One Piece: Crown of Darkness

One nautical mile from the singing ship.

"Doflamingo-san?"

The sailors who accompanied Doflamingo were extremely anxious, and it was no wonder. Even Trebol and Diamante, former Supernovas who had braved the New World, trembled at the mere mention of the Big Mom Pirates, let alone these low-level thugs who usually just mixed it up on one island or in one city.

To them, the Big Mom Pirates were a terrifying, man-eating monster group, a legend confined to newspapers and wanted posters.

"Lower the escape boat. You wait for me," Doflamingo didn't force the sailors. He was focused on the small skiff gradually approaching him.

More accurately, on the person on the small skiff.

Beneath a jeweled, round hat was striking wavy, white long hair. Her bangs obscured half her face, but the other half clearly revealed her exquisite beauty. Although her lips seemed slightly thick, this only lent her a mature aura unsuited for her tender age. Her legs were incredibly long, so exaggeratedly long that they could be described as "all leg from the neck down"—she was a longleg.

She carried a spiral longsword on her back and sat gracefully, legs crossed. Her disproportionately large hand held and swirled a large, tall-stemmed glass filled with a drink, occasionally taking a small sip. Overall, she gave the impression of a gentle and quiet girl.

"This is already Big Mom Pirates territory. Outsiders, stop. Or are you intentionally looking for trouble?" The longleg girl steered her skiff alongside, then, still holding her large goblet, unceremoniously jumped onto the other ship.

Doflamingo glanced at the large goblet in her hand, not a single drop of liquid spilled, then shifted his gaze to her face. "Fufufufu~ I've come specifically with 'sincerity,' drawn by your reputation. I'm different from idle folk or foolish troublemakers."

"Sincerity?" The longleg girl was taken aback.

Doflamingo spread his arms, indicating he was no threat, and smiled. "Gifts, perhaps you're more familiar with that word! Fufufufu~ I hope to meet with Big Mom, and by the way... you're much more beautiful than your wanted poster. Charlotte Smoothie-san, the most exquisite flower of the Charlotte Family, the fourteenth daughter."

"Eh? You know me?" Smoothie paused, still just a year older than Doflamingo, she clearly couldn't handle sweet talk.

Doflamingo's smile grew even more radiant and harmless. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Doflamingo, captain of the Donquixote Pirates. For now... a nobody, but not insignificant, fufufufu~"

"No! No!" Smoothie vigorously shook her head, trying to clear her slightly flustered mind. "What exactly do you want?"

Doflamingo pondered. "To offer help and receive help. I have my own intelligence channels, and I know about your recent frantic money-making activities and the purpose behind them. I apologize, but the rest I must discuss in detail directly with Big Mom. After all, she's the matriarch who makes the decisions."

"Are you sure you're not trying to fool Mama? If you anger Mama, it'll be terrible," Smoothie frowned prettily, growing suspicious.

Doflamingo smiled faintly. "Are you worried about me? Fufufufu~"

"L-Lies! Don't talk nonsense!" Smoothie stammered angrily, then immediately lowered her gaze, not daring to look at Doflamingo again.

The lenses of Doflamingo's flamboyant sunglasses flashed. He nonchalantly adjusted the ship's rudder, slowing its speed, then just as nonchalantly leaned over the railing, moving closer to Smoothie.

"Smoothie? May I call you that?" Without waiting for Smoothie to react, he smoothly changed the subject. "What's it like growing up on a pirate ship?"

"Hm?" Smoothie looked confused.

Doflamingo rolled over, leaning against the railing. "Have you ever had the experience of dressing up beautifully, going shopping, playing, and seeing the endless novelties of the vast world? Not just fighting, killing, and bleeding all day long."

"I..." Smoothie opened her mouth, then trailed off, speechless.

Doflamingo appeared genuinely surprised. "No?" He sighed. "That's a shame. Then your life must be very uninteresting."

"I, I'm quite happy," Smoothie forced a smile and said, "Mama, my brothers and sisters..."

"Liar," Doflamingo interrupted Smoothie, suddenly leaning forward, meeting Smoothie's eyes, which were a few centimeters below his. He stated with certainty, "I can see it in your eyes, you're not happy!"

Smoothie was startled by the sudden move, stumbling backward. Immediately, her pretty face clouded over. "What do you know! You arrogant fool!"

"Fufufufu~ Are you angry, Smoothie?" Doflamingo, on the contrary, smiled brightly. "I'm just teasing you. Don't be so petty, alright?"

Whether it was a joke or not, Doflamingo knew, and Smoothie knew too.

"Do you have a dream, Smoothie?" Doflamingo pressed again, still pestering the sulking Smoothie.

Smoothie said stiffly, "What about you?"

"Me? I can't tell my dream to those I'm not close to, fufufufu~" His tone shifted, and Doflamingo chuckled playfully, "Of course, if you want to hear it, no problem! My dream is to marry a longleg woman someday."

It was obvious enough.

"L-Liar!"

"Nonsense!"

"I... I'm going now. Mama isn't in a good mood today..."

"..."

Smoothie was flustered and almost fled in disarray.