A tense silence hung in the air though Doflamingo's gaze remained fixed on Adrian, a storm of calculations brewing in his mind. This man, he, was a kindred spirit. A ruthless pragmatist who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
"Before I officially reveal the secret of the National Treasure…" Doflamingo's expression turned serious, the familiar grin replaced by a taut line. "Have you ever heard of the 'God's Valley'?" he asked, his voice low.
Adrian paused, caught off guard. He sifted through his memories, searching for the name. Then, a flicker of recognition. "The God's Valley Incident?" he mused, a slow realization dawning on him. "The one from thirty-some years ago? The place where Garp and Roger teamed up to defeat Rocks to protect the Celestial Dragons?"
This was the event that had cemented Garp's legacy as a "Marine Hero." A question gnawed at Adrian. Could Rocks have been after the National Treasure, too?
"You're talking about the event that led to the downfall of the world's strongest pirate crew, the Rocks Pirates," Adrian said, his curiosity piqued.
The Rocks Pirates—a formidable crew that included legends like Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido, and others. The idea that Garp and Roger could have so easily defeated such a force seemed ludicrous. It was more likely that someone within the crew had betrayed them, or something else had gone horribly wrong.
"So you do know," Doflamingo said, a flash of relief in his eyes. Adrian's knowledge, or "intelligence" as he called it, was proving to be authentic. He nodded. "That's right. But what you don't know is that the Valley of the Gods was where the World Government and the Celestial Dragons were keeping the National Treasure."
Adrian's eyes widened. "You mean the National Treasure isn't Uranus?" he asked, genuinely stunned. In his previous life, online theories about the National Treasure had always pointed to Uranus, one of the three Ancient Weapons. It was believed to be the source of Im's power. But Doflamingo's revelation shattered that theory.
"Uranus? How could it be that kind of thing?" Doflamingo chuckled, a smug look on his face. "Adrian, it seems you don't know everything!" he thought.
He continued, his voice dropping conspiratorially. "Rocks, the most powerful pirate of his time, somehow learned the secret of the National Treasure and led his crew to the Valley of the Gods. He wanted to use it to dominate the world and become its true king."
The Celestial Dragons and the Five Elders were terrified, and they sent a fleet to stop him.
"But those useless wastes were no match for a sea overlord with a power far beyond the Four Emperors," Doflamingo continued with a hint of regret. "Somehow, the World Government managed to dismantle the Rocks Pirates' main forces, and they even lured Garp and Roger there."
Adrian wasn't surprised. Pirates were a treacherous bunch, and the World Government was a master in sowing discord. Just like with World Destroyer Byrnndi World, they had a knack for turning a crew against its captain.
He thought back to the original storyline. Undercover agents were everywhere. Stussy, the Queen of the Pleasure District, was a CPO agent. X Drake, one of Kaido's Tobiroppo, was a Naval Headquarters captain. Even the then new Yonko, Blackbeard, had a crippled Aokiji in his crew. And Shanks, of course, was on friendly terms with the Five Elders.
"It's like a spy movie," Adrian muttered to himself. He made a mental note to have Redfield use his abilities to screen any future recruits.
"But you've said a lot and still haven't revealed what the National Treasure is," Adrian said, his patience wearing thin.
Doflamingo grinned. "Fufuffuffu! Don't be so impatient. The most important thing is always saved for last." His eyes glinted with excitement. "The National Treasure is actually a massive machine. Even Vegapunk can't understand it. It can instantly amplify a person's potential and Devil Fruit ability by a hundred times!"
"What's the price?" Adrian asked, a skeptical frown on his face.
"Of course, to obtain such god-like power, you must pay the price!" Doflamingo's eyes blazed with madness. He stood up, throwing his arms wide. "While a user can gain world-destroying power, using this machine requires an immense amount of vitality. Even a Marine Admiral would be sucked dry and turn into a mummified corpse in a few seconds."
Adrian nodded. "That's probably why the World Government placed a 5 billion bounty on the Op-Op Fruit," he mused.
He now had a solid grasp of the National Treasure—a special amplifier, a superweapon from the Void Century. It was likely how the World Government, and perhaps Im himself, had managed to rule the world for 800 years.
Adrian knew one thing for certain: the World Government had a devastating weapon at their disposal. And if anyone threatened their dominance, they would unleash the so-called "Lights Out."
"Yes, but that's not all..." Doflamingo's voice was filled with a sense of awe. "To perform the Immortality Surgery, you need a person with exceptional medical skills. A common person would never be able to reach that level in their lifetime."
"Is that why you were so lenient with Law?" Adrian asked with a half-smile.
Doflamingo's instincts had been sharp. Law's talent was undeniable. But it seems, Law had decided to clung to Luffy's coattails like the original plot. Adrian knew it was best not to try and recruit him. The temptation of the National Treasure and the Immortality Surgery was too great.
"Hmph, I've told you everything you wanted to know. Now… I can take my people and leave," Doflamingo said, his face a mask of annoyance. He wanted to get away from Adrian immediately.
"Okay, but…" Adrian's wicked smirk returned. He crooked a finger toward the Empress. She approached, and he pointed at the girl in her arms.
"You can all go, but she… must stay!"
Doflamingo's face twisted in rage. "You're fucking… fucking with me?!"