"The 'D' and God... Fuffuffuffu. If these two, who are destined to be natural enemies, were to mix together, what kind of waves would they stir up in this sea of heroes?"
"This is getting... very interesting!"
The wine was finished, but Doflamingo showed no intention of leaving. He stared at the Berries Sherlock had left on the bar counter, muttering cryptically to himself. Beneath his red sunglasses, his eyes gleamed with an inscrutable light.
"You will definitely regret this in the future... little partner. Who told you to be that woman's younger brother?"
At the mention of Sherlock's sister, the Heavenly Yaksha's mouth twitched slightly, as if he were recalling something he deeply dreaded. He shook his head and was about to depart when a commotion suddenly erupted at the bar entrance.
Bang! The doors were kicked open by brute force. A large gang of thugs with murderous expressions filed in, weapons in hand, each acting as if they were the kings of the world.
"Strange, why is there only one person in this dump of a bar?"
Sarquiss rested his strangely shaped giant blade on his shoulder and turned to his captain in confusion. "Bellamy, is that Enchanter really in here?"
"Tch, maybe he knew I was looking for him and ran away with his tail between his legs!"
'Hyena' Bellamy's tongue lolled out exaggeratedly. He cast a contemptuous glance at the tall, blonde man with his back toward them. "Hey, you there! Have you seen a man wearing glasses?"
Though the silhouette before him looked somewhat familiar, Bellamy—having just beaten down two "cowards" earlier—was currently so arrogant that he'd forgotten his own name. Naturally, he didn't think too deeply about it.
"..."
Doflamingo didn't speak, nor did he turn around. However, judging by the veins bulging once again on his forehead, he was currently in a foul mood.
One could only imagine the depth of the shadow looming over the Heavenly Yaksha's heart at this moment.
The Dreamer's Residence
On the eastern part of Jaya stood a very peculiar building. One half was a simple, crude attic, while the other was a plywood facade painted to look like a luxurious castle—a testament to the owner's vanity.
This was the residence of the dreamer: Mont Blanc Cricket.
Today, the home of this descendant of the "Liar" played host to a group of uninvited guests.
"...And so, the Liar King was unfortunately executed."
The orange-haired navigator gently closed the picture book titled Noland the Liar. She looked at a certain long-nosed man standing nearby with a gaze full of pity and let out a soft sigh. "In the end, he never became a brave warrior of the sea."
"Hey, hey, hey! Nami, why are you saying that while looking at me?! And don't you dare add such a tragic ending on your own!"
Usopp was nearly driven mad. He then looked at the chestnut-headed man lying unconscious in bed. "Chopper, you said this uncle has decompression sickness. Is it that serious?"
"This condition rarely becomes chronic, so I can't say for sure."
The blue-nosed reindeer gently applied a wrung-out towel to Cricket's forehead, his furry face full of professional gravity. "But there is no doubt that if he continues diving like this, his life will be in absolute danger."
Hearing this, Nico Robin, who had been quietly reading a logbook, instinctively glanced at Cricket. Combining the information she had gathered with Sherlock and the notes in the logbook, she had already deduced why he was pushing himself so hard.
Outside the House
"That idiot is having a great time chatting..."
Zoro leaned against the wall, watching his captain chatting happily with Masira and Shoujou not far away. He muttered with a dark expression, "Is it really like Sherlock said—birds of a feather flock together?"
"Hmph, weren't you chatting happily with that blue-algae head back then too?"
The curly-browed cook lit a cigarette and took a long drag. "Between you, the green-algae head, and him, the blue-algae head, you're basically the same type."
"You bastard..."
The green-haired swordsman's veins bulged. He rested his hand on the hilt of Sandai Kitetsu, flashing his trademark wicked grin. "Let me tell you, I recently learned the essence of flying slashes from Rovick. Want to see if I can test my blade on those ridiculous curly eyebrows of yours?"
"Oh? If you've got the guts, give it a try!" Sanji's face darkened as he blew a smoke ring, refusing to back down.
However, just as these two—who were incapable of normal communication—were about to go another three hundred rounds, the reindeer's excited voice came from inside.
"Hey! Luffy! Zoro! Sanji! The chestnut-head uncle is awake!"
Back at the Bar
Bellamy never could have imagined that his second meeting with his idol would look like this. And this second meeting was truly as bad as it could possibly get.
The air was thick with the pungent scent of blood. The screams of his four companions before they died were so wretched that Bellamy and the others, kneeling on the floor, trembled even more violently.
"Fuffuffuffu, you've certainly grown bold, Bellamy."
Doflamingo licked his dry lips. The smell of blood in the air made him feel strangely excited. "Do you know how I deal with those who offend me?"
As he spoke, Doflamingo raised his hand, his fingers twitching slightly as if pulling invisible strings.
"No... No! I didn't mean to offend you, Doflamingo!"
In a desperate bid for survival, a sweat-drenched Bellamy summoned the courage to explain: "The reason I didn't recognize you just now was because you weren't wearing your feather mantle!"
Bellamy's heart was filled with intense regret. If the Heavenly Yaksha had been wearing his iconic pink feather mantle, how could he have failed to recognize his idol immediately?
However, the unlucky Bellamy didn't realize that his words were rubbing salt in his idol's wound.
Squelch!
Blood splattered everywhere as a headless male corpse collapsed to the ground. Several female pirates, unable to handle the horrific sight, fainted on the spot.
"Oh? So you're saying... it's my fault?"
Recalling his beloved coat that had been burned by Rear Admiral Alan, Doflamingo's expression grew even darker. He gazed at Bellamy's crew as if looking at a pile of corpses.
Not everyone could make Doflamingo as patient as Sherlock could. To the naturally cruel Heavenly Yaksha, taking a human life was as simple as snapping his fingers.
However, just as he was about to send these unlucky fools to meet the Pirate King...
Thud! "We have always been loyal to you! Please give us a chance to atone, Doflamingo!" Bellamy slammed his head against the ground and roared with all his might. "I'll do anything! Whatever you want!"
Doflamingo froze slightly. Looking at the "Hyena" prostrating himself, he couldn't help but think of the Enchanter who had just left. His mood became complicated.
The Heavenly Yaksha highly valued Sherlock's abilities and had wanted to recruit him five years ago, but the Enchanter hadn't given him the time of day. Yet here was this dog-like coward, crying and begging to board his ship.
The one who is not obtained is always in a stir, and the one who is favored has nothing to fear.
While it felt a bit odd, that was essentially the situation.
"You're saying you'll do anything?"
Bellamy looked up with eyes full of hope. "Yes! As long as you forgive us, I'll do anything!"
"Is that so... I admire your loyalty, Bellamy."
After a moment, Doflamingo suddenly smiled—a sinister, alluring grin. "How about this? I'll give you a mission. If you complete it, I will not only forgive you, but I will make you one of the officers of the Donquixote Family!"
!!!
This sudden reversal caused Bellamy's bloodless face to flush red instantly. He breathed heavily, his voice trembling with excitement. "Is... Is it true? Are you serious?"
"Of course. I am a man of my word."
Doflamingo stood up, walked over to Bellamy, and looked down at the ecstatic man. A malicious curve tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Just bring me the head of Straw Hat Luffy! Then, I'll make you an officer of my family."
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