Two months had passed.
As someone who had lived on the Sabaody Archipelago since childhood, Tesoro naturally understood what it meant for someone to attack a human trafficking shop and walk away unscathed.
It meant that, at this moment, even the World Government couldn't do anything about the Donquixote Family.
And it also meant that he and Stella had no room for negotiation.
Moreover, with the speed at which he had risen through the ranks over the past month, it was clear to him that the man standing before him had been the one orchestrating it all.
For a street punk like him, who had once been just another nameless thug in Sabaody, the only thing worth valuing was his business acumen.
If he could go even further...
Tesoro swallowed hard, his throat tightening as he bowed deeply to the figure in front of him, giving his only possible answer.
"Boss, Stella and I are willing to join the family."
'Dealing with smart people who know their place is always easy.'
Looking at Tesoro bowing before him, sensing the respect and gratitude radiating from him through his Observation Haki, Doflamingo nodded in satisfaction. He twitched his fingers slightly, pulling a special document from beneath the table and handing it over.
"Good. Look through this document and check for any discrepancies. From now on, all business operations in the Blue Sea will gradually be entrusted to you. Stella will be moving to Skypiea with the next group of new family members."
Instinctively, Tesoro opened the document in his hands. The moment his eyes landed on the words "World Government," his mind went blank. He didn't even register the mention of "Stella" in the text.
He had speculated about the Donquixote Family's backing—perhaps a special status—but he had never imagined that even the World Government was one of their collaborators.
Suppressing his shock, he quietly immersed himself in the document.
Doflamingo, on the other hand, paid no mind to Tesoro's momentary bewilderment. After all, while the World Government had little authority over the great pirates, it still held considerable influence over the Blue Sea.
As for why he was so readily handing over control of the Blue Sea's commercial empire to Tesoro?
First, both Tesoro and Stella were orphans in the truest sense—no background, no connections, and a clean slate.
Second, Tesoro wasn't yet the "Golden Emperor" from the original timeline. He had no power. Whatever was given to him could be taken back just as easily.
Third, the world of pirates was built on strength, and educated individuals were rare. Talented businessmen like Tesoro were even rarer—one in a million. Now that Doflamingo had found one, he intended to use him to the fullest.
"Boss, the profits are in order, but about this clause... and the Skypiea you mentioned—?" After a long silence, Tesoro cautiously voiced his concern.
He had to be careful. This involved the most important person in his life—Stella.
He had heard of Skypiea before, ever since he took over certain business operations. But its exact location had always been a mystery to him. He had assumed it was just another special island.
"Any clause that seems unfavorable, adjust it in a way that benefits you," Doflamingo replied casually. "As for Skypiea, consider it a family privilege. It's located 10,000 meters above sea level."
"There, you won't have to worry about pirate raids or the oppression of the Celestial Dragons. For young family members, it's a safe haven."
"Three days from now, you'll be heading there as well. You need to personally inspect some of our industries before you can properly establish market regulations."
No oppression from the Celestial Dragons—only his oppression.
"Ten... ten thousand meters high?!" Tesoro's eyes widened in sheer disbelief.
Click.
Closing the file with a snap, Doflamingo chuckled.
"That's right. In two and a half months, Skypiea will host a grand auction for rare treasures. You'll be in charge of running it."
"Tesoro, after familiarizing yourself with Skypiea, I expect a business plan that will maximize my profits."
"Of course, if you perform well enough, I may just hand over Skypiea's business operations to you... and perhaps even more."
A test.
Tesoro took a deep breath, calming his turbulent emotions. He understood—this was a test of both loyalty and capability. But now that he had caught a glimpse of the true power of the Donquixote Family, he had no intention of backing down.
"Understood, Boss."
...
Mock Town.
After the Donquixote Family took control, the town quickly transformed. Arms dealers, black markets, bars, casinos, and brothels sprang up one after another.
With the constant influx of pirates, Mock Town grew more and more prosperous.
Of course, there were those who tried to challenge their rule, but with Pica's Stone-Stone Fruit, he was practically invincible in the first half of the Grand Line.
In a small bar, a group of men in black suits gathered in a corner. Their coordinated attire starkly contrasted with the rowdy pirates around them.
"Damn it! That cursed Knock-Up Stream! We've already lost five ships—it's impossible to reach Skypiea!"
"Doflamingo sure is lucky."
"He lost his Celestial Dragon status, yet he still managed to get his hands on Seastone. If I had found it, I'd be promoted by now!"
"Hahaha, just thinking about it gets me excited!"
The leader of the group, a middle-aged man with slicked-back wavy hair and a long, mean-looking face, wore a black-and-white striped prison-style coat.
Frustrated over two months of fruitless efforts, he began grumbling.
"Sir, it's time to move. We need to infiltrate the Donquixote Family's warehouse," one of his subordinates reminded him.
"Doflamingo is arriving soon. We must track down the source of Seastone. The World Government and the Five Elders have personally ordered this mission. We don't have much time."
The middle-aged man groaned, slumping against the booth's cushioned seat with an annoyed expression.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. We have to find the Seastone and avoid clashing with Doflamingo. He is a former Celestial Dragon—I know that. We're leaving now."
"Oh? So confident, are we? Certain, even? Spandine... It seems Punk Hazard has nothing to do with your CP9, does it? Fufufufufu~"
A mocking voice accompanied by a chilling laugh made Spandine's expression darken instantly. He turned sharply toward the source of the voice.
"Damn it! Who's talking behind my back?!"
A tall figure loomed over him, draped in a flamboyant pink feathered coat, blood-red sunglasses concealing his gaze.
His target had appeared behind him without a sound.
"Do... Doflamingo! Everyone, stay alert!"
Spandine spun around, barking orders at his subordinates.
But the black-suited agents stood frozen, their eyes filled with frustration, unable to act.
Doflamingo strode forward, completely unbothered by their presence. He plopped down onto the seat beside Spandine, grinning.
"Relax, Spandine. So, you want to reach Skypiea? Let me help you."
"You... know me?"
Spandine froze, but quickly realized this wasn't the time for such questions. Stammering, he muttered, "N-No need."
Doflamingo chuckled. He suspected that idiocy ran in this family—Spandine's son would turn out just as useless twenty years later.
Patting Spandine's trembling shoulder, he smirked.
"Don't be shy. I have a generous nature. You want to go to the sky? It's easy."
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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg