"Tian Shang Jin?"
Mio's hand froze mid-air as the words reached his ears. His expression shifted, and his mind began to spin rapidly, analyzing the implications.
Tian Shang Jin—also known as the "Celestial Gold"—was the annual tribute that the World Government's member states paid to the Celestial Dragons. With 170 countries under its banner, many of them in the North Blue, this tribute was nothing to scoff at. These riches were escorted by the Navy and delivered directly to the Holy Land of Marijoa. Every ship involved carried an enormous amount of wealth. Some rulers even offered Devil Fruits as part of the tribute to curry favor with the Celestial Dragons.
However…
"With how seriously the World Government and the Celestial Dragons treat Tian Shang Jin, you should understand the consequences of targeting it," Mio said in a low, serious voice.
To strike against the Celestial Gold was to provoke the wrath of the Celestial Dragons—a direct insult that could not go unanswered. This kind of transgression would unleash the Navy and the World Government in full force. And while Mio wasn't afraid of a challenge, he wasn't about to pick a fight without proper preparation. Still, the spark in his eyes betrayed a flicker of interest.
"Hehehehe… since I invited you, of course I'm confident the World Government won't suspect us. If the Donquixote Family wasn't short on manpower, I wouldn't have shared this opportunity," Doflamingo replied through the Den Den Mushi, his chuckling voice calm and sinister. "You should know better than anyone—once you agree, we're both stuck in the same boat. One misstep, and either of us could drag the other down."
"That's true," Mio acknowledged coolly. "But I also know who you really are."
The Den Den Mushi went quiet.
A beat passed.
Then Doflamingo laughed again. "Hehehehe… you never stop surprising me, my friend. Care to tell me how you figured it out?"
"You should know that's not going to happen."
"Haha, yeah, I figured." The snail imitated Doflamingo's wicked grin. "Still… I'm getting more and more curious about the information you possess."
"That's not the point," Mio said with a faint smirk, unwilling to continue the topic.
Doflamingo let the issue drop but filed the thought away. "Right, that's not important. Since you know who I am, then you should also know something else. Recently, many of the World Government's top 'nails' have been pulled away to escort someone. I don't know who it is, but I've confirmed that nearly all their top forces are focused on protecting this individual."
He paused dramatically before continuing. "And in five days, two kingdoms in the North Sea will send their Celestial Gold to Marijoa. If we act then, we can completely slip under the World Government's radar. They'll never be able to track us."
It was clear that Doflamingo wasn't bluffing—he spoke with the confidence of someone who had weighed every detail.
After all, although he had the blood of the Celestial Dragons, he was a fallen one. Robbing Celestial Gold without returning it would still make him an enemy of the World Government. They wouldn't forgive him just because of his lineage.
Mio went silent, mulling over what he'd heard.
Doflamingo didn't know who was being escorted by the World Government, but Mio did.
Vegapunk.
The greatest mind of the era, the man responsible for countless revolutionary technologies. It made sense that the Five Elders would dedicate their best forces to guard him. Vegapunk was worth far more than any Celestial Dragon. They could always make more of those—but there was only one Vegapunk.
"Even with all that… it's still not enough, Doflamingo," Mio said after a long pause. "I'm not going to risk myself just for a chest of treasure. You, more than anyone, should understand the power the World Government wields. And the consequences of slapping a Celestial Dragon across the face."
"Hehehe… of course I do," Doflamingo replied grimly. "I'm not a fool."
"Then let's talk conditions."
"If there are Devil Fruits in the shipment, they're mine. All of them," Mio stated bluntly. "If there aren't any, then you owe me two Devil Fruits. Your own people will find them and deliver them to me."
Doflamingo didn't hesitate. "Agreed. But I want 60% of the Celestial Gold."
The Donquixote Family was short on funds. They had solidified their position in the North Blue, but they still lacked the strength and resources to expand beyond. With more money, they could spread into the other seas—and even the Grand Line. Doflamingo's ambition was bubbling beneath the surface. He wasn't just looking at this heist as a payday—it was a stepping stone.
And with the World Government's attention focused on Vegapunk, this was the best window of opportunity he would get.
Perhaps this very act of robbing the Celestial Gold was what would eventually earn Doflamingo the favor of the World Government, allowing him to be granted the title of Shichibukai later on.
Mio held the Den Den Mushi tightly and nodded after a moment's thought. "Fine."
Though he, too, wanted money, he understood just how hot this gold was. If their operation was discovered, they would be hunted relentlessly. Mio didn't want to draw too much heat—just enough to claim what he truly valued.
Devil Fruits.
Even though the market value of a Devil Fruit could reach 100 million Berries, they weren't something you could buy so easily. They were incredibly rare, usually held by powerful pirates or major organizations. For someone like Mio, still establishing his footing, buying a Devil Fruit with cash wasn't a reliable option.
Taking risks like this might be the only path forward.
Besides, the potential treasure troves he had in mind—the Golden City of Skypiea, or the treasure island connected to the eternal log pose to Raftel—were worth tens of billions. Mio wasn't desperate for money. He only used Berries to buy supplies or obtain Devil Fruits.
Still, he wasn't foolish enough to place all his trust in Doflamingo. He would conduct his own investigation into the situation. He had to be prepared in case this was a setup.
"Heh… then I wish us a successful operation," Doflamingo laughed, his voice laced with amusement. "We'll meet in three days. The location is…"