"Doffy!"
A surprised, clear shout came from a distance, breaking the stalemate between Doflamingo and Cracker, primarily giving Cracker, who had been cornered by Doflamingo, an out.
"Fufufufu~" Doflamingo ignored Cracker and spread his arms. "Hey, my dear! My girl, I've come for you."
Thump.
Like a gentle breeze, Smoothie threw herself into Doflamingo's embrace.
"I had planned to give you a surprise, but unfortunately..." Doflamingo patted Smoothie's back, glancing at Cracker, his unspoken meaning clearly: "You were delayed by your foolish brother, Cracker."
Cracker grimaced, coughing harshly, and said in a low voice, "Cough, cough! Have some reserve, Smoothie! You're a girl."
Smoothie ignored Cracker, savoring the long-awaited reunion she had yearned for... It had been too long, with her heart consumed by longing. Letters and Den Den Mushi calls simply couldn't alleviate the pain of separation.
"Do you mind giving us a little private space?" Doflamingo's eyes narrowed, an indescribable charm and provocation in his gaze.
Cracker snorted, turned, and swiftly left. He had no desire to watch any further.
"Mmm~"
Watching Cracker's retreating back, Doflamingo had just pulled his gaze away when...
"Reserve! Smoothie!"
"Damn it! You're not married to him yet! Don't let him take advantage of you!!!"
Cracker roared from afar.
Doflamingo didn't raise his head, simply flicking a triumphant middle finger in the direction of the voice, focusing on responding to Smoothie.
A long time passed.
"Hoo hoo~!"
"You shouldn't have come, Doffy," Smoothie's surprised excitement slowly faded, replaced by worry. "You're not someone who's willing to be subservient, and Mama won't easily let you take me away... Leave quickly before Mama finds out! As long as I can hear from you, I..."
Doflamingo stopped her from continuing. "What foolishness are you talking about! What pirate would compromise and give up their favorite treasure, fufufufu~"
Smoothie's eyes welled up, wanting to cry and laugh with happiness at the same time.
"Wait for me on the coast up ahead! If the negotiation goes well, that's great. If not, I don't mind taking a forceful approach." Doflamingo headed directly for Whole Cake Chateau.
Smoothie bit her lip, hesitating for a long while, then slowly began to walk.
A moment later.
"Mamamama~" The monster lounging in the castle sat lazily askew on the enormous sofa. Even with her swollen pregnant belly in her hands, there was little sign of maternal affection. "Doffy! I know. You've done well lately, and the 'Sea Scourge' name is quite resounding! But what are the Seven Warlords of the Sea? Pets raised by the World Government?"
Doflamingo sat casually on the floor, laughing. " 'Pets' is a bit harsh, Big Mom! Fufufufu~ What are the Seven Warlords of the Sea? I'm not sure. The only thing I'm sure of is that it can bring me profit, and that's enough! Otherwise, what do you want me to do? Act like those idiots who don't know their place, just arriving in the New World, their blood boiling, not caring about their own strength, blindly challenging the New World order, and then suffering a complete defeat?"
"Mamamama~" Charlotte Linlin laughed loudly. "There's some truth to that! But you've clearly sided with the World Government. You shouldn't have the audacity to come to my territory! I won't marry my daughter to an enemy. Our agreement is void!"
Doflamingo was unhurried. "No problem. The old agreement should indeed be void. We can discuss a new one." After a slight pause, he continued, "You know how your 'Totto Land' was built. I've been acting as a free intermediary for you, collecting funds, arranging channels, and so on. In the new agreement, you'll have to pay me for my services, Big Mom!"
"Don't be so arrogant, brat!" Charlotte Linlin flew into a rage, rising to loom over Doflamingo, her round eyes bloodshot, and drool dripping from her wide mouth, looking as ferocious as if she could devour someone.
Doflamingo said calmly, "Don't try to scare me! I'm not some ignorant person, Big Mom. I dare to speak and act this way because I have my countermeasures and leverage!" He then shifted his tone. "One thing at a time; business is business, isn't it? Fufufufu~ Do you think you, or anyone under your command, possesses my intellect to master the complex and numerous rules, making your income abundant, and enabling you to complete your dream kingdom and enjoy all this beauty? There are some things you simply can't do, even with power."
"There are three-legged frogs in the world, and there are plenty of two-legged people! There will always be someone stronger than you," Charlotte Linlin scoffed, though her actions belied her words as she lay back down.
Doflamingo's frequently moving fingers paused. "I will absolutely not join your crew! But our cooperation can absolutely continue. My becoming a Warlord of the Sea isn't without benefits for you either. For example, I'll have the opportunity to access top-secret World Government information, like the giantification experiments on humans. Haven't you always wanted all your family members to be on equal footing?"
Charlotte Linlin remained silent.
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