In One Piece, I Am the Ultimate Doflamingo

BZZZT!!!

A deafening silence followed. Time itself seemed to freeze in that instant.

As the spectators processed the scene before them, their expressions changed drastically.

Black and red lightning crackled, surging outward from the point of impact.

"The Young Master has learned it too."

"Conqueror's Haki infusion!!!"

A sense of foreboding welled up in Vergo's heart.

"Zzzt—Zzzt—Zzzt!"

A sharp, grating sound filled the air.

The stalemate was broken.

Doflamingo's massive right fist was gradually disintegrating.

Kaido, gripping his kanabo, channeled the lightning from the sky once more. Then, moving at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, he struck Doflamingo square in the chest.

"Zzzzt—Zzzzt—Zzzzt!"

With the roar of thunder, Doflamingo was sent hurtling downward, crashing from the sky.

The threads composing his puppet-like battle form began to unravel, reverting to their original materials and scattering from above.

His true body emerged from within the wreckage.

The flesh on his right foot, right arm, and chest had been obliterated, leaving behind only exposed bone and blood.

Yet, he was still smiling.

"Fufufufu… Kaido-san, do I qualify as strong?"

"Urorororo… I acknowledge you, kid."

Boom!

Out of nowhere, a young dragon flew toward the battlefield, using flame clouds to catch Doflamingo.

Splurt! Splurt!

Even so, Doflamingo coughed up more blood.

Enel and his group stepped forward, positioning themselves between Kaido and Vergo.

As Kaido approached, the pressure in the air became suffocating.

"Ma-ma-ma-ma… Doflamingo, you did quite well!"

BIG MOM strode forward, her gaze locking onto Kaido.

"Do you still want to fight, Kaido?"

"That was fun!"

Kaido reverted to his human form, rubbing his now-empty stomach. He leaned casually against the remains of a collapsed building.

"I'm starving. Get me something to eat."

"Ma-ma-ma-ma! Then let's have a feast!"

...

Seeing Kaido drop his desire to fight, Enel and the others collectively sighed in relief before turning their attention back to Doflamingo.

Aside from Moria, his "friend in flesh," the rest showed expressions of concern.

"Doffy! / Young Master! / Boss! / God! Are you alright?"

"No problem."

After dismissing them, Doflamingo finally took a moment to assess the damage to his body.

His skull—whether before or after fortification—was the hardest part of his body, but now cracks had formed across his frowning forehead.

His right arm and leg were little more than exposed bone wrapped in remnants of muscle and tendon.

His internal organs were in shambles.

But it had all been worth it.

Splurt!

He spat out another mouthful of clotted blood as his body gradually repaired itself.

Raising his still-intact left hand, black and red lightning crackled along his fingers.

This was the pinnacle of Conqueror's Haki.

Haki infusion.

"Such overwhelming, domineering, and dazzling power..."

He let himself savor the sensation for a moment.

Then, activating his String-String Fruit, threads wove over his chest, forming a protective layer over his ribs.

His right arm and leg were wrapped in bio-synthetic muscle.

Beneath the surface, new flesh began to regenerate.

Clenching his fist, Doflamingo leapt off the soft flame clouds.

His platinum-white suit, torn in battle, was visibly rewoven, while his shattered feathered coat slowly reformed over his shoulders.

Only his sunglasses needed to be replaced—something he'd have to grab from the Numancia Flamingo later.

A sharp thought struck him.

"How the hell did Joy Boy train his ridiculous rubber body?"

Shaking off the distraction, he led his crew toward the banquet by the sea.

...

After a hearty meal.

"Kaido-san, you're saying you only recently acquired the Enhancement Drug?"

Doflamingo kept his usual smile, but internally, he was baffled.

He had assumed Kaido had stepped in to interfere with BIG MOM because of some emotional entanglement, ruining his plan to take over the Charlotte Family.

But the real reason was him?

That didn't add up. The drug had been circulating on the seas for over a year now.

Kaido lazily replied, "Yeah. Queen took it first, and I was… quite satisfied. Kid, let's make a deal. The weapons I produce are the finest in the New World."

"I had always intended to do business with you, Kaido-san, but I assumed you weren't interested. By chance, I ended up partnering with Lady Linlin instead," Doflamingo said with feigned regret.

"Ma-ma-ma-ma! Kaido, I can give you a share. Let's form an alliance."

BIG MOM's eyes gleamed as she inserted herself into the conversation.

"The New World is in flux. Roger is dead, Golden Lion has vanished, Redfield is of no concern, and the only real power left is Whitebeard—who's playing house. Now is the time for us to strike."

An alliance?

The drug, combined with Zoan users, would quickly build a formidable army.

If they could capture Vegapunk…

The thought of an army of dragons made even Kaido's heart pound. He turned to Doflamingo, who was casually sipping his wine, and asked,

"Not a bad idea. Kid, what do you think?"

"The Enhancement Drug is entirely under Lady Linlin's control, so as long as she has no objections, I have none. As for your weapons, Kaido-san, I've heard of their quality. They would make excellent trade goods."

Taking another sip, Doflamingo continued.

"However, from what I understand, the current shogun of Wano, Kurozumi Orochi, has dealings with the World Government. Could he have been the one blocking information about the drug, which is why you only learned of it recently?"

"Kurozumi Orochi? He's an idiot. And the samurai of Wano? Even more foolish."

Kaido's expression darkened as he thought about how slow the progress had been in turning Wano into a pirate empire. The only reason he hadn't killed Kozuki Oden yet was that he still needed Wano's labor force.

Doflamingo's expression remained unchanged, but a dangerous smile curled his lips.

"Kaido-san, why don't we strengthen our cooperation? I have a technique—cloning. Each clone costs only 100,000 Belly, matures in three years, and while their combat ability is low, they neither complain nor require wages. As a gesture of goodwill, I can send 5,000 units for you to inspect."

"Urorororo! What do you want in return?"

Kaido's eyes gleamed with appreciation. He was growing fonder of this kid.

"Orochi's trade with the World Government involves Seastone. This has made them dismissive of me, and I find that unacceptable. I believe Seastone should flow through my hands instead."

Doflamingo's voice dripped with malice toward Orochi.

"Wano belongs to you, Kaido-san. Shouldn't its Seastone belong to you as well?"

"Kaido-san, a business as profitable as this should be controlled by the two of us, don't you think?"

Now this was a deal worth making.

As Kaido studied the eloquent and cunning Doflamingo, his grin widened.

"Urorororo! Kid, I really like you!"

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