"..."
Doflamingo's head snapped up.
He glanced over at Kuzan, only to see the Admiral looking just as intrigued by the name "Uranus".
'Wait… Kuzan doesn't know about it?' The realization sent a jolt of pure confusion through him.
'How?' he thought, a bead of cold sweat trickling down his forehead.
'How does this young Marine Captain not only know that the Ancient Weapon exists, but also know its actual name?'
'That's supposed to be a top-level secret, known only to the Celestial Dragons!'
He started frantically connecting the dots: Mike's impossible Haki; an Admiral who deferred to his judgment; and now, knowledge that should be impossible for him to have.
'This guy isn't just a captain,' Doflamingo thought, a forced, twitching smile on his face.
'He's a monster in disguise. And he's working with Kuzan… are they planning a coup? A revolution?'
An absurd, thrilling idea popped into his head.
Was the world actually on the verge of a massive upheaval?
If so, his lifelong dream—to see the world of the Celestial Dragons burn to the ground—might actually be possible.
At that thought, even the ever-arrogant Doflamingo couldn't help but stand a little straighter.
"Uranus, that thing…" Mike said with a slight frown, completely unimpressed.
He murmured under his breath, his tone full of casual disdain.
"Isn't it just a big flying ship?"
Doflamingo wanted to trade this ultimate secret for his life.
But the problem was, Mike had absolutely zero interest in it.
It sounded like a hassle, and honestly, it couldn't be any cooler than the stuff his system gave him.
He had the Nautilus now, and who knew, maybe next week he'd pull a full-blown aircraft carrier from the gacha.
If that happened, he'd shoot a relic like Uranus out of the sky with fighter jets.
"..."
Doflamingo's heart went cold.
He could feel it in his gut—this man genuinely did not care about his ultimate bargaining chip.
His plan had completely failed.
With his life hanging by a thread, he knew he had to switch tactics, and fast.
He hunched his back slightly, all of his previous arrogance gone, replaced by a desperate earnestness.
"Is… is there anything I can do for you?"
"Oh…?" Mike didn't answer right away.
He just looked at Doflamingo with a faint, unreadable smile while sizing him up like a piece of merchandise.
'Doflamingo,' he thought, 'ruler of Dressrosa. A passionate, tropical island… the Country of Love, Passion, and Toys.'
Mike's mind drifted.
The scent of exotic flowers, the allure of spicy-sweet food, and most importantly… the island's famously beautiful women and their fiery, sultry dances.
'Admittedly,' he mused,
'Their figures are truly… wow. And with my good looks and overwhelming charm, a romantic encounter is practically guaranteed'.
Plus, there was the Corrida Colosseum.
A perfect spot for some entertainment.
Okay then.
Sparing his life might be worth it.
A playful smirk curled at the corner of Mike's lips.
"Allow me to introduce myself—Captain Mike of Marine Headquarters," he finally said, his voice calm but heavy with authority.
"Dressrosa is indeed an interesting place. The flowers, the fine wine, the passionate dances, and your spectacular Colosseum... Quite impressive."
Doflamingo froze.
"Captain Mike... you're interested in Dressrosa?" he asked cautiously.
Mike gave a slight nod.
"Just a passing interest. Let's just say I'll keep your head on your shoulders for now. How long it stays there depends on your performance."
The calm words hit Doflamingo like a thunderclap.
He forced a smile. "You mean..."
"You know Crocodile, don't you?" Mike said.
"Go visit Alabasta when you have time. I want you to run Dressrosa using that as a model."
"..."
Doflamingo's expression was a complicated mess of shock and dawning horror.
Crocodile… That bastard Crocodile… is also under this man's control? That thank-you letter, the whole Warlord meeting… was that all because of him?'
If that was true, this man wasn't just a monster.
He was a terrifying grandmaster, moving the world's most powerful pieces like they were his own.
"Yes!" Doflamingo lowered his head, all of his previous arrogance gone, replaced by a grudging respect.
Mike nodded, satisfied.
"Good. Now that you understand, go back and manage Dressrosa properly." He paused, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"When I have time, I'll come by to see if your famous 'passion' and 'romance' live up to the hype."
"Yes!" Doflamingo nodded repeatedly, bowing hastily.
"We'll make sure to arrange everything perfectly for your visit, Captain Mike!"
He knew, with absolute certainty, that he had just narrowly escaped death.
"Old man Kuzan," Mike said, turning to the Admiral.
"Any problems with this arrangement?"
"Your call," Kuzan said with a lazy wave, a nonchalant smile on his face.
"If he fails to meet your requirements… I can always take care of him. Permanently."
"..."
Hearing that, a chill shot down Doflamingo's spine.
He swallowed hard, keeping the smile plastered on his face while his mind reeled.
'It's confirmed! Kuzan really does follow this man's lead!'
"Doflamingo," Mike said with a final, dismissive wave.
"Remember—don't disappoint me."
"Yes!"
Doflamingo turned and walked away, his retreat noticeably stiff.
The moment he was out of sight, he took a deep, shuddering breath, as if he had just escaped from hell itself.
He had to find Crocodile.
They needed to talk.
The world was changing, and he had to figure out where the Warlords stood in this new game.
"What a clever guy," Mike said, watching him go with a light chuckle.
"Indeed," Kuzan agreed, crossing his arms. "But aren't we heading to Fish-Man Island now?"
"Right," Mike said, his smile widening.
"Let's move out! To Fish-Man Island!"
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