The next great age would undoubtedly belong to pirates.
Doflamingo had no intention of missing that opportunity.
In fact, becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea was already part of his long-term plan.
He would enter the pirate world, build a fearsome reputation, and eventually secure a place among the Warlords.
That position would allow him to move freely between the criminal underworld and the World Government, using the privileges of the system to expand his influence at extraordinary speed.
Then, when the time was right, he would compete for true supremacy.
That was the rough outline Doflamingo had drawn for his future.
Golden Lion Shiki’s defeat at Edd War had shocked the entire world.
The consequences of that battle would eventually reach every sea, but for now, the first waves of change had yet to arrive in the West Blue.
Inside a restaurant, Doflamingo elegantly cut into a steak while listening to reports from one of his subordinates.
“Trebol has left Flevance,” the Family member said, reading from a document.
“The Amber Lead operation is proceeding according to plan.
There have been no unexpected complications.” He turned the page.
“Pica has… Hm?” Doflamingo paused with his fork halfway to his mouth.
“What happened?” “Pica seized a Devil Fruit from a pirate crew in the North Blue,” the subordinate answered quickly.
“It appears to be the Paramecia-type Stone-Stone Fruit.” Pica was one of the four officers who had followed Doflamingo from the beginning.
The Donquixote Family currently had four highest-ranking officers, each represented by one of the four card suits: Diamante, Vergo, Pica, and Trebol.
They were the first four people who had pledged themselves to Doflamingo and acknowledged him as their leader.
Apart from Doflamingo himself, they were also the strongest members of the Family.
At present, Diamante ranked first among the officers, followed by Vergo, Pica, and finally Trebol.
In terms of combat talent, however, Doflamingo believed only Vergo and Diamante were truly worth developing seriously.
Pica was at least large and intimidating enough to look impressive.
Trebol was another matter entirely.
Without the mucus produced by his Devil Fruit disguising his real body, he was little more than an emaciated man with the build of a stick.
He lacked almost every quality one would expect from an imposing senior officer.
The Family might be loyal, but loyalty alone could not compensate for mediocrity.
“The Stone-Stone Fruit?” Doflamingo ate another piece of steak and considered it briefly.
“Tell Pica he can decide what to do with it.
He can eat it himself or give it to someone else.” The Stone-Stone Fruit was hardly worthless, but it did not particularly impress him.
Its effects could resemble a Logia at first glance, but it was ultimately a Paramecia focused on merging with and manipulating stone.
It would be extremely useful in construction.
In battle, however, Doflamingo considered it less promising than even a straightforward metal-based Paramecia.
In the original future, Pica had eaten the fruit himself and become a stone-man.
Doflamingo had no objection.
If Pica wanted it, he could have it.
Doflamingo did not expect enough from him to interfere.
The previous year, the Donquixote Family had purchased the Paramecia-type Ripple-Ripple Fruit from the underworld.
Diamante had nearly eaten it.
Fortunately, Doflamingo stopped him.
Diamante was one of the few officers with enough natural ability to reach a genuinely high level.
Doflamingo did not want him wasting that potential on the first unusual Devil Fruit that crossed his path.
The matter brought Doflamingo’s attention back to the Family’s future development.
Any organization that wanted to grow into a major power needed a capable and dependable team.
Piracy would be the defining opportunity of the next era, but it was also far more dangerous than smuggling.
Once Doflamingo raised a pirate flag, his life would no longer be as comfortable as it was now.
The pirate world was built on violence.
If he intended to survive and eventually dominate it, he needed powerful companions.
The Donquixote Family’s current officers were fiercely loyal, but most of them were simply not strong enough.
Loyalty without ability could only accomplish so much.
Doflamingo sometimes regretted not being born a few decades earlier.
Had he appeared sooner, perhaps he could have persuaded the two monsters who emerged from the North Blue—Sakazuki and Borsalino—to join him instead of the Marines.
The North Blue still possessed considerable potential, but most of its next generation would not mature for many years.
Its future standouts included Trafalgar Law, Basil Hawkins, and X Drake.
The only promising figure likely to emerge soon enough was Bellamy, and even he was hardly exceptional.
Building a powerful crew entirely from North Blue talent was therefore unrealistic in the short term.
Once Doflamingo officially became a pirate and began sailing across the world, he would have to recruit suitable companions elsewhere.
For now, he would focus on what could be done immediately.
That meant developing Vergo and Diamante.
Vergo’s talent in Haki and martial arts required little explanation.
Diamante’s personality could be irritating, but he was an accomplished swordsman.
He had also served as Doflamingo’s swordsmanship instructor when Doflamingo was younger.
Doflamingo himself seemed to possess some talent with a blade.
Ultimately, however, his time and energy had been limited, and he had chosen to prioritize Haki over swordsmanship.
Perhaps once the circumstances were right, returning to the sword would not be a bad idea.
While Doflamingo listened to reports and considered the Family’s future, a small fleet of six weather-beaten ships approached the waters surrounding Ohara.
Olvia stood on the deck of the lead vessel.
In one hand, she held a Devil Fruit covered in strange, intricate patterns.
More than half a year earlier, she had departed with eight ships.
Now, after an exhausting voyage, she had finally returned with the fruit Doflamingo demanded.
Only six vessels had survived.
Even that could be considered fortunate.
Sleeping Ancient Town lay hidden within the New World, where an unlucky fleet could vanish without leaving a trace.
Shiki’s recent disaster at Edd War had demonstrated that clearly enough.
The Donquixote Family had placed observers near Ohara’s harbor.
The moment Olvia’s fleet appeared on the horizon, word was sent to Doflamingo.
By the time she stepped ashore, he was already waiting at the docks.
The sea breeze stirred the pink feather coat draped across his shoulders.
Beneath it, he wore a fitted burgundy shirt, black tailored trousers, and polished crocodile-leather shoes.
Combined with his tall frame, handsome features, short blond hair, and effortless confidence, he cut an undeniably striking figure.
Even his ordinary smile carried something unsettling.
There was an inherent wickedness in his presence that transformed the smallest curve of his lips into something dangerous.
Olvia despised him.
She regarded Doflamingo as a despicable extortionist who had threatened her home and everyone she cared about.
Even so, she had to admit that he was remarkably handsome.
She took a deep breath.
Silently, she prayed that Doflamingo would honor at least part of their agreement, take the fruit, and leave Ohara as quickly as possible.
Then she walked toward him.
Doflamingo appeared perfectly calm.
Inside, however, excitement surged through him.
The Donquixote Family had traded several Devil Fruits during its years in the North Blue.
But the fruit in Olvia’s hand was undoubtedly the most valuable one Doflamingo had seen since arriving in this world seven years ago.
The Mythical Zoan— Bat-Bat Fruit, Model: Vampire.