New World, Newslant Sea, Hot Spring Island·Frania.
At a hot spring hotel halfway up the island's slope, Ortoren was soaking comfortably in the pool, savoring a long-lost sense of ease.
After receiving news from Momonga, he hadn't stayed at headquarters. Without even boarding a warship, he had crossed the sea using his abilities. In just two and a half days, he had reached this island. Weary from the journey, he immediately chose to relax in the hot springs.
According to intelligence, if Douglas Bullet continued on his original course, he should arrive at this island within the next couple of days. Whether he destroyed it or not would depend entirely on his mood.
Not far from the island, the Whitebeard Pirates' fleet was also anchored. They showed no intention of landing for now and might simply drift away after loitering nearby.
Because of their presence, Frania Island, which was usually lively, had become desolate. Most of the tourists had already fled.
Ortoren leaned back against the pool's edge, his body submerged up to the chest, head resting on the rim with a white towel draped across his face. The helpless, sinking sensation unique to a Devil Fruit user combined with the soothing heat of the hot spring made him feel deeply relaxed.
Indeed, even in hot springs, Devil Fruit users were still subject to the so-called "curse." In the original tale, after leaving the Marines, Kuzan had met the Straw Hat Pirates while soaking in a hot spring, enjoying himself thoroughly.
Since nearly all the tourists had left, this vast hot spring pool was now being used by Ortoren alone.
Just as he began feeling drowsy, ready to take a nap, the sliding door of the bathhouse opened with a creak. Footsteps slowly approached, drawing nearer to the pool.
With the towel covering his face, Ortoren couldn't see outside, but he made no move to respond.
Then came the sound of water rippling—someone had entered the pool. The newcomer was close, probably leaning against the opposite edge.
"Fufufufufu... The water's perfect, the atmosphere so peaceful... I'm tempted to take a little nap myself..."
A voice laced with wicked amusement echoed from across the pool.
That distinctive laugh alone told Ortoren who it was.
Without moving, he spoke lazily, "In that case, why not go ahead and sleep? Honestly, my eyes are barely staying open."
"True enough. But with a beast nearby, how could I possibly let myself fall asleep?" the voice answered.
"Careful with your words. I could accuse you of racial discrimination, you know. That would be a violation of World Government law... Doflamingo."
Ortoren lifted the towel from his face, sat up slowly, and looked across the pool.
There sat a striking man who, even while soaking in the hot spring, refused to take off his flamboyant orange-framed sunglasses. That man was none other than the infamous Heavenly Yaksha of the North Blue—Donquixote Doflamingo!
At first, Doflamingo didn't understand Ortoren's remark. But then, noticing the horns on his head, he smirked and shook his head.
"The beast I was talking about had nothing to do with your Mink Tribe bloodline..."
"Is that so?" Ortoren feigned ignorance with a smile. "I thought you might be showing racial prejudice."
The truth was, despite the corruption in Mary Geoise, the World Government had passed a law over two hundred years ago explicitly banning racial discrimination, granting equal status to all sentient races.
That time period coincided exactly with Fish-Man Island joining the World Government as a member nation. In other words, Fish-Man Island had been the driving force behind the legislation.
But while the law existed, it was of little real use. As a member nation, Fish-Man Island was still subject to discrimination even today. Ironically, the races living freely on the seas had, over the last two centuries, gained near-equal rights and treatment—a bizarre twist of fate.
After teasing Doflamingo, Ortoren said, "I didn't expect you to come see me so soon. Seems you really do have expectations for the New World..."
Doflamingo kept his trademark smile, raising an eyebrow. "The tide of a new era is plain for all to see. The currents of this age will all converge on these seas. Those who fail to ride the wave will be discarded by the times, left as remnants and scum of the old era. That's why I'm here..."
"You seem confident," Ortoren asked with a smile.
"A little, yes. But since you've chosen me, that proves I have some value. That's enough, isn't it?" Doflamingo replied, his smile fixed on Ortoren.
His words made it clear he was willing to work with Ortoren. More than that, he lowered his stance completely, aligning himself as the subordinate without needing Ortoren to force him into it.
Doflamingo understood that in no way did he have the qualifications to contest Ortoren for dominance in this partnership. Rather than waste energy on that, it was better to set the right tone from the start, leaving both sides with a good impression.
Before meeting Doflamingo, the last person Ortoren had thought of as "slick on all sides" was Spandine. Now, Doflamingo had to be added to that list.
"Since you're interested, I won't bother with formalities. Vergo will remain with me as the link. Your Donquixote family can take over the dirty work G-5 can't touch. Our deal stops at this stage for now. Whether it goes further depends on whether you prove worthy enough to keep it going," Ortoren said bluntly.
"May I ask something?"
Doflamingo nodded first, showing no objection to the arrangement, then continued, "What exactly would this future cooperation be?"
"As a Marine, I represent justice—the light of this world. But Doflamingo, you know better than anyone that this world doesn't consist only of light. You know that light and shadow weave together, inseparable..." Ortoren's voice was calm.
"I see." Doflamingo nodded lightly. "In other words, if the abilities I display meet Vice Admiral Benn's expectations, then I'll be qualified to act as your shadow—worthy of deeper cooperation with you, correct?"
Within the Navy, Sengoku was the light on the surface. After their talk back at Headquarters, Ortoren had now become the shadow behind Sengoku.
As the saying goes, in any household, one person must serve as the face, while another handles the inside. The face cannot be stained—not a speck of dust, not a drop of blood. The inside must be contained. If it spills over and taints the face, it becomes a matter of ruin and destruction for the entire house.
Sengoku was that face. To the world, he had to embody justice, dignity, and righteousness. To Mary Geoise, he had to embody loyalty as an Admiral. Only in this way could the Marines continue to develop quietly and steadily.
But that was just within the Navy. On a broader stage, Vice Admiral Ortoren was also a bearer of light. Like Sengoku, he too needed a shadow—someone to handle what he could not touch.
That was the difference between Headquarters and G-5, nothing more.
If Doflamingo's ability proved sufficient, he could be a candidate for that role.
Of course, Doflamingo was not truly one of their own. It would depend on Ortoren's ability—whether he could rein in this cunning "beast."
When Ortoren nodded in acknowledgment, Doflamingo pressed on. "Then a deal should be mutual. From this cooperation, what do I gain, Vice Admiral Benn?"
"You gain my friendship, my support, Doflamingo... Just as I cannot yet trust your abilities, you too harbor doubts and suspicions about me. That's normal. If we trusted each other from the very start, that would be what's abnormal. What I can give you, you'll gradually sense and discover through this partnership. While I test you, aren't you testing me as well?" Ortoren grinned as he spoke.
"Fufufufufu..." Doflamingo laughed, seeming to approve of those words. Finally, he nodded. "Pleasure doing business."
Indeed, as Ortoren had said, part of the reason he came was Ortoren's impressive record and reputation, which made him a worthwhile connection. But as for Ortoren's actual abilities, he still held doubts.
The real reason was that without him, Vergo's position would become difficult. It wasn't because he saw Ortoren's ability as indispensable.
That kind of truth couldn't be seen on the surface. It could only be uncovered step by step, through cooperation and interaction.