After dangling the carrot in front of Umit, Aus clapped his shoulder and sent him off to the meeting.
Pure Gold was important, sure. But after all these days, a few more hours wouldn't kill anyone.
Besides, someone else was way more desperate than him.
Umit's massive reward for finding the lantern fish? Impossible to hide.
Small-time forces might miss it. But the World Government? CP agents were definitely watching.
Plus—
Even if this chance slipped away, no big deal. His body hadn't hit peak condition yet. No rush to freeze his lifespan.
Worst case, he had Luffy as insurance. Could track down that lantern fish eventually.
So...
He'd make the trip after the meeting.
Other side.
Private room two. Doflamingo stood by the window in his suit and feathered coat, gazing down at Sabaody Archipelago.
"Been a while, Doffy."
Suddenly—a figure sat in the main seat. Legs crossed, fingers laced together.
"Lord Aus!"
Doflamingo spun around. Bowed respectfully. Placed the case on the table.
"Fufufu... Last time you mentioned several Devil Fruits you wanted. I lived up to expectations—found one of them."
As he spoke—
Doflamingo slowly opened the case. A purple-black Devil Fruit lay inside.
The instant Aus saw it, his interest spiked. Flicked his hand. Fruit appeared in his palm.
Pattern and shape matched perfectly...
"That's my Doffy. Always bringing me surprises."
Aus hadn't expected the legendary Devil Fruit dealer to actually have such insane talent for fruit hunting.
Hailed as the strongest Logia. Also the wet dream of a certain chubby black kid Aus had beaten—
The Logia Dark-Dark Fruit.
Worthy of his collection.
"The strongest Logia—the Dark-Dark Fruit. How should I reward you, Doffy?"
"Strongest Logia?"
Doflamingo's grin widened. Even he looked shocked.
He could tell it was Logia—the three fruit types looked completely different.
Paramecia resembled apples. Zoan looked like bananas. Logia like pineapples.
But for someone like Aus to call this the strongest Logia...
Didn't that mean it surpassed even the three Marine monsters' Magma, Light, and Ice fruits?
He swallowed hard.
In that moment, Doflamingo regretted eating his fruit so early.
Aus had already eaten a Devil Fruit—he knew that. But if Aus wasn't using it, he could've fought for it himself...
"Yeah..."
"Power of darkness that devours everything into nothing. Can nullify Devil Fruit abilities too."
"Fufufu... Sounds terrifying. Counters all ability users?"
Aus weighed the fruit in his hand. Didn't feel regretful. He collected Devil Fruits without planning to eat them anyway.
Just happy to have more toys for entertainment.
"What reward do you want, Doffy? Speak up. This fruit plus your loyalty—worth the price."
"No, no, no... I'm not after rewards. Just following your orders."
Doflamingo smiled wickedly, but his words stayed humble. An ambitious bastard like him had sky-high emotional intelligence around irresistible superiors.
"Is that so? Since you insist, I won't reward you then."
"..."
Watching Doflamingo's smile freeze—wanting to speak but unable to—Aus couldn't help grinning mischievously.
Messing with subordinates occasionally? Great for team bonding~
"Alright, done teasing you."
Aus casually warped the fruit into a box. Orange juice materialized in his hand. Swirled it. Drained it.
"I know you've always wanted to go home, Doffy...
The Donquixote Family's homeland—Dressrosa."
Aus knew Doflamingo's background inside out. Might as well do him a favor—Doffy would make his move eventually anyway.
"You mean..."
Hearing that, Doffy perked up instantly.
First—he hadn't expected Aus to know so much about the Donquixote lineage as one of the Twenty Kings.
Second—he had a feeling where this was going.
"Do whatever you want. The World Government won't give you trouble."
Just swapping out a king. What Doflamingo could pull off with his Warlord status, Aus could do ten times easier.
Unless his name wasn't worth more than some Warlord title?
Bullshit!
"I'll visit Dressrosa often to play. I trust you'll run it well."
"Fufufu... Naturally. I won't disappoint you."
After talking with his two capable subordinates, time was up.
In the hotel's massive conference hall, all kinds of figures gathered.
Seats arranged in advance. More powerful, bigger market share—closer to the front.
Their subordinates and bodyguards stood beside them.
The six dark world kings. Doflamingo. Sami. The blonde old drunk...
All sat in the front row. Waiting for the final moment.
They didn't chat or discuss business like outside. Everyone sat quietly. Even the most brutal underworld bosses turned into obedient children.
"Time's up."
As the clock struck the hour, light footsteps echoed through the entire venue.
That legendary man—
Was coming!
Step...
Thud!
Thud!
As the footsteps sounded, everyone without a seat—regardless of strength—now wore shocked expressions. Eyes rolled back. Collapsed to the ground.
This is—!
One giant's jaw dropped. Watched his bodyguard beside him—former pirate with a five-hundred-million bounty who'd retired—collapse just as easily.
Cold sweat poured down his face instantly!
How is this possible...
Just from Conqueror's Haki...
"What terrifying Conqueror's Haki..."
Doflamingo—who had trauma from these footsteps plus Conqueror's combo—face drenched in cold sweat. Smile forced as hell.
Even young Rayleigh couldn't help praising:
"This level of Conqueror's control and intensity...
Way stronger than Roger back in the day!"
(PS: Exams and other stuff today, only one chapter, taking the day off~)
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