New World, Dressrosa Kingdom, Royal Palace.
Doflamingo lounged casually on the sofa, legs propped up on the table, swirling a glass of wine in hand.
His eyes swept lazily over the two people opposite him as he spoke in a disinterested tone.
"Well? What's the mission this time? Must be serious if it needs CP0 to show up."
The two masked men in pristine white suits clearly didn't appreciate his attitude. The pressure around them stirred violently.
After a brief silence, the shorter of the two finally spoke, his voice cold behind the mask.
"Doflamingo, the higher-ups have ordered you to prepare for a reception. A very important guest is arriving soon…"
"Fufufufufu..." Doflamingo burst into laughter before the man could finish, downing the rest of his wine in one gulp.
With an arrogant, defiant grin, he scoffed, "Don't make me laugh. What big shot? One of those bastards from Mary Geoise coming down from their throne?"
"Watch your tongue! Doflamingo, the descendants of the Creators are not for you to mock!"
A sharp reprimand cut through the air.
The two CP agents stepped forward aggressively, unleashing a wave of oppressive pressure that tore through the hall.
The family officers, who had been lounging nearby, immediately froze, turning their gazes toward the sudden confrontation.
"Fufufufufu…" But Doflamingo acted as if nothing happened, tilting his head back with a laugh.
After a moment, he waved a hand at his subordinates to stand down, then said with growing curiosity, "Well, now I'm interested. If it's not one of those pigs from the Holy Land… who exactly is this 'big shot' that warrants my personal reception?"
He was genuinely curious. If even the Celestial Dragons weren't coming, who could the World Government value so highly?
He didn't have to wait long. The answer came swiftly. And the moment he heard the name, he froze in place.
"That distinguished guest is none other than Lord Thunder God, recently nominated by the Holy Land."
The solemn voice rang with truth, and if one listened carefully, it carried a hint of reverence.
After a pause, the cold tone added:
"He will be arriving in Dressrosa soon. Your task is to handle the reception."
"Whoa, whoa, hold on a sec…" Doflamingo's smug grin finally cracked, and his voice trembled slightly.
"...What do you mean, nominated?"
He sprang to his feet, slamming his palms on the table, glaring at the CP agents with an incredulous look.
"Is this some kind of joke?! Nominating a criminal with a bounty that could scare the world?! Have those old geezers lost their damn minds?!"
The former Celestial Dragon was visibly losing it. He knew all too well what 'nomination' implied.
It meant that Thunder God's eligibility for Celestial Dragon status was already guaranteed.
He, a trueborn descendant of the Celestial Dragons, had done so much over the years and still hadn't been recognized!
And now those bastards were telling him that some outsider had more right to be a Celestial Dragon than him?
What the hell?!
Goddamn it! Was this some kind of sick joke at his expense?!
As he stared at the expressionless masks of the two CP agents, Doflamingo felt mocked—like a clown being laughed at in silence.
"Just follow the orders. Or bear the consequences."
With that, the two CP agents turned and left. But just as they reached the palace doors, the shorter one paused.
Turning his head slightly, he added, with a tone that was part reminder, part mockery:
"Also… that man's bounty has long since been revoked."
And then, they vanished without a trace.
Boom—
With a loud crash, a table flew across the hall and smashed into the door where they had just stood, sending up a cloud of dust.
Inside the throne room, Doflamingo panted heavily, chest heaving as he glared at the door.
His officers, sensing his fury boiling over, exchanged glances—and all shrank back like turtles retreating into their shells.
Now was the time for silence. Golden, golden silence.
They might act like one big family, but even families had a pecking order—and none of them wanted to get caught in the crossfire.
But Doflamingo wasn't one to wallow for long. A born schemer and tyrant, he stood still for a while, then quickly regained his composure.
He returned to the sofa, grabbed a bottle of wine, and took several fierce gulps. A low laugh rumbled from his throat, rising louder and louder.
"Fufufufufu..."
"If they won't let me live in peace, then no one's getting peace!"
He growled the words through gritted teeth, then turned to stare out the window.
His gaze seemed to pierce through space itself, aimed toward that land that had once humiliated him so thoroughly.
Behind the shades, his eyes burned with a fire of vengeance—so dark, it looked capable of swallowing the heavens.
After a long while, he looked away, drank again, then flung the bottle far across the room.
He then approached his throne and sat down heavily, crossing one leg over the other out of habit.
After scanning the room, he finally spoke:
"If we're hosting this Thunder God clown, we'll follow the old plan."
He turned to the woman with pale green wavy hair standing at his side and said solemnly:
"Monet. I'm leaving it to you."
"Yes, Young Master~"
Her gentle voice drifted through the hall. Monet bowed slightly, her expression devout, as though receiving a sacred task.
Looking at the alluring figure before him, Doflamingo softened his voice.
"Sorry, Monet. This one's going to be tough on you~"
"Young Master, please don't say that. For your grand dream, I'm willing to give everything!"
She lifted her head slightly, gazing up at her leader. Her golden eyes shimmered with love and resolve.
If not for the Young Master, she and her sister would've died long ago in some filthy alley. This life of wealth and purpose—they owed it all to him.
If it meant helping him become Pirate King, she'd give her life without hesitation.
Doflamingo looked away, avoiding her burning gaze. Of course, he knew what she felt.
But in the face of his ambition, all else had to be cast aside.
Even love. Even beauty.
He turned to the woman with a cigarette in her mouth and a bazooka on her back.
"Baby-5, I need you to assist Monet with everything you've got~"
"Ah~~~ Young Master, are you saying… you need me?!"
With her "need" switch triggered, Baby-5 cupped her cheeks in delight, her face flushing red as she began to squirm in place.
Her eyes sparkled with tears of joy—she was already fantasizing about baby names.
"Uh… yeah..."
Seeing her usual reaction, Doflamingo began to second-guess involving her in the mission at all...
Hopefully… it'll be fine...
…
…