For Kaido's sudden surge of anger, Doflamingo had nothing to offer but an awkward smile.
What could he do?
Was he supposed to join this furious father, whose child had completely gone astray, and launch a verbal crusade against Michael?
What good would that do? Would Michael lose a piece of flesh or something?
At that moment, a sly smile tugged at the corner of Doflamingo's lips.
"Uh, Kaido-san, I know you're angry right now, but I suggest you don't get mad just yet."
Doflamingo cleared his throat and continued,
"If this already makes you angry, there are things that will make you even angrier."
"Do you know who hinted to Wano behind the scenes to launch a sneak attack on the Beasts Pirates and the Gekko Pirates?"
After Doflamingo said this with a smile, Kaido froze on the spot.
Then an even more terrifying aura erupted from his body.
Those eyes, filled with ferocity and menace, locked tightly on Doflamingo.
"You mean… this man called Michael ruined my plan to take Wano?"
"This is probably the kind of information only I managed to dig up."
Even though Doflamingo's back was already drenched in sweat, his expression remained relaxed.
"No one paid attention that the World Economic News Agency's airborne headquarters stayed briefly in Kuri… And before and after going to Kuri, they approached Garp's flagship."
"And on that ship with Garp at the time was Michael."
Kaido stared hard at Doflamingo's face, trying to read something extra from it…
Unfortunately for him, since every word was the truth, Doflamingo felt no guilt whatsoever.
"If you had succeeded in dealing with Kozuki Oden and taking Wano… would you still need to recuperate here on Raijin Island?"
"All of this… is Michael's fault."
Hearing this, Kaido suddenly closed his eyes and took several deep breaths.
After a few moments, when he opened them again, his earlier rage was suppressed under a cold calm.
"You've gone through all this trouble to direct my hatred toward Michael… What is it that you want?"
"What do I want?"
Doflamingo let out a mocking laugh.
"Of course I don't want to be under anyone's control anymore! I want to regain complete freedom… That's why I choose to work with you. Didn't you already acquire part of the Vinsmoke family's Lineage Factor technology? Well, I know there's someone else in Vegapunk's team who researches the Lineage Factor alongside him. His main focus is on artificial Devil Fruits, human gigantification, and mass-destructive weapons… His name is Caesar Clown."
"You… want him?"
"I can take him out from under the World Government's watch…"
Finally, Doflamingo revealed his true objective.
All these years, he'd been longing to escape Michael's control.
"How sure are you?"
"One hundred percent," Doflamingo answered without hesitation.
"Caesar Clown will become the shared asset of the Beasts Pirates and Shichibukai Doflamingo… Believe me, it won't be long before the Beasts Pirates you imagine truly takes shape."
"And you? Working with me, you'll need a base of operations in the New World, right?"
"That's nothing you need to worry about… I've had my eye on that place called 'Pleasure Street' for a long time."
In the year 1506 of the Sea Circle Calendar, Doflamingo met with Kaido, and the two formed a secret alliance in private, then simultaneously entered a period of dormancy…
When that period ended, they would stir up a far greater storm across the entire New World.
...
Sabaody Archipelago.
"Vice Admiral Michael, Stella, welcome back."
Little Robin saluted Michael in Marine fashion, then cheerfully ran up to him.
Now twelve years old, she had long since shed her malnourished, frail appearance. After constant training and proper nutrition, she was no longer a child but had grown into a young girl.
Michael gave a knowing smile.
This was the joy of watching the neighbor's girl grow up!
"Where's the SWORD Secret Special Force? Don't tell me those guys are slacking off again!"
"Uh… I don't think they're slacking… right?"
Robin forced a rather awkward smile.
"Personally, I feel like they wouldn't slack off. Yeah."
"Alright, don't make excuses for them."
Michael ruffled Robin's hair.
"Come with me to the Secret Special Force base."
"I still have to handle Sabaody's affairs… Ever since we took over much of Fishman Island's logistics business, Sabaody has been more prosperous than ever," Robin said a bit helplessly.
"And those things… Vice Admiral Momousagi has never been good at dealing with them."
"Let her worry about her job for once; consider it a lesson for her."
Michael chuckled, grabbed Robin, and left without another word.
On the way, passing several main intersections, Michael couldn't help but recall those days when he and Momousagi purged Sabaody together…
The blood flowed like rivers back then.
In these low-lying areas, pits of blood had gathered one after another; when they dried up, the soil was stained red.
The SWORD Secret Special Force base wasn't far from the Marine base on Sabaody.
As soon as they entered the estate, they heard screams coming from the back garden, now remodeled into a training ground.
Michael raised an eyebrow and hurried over with Robin.
There, an old man with his beard braided into pigtails had tossed aside his dignified Admiral coat and was laughing heartily as he charged at the SWORD Secret Special Force.
On the other side, the legendary "Marine Hero" casually tossed aside his senbei bag and joined the fray.
The two of them surrounded the entire SWORD Secret Special Force.
Soon, the only ones still standing were Stella, Crocodile, Enel, and Hawk Eyes.
Even so, the fact that those four hadn't lost yet against the only current Admiral and the Marine Hero fighting together was already impressive.
"Wa-hahaha, Michael, whatever else I say about you, you sure are a master at recruiting talent! Where on earth did you dig up such geniuses?"
"Truly impressive… Even someone with the Rumble Fruit ability. That really exceeded my expectations."
Sengoku and Garp praised as they swiftly wrapped up the battle.
In this situation, under the combined assault of these two old monsters, anyone would lose.
Let alone these young people still in their growth phase.
"Alright, you two old guys, haven't you bullied my people enough?"
Michael stepped forward, picked up the Admiral coat, and handed it to Sengoku.
"So, what brings you to Sabaody this time?"
Sengoku took the coat, put it on, and his expression turned serious.
"My promotion to Fleet Admiral, along with the promotion ceremony for Borsalino, Sakazuki, and Kuzan to Admirals… has been moved up."
"It will be in five days."
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