"Lightning? Who are you?" Caesar was far warier than Queen. One look at that thunder-figure and he knew it spelled trouble. He edged back, inching toward the emergency hatch.
Catching the little dodge, Doflamingo rubbed his brow. He'd used the chaos to stumble into his targets' wing—no way he was letting Caesar slip.
"What a bother. As expected—sleeping suits you better than being awake."
(End of Chapter)
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