In a secluded passage of the underground casino, a man in black spandex, with a large head and a small body, addressed Doflamingo's three top executives, Diamante, Pica, and Trebol. "Please head to the VIP room. Tesoro-sama and Joker are already waiting inside."
The man's name was Tanaka. He was Gild Tesoro's capable subordinate and the head of the casino security. He was currently leading the three Donquixote Pirates executives to the highest VIP room.
Pica, who was walking at the back, stopped. Diamante turned to look at him. "What is it?"
"I thought I saw a familiar figure just now," Pica's voice was as sharp as ever, yet it was impressive that Trebol and the others didn't laugh.
"You must be mistaken, right? But the deal is the most important thing now. Let's go," Diamante reminded him. Pica stopped worrying about it, and under Tanaka's guidance, they arrived at a secret room.
Upon entering, they saw Doflamingo and Tesoro sitting opposite each other. Doflamingo had his hands resting on the backrest of the sofa, looking impatient.
The three executives walked up and stood behind Doflamingo. It was then that Doflamingo spoke. "I never expected the thief who stole the Gold- Gold Fruit back then to become such a big shot today. To be honest, even now, I really want to kill you."
"Haha."
Tesoro, wearing pink long-sleeved shirt and trousers with green, slicked-back hair, laughed twice and snapped his fingers at Tanaka behind him.
Tanaka acknowledged the order, passed through the wall, and returned with several metal boxes. He emptied the contents onto the coffee table between the two men.
It was a stack of banknotes at least half a meter high.
"A regular Devil Fruit is worth 100 million, but here is a total of 500 million Berries. Consider this an apology to the Donquixote Pirates crew upfront."
Tesoro offered a large sum of money, but his smile lacked any sincerity. "Rather than pursuing one Devil Fruit, we can establish a partnership now."
Even if Doflamingo killed Tesoro, he wouldn't get the Gold-Gold Fruit back. Furthermore, Tesoro had become a leading figure in the underworld, making it not so easy for Doflamingo to kill him.
Doflamingo calmed down and said, "Tell me about it."
"I took a job from the Government. I recently obtained a Devil Fruit, but unfortunately, the Government found out. They are offering a high price to buy it from me..."
"The Zoan-type Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Ancient Titan."
Before Tesoro could finish, Doflamingo had already recited the rest of the information.
Tesoro's expression was shocked, but Doflamingo was very pleased with the reaction. He put one hand on his forehead and laughed maniacally. "Fuffuffuffu... Did you think you were the only one with special channels?"
Recovering from his momentary surprise, Tesoro resumed his usual smile. "That's right, a Devil Fruit with an astronomical price of 2.5 billion Berries."
"Why tell me something so important? What do you want?"
Tesoro spread his hands. "It's simply a matter of trust. I'm telling you a secret intelligence that only a Marine Vice Admiral could know, which demonstrates my sincerity in this partnership. We can make money together, and I'm not content just working in the first half of the Grand Line. I plan to penetrate the New World within three years."
"Fuffuffuffu... That sea territory ruled by those monsters?" Doflamingo chuckled.
"Precisely. And for you, don't you also need a strong ally? Actually, there is one more Devil Fruit, though it's not in my hands. The Government is looking for it now, and its price can reach 3 billion Berries..."
Tesoro's words were cut short when Doflamingo suddenly stood up from the sofa. He condensed his hand into a leopard's claw shape and violently swiped at the wall behind him. "Goshikito!"
Instantly, the marble-hard wall was sliced into fragments that peeled away. Hidden behind the wall, Law's sword, Kikoku, was drawn, managing to block Doflamingo's attack with noticeable difficulty.
"It's you!!"
Diamante and the three executives were greatly surprised. Although many years had passed, they could never forget those dark circles and that gaze.
Law!
The originally designated supreme executive of the Heart Seat, who was now a runaway.
Doflamingo burst into maniacal laughter. "Fuffuffuffu... Long time no see, Law. Have you come back to me?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Doflamingo," Law snarled, his brow deeply furrowed.
"The captain of the Heart Pirates? A capable rookie pirate who's recently surfaced?" Tesoro's face was grim. Someone had managed to infiltrate his secure location, and he hadn't even noticed immediately.
Law had already judged the gap between himself and Doflamingo after that single move. He couldn't afford to waste time here.
"Withdraw!"
"Room!"
Law yelled the name of his ability. The operation space encompassed the entire room, and he instantly disappeared from the spot.
"Is that the power of the Op-Op Fruit?" Trebol asked in surprise.
"Fuffuffuffu, you've gained a little competence, Law," Doflamingo turned his head toward Tesoro. "You don't mind if I modify your environment a bit, do you?"
Tesoro's face was dark. "Do whatever you want, but the matter of the Titan Fruit must not be leaked to outsiders." Tesoro was in an extremely foul mood due to the unexpected incident.
"How is he an outsider? That's my adorable little brother~~"
Doflamingo flicked his middle finger off his thumb, releasing several Bullet Strings that tore large holes in the ceiling. He quickly pursued in the direction of Law's escaping aura.
"Tanaka, you follow him too. We cannot let the information leak," Tesoro ordered Tanaka as he quickly left the room.
"Understood."
Tanaka acknowledged the command and disappeared into the ground, giving chase to Law.