Minion Island was one of the most notorious lawless zones in the North Blue.
Criminal gangs, underground organizations, pirate crews, and other dangerous factions from across the sea gathered there.
Ordinary civilians were almost nonexistent.
Even the owner of a quiet tavern might have spent his younger years as a mafia enforcer or the deadliest assassin in some infamous organization.
Minion Island was also the largest trading hub in the North Blue’s underworld.
In some respects, it could even be considered the North Blue’s gateway to the rest of the world.
Anything available elsewhere in the North Blue could be found there.
More importantly, many things that could not be purchased anywhere else in the North Blue could still be found on Minion Island.
The Donquixote Family’s largest smuggling network in the region was based there.
Despite being a lawless zone, the island’s harbor operated with remarkable stability.
Even the underworld had rules of its own.
Local gangs took turns managing the docks.
Since the harbor was indispensable to everyone conducting business on the island, no faction was foolish enough to start serious trouble there.
Minor disturbances, however, were generally ignored.
As Doflamingo descended the gangway of his ship, dressed in a black suit beneath his pink feather coat and wearing his orange-tinted sunglasses, he spotted two pirate captains fighting a duel in the distance.
Piracy had plagued the world for centuries.
In a world dominated by oceans and scattered islands, pirates and Marines were almost like opposing halves of the same whole.
One represented chaos.
The other represented order.
For countless generations, the two sides had fought without end.
At this point in history, the Marines still held the advantage.
Sixteen years earlier, the Rocks Pirates, who had once terrorized the seas and threatened the entire world, were defeated at God Valley.
Monkey D.
Garp and Gol D.
Roger had joined forces during that battle, but Roger’s involvement was naturally erased from the World Government’s official account.
All the glory went to Garp, who became celebrated across the world as the Hero of the Marines.
The destruction of the Rocks Pirates brought the Marines an enormous surge in prestige and morale.
For many years afterward, they stood as the dominant power upon the seas.
Sixteen years had passed since then, however, and the benefits of that victory were nearly exhausted.
A new generation of heroes, monsters, and would-be rulers was rising throughout the New World, each seeking to claim supremacy for themselves.
The most prominent among them was undoubtedly Golden Lion Shiki.
Once a member of the Rocks Pirates, Shiki possessed both the strength and ambition to make the entire world tremble beneath his roar.
The Golden Lion Pirates he commanded were arguably the strongest pirate fleet currently active in the New World.
Whitebeard and Roger followed close behind him.
As for the other figures who would later become Emperors, Charlotte Linlin was progressing steadily.
Through political marriages, childbirth, and the continued expansion of her enormous family, she had established a stable and growing territory in the New World.
Kaido’s situation was rather different.
Unless Doflamingo remembered incorrectly, a newspaper published on the seventh of the previous month had reported Kaido’s fourteenth capture.
Judging by his history, however, it would not be long before he escaped and reappeared on the seas.
There were also rumors that the Beasts Pirates had already begun establishing themselves in Wano Country.
As for Red-Haired Shanks, the youngest of the future Emperors, he should still be serving as an apprentice aboard Roger’s ship.
Doflamingo looked away from the dueling pirates.
“Come to think of it, he won’t remain an apprentice for much longer.” His voice was low enough that only those nearest him could hear.
“The year is 1498.
By the end of this year—or early next year at the latest—the Roger Pirates will become the first crew to conquer the entire Grand Line.” They would stand at the summit of the seas, and Roger would be crowned the Pirate King.
Not long afterward, the age currently dominated by the Marines would be turned upside down.
A new era belonging to pirates would begin.
The Great Pirate Era was drawing near.
I need to become stronger before that happens.
Although Doflamingo was still young, his appearance and reputation were already widely recognized throughout the North Blue, especially among criminals.
Minion Island was filled almost entirely with villains, and practically everyone there knew of Donquixote Doflamingo, the young tyrant of the North Blue.
His reputation was enough to keep troublemakers away.
With a group of Donquixote Family subordinates following behind him, Doflamingo entered the island without obstruction and proceeded toward the Family’s local headquarters.
His height made him even more conspicuous.
At only seventeen years old, he was already approaching three meters tall.
He was not heavily built, but his towering frame still made him imposing.
Years of commanding others had given him an instinctive air of authority.
Combined with his distinctive clothing and the natural cruelty in his features, he radiated a sinister presence that caused others to avoid his path.
Unlike the Doflamingo of the original timeline, however, he had no interest in dressing in an excessively flamboyant fashion.
He had discarded the tight trousers, pointed shoes, and gaudy patterns in favor of a more imposing appearance.
Instead, he preferred the black suit and feather coat the original Doflamingo would one day wear on Minion Island when he killed his younger brother.
Doflamingo crossed the streets inside the Donquixote Family’s territory and soon saw Diamante hurrying toward him.
A familiar, wicked smile spread across his face.
When Diamante drew near, Doflamingo spoke.
“Diamante, I knew someone as capable as you wouldn’t disappoint me.” Diamante had a peculiar habit.
Whenever someone praised him, he immediately became modest.
But the moment that praise was withdrawn, he would insist that it had been entirely deserved.
“I’m not particularly capable,” Diamante said with exaggerated humility.
“It was all nothing more than luck.” Doflamingo was not in the mood to indulge him this time.
“Were you able to contact Ohara?” Ohara was regarded as the world’s greatest center of archaeology and possessed immense influence within the academic world.
The Tree of Knowledge was said to contain records of nearly every aspect of human history, culture, and accumulated knowledge.
Naturally, a paradise for scholars could not remain completely isolated from the outside world.
In fact, Ohara maintained frequent communication with foreign academics and institutions.
Its scholars occasionally published their research and opinions in newspapers.
Ohara also released numerous academic journals every year and regularly hosted conferences where researchers from across the world could gather and exchange ideas.
Contacting Ohara was therefore not especially difficult.
A person merely needed to search through the appropriate newspapers, publications, or academic directories to find a means of communication.
“We reached them,” Diamante replied with a quick nod.
Doflamingo raised an eyebrow.
“What did they say?” “They have very little information about Sleeping Ancient Town,” Diamante explained.
“Only three books mention it, and all three are stored inside the Tree of Knowledge.” Anticipation appeared in Doflamingo’s eyes.
Diamante hesitated before continuing.
“I originally asked whether we could borrow them, but Ohara’s representative said that books from the Tree of Knowledge are never permitted to leave the library.” “That’s fine,” Doflamingo said with a dismissive wave.
“I can go to Ohara personally.” Doflamingo held genuine respect for knowledge.
The books housed within the Tree of Knowledge were treasures belonging to all humanity.
Refusing to lend them out was perfectly reasonable.
It merely meant he would have to make the journey himself.
Diamante cleared his throat awkwardly.
“There may be another problem.” Doflamingo looked at him.
“As far as I know, only scholars officially recognized by Ohara are allowed inside the Tree of Knowledge.” Diamante studied him for a moment.
“Doffy, what kind of scholar are you supposed to be?
What exactly do you research?” Doflamingo stared at him in silence.
Could he claim to be an expert in criminal psychology?
His primary research subject was himself, after all.
After a brief pause, Doflamingo shrugged.
“It doesn’t matter.
I’m willing to follow Ohara’s rules because I respect knowledge.” His smile sharpened.
“But if those rules become too inconvenient, then I’ll simply respect my own wishes instead.” Diamante grinned.
“That’s true.
It’s not as though we were ever decent people to begin with.” He threw back his head and laughed.