This wasn't just some baseless speculation from Doflamingo.
After all, both species shared the same origin, yet their vastly different environments had led to a tremendous gap in size and ability. And it wasn't just these two—there was also the transformation of the sole surviving Sky King, Nola, which further proved this point.
Nola's ancestors were once pathetically small creatures.
As for why it wasn't Nola being experimented on, there were two reasons. First, Doflamingo still had a sense of obligation toward his friends. Second, whether as a physical training specimen for the Donquixote Family or as the sole known example of a rare species, Nola was far too valuable.
Vinsmoke Judge snapped out of his thoughts, turning his attention to the two birds strapped onto the laboratory tables—one from the high-pressure environment of the Blue Sea and the other a massive variant from Skypiea. Slipping into work mode, he pulled out his scalpel and spoke in a calm voice.
"The most straightforward way to understand the differences is to let their bodies tell us."
Watching Judge immerse himself in his work, Doflamingo leaned into his role as the boss and issued another directive.
"How's the pyrobroin particle extraction from processed cloud technology affecting the formation of Seastone? Also, when can you finish the controlled hot air balloon project I mentioned last time?"
Judge didn't even look up as he made the first incision. "Doflamingo, I need more manpower. I can't handle so many projects while also dealing with the raids you've assigned."
"No problem. I've already started gathering scientists from the North Blue, and Punk Hazard is my next major target. Vegapunk and Caesar will both be in my grasp soon. As for the attacks, there won't be any for the foreseeable future."
Judge grumbled in dissatisfaction, but Doflamingo dismissed it without concern and smoothly changed the subject.
"Judge, two Sky Islands were recently discovered along the high-speed air routes. The closest one is only two days away."
"As for Germa 66, your kingdom once defied the North Blue for sixty-six days. The World Government will never allow you to claim land in the seas below."
Judge's grip on the scalpel faltered. He knew Doflamingo was telling the truth—it was a reality he had long refused to accept.
"But up here, there is no World Government—only me, Donquixote Doflamingo. What do you say? How about I grant you the closer Sky Island to establish your new kingdom?"
The two Sky Islands had already been conquered a month ago under Trebol's command. Strength-wise, they had no absolute powerhouses. Size wasn't a problem either—so long as they mastered the pyrobroin particle condensation core technology, they could manufacture island clouds at will.
That knowledge already existed within the Sky Islands.
Judge's hands trembled at the proposal. His scalpel accidentally pierced the bird's heart, and fresh blood splattered across his faceplate.
Staring at the crimson reflection in his goggles, he was suddenly reminded of his childhood—Germa's endless migrations, a kingdom adrift like rootless migratory birds, forever without a home.
A deep breath. A resolute voice.
"Understood."
Doflamingo smirked. "Good. We'll call the other Sky Island 'Germa.'"
As he left the laboratory, a silent, satisfied grin stretched across his face.
From the moment he met Vinsmoke Judge, he had been using Observation Haki to subtly guide his emotions—his thirst for power, his resentment toward the World Government, his dream of re-establishing Germa, his fear and gratitude toward Doflamingo…
And now, his reverence.
Fufufufufu…
Desire is what makes us human.
Sometimes, it's wine. Sometimes, it's women. Glory, kingship, divinity, family, dreams, power, legacy…
To drive desire is to drive humanity itself.
...
The Golden City
"Yohohohoho! Doffy! We're rich! We're filthy rich, Doffy!"
"Doffy, I mean… Is this really the legendary City of Gold? So it really did end up in the sky!" Trebol's already foolish-looking face stretched to its limit in excitement, making him look even more idiotic.
"Young Master, in all my forty years at sea, I've never seen such an enormous pile of gold!"
Diamante, Trebol, and Lao G each reacted differently, but their awe made one thing clear—the sheer quantity of gold before them was overwhelming.
Click.
Doflamingo pressed the shutter button on his camera, capturing their ridiculous expressions.
Ignoring their bitter stares, he gestured toward the golden sea before them. "Go on, take your pick. Consider it a reward."
"Oohh, Doffy…!"
"Doffy…!"
"Young Master, your generosity knows no bounds!"
...
Moments later—
Trebol had adorned all ten fingers with gem-encrusted rings, replacing his old wooden staff with a new golden scepter crowned with a massive jewel. Diamante, ever flamboyant, crafted himself a golden cape, swaying dramatically from side to side. Meanwhile, the ever-practical Lao G merely upgraded his already conspicuous belt with even more wealth.
Seeing their satisfied faces and feeling the growing admiration in their hearts, Doflamingo nodded in satisfaction, lifting them into the air and flying toward the newly established God's Palace.
Lounging lazily on a vast cloud throne, Doflamingo turned to Trebol, who was still reveling in his newfound wealth.
"Trebol, how's the withdrawal of our arms manufacturing operations from the North Blue coming along?"
Trebol smirked. "Hehehe… Just like you planned, Doffy. After the Beaudice royal family fell, restrictions tightened. Now, only a few port nations near Spider Miles still have our business. Some shipments are already on their way to the high-pressure island. The local Marine branch has agreed to cooperate."
"Good. But I hear Marine Chief Strategist Tsuru has been purging the North Blue. With desperate pirates flooding into the Grand Line, I assume business has been affected. She's currently en route to Beaudice, representing the World Government."
"Hehehe… No worries, Doffy. We'll have our last shipment pass through Whiskey Peak. If Whiskey Peak isn't fully settled by then, it won't matter. As for Tsuru, let her be. The destruction of Beaudice' four kingdoms has nothing to do with us. And as for Judge—she won't find him."
Trebol cackled. "Doffy, it's all thanks to your extraordinary foresight!"
The Germa Kingdom had attacked multiple World Government-affiliated royal families, wiping out four nations in one move. This ensured the World Government's attention remained fixated on the North Blue.
And as the region's top arms dealer, Doflamingo had already anticipated the shift and preemptively relocated his operations.
Satisfied, Doflamingo turned to Diamante. "Diamante, how's the sale of defective Sky Island Dials going?"
Diamante adjusted his golden cape and stepped forward. "Doffy, Jora and Machvise had immense success selling them in Alabasta and the Iron Barrel Kingdom. Your decision to cultivate Sky Island Dials was sheer genius—an endless source of wealth."
...
Meanwhile, in the Water 7, a young blue-haired boy unknowingly stumbled into Doflamingo's web…
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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg