...
Three days later.
The vast sea of white clouds churned like rolling waves, with sky fish and massive sea creatures occasionally leaping through the mist. However, they all fled in a panic, instinctively steering clear of the rapidly advancing Fireflame.
Doflamingo had briefly unleashed his Conqueror's Haki.
Perched at the bow, he sat cross-legged, his gaze drifting over the endless White-White Sea. Boredom settled in as he sensed approaching footsteps. Without turning his head, he spoke.
"Trebol, has Tsuru left the North Blue yet?"
"Nyeh-heh, I say, I say, not yet, Doffy. The political situation in various nations has gradually stabilized since Germa left."
Trebol handed him a freshly printed newspaper from the Den Den Mushi.
"But Vice Admiral Tsuru is still relentlessly purging the North Blue. Seems like she's got her sights set on us. This newspaper came directly from Rosinante."
"That old hag has way too much energy."
Doflamingo made a mockingly dismissive remark before taking the paper from Trebol. The bold headline immediately caught his eye.
[Evil Germa 66 Takes to the Skies – Suspected Alliance with the Golden Lion Pirates]
"Fufufufufu... Now that's interesting—Golden Lion!"
A glint of amusement flashed in his eyes.
"Contact Diamante. When he returns to Skypiea, have him pass this information to Judge. Let's see how he reacts. Who's managing the Beaudice Kingdom now?"
"Senor Pink. On the surface, he's acting as the Kingdom's Captain of the Guard. Thanks to Beaudice's cover, Tsuru hasn't grown suspicious of him."
Doflamingo smirked in satisfaction.
"A reliable man. Good. Grant him full access to Rokushiki training. Also, hand him control over all our North Blue bases—make sure he secures the underground cultivation facility.
"The prince of Beaudice... his name was Dick, right? Have Pink teach him what it takes to survive in this world."
"Understood."
"And Pica? What's his status at Reverse Mountain?"
"After eliminating a few troublesome bounty hunters, he successfully secured most of the territory through negotiations with the local Marine branch."
"Good. Aside from the Marines' cut, take one-tenth of Reverse Mountain's profits and hand it to the bounty hunters' leader. Let them learn to self-govern and protect their own interests. Set up brothels and casinos—we'll drain them dry."
"What if the leader gets replaced, Doffy?"
Doflamingo glanced at Trebol, his expression cold.
"Fool. That just means the new leader is more capable. And if they get rebellious, you know what to do."
Trebol wiped the sweat from his brow and nodded hastily. "Y-yes, Doffy."
"Check in with Jora about Machvise' dealings on Sabaody regarding Devil Fruit sales—"
"Grururururu."
Doflamingo pulled out a Den Den Mushi, its face resembling Rosinante's.
"Rosinante. So, did you enjoy the Sound Dial and Image Dial I sent you? Skypiea's sights are interesting, aren't they?"
"Very interesting. Thanks, brother. Thanks to Tsuru's purging efforts, all the younger members of our family have safely arrived at Spider Miles. But there's something else—Flevance's lead-amber disease outbreak has been completely covered up by the World Government and the royal family. They're calling it harmless."
Doflamingo chuckled darkly. "Rosinante, that's politics. It's not about solving problems—it's about hiding them. On the surface, everything appears stable, but in reality, it's rotting from the inside out."
On the other end of the line, Rosinante fell silent. His grip on the receiver tightened.
"Brother... I want to save Flevance."
"If that's what you want, then try, Rosinante. But sometimes, to fix a problem, you have to deal with the so-called nobles—no matter how much you despise them."
...
Hanging up, Doflamingo's lips curled into a malicious grin.
Fufufufufu... Rosinante, when you give it your all and realize you're powerless, when you taste just a hint of this world's ugly politics... only then will the most wicked flower bloom.
He had been the one to tell Rosinante about Flevance.
That glimmer of goodness within his brother—it would be Flevance's final light. Perhaps it might even help some of its people survive. But those left with nothing...
They would become the ones who hated the World Government the most.
And in turn, they would be the foundation of his empire.
Tucking away the Den Den Mushi, Doflamingo turned his gaze toward the distant island of Birka. Towering at its center stood a massive gear-shaped spire. His Observation Haki spread outward, scanning the island.
"Fufufufu... Trebol, there's something interesting over there. I'll take a look."
...
Birka, though also floating 10,000 meters above the sea, was unlike the other Sky Islands.
Unlike Angel Island or the high-speed Sky Roads, Birka had no interest in interacting with the Blue Sea people.
It was an isolationist land, rejecting all outsiders without wings.
They believed themselves to be the children of the gods, their pure white wings proof of divine favor.
Those without wings were outcasts, unworthy of acceptance.
And those born wingless among them?
They were cursed—abandoned by the gods themselves.
"Enel, no matter how many times I see you, you're still disgusting! A freak without wings!"
"You think a monster like you could ever reach the Fairy Vearth?"
"Only those of divine lineage have the right to go there!"
...
"The thousandth time... You bastards, I remember everything you've done to me. One day, I'll destroy this place—this whole damned island! Fairy Vearth does exist!"
Crouched on the ground, clutching his bruised and battered body, Enel muttered his curses as the bullies walked away.
His ears—unnaturally long, hanging past his chest—symbolized fortune. But right now, all they brought him was suffering.
He tore a scrap of cloth from his already tattered shirt and pressed it against the bleeding wound on his shoulder blade. The bruises on his arms and legs? They'd heal. He was used to it.
Picking up a worn headscarf—his mother's—he noticed how frayed it had become.
Enel tried to recall her face but found it slipping from his memory.
His mother had struggled to raise him alone, constantly persecuted and despised. Four years ago, she had died, utterly exhausted.
As for his father? He had never met the man. Perhaps he had died somewhere in the Blue Sea.
There was no time for grief.
Tying the headscarf around his unruly hair, he rubbed at his bruises before pushing himself up. He had to find food. He had to survive.
Swoosh.
The faint sound of someone landing behind him sent a chill down his spine. A threatening presence loomed over him.
Enel instinctively curled into a ball, bracing for another beating.
"Fufufufu... How interesting. You really do resemble him."
Doflamingo peered down at the cowering boy.
If I recall correctly, he's only two years younger than me. But looking at him now, he's barely bigger than Rosinante at eight...
No wonder he was so underdeveloped in the future. Malnourished, weak...
Doflamingo activated his Observation Haki.
Enel froze. His mind was flooded with foreign memories—of pain, betrayal, and destruction.
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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg