...
It wasn't until the sun was high overhead that he finally stirred.
After a fierce battle that stretched into the dead of night against Smoothie... and Bullet, Doflamingo finally opened his eyes.
"Damn, that felt good... I think the last time I actually slept was... the last time."
He shoved aside Smoothie, who was wrapped around his chest like an octopus refusing to let go.
Rising to his feet, he swapped out his sunglasses for a new pair—black lenses with gold trim—and strode out the door.
...
Divine Palace Conference Room.
Inside, several key figures of the family were already waiting: Tesoro, Trebol, Vergo, Caesar, Judge, Enel—each of them standing at attention the moment Doflamingo arrived.
"Doffy!" / "Young Master!" / "Boss!"
"Sit. We'll talk seated."
Doflamingo gestured for them to take their seats, then leaned back into his personal throne, crossing one leg over the other.
"Let's hear your updates. Tesoro, you go first."
He might've always believed in letting professionals handle what they were best at, only focusing on the big picture himself—but being clueless about the state of his own forces and business holdings would be downright embarrassing.
"Yes, Boss!"
Tesoro stood up and held a thick stack of neatly organized documents in his hands.
"All bases near Sabaody have been evacuated, thanks to your foresight.
Over the past few years, our family has established solid trade networks with royal families and even the World Government.
Our operations weren't significantly affected.
In fact, thanks to your brilliant exploits across the seas, our weapons are gaining even more trust among buyers.
As a result, our arms trade profits have actually gone up by ten percent this month!"
Doflamingo's expression twitched slightly.
So those fights with Golden Lion and Zephyr ended up being great advertisements, huh.
"Sha-lo-lo-lo! Does that mean my bonus this month goes up too, Boss?!"
Caesar bounced forward, grinning as he looked up at Doflamingo.
He received a cut from the weapons revenue, after all.
Judge, seated nearby, gave a pleased twitch of his upside-down mustache. More money meant more funding for his vision of a New Germa Kingdom.
"Fufufufufu, of course. You've earned it—Caesar, Judge, and Trebol as well."
Doflamingo nodded with a smile.
He wasn't some stingy boss from a past life—one who complained there were too many people to split the pie with but too few to do the work.
Sharing profits with his subordinates was a small price if it kept Caesar and Judge motivated.
Who knew—maybe they'd end up inventing some wild piece of black tech that could overturn the World Government itself.
The conference room burst into excited chatter and laughter.
"But let's save the celebration for later."
Raising a hand to quiet the room, Doflamingo steered the conversation back on course.
"Let's move on. Trebol, tell me about the current situation on Skypiea."
"Right away, Doffy! The artificial cloud islands are expanding as scheduled.
At first, the Blue Sea immigrants were unhappy, but now they're fully invested in Skypiea's development.
The Skypieans, especially the younger generation, have grown intensely curious about the sea below. Some have even crossed the boundaries illegally.
Also... there's a group of Winged People—"
Doflamingo's lips curled faintly.
No wonder I felt like I was forgetting something. That prime experimental race—the Winged People—I completely left them out.
The Blue Sea immigrants knew how to enjoy life, while the Skypieans, after just a few years of peace, were already looking for excitement.
With a quick decision, Doflamingo replied,
"I'll deal with the Winged People myself. As for the Skypieans eager to go down to the Blue Sea, send them to the New World as mercenaries."
"Yes, Doffy!"
As Doflamingo's gaze shifted toward them, Caesar and Judge tentatively spoke up.
"Boss, about the materials we need for the fusion ability project?"
"You'll see them in the lab soon—Mera Mera no Mi's current user, the Lineage Factor of the Lunarian tribe, and the Heat-Heat Fruit."
That was their haul from the New World expedition.
"So we start the experiment once Pica returns?" Caesar and Judge's eyes sparkled. The first-ever dual Devil Fruit user was about to be born—by their hands.
Doflamingo thought for a moment. It still didn't feel secure.
"We'll wait until Baccarat returns from the North Blue. Then we proceed with the Pica experiment."
Loyal stone men like Pica were one of a kind. If he died, that would be it.
...
"Upper Yard's location is exposed. Where do you all think we should move it?"
After weighing the pros and cons, Doflamingo decided it was time to relocate Upper Yard.
"???" A wave of visible confusion spread across the room.
Enel scratched his head and raised his hand, swearing like a loyal knight.
"Young Master, there won't be another Aramaki incident. I promise!"
The others chimed in as well.
"Boss, even Zephyr and the Golden Lion couldn't beat you. If the Navy shows up, they're dead men!"
"Upper Yard is absolutely safe!"
"..."
Realizing they misunderstood, Doflamingo clarified.
"I'm not worried about Aramaki. I'm worried about the Celestial Dragons' national treasure—Uranus."
That name sent visible shockwaves through the room.
"Celestial Dragons?!"
"National treasure?!"
"Uranus?!"
If Uranus was in the hands of the Celestial Dragons... then what about the Ark Maxim unearthed by Pica?
But if the Celestial Dragons had Uranus, didn't they also have Pluton? Wasn't it about even?
So why did the Boss look so serious?
"Uranus is indeed under the Celestial Dragons' control. But I never found out the cost of using it when I was a child in Mary Geoise."
"Its power can destroy entire islands—but that's not the biggest issue."
"The real problem is... it can target coordinates for a remote strike."
Doflamingo laid out the cold truth, as casually as if he were discussing the weather.
"Remote strikes... by coordinates?"
Caesar and Judge clung to each other like terrified lab rats. As scientists, they fully understood what that meant.
The two, known for being more cowardly than brave, immediately changed their tune.
"You're absolutely right, Boss! We need to relocate immediately!"
"Then let's hear it. Where do you suggest we move?"
After intense debate, they finally decided to relocate Upper Yard.
It was remote, highly xenophobic in the past, and basically untouched by outsiders—making it one of the safest choices.
"Then it's settled."
With that matter decided, Doflamingo turned to Tesoro.
"Tesoro, what was that about Pluton yesterday?"
"Boss, Gladius rescued the fish-man Tom's apprentice!"
Tesoro stepped forward and explained.
"This man made enormous contributions to the sea train project in the Calm Belt of the North Blue. He's requested to join our family."
"He may prove useful in constructing Pluton."