In One Piece, I Am the Ultimate Doflamingo

Under the glare of an angry little brat, Doflamingo strolled into the ship's cabin with a pleased expression.

Honestly, he had expected Kaido's neglectful approach to parenting. But being able to take away a future Emperor-level powerhouse this easily? That was exhilarating.

As for Yamato's own opinion?

Please. If a dead man like Kozuki Oden could leave behind a mere journal and still influence her, then surely a living, breathing Doflamingo could reshape her way of thinking.

It was just like those girls who suffered under their original families—once they experienced something better outside, they were all too easily swept away.

Throwing himself onto the couch, Doflamingo turned his thoughts back to the ever-shifting balance of the New World.

"The future Four Emperors… two of them are already my allies."

"Whitebeard's useless to me—nothing to gain, no leverage to exploit. Plus, I haven't made my move yet, so poking that tiger right now would be premature."

"Shanks still has a decade or so before he becomes an Emperor… yet he once sailed with Roger and maintains an ambiguous relationship with the World Government. The Figarland name is rather interesting."

"As for Golden Lion… I need the Charlotte Family to keep an eye on him. The Float-Float Fruit will be essential in the future."

...

Time passed.

The Numancia Flamingo arrived at Dressrosa.

Pica and Urouge disembarked first.

Doflamingo issued his orders.

"Pica, Urouge, Dressrosa is in your hands now."

"Understood, Doffy/God!"

"The next branch of the underground bounty network will be set up here. Weapons, casinos, taverns... Diamante will oversee their integration. If the locals want jobs, pay them proper wages."

Leaning against the railing, Doflamingo's gaze landed on the two trembling women boarding his ship—Scarlett and Viola.

"And if some worthless pirates cause trouble, hang them along the coastline. If they can't be killed outright—"

"Gurururu."

Doflamingo chuckled at the sight of the Gorosei's signature judge hat, its owner clearly fuming. Surely, they hadn't just now realized he was stirring up trouble in the New World?

"Gorosei? What do you need?"

"Doflamingo! You've seized Dressrosa, haven't you?!"

The Gorosei?! Seized?!

Scarlett and Viola's eyes flashed with hope. The World Government would surely punish this villain!

Yamato, meanwhile, had been drawn to the two new 'companions,' with Hiyori tagging along behind her.

Doflamingo smirked and responded in his signature twisted logic.

"That statement is incorrect. It is a flawed and biased misconception."

"Dressrosa has always been the domain of the Donquixote Family. My father once told me, before his death, that he wished to see this country, so I came to pay it a visit."

"Unexpectedly, the current Riku ruler lacked virtue and was besieged by pirates. I simply resolved the crisis. Before he died, he entrusted the nation to me."

"I will return it once the princesses come of age."

Return it? Like hell you will!

Forcing down their rage, the Gorosei pressed on stiffly.

"Then what about the Heavenly Tribute?"

"Who is the tribute paid to?" Doflamingo feigned ignorance.

"To us, the Celestial Dragons, of course!!!"

"Exactly. Transporting it across the sea is unsafe. I'll collect it directly."

"You… Donquixote brat—"

Doflamingo cut him off. "Hold on now, don't get worked up. Let me give you some good news first."

Good news from Doflamingo?

The Gorosei exchanged wary glances. A bad feeling settled in their guts.

"I've secured a direct channel for you to acquire Seastone from Wano. From now on, you can get it through me. Isn't that wonderful, Gorosei?"

"..."

The silence on the other end turned suffocating. The Gorosei's expressions darkened to charcoal.

"Fufufufufufu~"

Hearing their heavy breathing, Doflamingo threw his head back in laughter.

Wano's Seastone trade had been a long-term goal.

And now? He had them by the throat.

Let's see how they try to act tough now.

Nearby, Vergo observed the interaction and was transported back to eight years ago—back to the moment when Doffy had stood at the center of all power.

He was born to rule.

Scarlett, having just boarded with her sister, listened to the long silence on the transponder snail and felt all hope drain from her eyes.

Even the World Government couldn't do anything to this man.

What future did Dressrosa have?

Viola curled up, hugging her knees, burying her face between them.

Seeing the Gorosei's silence, Doflamingo pressed further.

"Well? How does it feel, Gorosei~?"

"Crack!"

The transponder snail cut off.

Yet, despite another unpleasant ending to their conversation, Doflamingo remained in high spirits.

He wrapped an arm around the lifelessly staring Scarlett and vanished from the deck in a blur.

Yamato, oblivious to the atmosphere, poked Viola.

"Hey, I'm Yamato. What's your name?"

...

After a brief stop in Dressrosa to set things in motion, the Numancia Flamingo set sail once more—toward Raijin Island.

...

North Blue.

A small sailing vessel neared the shores of North Ordess.

Slumped at the bow, sporting massive dark circles under his eyes, Rosinante gazed at the approaching land in a daze.

Flevance had drained his energy.

And now he had to deal with his brother.

What was Doffy planning this time?

A streak of white had appeared at his temples.

On the shore, squads of cloned soldiers moved in teams of three, armed with the latest batch of the family's mass-produced weapons—Flame Shell Rifles.

Staring at these mindless replicants, a shadow loomed over Rosinante's heart.

...

Meanwhile, at Raijin Island.

"BOSS/Young Master, we'll head in first."

Bruised and battered, Enel and Moria dragged their oversized guardian beasts toward the island's interior.

"Hmm. When King arrives, have him wait here."

The Numancia Flamingo shot straight into the Calm Belt.

...

Power Struggles.

The latest intelligence from Wano was laid before the Gorosei.

"According to fleeing merchants, Orochi is dead at Doflamingo's hands. The former pirate Kozuki Oden—who had served under both Whitebeard and Roger—is also confirmed dead."

"Wano is now completely under Kaido's control."

"Should we seize Wano?"

"Golden Lion's territory remains out of reach, let alone a country deeper in."

"And Kaido isn't someone easily manipulated. He just fought Charlotte Linlin and Sengoku not long ago."

"The New World can burn for all we care—it's a garbage dump. The real concern is Doflamingo."

"Germa has completely submitted to him. The presence of clone soldiers in North Blue is proof."

"And now, he's not just allied with Charlotte Linlin, but also Kaido. We still know nothing about his Sky Island operations."

"As for Dressrosa… let him have it. The more he invests, the harder he'll fall when he eventually loses it."

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+220 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg