As a well-inford broker in the underworld, Donquixote Doflamingo—known by the codena "Joker"—naturally got wind of the major battle at Marineford.
In fact, the information he obtained was even more detailed than what Yonko like Whitebeard himself had access to.
If the Marines saw the intel in Doflamingo's hands, their expressions would surely be priceless.
From the O'Hara incident… to Rosinante publicly declaring himself a peace-loving man… to the fierce battle at Marine HQ… to the assassination of the Celestial Dragons' guards… and even to the Celestial Dragons' appeal to the Five Elders, demanding this matter be dealt with—
Everything, from start to finish, every single detail—perhaps even beyond what so in the Navy themselves knew—was now sitting in Doflamingo's hands.
In truth, ever since the O'Hara incident, Doflamingo had been keeping a close eye on Rosinante.
When Rosinante and his crew vanished without a trace two years ago, not even Doflamingo, with all his underground connections, could dig up any leads.
Most people assud they were either dead or imprisoned in Impel Down. After all, how else could there be not a whisper of news?
Even the high-ranking officers of the Donquixote Family believed Rosinante had been captured by the Navy.
But Doflamingo… never believed it.
He was convinced Rosinante's disappearance was only temporary.
And when Rosinante resurfaced in O'Hara, Doflamingo's interest was rekindled instantly.
Not that he cared for Rosinante personally—Doflamingo saw everything through the lens of 利益—profit.
Over the past two years, Doflamingo had nearly unified all the criminal underworld of the North Blue, becoming a prominent broker in the black market under the codena "Joker."
Though he had built a vast underground empire, he understood all too well: while entering the New World wouldn't be difficult, surviving and thriving there was a different story.
If he wanted to plant his feet firmly in the New World, he needed a powerful ally.
But seeking out one of the existing pirate emperors? That was suicide—they'd devour him, bones and all.
The Whitebeard Pirates might've been an option, and Doflamingo didn't even mind the idea of becoming one of Whitebeard's so-called "sons." But he knew well: as a man who had once killed his own father, he was taboo in Whitebeard's eyes. Joining that crew was never an option.
As for the other so-called rising pirate stars of the era? Doflamingo looked down on them.
So ironically, the partner he found most suitable… was none other than Rosinante.
Perhaps it was because, in this lifeti, Rosinante had achieved far more than Doflamingo—an outco that made Doflamingo feel… complicated.
Was it joy? No. Jealousy? Maybe a little, but not entirely. Envy? Not at all. He knew Rosinante had earned everything through sheer effort and ambition.
It was a mix of emotions even Doflamingo himself couldn't quite sort out.
And so, he kept a close watch on Rosinante's every move.
But when the intel from Marineford finally landed on Doflamingo's desk—his expression changed.
Shock. Astonishnt. And… a hint of delight that even Doflamingo himself didn't realize he was feeling.
Especially the part where Rosinante's n sniped dead every single guard, butler, and slave around over a dozen Celestial Dragons.
At that mont, Doflamingo threw his head back and burst out laughing.
A crazed, uninhibited laugh echoed through the room, startling every mber of the Donquixote Family nearby.
"Doffy, are you okay?!" Trebol asked anxiously.
"Fufufufufu… Rosinante… he's turned into a complete monster!" Doflamingo said between manic laughter.
"Don't sell yourself short, Doffy! You've done incredible things! The whole Donquixote Family believes in you. You were born to rule!" Trebol said, his voice filled with urgency.
"Yeah, Doffy! We all believe in you!"
"Doffy!"
"Young Master!"
"Young Master!"
It was true—Doflamingo had accomplished a lot in recent years. He didn't just build up the family's strength; he carved out a legendary reputation in the underworld, achieving what others could never dream of in a re few years.
With his rising power, and his natural talent for leadership—rewarding rit, punishing failure—Doflamingo was a born ruler. In terms of managent, he outclassed Rosinante by miles.
That's why his followers loved and respected him deeply.
Yet Doflamingo kept laughing, his mad cackle ringing out through the room.
Then suddenly, he stopped.
"Spread the word—keep your eyes on all four seas. The mont anything about the Grey Nation appears… report to imdiately!"
"All four seas? But isn't Rosinante's Grey Nation based on Skypiea? Why would it show up in the Blue Sea?" Trebol asked in confusion.
"From the terms Rosinante laid out with the World Governnt, it's obvious—he's about to return to the surface. The Grey Nation is strong. If they were a typical pirate crew, they could charge straight into the New World and contend for the throne of Pirate Emperor. But that's the thing… they're not a pirate crew. Rosinante wants to build a pirate nation. A pirate nation—fufufufu! What a joke. What kind of brain cos up with that?" Doflamingo sneered.
The term "Pirate Emperor" had already begun to circulate in the New World.
At first, people gave the title to Whitebeard, whose overwhelming might kept all other pirates at bay. No one dared challenge him—he was like an emperor of the seas. When the Whitebeard Pirates set sail, the world bowed.
But over ti, another contender erged—Charlotte Linlin of the Big Mom Pirates. She ruled through fear, a tyrant in her own right. Everyone trembled before her.
Gradually, people began to refer to both Whitebeard and Big Mom as the Emperors of the New World. Though not yet official, their followers already saw them as royalty.
Hearing Doflamingo's words, the others looked at him with puzzled expressions.
"You still don't get it? Since the Grey Nation is a nation, they need territory. But in the New World, territory is the at fought over by the big-na pirates. If the Grey Nation tries to claim land there, they'll have to clash with these giants. Sure, they're strong—but they don't have the manpower to defend such territory.
"Right now, Rosinante can't go to war with the World Governnt. If he could, they wouldn't even be negotiating. The Grand Line's first half is Navy-controlled. So where can he go? The Four Seas.
"Yes, they're technically under the World Governnt too. But the Four Seas are vast—and not all the countries there are affiliated with the World Governnt. That's Rosinante's target," Doflamingo concluded.
"But even if we find him, will Rosinante actually agree to work with us?" Diamante asked.
"Oh, he will. Fufufufu… we have what he lacks. We can cover his weaknesses. And more importantly—I possess a secret he'll be very interested in…
…The Celestial Dragons' greatest treasure."
Doflamingo broke into another bout of wild laughter.
anwhile, far across the sea—on the waters of Totto Land in the New World—a very special guest had arrived today…
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