Spider Sea.
This is a small, unique area nestled between Mariejois and Marine Fortress "G1." It's named as such because, when viewed from above, the numerous jagged rocks and treacherous hidden reefs look much like a spider, and ships navigating through it are like insects entering a spider's web—a single misstep spells devastating peril.
"Are you sure, Doffy?" Diamante, growing impatient at the continued absence of the Heavenly Tribute transport ship, paced back and forth on his long legs, a mix of excitement and agitation in his voice. "It's almost been two days."
Doflamingo, intrigued, stared at the threads secreting from his fingertips, saying indifferently, "Patience is a virtue, Diamante! You must understand that."
"Behehehehe~ Nyeh, nyeh, is it the virtue of granting prey a final moment of enjoyment? Doffy, you're too cruel, nyeh," Trebol exaggeratedly accused, stirring up a ruckus.
Doflamingo said meaningfully, "This is the iron rule of this world: the strong are entitled to impose everything on the weak, even death! And the weak can only enjoy their final moments in fearless ignorance, or spend them in dread and despair... Trebol, today we are the strong, who knows if tomorrow our roles will reverse, and we'll become the weak, fufufufu~"
"So we have enough reason to become stronger, G!" Lao G made his peculiar gesture, loudly supporting Doflamingo, showing a remarkably high level of resolve.
Trebol, Diamante? Doflamingo had long given up hope on those two slackers; he was merely using the excuse to urge Lao G, Pica, and Urouge.
"That's right, Lao G, so we have enough reason to become stronger," Doflamingo stopped staring at the threads secreting from his fingertips and leaned back in his beach chair, repeating Lao G's words. He seemed to zone out for a moment before lifting his chin to indicate Weevil's direction. "Lao G. Help me teach that poor kid."
Lao G stopped exercising. "With all due respect, Young Master, he's not suited for my unique martial art, nor is he suited for the Rokushiki martial arts, which are even more complex."
On the first day of joining the family, Doflamingo had given the Rokushiki martial arts to Lao G as a welcoming gift. Lao G accepted it, but only for reference; he still favored his unique martial art, Jio-Ken.
"Fufufufu~ I know that better than you! What I mean is, you're a martial artist—no, a martial arts master, proficient in hand-to-hand combat. Your ability is something none of the rest of us possess!" Doflamingo explained persuasively, unhurriedly. "Weevil's mind isn't normal; he can't learn complicated things. But how regrettable would it be if he only had his natural formidable physique but lacked a matching way to utilize it? I hope you can help me create a way for him to utilize it that matches his natural formidable physique, and then have him train incessantly, to engrave this method into his instincts."
Lao G pondered deeply. "No problem! Young Master, G!"
"If possible, could you also guide Pica and Urouge a bit? I'd appreciate it," Doflamingo said.
Lao G, feeling Doflamingo's abundant trust, immediately said, "It's all my duty, G."
"Trust Lao G; he's a professional, at least when it comes to martial arts," Doflamingo said to the bewildered Pica and Urouge.
Pica remained silent like a mute; he really disliked opening his mouth.
Urouge responded, then quickly and slyly huddled back with Pica, muttering to each other, occasionally letting out a snicker that contradicted his monk status.
His actual age was similar to Trebol's and Diamante's—two years younger than Trebol and two years older than Diamante. Yet, he had absolutely nothing in common with Trebol and Diamante. It was strangely peculiar that he often hung out with Pica, who was seven years his junior and only seventeen.
Glancing at Pica, whose dark skin was noticeably flushed from Urouge's teasing, Doflamingo rubbed his brows. "Urouge?"
"Hmm?" Urouge turned his head.
Doflamingo clasped his hands together in prayer, an expression of contemplation on his face. "Have you ever been in love?"
"Uh..." Urouge was embarrassed.
Doflamingo sighed. "Once you have experience with love, then promote your 'Love Handbook.'" He paused briefly, then added, "I've put up with you for a long time."
Urouge: "..."
"So you're all talk too. Good thing I didn't believe you! Heh," Pica finally spoke, his voice sharply sarcastic towards Urouge.
Doflamingo snorted. "I see you two have too much energy. I'll make sure you have no strength left for idle thoughts! Lao G. Oversee their training! The Heavenly Tribute transport ship has arrived. I'll handle this myself."
Before he finished speaking.
"Doffy! Doffy! They're here! They're here!"
Trebol, who had somehow climbed up the crow's nest, loudly called out.
Doflamingo quickly stood up, ascended into the sky using Geppo, found his direction, and swiftly flew away.
Whirrrr...
Crackling...
The family members watched as a black and red current flickered in the distance, feeling a majestic aura surge and recede...
It was over.
As Doflamingo expected, the Marine escort for the Heavenly Tribute transport ship was so weak it was almost "dismal." It basically relied on the special significance represented by the Heavenly Tribute and the inertia of ordinary criminals not daring to actively attack the Marines.
"Fufufufu~ My Conqueror's Haki isn't fully mastered yet. I didn't control it well; everyone's knocked out. I forgot to leave someone behind..." Doflamingo strolled through the Marine warships, which were strewn with unconscious bodies, muttering to himself. Suddenly, he squinted. "Oh? There's still one with a strong will... a Longarm Tribe member? When did the Marines start recruiting Longarm Tribe soldiers?"
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