The next morning, the world woke up to fresh chaos.
Papers flew from every corner of the seas:
"CHAOS CONTINUES ON HELLSEA, 500+ RECRUITED MEMBERS OF SOS"
"FORMER WARLORD GONE INTO HIDING – SOS CREW RISES FROM THE ASHES!"
In Marineford, the Den Den Mushi on Sakazuki's desk rang with the special tone reserved for the highest authority.
Jaygarcia Saturn's face appeared, one of the Five Elders, his expression cold and disappointed.
"What is the meaning of this, Sakazuki?" Saturn's voice dripped with contempt. "In the entire history of Fleet Admirals since the founding of the Marines, you are the worst and most incompetent. Perhaps Kuzan was the better candidate after all. You actually let a Level 6 criminal escape — and not just anyone, but the worst of them: Donquixote Doflamingo."
Sakazuki could only gnash his teeth, fists clenched so hard that lava dripped from between his fingers onto the already ruined desk. He said nothing.
Saturn continued, voice rising with irritation.
"To make matters worse, you even helped name him Emperor. Well… whatever. It's not too late. We'll send the CP-0 agents first. If they fail, we'll dispatch the Holy Knights to eliminate Doflamingo before he grows into something we can't control. Right now, the worst we can do is rely on you animals called Admirals."
The call ended abruptly.
Sakazuki slammed his fist down, melting the Den Den Mushi into slag.
"Those celestial bastards… insulting us like we're dogs!"
It was already too late.
On a remote, isolated island called Blue Dot, shaped like a cave — when viewed from above, it looked exactly like a blue dot — the newly formed SOS crew had settled in.
Around 500+ members, all wearing black cloaks as ordered.
Doflamingo lounged on a makeshift throne of strings, grinning widely as he read the morning papers.
"Fufufufufu… I break out of prison and they're already praising me as an Emperor? Interesting!"
He tossed the newspaper aside.
"Now then, I must not waste this momentum."
He snapped his fingers. The SOS members gathered.
"Divide into groups of 50, each led by 10 commanders. Take supplies, food, clothes, jewelry — if you don't have enough, steal from pirates and Marines. Go to poor villages and deserted cities. Distribute everything. Tell them Donflamingo has turned over a new leaf. I know what I've done can't simply be forgotten, but I am ready to help the people and fight the World Government."
He leaned forward, eyes gleaming.
"Tell them this story: I was born into the Donquixote Family, one of the 20 noble lineages that founded the World Government and became known as Celestial Dragons. But at the age of 10, while roaming Mary Geoise, I overheard the Five Elders discussing how they wanted to make everyone immortal and turn the commoners into puppets of Mary Geoise and the Celestial Dragons. A guard found me. Since then, they have threatened me, killed my family, and told lies about it. When I learned the truth, I went mad and sought revenge. But I was too young and naïve. The people I ought to protect… I ended up hurting instead. After my prison break, I decided I won't be the monster they want me to be. Even if I die, I will die fighting for what's right and making up for my sins. I don't care if you forgive me or believe me. But accept my gifts and be on guard. I'll send what you need every month. Whatever taxes or loans you have — consider them repaid."
The groups departed immediately.
Some raided small pirate crews for extra supplies. Others went straight to the poorest villages.
At first, the commoners were skeptical — hurling insults, throwing stones, cursing Doflamingo's name.
But the SOS members answered exactly as Mingo had planned: calm, humble, repeating the carefully crafted story.
By the end of the day, the tide turned.
People began to cheer.
"We're all sinners," one old woman said, clutching a bag of food. "If Donflamingo has decided to turn over a new leaf, who are we to rebuke him?"
From that day on, they gave him a new name:
"El Mingo" — meaning "The Mighty."
One by one, the group leaders called Mingo on the Den Den Mushi.
He listened to every report, grin widening with each success.
"Fufufufufu… everything is going well. Screw the One Piece. I'm going to be the No. 2 leader of the world."
He laughed again — loud, manic, delighted.
"Fuffuffu… Only the weak rely on strength. Real power belongs to those who win without moving an inch."