After passing through the smuggling tunnel beneath Mariejois, Doflamingo did not visit Fish-Man Island. Instead, he surfaced directly from the deep sea, officially stepping into the New World.
It wasn't that Doflamingo didn't want to visit Fish-Man Island; he also wanted to see the scenery ten thousand meters beneath the sea. But he didn't have time, hurrying to an appointment... The person he had entrusted the Big Mom Pirates' treasure ship to deliver had arrived.
"Oh~ hohohoho~ Young Master, this is the oddball I always talk about, Lao G, hoho!" Giolla enthusiastically introduced her card-playing friend to Doflamingo.
Lao G certainly lived up to Giolla's description. He was indeed an oddball. Despite his considerable age and very muscular physique, which should have given him a tough-guy aura, he wore a childish rabbit-ear hat and a blue-and-red one-piece bodysuit. On top of that, he sported a pair of incongruous white boots! Overall, his appearance was exceptionally discordant and fragmented.
"On my way here, I've already heard of your great name, G!" Lao G made a gesture in the shape of the letter "G," and his words ended with the sound "G."
Doflamingo chuckled, "Oh, you've already heard, fufufufu~~ How about it? Interested in joining my family?"
"Of course! Young Master, G!" Lao G agreed very readily.
"Fufufufu~ Excellent! You've had a long journey, rest up first. Giolla." gesturing for Giolla to lead Lao G away, Doflamingo leaped onto the singing ship that was docked alongside the Flamingo.
"Hey, hey, it's been a while, Daifuku. How have you been?"
Compared to before, the biggest change in Charlotte Family's third son was the two short, rat-like whiskers he had grown on his upper lip, adding a touch of sleaziness. He rubbed his bald head and grinned, "Now that you've taken in that weirdo, everything's just fine."
"Fufufufu~~~" Doflamingo smiled faintly, but his expression clearly showed disbelief.
As expected.
"Haha! Just kidding," Daifuku gave a strained laugh, then sat cross-legged on the deck, sighing deeply and complaining, "You know, Doffy, same old, same old! We're born to toil, like worker ants endlessly sacrificing for the queen ant, guarding her safety, tirelessly supplying her food, and fulfilling all her wishes. What's good or bad about it?"
Daifuku was the Charlotte Family member Doflamingo understood best, besides Smoothie. Conversely, among outsiders, Daifuku recognized, acknowledged, and somewhat understood only Doflamingo.
Their cooperation in Arinland had been good, so while they weren't intimate friends who could talk about anything, they were at least compatible, able to confide in each other a little.
Doflamingo clicked his tongue, "I sympathize with your situation, but I'm helpless."
"Who isn't helpless?" Daifuku shook his head. "I'm hoping that after Smoothie marries you, she'll have a chance to escape this boring life! Oh, right, when do you plan to propose to Smoothie? I came back from the West Blue and specifically prepared many congratulatory gifts for you two."
Daifuku had traveled back and forth through the Calm Belt to the West Blue and even between the Four Blues and the New World, collecting the profits from the connections Doflamingo had previously set up between the Big Mom Pirates and financial magnates.
They protected the financial magnates' businesses from harassment by the underworld, including pirates, and in return, the financial magnates provided a certain amount of money. In a sense, it was quite similar to the behavior of World Government affiliated nations paying Heavenly Tribute to the Celestial Dragons.
Doflamingo also knew the secret to the Big Mom Pirates' free passage through the Calm Belt: it was through Big Mom's special Vivre Card, created with her Devil Fruit ability, which contained Big Mom's soul power, effectively deterring the Sea Kings lurking in the Calm Belt from attacking.
Anyway, not long ago, Daifuku happened to go to the West Blue to collect money, so Lao G hitched a ride with him.
"Thank you, fufufufu~" Doflamingo hooked his finger, not answering Daifuku's question, but changing the subject. "How is your territory's construction coming along?"
Daifuku spread his hands. "It's all thanks to you! The family isn't short on funds, and the situation at sea is so chaotic that the Marines have no time to bother us. It's been smooth sailing."
"I'll come visit," Doflamingo said.
Daifuku enthusiastically described, "It's absolutely an unprecedented fantasy paradise! Doffy! I dare say, you'll be amazed when you visit Totto Land!"
"I hope so," Doflamingo invited, "Want to come aboard my ship for a few drinks?"
Daifuku resumed his listless demeanor. "I do want to find you for a few drinks and catch up... but no, bringing you this person has already delayed me. Mama hates waiting the most."
"Give my regards to Big Mom, fufufufu~ And of course, most importantly, to Smoothie," Doflamingo didn't try to keep him, briskly bidding Daifuku farewell.
Jumping onto the Flamingo, Doflamingo watched the singing ship sail away.
"Behehehe~" As Doflamingo turned around, Trebol sidled over. "Nyeh, nyeh, Doffy? The family's members are slowly growing, nyeh."
Doflamingo calmly said, "Mm."
"Shouldn't we divide everyone's... responsibilities?" Trebol said, his old face creased.
Doflamingo raised an eyebrow, immediately understanding Trebol's little schemes and thoughts.
It was nothing more than a worry that as the family grew stronger and new recruits became more formidable, they—no, mainly he, who considered himself an elder, and Diamante, were concerned about gradually being marginalized and wanted to secure high-ranking positions as early as possible.
"Fufufufu~ No problem," Doflamingo said, smiling widely. "I'm planning to divide the family into two main parts. One is the logistics team, led by you, with Diamante as your second-in-command, and Giolla as a member. Currently, you'll be responsible for piloting the Flamingo, monitoring enemy activity, and managing provisions. Once the family stabilizes, you'll take over the family's finances and act as 'Joker' on my behalf."
"Speaking of 'Joker,' that's one of my nicknames. The wild card in poker is also a 'joker'! So, the other part of the family, the combat team, will be represented by the four suits: Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, and Spades. More details will be discussed when the family grows larger," Doflamingo said, effortlessly satisfying Trebol and Diamante's demands with a single breath, but also indirectly shattering their illusions.
A cold chuckle echoed in Doflamingo's mind. He thought, Dream on, you fools. No ability, yet you try to hog high positions?
"That's how it is!"
"Fufufufu~ Hahahahaha..."
Without allowing Trebol to refuse, Doflamingo leisurely walked into the ship's cabin, examining Trebol's bewildered expression and patting his shoulder, laughing heartily.
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