After clarifying their interests, Doflamingo turned to Rosinante and spoke.
"Rosie, have Lao G and Machvise focus their search efforts on the territories of the giants in the West Blue. If they find nothing, have them scout Magic Town in the New World."
"Trebol, tell Diamante to call back the children's ship from the open sea and have it temporarily cease operations. Send him to our stronghold in North Odes to gather intelligence—and while he's at it, he might as well save a few families. This is a great opportunity to play savior. Fufufufu."
"Oh, and one more thing, Rosie. The lead-based products of Flevance fit perfectly with our status. Make contact, but be careful—Flevance involves the World Government and various noble families. Tread lightly."
"Trebol, get ready. We're heading to North Odes."
"Ohohoho! Done with your training, Young Master? I made your favorite—sweet shrimp and pasta for lunch. Does it meet your satisfaction?" Jora approached with a beaming smile as Doflamingo finished his meeting.
"Of course, Jora. You raised me, after all. Anything you make, I'll always enjoy."
That was the truth. Ever since Jora had been taken in, Doflamingo's life had become one of ease—no need to lift a finger. It was no surprise that she later took care of Dellinger as well. Compared to Trebol and the others, his attitude toward Jora was considerably warmer, after all, she had looked after him for nearly four years.
"Ohohoho, you think I'm a world-class beauty? Oh, stop it, you! You're making me blush!" Jora giggled, flushed with joy at the compliment.
...This was the one downside.
Suppressing his exasperation, Doflamingo changed the topic.
"Jora, how's the recruitment of young family members under ten going?"
"Ohohoho, not well, I'm afraid. Most of the little brats are still malnourished. But some of them have been clamoring to meet you, wanting to express their gratitude."
"Fufufufu. Good. I like people who know how to show gratitude. Talent can be cultivated. Go prepare the banquet, Jora."
Clock Town lay on the inland river bordering the four nations of North Odes, connecting the frontier of Tarin to Finland. Once a thriving hub famous for its handcrafted watches, it had been one of the most prosperous towns in the region.
But that was a thing of the past.
BOOM! BOOM!
"No—please! Noooo!"
As the explosions and screams drew closer, a terrified woman clutched her child, shoving him into the cellar.
"Gladius, don't make a sound. No matter what happens, don't come out."
"Mom, where's Dad? He said to wait for him here!"
"It's okay. He's okay. Your father is protecting us. When your watch's hands move through two full days, we'll return. Listen to me, Gladius—stay in the cellar. No matter what happens, don't come out."
"Hahaha! Over here! This shop is still intact!"
"Oh? And a woman, too? Heh, nice."
"Ah—please, no! Not here, please don't—"
BOOM!
The collapsing building swallowed her pleas.
Watching the unfolding nightmare, Gladius had never found the sound of explosions so beautiful.
...
Three Days Later
A massive ship, shaped like a flamingo, cruised down the inland river of North Odes.
Inside the cabin, Doflamingo flipped through the latest newspaper.
[Edd War Breaks Out! Gol D. Roger Clashes with Admiral Shiki! Shiki Suffers a Devastating Defeat!!!]
Shiki had pulled off a successful new hairstyle, but thanks to the tsunami's devastation, the chaotic pirates of the New World were now chomping at the bit to invade his territory. Truly, the New World was always ablaze with excitement.
"Doffy, we've arrived."
Doflamingo and his crew stepped into what was once a thriving town.
The streets were now littered with charred corpses, ruins, and shattered clockwork parts. Kicking aside the rubble in his path, Doflamingo turned to Trebol and asked, "Trebol, where's Diamante?"
"Doffy, Diamante's in the capital of Viarat, less than half a day's journey from here. According to reports, the armies of the other three nations have fled. The royal families, in exchange for their lives, have bought protection from King Viarat V. Currently, all four royal houses are holed up in Viarat, engaged in a fierce battle with Germa."
"Oh? It only took three days to reach this point? Such fragile resistance. Let the fires of war rage on a little longer—only by suffering will the survivors come to cherish peace. We'll rest here tonight. Tomorrow, we take this country."
"Rosie, what's this town called?"
"Clock Town, Brother."
"A shame. I quite liked their watches..."
259190, 259191, 259192…
"Hm? Fufufufu. Seems like there's a lucky survivor."
Sensing a faint presence through his Observation Haki, Doflamingo extended a string from his fingers, tearing down a collapsed wall ahead.
As the dust settled, his threads carefully lifted a small, fragile figure from the debris.
The boy's once-neat suit was now scorched and clinging to his burned flesh. Not a single patch of skin remained unscathed. The only intact thing was the pocket watch he clutched tightly in his charred hands.
Even now, his cracked voice whispered the numbers hoarsely, as if trapped in a trance.
259197, 259198, 259199…
Watching the pitiful sight, Trebol and the others remained cold and indifferent. Only Rosinante's eyes flickered with a trace of compassion.
"Brother… can he still be saved?"
Feeling the resonance of sheer destruction and death from the child's emotions, Doflamingo smirked.
'Now that's someone worth cultivating.'
"Of course. You've got remarkable willpower, kid. What's your name? Can you make watches?"
The boy snapped out of his trance at the question, his lifeless eyes dull as he replied.
"Gladius. Yes."
"Gladius? Fufufufu. Very well. From today on, you are a member of the Donquixote Family. But first, let's get you patched up."
After wrapping Gladius in protein threads and stitches, Doflamingo finally allowed himself a rare moment of sleep.
Ever since gaining his formidable strength over the past four years, his stamina had increased exponentially, requiring only two hours of sleep a day. But treating extensive burns was a tedious task, especially in such a barren place.
Drifting into his dream space, Doflamingo navigated his way skillfully through the ever-expanding lighthouse.
Admiring the latest portrait of the Donquixote Family reigning over the North Blue, he finally opened the system panel.
Donquixote Doflamingo [Name Rises in the North Blue]
Donquixote Family [North Blue Scourge]
Sea Calendar: 1495
Birthplace: Red Line—Mary Geoise
Skills: Conqueror's Haki [Proficient], Combat [Intermediate], Rokushiki [Intermediate], Navigation [Proficient], Armament Haki [Proficient], Observation Haki [Proficient] Advanced Skill [Forced Emotional Resonance]
Devil Fruit: String-String Fruit [Mastered]
Talent: Innate Strength
Achievement: Filial Son, Path Marker
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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg