"Tch—!"
Shiro drew in a sharp breath.
A memory flashed across his mind — the infamous Lu Bu from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
'The Halberd That Slays Fathers.'
A darkly humorous line once, but now, it carried a chill that cut to the bone.
In that moment, Shiro understood — behind Doflamingo's respectful "Godfather" lay ambition as sharp as a dagger.
After a pause, he exhaled slowly, letting his shoulders relax. But his gaze hardened, steady and resolute. When he spoke, his voice carried the calm authority of command.
"So be it. Since you've chosen to call me 'Godfather,' I'll accept the title.
Doflamingo — the underworld is yours to manage from here on out.
Don't let me down."
"Yes, Godfather!"
Doflamingo's voice trembled with excitement he could barely contain.
He bowed slightly, one hand pressed to his chest — a gesture at once formal and flamboyant.
Behind those broken sunglasses, his eyes burned with hunger — the lust for power, for dominion.
That posture was both reverent… and impatient.
Shiro studied him with a faint smile, fingers idly brushing the hilt of his blade. His mind was already several moves ahead, weaving the threads of a much larger plan.
Then he turned and strode toward the harbor, with Doflamingo following close behind.
Waiting there was the Virtue, Shiro's ship.
Shiro began introducing his crew one by one — from the hardened combatants, to the seasoned helmsmen, to the cooks who could hold their own in a brawl.
Each introduction came with a brief remark about their specialties — and their power level.
By the time he finished, Doflamingo's confident smile had frozen on his face.
Five members… each as strong as the captain himself?!
He looked again at those crewmates — leaning lazily against the rail, cleaning their weapons, eyes half-closed yet radiating terrifying pressure.
Only now did Doflamingo truly realize the magnitude of what he'd gotten himself into.
This wasn't just "a powerful ally."
He had clung to a giant — a force capable of shaking the balance of the entire world.
For the next half month, the Virtue Pirates remained in the North Blue.
Shiro wielded his Paw-Paw Fruit with clinical precision.
Each strike was clean, decisive — a flick of the palm, and entire crime lords were sent flying.
Before they could recover, he'd use the same power to pin them in place, forcing them to sign vows of subservience under Doflamingo's rule.
One by one, the self-proclaimed "kings" of the underworld were crushed, bound, and absorbed into Doflamingo's growing empire.
And so, within mere weeks, the landscape of the underworld changed beyond recognition.
Half a month later, a grand coronation ceremony was held on a secluded island somewhere in the North Blue.
Under torchlight and banners of crimson silk, Doflamingo — draped in his flamboyant feathered coat — ascended the steps to his throne.
As his followers knelt before him, the crowd roared as one:
"Long live the Emperor of the Underworld!"
And thus, Donquixote Doflamingo was crowned.
The news spread like wildfire across the seas.
"Young Emperor of the Underworld — Donquixote Doflamingo!"
So read the bold black headline on the front page of The World Economy News Paper, courtesy of "News King" Morgans himself.
The photo showed Doflamingo seated upon a dark throne, smirking — every inch the arrogant, unshakable ruler.
The world took notice.
From the New World to the Grand Line, the ripples spread.
New World – Near Sphinx Island
The massive hull of the Moby Dick gleamed beneath the setting sun. The Whitebeard Pirates' jolly roger loomed proudly on her side.
Marco stood on deck, a freshly printed newspaper in hand, faint embers still trailing from his phoenix wings.
He sprinted across the deck, shouting up to the towering figure sitting on a massive barrel of sake.
"Pops! Take a look at this — the underworld's turned upside down!
Some punk named Doflamingo just crushed every major power down there. They're calling him the 'Emperor of the Underworld' now!"
Whitebeard took the paper lazily between his scarred fingers, scanned the headline, then tossed it aside without a care.
He took a long swig of sake, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and turned his sharp gaze toward Marco.
"Listen, brat. Our Whitebeard Pirates don't chase after the scraps of the underworld.
As long as that kid knows his place — stays out of our territory, keeps his hands off our people — he's no concern of ours."
Marco nodded gravely.
"Got it, Pops."
He folded the paper and went to relay the captain's orders, ensuring their borders remained secure.
Meanwhile – Totto Land, Whole Cake Island
The air was thick with the sugary scent of desserts. Inside the massive castle, Big Mom sat upon her throne, surrounded by towering stacks of sweets.
Katakuri stood before her, posture straight, reporting the latest developments.
Big Mom lifted a massive bowl of strawberry syrup, downed it in one gulp, and slammed the empty bowl to the floor — CRASH!
Shards scattered across the marble, echoing through the hall.
Her fleshy face quivered with annoyance.
"Katakuri. Send someone to contact this… Doflamingo."
Her tone was low and dangerous.
"Our business in the underworld can't be interrupted.
If he plays nice and keeps the sweets flowing, fine — he lives.
But if he dares get in my way…"
She raised her hand and mimed a clean, effortless decapitation.
Katakuri bowed deeply.
"Understood, Mama."
Without another word, he turned and strode out, already flipping open his Den-Den Mushi to coordinate their underworld network.
Wano Country – Onigashima
The great hall reeked of sake and rage.
Kaido stared at the newspaper headline, veins bulging on his temple.
With a furious roar, he grabbed the nearest sake barrel and smashed it to splinters, flooding the floor in alcohol.
"That damn Doflamingo!
He stopped supplying my weapons?! Does he really think crowning himself some fake emperor gives him the guts to defy me?!
He's got a death wish!"
Flames flickered as King the Wildfire stepped forward, black wings rustling.
"Kaido-sama, what are your orders? Our conquest of Wano depends on Doflamingo's special weapons.
If the supply chain breaks, our entire campaign could stall."
Kaido inhaled deeply, forcing his anger into a cold, rumbling growl.
"Send our men to investigate.
That brat never had the stones to defy me alone.
If he's suddenly grown a spine, it means someone's backing him…"
He turned toward the window, staring out over the stormy sea.
"Whoever's protecting him… will regret it."
The waves crashed violently against the cliffs below, as the Emperor of the Beasts began to plot his next move.
T/N: If you would like to read up to 20 chapters ahead for all my works, check out my P@treon: patreon.com/GhidorahWriter
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