Among the Marines foaming at the mouth and unconscious, one stood out. Not only was he not completely knocked out by Doflamingo's Conqueror's Haki like his comrades, but he still retained a sliver of consciousness.
His tall, muscular build, fiery, ponytail-like hairstyle, and exceptionally long arms, longer than ordinary people's, all made him very conspicuous.
Undoubtedly.
He was a member of a minority race, a Longarm Tribe member.
If he were just a minority with an ordinary identity, Doflamingo wouldn't be surprised. But a Marine? That was certainly worth his astonishment.
Doflamingo knew better than anyone that in a world dominated and controlled by the majority races under the World Government, they had, for hundreds or even thousands of years, openly or subtly suppressed all minority races, including the Longarm Tribe, Longleg Tribe, Snakeneck Tribe, Tontatta Tribe, Fish-Men, and so on.
The only exception was the Giant Race, whose exceptional talent made them too formidable to suppress, forcing the World Government to go to great lengths to win them over.
This suppression was partly due to historical factors where certain minorities made poor choices, and partly due to individual factors where a few minorities, relying on physical aptitudes far exceeding the majority, frequently committed crimes. However, the greater reason was the majority races' self-serving interest in protecting their core rights.
And the strong military support, namely the Marines, ensured this suppression proceeded smoothly. The World Government had to maintain the "purity" of their "swords and guns." So, logically, even if there were minorities in the Marines, they should only be Giants.
Yet, there was a Longarm Tribe member here. How unusual! How could Doflamingo not be surprised?
"You... bastard... 'Sea Scourge'!"
The Longarm Tribe Marine gnashed his teeth, struggling to force out a few words, then followed in his comrades' footsteps, succumbing to unconsciousness.
"You know me? I'm getting a bit famous now."
"..."
"Did Roger reaching Laugh Tale and acquiring the 'One Piece' cause a series of unusual events that made the World Government perceive a crisis in their rule, forcing them to change?"
Doflamingo's expression flickered. In a flash, he decided to adjust his original plan: instead of leaving one Marine to report back and a few for experiments, he would kill all the superfluous ones, thereby demonstrating his resolve and threat to the World Government in order to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea...
"Fufufufu~~~"
"What was that guy's name again? Shu... Zo? Right, Shuzo."
With a cruel twist of his lips, Doflamingo first returned to the Flamingo to stop Trebol and the others from touching the Heavenly Tribute transport ship. He discreetly retrieved a camera, then went back to the Heavenly Tribute transport ship's deck, grabbing Shuzo and entering the cabin.
"Parasite String."
Innumerable translucent threads secreted from his fingertips. Doflamingo controlled the threads, making them penetrate Shuzo's body, manipulating him like a puppet. The transition from awkwardness to proficiency happened in an instant.
Soon.
Click! Click! Click!
The camera flashed, recording Shuzo's actions.
Using a visual Den Den Mushi, Doflamingo set up a screen, projecting the photos recorded by the camera. Then, he poured a bucket of cold water over Shuzo's head.
Splash!
Pfft!
"Cough cough cough!!!"
"You... Arrrggghhh~!!!!"
After a violent coughing fit and a moment of brief confusion, Shuzo furiously tried to attack Doflamingo. But fully controlled by Doflamingo, how could he defy Doflamingo's will?
"Fufufufu~" Doflamingo hooked his finger, forcibly twisting Shuzo's gaze to the screen on the wall, where the visual Den Den Mushi projected the photos recorded by the camera. He said faintly, "Don't be angry, Shuzo! That's no way to treat a friend, Fufufufu~ Forgot? Well, I suppose it's understandable. Let me explain it this way: we became friends without you even knowing."
"Stop spouting nonsense!" Shuzo watched the images of him shaking hands with Doflamingo, him saluting Doflamingo as if he weren't a Marine but Doflamingo's subordinate. He couldn't help but feel shocked, angry, and a little terrified, constantly struggling. "What the hell have you done to me, you bastard!"
Doflamingo didn't answer Shuzo, continuing his earnest nonsense. "Admit it! We're friends, good friends who have cooperated for years. I provide you with money, women, anything you desire, and you provide me with insider information from the Marines."
"Let me go!!!" Shuzo's pupils contracted. He understood Doflamingo's meaning and roared furiously, "You lowlife stinking pirate! Don't think you can frame me with baseless accusations..."
"Fufufufu~ Perhaps you should calm down," Doflamingo interrupted Shuzo with a bright smile. "Baseless? The evidence is right here. No one will believe you've been framed, right?"
Shuzo was like a duck with its neck squeezed, his voice abruptly cut off.
"To join the Marines as a Longarm Tribe member, I'm sure the process wasn't simple; you must be a wise and brave fellow for the Marines to accept you," Doflamingo said in a conversational tone. "Since you are a wise and brave fellow, why don't you wisely consider the current situation, and then bravely face reality..."
"Once this 'evidence' is exposed, you definitely won't be able to remain a Marine. After all, you're a Longarm Tribe member, a minority already viewed differently by other Marines, Fufufufu~ What will you do? Your dream of justice, your family's hopes, your hometown's aspirations, even the reputation of the entire Longarm Tribe, oh my! That's just terrible," Doflamingo feigned a sigh, then his expression turned severe, pressing, "Have you thought it through clearly?"
Shuzo opened his mouth several times, words faltering each time, finally closing his eyes in frustration. He hated Doflamingo, hated him terribly, but Doflamingo's words were sharper than a knife, cutting into all his vital weaknesses. He had no choice but to... compromise.
"Fufufufu~ Now we've truly become friends," Doflamingo said, satisfied as he carefully packed the camera. "As a 'testament to our friendship,' I swear I'll admire it secretly in private! Tell me anything you need, and remember my Den Den Mushi number. I won't bother you often; only when necessary. Normally, you'll be yourself, a commendable Marine and the pride of the Longarm Tribe."
Despite his words, Doflamingo had already made up his mind: today's Shuzo was yesterday's Spandine. Once they took the first step, they would never be able to escape him.
"Tell me the highest-ranking officer you can contact."
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