In the face of the contract's absolute, soul-deep power, the Golden Lion Shiki felt the shadow of death itself brush against his skin.
A primal, chilling sense of fear, something he hadn't truly felt since his fall from grace, rose from the depths of his heart, making his massive frame shiver involuntarily.
Just like that, he became completely docile.
The faint, treacherous glimmer of hope he had harbored for a double-cross vanished without a trace, snuffed out like a candle in a hurricane.
There was absolutely no chance of him ever breaking this pact.
The very thought of it, the slightest flicker of defiance, was now met with an immediate, terrifying sensation—as if a million unseen eyes were watching him from the abyss, and the cold, sharp edge of a guillotine was resting against the back of his soul.
Under the overwhelming, inescapable force of this contract, any act of rebellion would come at the cost of his own existence.
Observing Shiki's violent flinch and the sudden, complete submission in his posture, a flash of cold understanding crossed Doflamingo's sharp gaze from behind his sunglasses.
It's real… he thought, a genuine chill tracing its way down his spine.
The contract truly succeeded. That wasn't an act.
Judging by the situation, Ron's words were not a bluff.
What he had initially dismissed as a somewhat absurd, niche ability now stood before him as an undeniable reality.
If either party violated the contract, they would face the punishment of a power so formidable and absolute that it commanded respect.
This wasn't just a Devil Fruit ability; it was a force of nature, a form of magical law.
This was downright scary.
A truly outrageous, game-changing power.
Only then, with his new asset properly leashed, did Ron slowly turn to look at Doflamingo with a placid smile on his face.
"Joker," he said, his tone casual. "I believe it's your turn. Our collaboration can begin now."
Doflamingo tilted his head with a trace of mocking curiosity flickering in his eyes.
He let a moment pass before speaking slowly as a sly grin playing on his lips.
"...No need for us to disappear to your secret clubhouse?"
"???"
Ron was momentarily stunned, his face showing a hint of genuine bewilderment before it melted into comprehension.
He waved his hand with a light, dismissive laugh.
"Ah, no need for that. Shiki is now one of us, you see. There are only two parties to this negotiation present—you and I. No prying ears, no need for secrecy. We can proceed normally."
His smile carried a calm, almost infuriating confidence, as if every piece on the board was exactly where he wanted it.
Hearing Ron's words, Doflamingo's smile tightened.
He had originally planned to use this opportunity to probe Ron, to perhaps get a glimpse of the mysterious ability that allowed him to spirit people away.
Yet, to his surprise, Ron didn't even give him the chance, casually brushing it aside as if it were no longer necessary.
The more he thought about it, the more the pieces clicked into place with a sickening clarity.
He wasn't being offered the same courtesy because he wasn't the main prize.
This was never a three-way negotiation.
Ron had intended to isolate and secure the Golden Lion from the very beginning.
From the previous signs, the casual indifference, Ron had perfectly calculated that Doflamingo's own arrogance and confidence in his bargaining chips would make him entirely unconcerned with who went first.
Fufufu... what a terrifying young man... Doflamingo thought, his internal amusement now laced with a heavy dose of caution.
He played me perfectly.
Ron had calculated everything down to this very step.
His intellect and strategic depth far exceeded his age, with every detail controlled with a frightening level of precision.
Doflamingo's estimation of Ron skyrocketed.
He was no longer just a Warlord-level upstart; he was a master schemer on par with the best.
"Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea," Ron began, his tone shifting to one of formal pleasantry.
"Though this is our first face-to-face meeting, your reputation as 'Joker' certainly precedes you." He gave a slight nod.
The last deal Izo had brokered with the underworld kingpin was a massive order, a testament to Joker's influence and wealth.
Doflamingo inclined his head, the corners of his mouth curling into that faint, chilling smile that never reached his eyes.
He greeted Ron with a theatrical warmth that felt utterly hollow.
"It feels as though we are old friends meeting for the first time, Vice-Captain Ron."
Before this artificial pleasantry could even settle in the air, Ron cut straight to the point, his gaze sharpening.
"Joker, let's talk business. How is your blood collection progressing? And what kind of Devil Fruit abilities do you want to have?"
Hearing this, Doflamingo paused, the smile freezing on his face.
A flicker of concealed, raw irritation passed through his eyes.
He glanced pointedly at the now-docile Golden Lion standing beside Ron like a silent accusation hanging in the air.
Isn't it obvious, you little bastard? he seethed internally.
I went to great lengths to corner this old legend, to collect his blood, and I was on the verge of success when your uninvited arrival ruined everything.
After a moment's tense silence, Doflamingo masterfully suppressed his displeasure, his expression smoothing over into one of cool indifference.
"The blood that was almost within my grasp," he said, his voice a low purr, "slipped away. As for the rest, it will take more time to assemble." He then leaned forward slightly, a challenging glint in his eyes.
"Does the renowned Vice-Captain Ron have any... recommendations?"
Though his tone was calm, his words couldn't fully mask the resentment.
But he knew he couldn't act rashly.
Even before this miraculous healing, Shiki had been a formidable force.
Now, with his power restored and his body whole, he was an unfathomable monster.
Picking a fight here would be suicide.
"Recommendations?" Ron feigned a moment of surprise, raising an eyebrow.
In truth, this was exactly where he had intended the conversation to go.
Ordinary abilities were worthless to a man like Doflamingo.
Joker was only interested in the best, the most powerful, the most exotic abilities the world had to offer.
After a brief, dramatic pause, Ron gave a slight shrug.
"Recommendations can be troublesome. It involves so many complex factors, personal tastes... Perhaps it's better for you to see for yourself. It's always better to browse the catalog in person, wouldn't you agree?"
With that cryptic statement, Ron lightly clapped his hands.
Understanding the signal immediately, Jozu stepped forward.
With a grunt of effort, he brought out a large, ornate cabinet and set it down with a heavy thud.
It was a magnificent piece of furniture, easily two meters tall and two meters wide, crafted from what looked like dark, polished sea king wood.
Its front was a meticulous grid of perfectly arranged, crystal-clear compartments, resembling some kind of mysterious, alchemical matrix.
Inside each compartment rested a single, gleaming crystal vial filled with a swirling, crimson liquid.
Each sample of blood was preserved with the utmost care, and each seemed to exude its own unique, faint aura.
Beneath every vial, a small, polished brass plaque was clearly engraved with the name of the ability user.
Some even had further detailed descriptions, hinting at the hidden stories and legendary battles behind these precious samples.
Doflamingo slowly raised his head, his gaze involuntarily drawn to the very top of the cabinet.
When he saw the bold, elegantly carved characters inscribed there, his breath hitched, and his eyes widened in utter, staggering disbelief.
"The Devil Fruit Blood Encyclopedia"
Doflamingo froze, his body trembling slightly as if he'd been struck by a physical blow.
His lips parted, but no words came out.
His mind, usually a whirlwind of schemes and calculations, went completely blank.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally regained enough composure to mutter under his breath.
"What kind of joke is this...? How can something like this possibly exist?!"