The pinnacle of pirates! Beginning as a trainee in Roger's crew

In the Grand Line, on an unremarkable little island...

Inside a lavish entertainment hall, the music blared wildly. Countless women danced in the center of the floor, while pirates, merchants, and underworld figures drawn by the fame of this place dove headlong into the revelry.

Above the dance floor, a young man with slicked-back green hair stood with a crystal wine glass in hand, gently swirling the expensive red wine inside. Dressed in an extravagant gold tuxedo, one might think the glittering embellishments were mere decoration—until a closer look revealed they were actual gold.

Confident, flamboyant, and thoroughly indulgent, the young man radiated a kind of arrogant charisma. Behind him stood a burly man and a red-haired beauty, both standing respectfully at his side.

He didn't join the chaos of the dance floor. Instead, he absently fiddled with the gold ring on his hand, lost in his own thoughts, eyes distant as if no worldly pleasure could truly stir him.

He raised his glass and downed the red wine in one go.

From the floor at his feet, a small, round-headed man suddenly emerged like a mole popping from the ground.

"Lord Tesoro! As expected, you're the true fated wielder of the Gold-Gold Fruit!"

It was Tanaka, a man capable of phasing through inorganic matter, and the one who had delivered the Gold-Gold Fruit to Tesoro. Hands behind his back, he bowed deeply with reverence in his voice.

He was thrilled. Tesoro hadn't disappointed him. Not only had he quickly awakened the powers of the Gold-Gold Fruit, but he was also someone with connections, someone worth following.

A smug smile curled on Tesoro's lips.

He'd tasted the bliss of immense wealth. With the power of the Gold-Gold Fruit, he now controlled entire supply chains across multiple islands. Though he had faced some unexpected obstacles along the way, he had overcome them all.

Money makes the world go round.

His rapid accumulation of capital was inextricably linked to the power of his Devil Fruit.

"You've done well, Mr. Tanaka. The Gold-Gold Fruit's utility in expanding my business empire cannot be overstated."

"No, Lord Tesoro. This success is not entirely my own doing."

Tanaka's expression grew serious as memories surfaced. He hadn't gotten away clean on his own. No—someone had let him go.

These days, the Sabaody Archipelago had essentially become the heart of the underground world. Many powerful individuals trained in Haki were stationed at key facilities like the Human Auction House.

And yet, despite stealing such a coveted fruit, Tanaka had encountered no serious resistance. It was... curious.

"It was almost like someone wanted me to succeed. There was no real pursuit, no strong opposition."

"Hmm…"

Tesoro extended his hand. The golden ring on his finger began to ripple like liquid, forming into the shape of a delicate long-haired youth.

"I figured as much shortly after," Tesoro said, watching the golden figure twist and reform. "That kind of big shot probably just wants me to make him money."

A bitter chuckle escaped his throat.

"But that's fine. If it means I can get Stella back... I don't mind being his dog."

Tanaka frowned.

"Lord Tesoro, are you referring to Donquixote Doflamingo? The kingpin of the underground world? With all due respect, your current growth trajectory is such that you'll soon surpass even him..."

After all, Tanaka had stolen the Gold-Gold Fruit from Doflamingo himself. While he acknowledged the man's strength and influence, he didn't think Doflamingo was invincible. To submit so easily felt premature.

"No… someone far more powerful than him."

Tesoro smiled bitterly and held up the little golden statue in his hand.

Upon seeing its face, both Tanaka and Baccarat froze.

Their expressions twisted into disbelief, even fear.

Impossible.

Wasn't this man supposed to have nothing to do with the underground world?

If it really was that Black Emperor...

Then being his dog didn't sound all that bad, actually.

They looked at Tesoro, their eyes practically screaming: "Why are you humblebragging?"

Plenty of people would give anything to become Lord Ozz's dog, and they wouldn't even be qualified.

"Anyway, we need to raise the funds by tomorrow morning. It's no small sum, but it shouldn't be difficult. If needed, I'll personally lead a team to search for gold mines."

With the Gold-Gold Fruit, making money wasn't an issue anymore.

…

Elsewhere.

Mary Geoise, the Holy Land.

"…That's the situation, Lord Doflamingo. Tesoro's crew has already secured the Gold-Gold Fruit. Hello? Lord Doflamingo?"

A voice crackled through the Den Den Mushi. On the other end, a member of the Donquixote Family respectfully reported that they had completed the task.

But Doflamingo, though he had picked up, wasn't really listening.

"…I see."

Click.

He hung up.

Slumped in his seat, surrounded by partying nobles, Doflamingo sat motionless. He was completely out of place.

What the hell was this?

Those damn Five Elders.

He had once climbed Mary Geoise soaked in blood, severing his ties with family, only to be kicked out and forced back to the North Blue.

Now some outsider—Ozz—who didn't even have Celestial Dragon blood, had barely set foot in the Holy Land before they were begging to make him one of their own.

They were practically stuffing the title into his pocket.

This kind of double standard made Doflamingo question everything all over again.

So the real reason he hadn't been accepted...

Was just because he wasn't strong enough?

Why didn't they say so from the start? He would've focused on getting stronger—why go as far as patricide?

His father died for nothing.

Maybe sensing his utter despair, Ozz handed him a bottle of red wine.

"…Lord Ozz."

Doflamingo muttered. His face was blank. He wanted to laugh—fufufufu—but he couldn't.

All his laughter was in the wine now.

Glug glug glug…

He drank furiously, red wine spilling from the corners of his mouth and soaking his clothes. The heartbreak was real.

"Drop the 'Lord' part. It sounds weird."

"Don't be discouraged, Doffy. There'll be other chances."

Ozz patted him on the shoulder.

"Honestly, this status doesn't mean that much to me. I can't pass it on anyway. After all, I don't have real Celestial Dragon blood."

At that, Doflamingo suddenly froze mid-sip.

He turned to look at Ozz, eyes wide as a thought struck him like lightning.

"Ozz… if your child were to inherit the title, they'd just need to have one Celestial Dragon parent, right?"

"Well… technically, yeah."

Ozz rubbed his chin. That was what some Celestial Dragon girls had told him recently.

"Fufufufu… Bloodline, huh?

As it happens...

I've got that covered."