After a brief pause, no one left.
In fact, ever since the Donquixote Family decided to abandon their business model of acting as both intermediaries and direct facilitators of transactions, ensuring fairness, and instead focused solely on intermediation, the once-glorious, large-scale illicit organization centered around Doflamingo rapidly declined.
Countless fair-weather followers left one after another. As for those who remained, if they didn't believe following Doflamingo would lead to profit, why would they stay?
"Fufufufu~~ Good," Doflamingo lit a cigar, exhaling smoke. "One Swordsman Tournament and three Fighting Tournaments. The funding, venues, and even the later protection, including pressure from the World Government—I'll handle it all! You don't need to invest a single Berry! Listen well, my friends, absolutely nothing!"
Peclo's already wide mouth stretched even wider in astonishment. "Then what... do we do? As Joker himself said, 'business is business.' If we don't invest, then..."
"Don't be impatient, Peclo," Doflamingo waved his hand, interrupting Peclo. "For the core business, I don't need your Berries; I have plenty. What I need is your investment in other areas outside the core! For example, publicity. I recall there are many media moguls in Arinland. Talk to them, drum up excitement for the Swordsman and Fighting Tournaments, make them red hot!"
Doflamingo continued, "A key point in the early stage is the generous prizes for the Swordsman and Fighting Tournaments: fifty million Berries for monthly champions, one hundred million Berries for quarterly champions, three hundred million Berries for annual champions, and a final five hundred million Berries for the overall champion of the four Swordsman and Fighting Tournaments! Only when people know about the Swordsman and Fighting Tournaments will it attract stronger contestants and more wealthy spectators! This is the first step, and it's up to you, Peclo."
"Yes, Joker," Peclo always held Doflamingo in awe.
Umit exaggeratedly exclaimed, "Woah, these prizes are too extravagant, Joker!"
"Everything in due course. Once the Swordsman and Fighting Tournaments heat up, the real feast begins! Tickets are worth only a few coins. Gambling! Fufufufu~ That's where the real money is! We'll broadcast the Swordsman and Fighting Tournaments worldwide once every quarter and set up stations across the globe to sell ranking game tickets..."
"There will also be generous rewards for guessing the correct rankings of the swordsmen and fighters. I believe people won't be stingy with a few Berries for the chance to win millions. The dream of 'little investment, big return,' or 'windfall' is something everyone shares. How many people are there in this world? Tens of billions! If just one-tenth of them buy ranking game tickets and make it a habit, we'll have a continuous stream of wealth, making a killing!"
Doflamingo ignored Umit, chuckling to himself. "And for the nobles, we'll provide secure transportation services, hotel services, and even adult entertainment services. Products like cigarettes and fine wines should also sell well. We're also willing to arrange matches for their own private swordsmen and fighters. And when they realize they don't have enough money, we'll offer collateral, loans, and so on."
"Loans?... hiccup," Gibbson, still blurry-eyed from drink, paused dazedly before adding, "I know... an elite moneylender, 'God of Fortune' Lu Feld. Should we bring him in, Joker?"
Doflamingo nodded. "No problem!" Then, changing his tone, he said, "That's right, business is business! I welcome anyone who wishes to join this big business, but there are some things I must state upfront: please abide by my rules, or don't blame me for kicking you out! And please believe that I now possess the strength to do so."
"We understand!"
"What are you saying, Joker?"
"..."
A group of people chimed in agreement.
"First, I will handle the core operations. You are not allowed to interfere, and ideally, you shouldn't even think about interfering. Of course, you'll handle everything outside the core operations, and I won't interfere even if I offer suggestions! Second, no matter how much profit your businesses make, fifty percent must go to me, a non-negotiable fifty percent, because without me, you wouldn't earn it. If you incur losses, I'll also compensate you for fifty percent of those losses. You also need to give Peclo five percent. He won't be directly involved, but he'll be in charge of publicity," Doflamingo stated unequivocally. "Third, all your businesses in the Sabaody Archipelago will come under my direct control."
"..."
"This is incredibly ruthless! Fifty-five percent share just like that..."
"Joker..."
"..."
The crowd was abuzz.
"I guarantee this big business will have a massive impact on the world! The Berries circulating around it will be in the tens or even hundreds of billions. Do you think the World Government will just stand by? Naive," Doflamingo said playfully. "Of that fifty percent I take, half of it is for the World Government."
In truth, Doflamingo had wanted to create a lottery system for a very long time. The principle was similar to this massive business: its profits would be significant enough to affect the world economy, and the World Government couldn't simply ignore it. So, even if he were to create a lottery, he'd have to partner with the World Government. As for the people in front of him... they weren't qualified.
"Agree, or we part ways?" Doflamingo extended his hand, his brow furrowed in impatience.
"Agree!"
"Agree!"
"..."
Familiar with Doflamingo's temperament, these dozen or so underworld partners understood that Doflamingo providing an explanation was already a rare courtesy.
"Apart from me and Peclo, you all can negotiate the remaining detailed division of labor among yourselves," Doflamingo said, washing his hands of the matter. "May the strongest among you prevail, but don't cause too much conflict. After all, this cake is enormous; taking just one bite will be enough to keep you comfortable for the rest of your lives, fufufufu~ I wish you pleasant negotiations, and goodbye."
Click.
The Den Den Mushi was hung up.
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