In Dressrosa, within a room guarded by loyal subordinates, Rowen dismissed those flanking him and turned to face the pink Flamingo doll perched on the bed.
"Fuffuffuffuffuf, stop wasting your breath, Soryu (Azure Dragon)! I won't say a word!" Doflamingo grinned wickedly as he continued to speak, "To be honest, I didn't expect you to inform the Gorōsei. This means you've lost your chance to take me down."
"If you hadn't revealed my existence to them, with the Hobi Hobi no Mi (Toy Toy Fruit) ability, they would have never remembered who I am."
"Hmm, that's true, but what of it?"
Rowen exhaled a plume of smoke, his demeanor relaxed.
"Are you certain that being alive is a blessing for you?"
"Isn't it?"
Doflamingo's frown deepened, yet his expression remained unchanged: "As long as I draw breath, there's hope!"
"With hope, there will come a day to turn the tide!"
"No, you don't."
"I do!"
"Not in the slightest."
"You…!"
After a few sharp breaths, Doflamingo forced himself to regain composure and turned his head away. "If you're just here to spout this nonsense… then kindly leave!"
"The worst that can happen is death!"
"I'd rather meet my end at the hands of the Gorōsei than yours!"
In response, Rowen flicked the ash from his cigarette and said, "Don't fret, the Gorōsei will certainly not kill you… even with your secrets, even if you're unruly and refuse to be tamed."
"On the contrary, they will not only spare your life but will also ensure you live comfortably, giving you a chance to return to the Holy Land."
"Do you know why?"
"Why?!"
Doflamingo's eyes betrayed his fear. Return to the Holy Land? Ever since he had brought his father's head back and was cast aside, he had abandoned that dream.
In its place festered a deep-seated hatred!
He yearned to obliterate this world ruled by the Celestial Dragon, making them truly experience despair.
Like a child throwing a tantrum, if he couldn't have it, he would destroy it.
The relationship between the Gorōsei and the Celestial Dragon was like fire and water.
His imprisonment by the Soryu (Azure Dragon) family was no secret to the Gorōsei, yet they not only failed to order his release but also sent assassins to silence him. Later, he was used as bait by Orrick, engaging in both open and covert battles with the Gorōsei multiple times.
Such ruthless beings would actually allow him to return to the Holy Land?
Why?!
Noticing the shock on Doflamingo's face, Rowen calmly stated, "It may be a bit presumptuous to say this, but it's the truth."
"Besides Orrick and his son, along with the other three who were fortunate enough to escape while playing outside…"
"You are the last of the Celestial Dragon!"
Doflamingo's eyes widened in disbelief, staring blankly upward. "What did you say?!!!"
'Did I mishear that?'
The last… Celestial Dragon?
The esteemed Celestial Dragon, descendants of gods, World Nobles… how could that be?!
At that moment, Rowen suddenly slapped his palm, realizing something: "Oh, wait."
"Saint Orpheus Charlos was killed outside by Bartholomew Kuma. Although the evidence is scant, it's undeniable."
Looking at the dazed Doflamingo, Rowen spread his hands and raised five fingers.
"Adding Orrick and you, that makes all the Celestial Dragons, exactly five!"
"Impossible! What kind of jest is this?!"
Doflamingo leaned heavily on his cane, rising with a dark and twisted expression, nearly hysterical.
"Celestial Dragon, how could the Celestial Dragon…?!!"
"Celestial Dragons are still human, Doflamingo!" Rowen shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips.
"And because they've always lived in luxury, aside from you and the Orrick duo, the rest probably couldn't even fend off a child… as long as someone finds an opportunity, whether through poison or assassination, it's incredibly easy."
"Stop spouting nonsense!!!"
Doflamingo roared in agitation: "If something truly happened to the Celestial Dragon, would the world still be so peaceful?!"
"Do you think I'm a fool?!"
Those are the Celestial Dragon, a mountain that has loomed over everyone in the world for 800 years!
Once they are removed, this world will face a true world war!
Doflamingo strained to lift his head, hoping to see a hint of mockery in Rowen's eyes to prove he was merely toying with him.
However, he found none.
Rowen's gaze was steady, a certainty about the established facts.
In truth, it was indeed the case. Tesoro, holding Acier's research notes, secretly gathered scientists but failed to replicate Pure Gold. There were too many materials that could not be found outside, and the reverse engineering work had stagnated.
As they say, without a skilled cook, a meal cannot be made; even Vegapunk would be powerless in this regard.
Just like with Lineage Factor technology, he is the creator, but without the blood of Ability users, what could he discover?
Perhaps he wasn't even interested in conducting research?
With the failure of the antidote, the Universal Gene Solution, and the replication of Pure Gold, it could be said that as time passed, the Gorōsei silently acknowledged the earth-shattering fact that the Celestial Dragons were on the brink of extinction!
"Impossible… how could this happen…"
Watching Doflamingo slump back down, his eyes vacant, Rowen took a puff of his cigar and said lightly, "That's why I asked you what secret you hold."
"Before Lord Imu gives a nod, they have no right to tell me the truth; they only remind me that certain things are still unfinished, asking me to slow down my plans for the Four Seas."
"I deeply suspect that this plan requires the Celestial Dragon, which is your existence. I just want to know if my guess is correct… to be honest, Doflamingo, even if memories of you return to my mind, I have no interest in you anymore."
"This era has transformed into one where your petty antics can no longer influence its direction. The dark four kings have become a thing of the past, understood?"
"The real decision-making power lies with Orrick, the World Government, and us Marines!"
"Even among pirates, only Kaido is barely hanging on."
At this point, Rowen extinguished his finished cigar in the ashtray and stood up to adjust his Justice coat.
"Think it over, and answer me clearly."
"But don't take too long, because we don't have that much time."
Staring blankly as Rowen slowly walked toward the door, Doflamingo's eyes gradually cleared, and he clenched his fists in frustration.
"These bastards…!!!"
"Not only have they stripped me of my last reason for existence, but they won't even give me a chance for revenge?!!"
He recalled the desolate island, Orrick's indifferent and dismissive gaze before leaving; he remembered the eight-year-old him bringing back his father's head to the Holy Land, the twisted, mocking faces; he remembered the days spent in the dark dungeon, starving and catching rats.
"Then let's go completely insane once!!"
Kā Chā…
Rowen's hand rested on the doorknob, giving it a gentle twist.
In the next second, a wicked, maniacal laugh erupted from behind him.
"Fuffuffuf, Soryu (Azure Dragon)!"
"Let's go to Hell together!!!"
(End of Chapter)
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