Train me…?
Doflamingo's eyes narrowed as a strange emotion rose from deep within.
Is this guy serious?
The "monster" of Marine Headquarters—the one who took down "World Destroyer" Byrnndi World and obliterated the Beasts Pirates' main base—wants to personally guide my training?
His first instinct was suspicion.
Sure, on paper, they were godfather and godson. And yes, the Donquixote family was expanding at a staggering rate across the North Blue, thanks to the backing of the North Blue Fleet. Even Doflamingo himself was astonished at how fast it was happening.
But he wasn't naïve.
He knew full well that a cold, ruthless man like Daren didn't trust him. The blockade of Rubeck Island by Momonga's heavily armed warships was all the proof he needed.
If Daren ever fell in the New World, he had no doubt Momonga would give the order to fire—wiping the Donquixote family off the map without hesitation.
And truth be told, Doflamingo didn't trust Daren either.
Their so-called harmonious relationship was nothing more than mutual exploitation in a game of veiled threats and political maneuvering.
He licked his dry lips, a cold smirk creeping up at the corners.
"You sure about that, Godfather?"
Daren smiled.
"Of course. What could make a godfather prouder than watching his godson grow stronger with his own eyes?"
Doflamingo inhaled sharply.
The veins on the backs of his hands bulged as he lunged forward, muscles surging with tension.
His face twisted into a grin of madness, eyes behind the shades glowing red with bloodlust. Both hands slashed out like talons!
A wild laugh echoed through the cold, empty hall.
"Fufufufufu!! Then don't mind if I go all out, Godfather!!"
Shhk!!
In an instant—
It was like countless invisible blades tore through the air. The sound of fabric ripping exploded all around.
Silent and deadly.
Gashes split across the ceiling, walls, and floor of the hall at once.
The coffee table between them burst apart, cleanly sliced into mirrored fragments.
Doflamingo... had unleashed a full-on assault on the Marine Commodore!
...
Ten minutes later.
The entire hall lay in ruins.
Countless thin, slashing marks covered every wall and inch of floor like claw scratches. Not a single piece of furniture was left intact—wine cabinets, glasses, tables, desks—everything had been shredded beyond recognition.
Trebol and the others stood frozen, wide-eyed, staring at the man calmly lighting a cigar amidst the wreckage. A wave of shock roared through their hearts.
"Hah..."
Daren blew out a puff of smoke, then turned with a smile to the panting boy kneeling on one knee before him.
"Now do you get it?"
"You've developed your Devil Fruit well, but your timing still lacks that killer instinct."
"As for your body—you've got to push your strength and speed further."
"That's the foundation of everything."
"And those close-combat techniques I showed you... you'll need to spend more time mastering them."
"With your current strength, maybe you're invincible here in the North Blue. But once you set foot in the Grand Line—or worse, the New World—"
"You'll face a level of despair that'll shake you to your core."
Doflamingo knelt, face pale, sweat dripping from his forehead, lips cracked, eyes filled with shock and a dazed sense of disbelief.
He was far too strong...
Even after using every trick he had, he hadn't been able to land a single hit on Daren.
He had truly believed that all his training over the past months had narrowed the gap between them.
But it hadn't.
The man standing before him seemed more distant than ever—so towering, so unreachable. The shadow he cast felt like a storm cloud pressing down from above, making it hard to breathe.
But the most shocking thing of all—
Daren was actually teaching him.
The breakdown of every move. The Marine Rokushiki training methods. The insight into the Ito Ito no Mi. The precision in reading attack timing...
It was all so surgical, so exact.
Like a scalpel peeling away the fog, showing Doflamingo a whole new level of understanding.
Hearing Daren's words, Doflamingo finally snapped back to his senses. He swallowed hard and said hoarsely,
"Thank you for your guidance, Godfather."
Daren gave a faint smile.
Up to now, Doflamingo's training had been aimless—more feeling his way through the dark than following any structured method. The people around him, like Trebol and the rest, were a mismatched bunch. Though fiercely loyal, they were of little real help.
But for someone with Daren's experience and perspective, mentoring the current Doflamingo was effortless.
In the original timeline, Doflamingo's strength topped out just below the level of a Yonkō commander. His eventual defeat at the hands of Luffy was largely due to his lack of a true mentor.
Kaidou might've filled that role, but Doflamingo chose "cooperation" over "opposition," and so he remained limited.
Now, though, things were different.
With Daren's pressure and guidance, this proud, untamed young flamingo might just soar into the sky—unfurling brilliant wings that could shake the world itself.
"This is what a godfather should do."
Daren paused for a beat.
"Grow quickly, Doffy..."
He turned, his gaze drifting through the glass window toward the endless sea beyond.
The curling smoke from his cigar softened the harsh, defined lines of his face.
"Compared to the brilliance of the Grand Line, the North Blue is just too small."
"I look forward to the day you step onto that stage."
"When that day comes, nothing in this world will be able to stop us."
Doflamingo listened to those stirring words, and a blaze of ambition lit in his chest.
He stared silently at Daren's profile, lips tightening, fists clenching.
Daren turned back with a smile and patted his shoulder.
"Go on—they're still waiting for you out there."
Doflamingo slowly rose.
As he watched Daren's back moving away, a surge of courage suddenly rose within him. Gritting his teeth, he called out,
"Daren! Why are you helping me?"
"Don't underestimate me—I saw the killing intent in your eyes!"
"And you should know this too... if I ever get the chance to kill you, I won't hesitate!"
Trebol and the others looked like they'd been struck by lightning. Their faces went ghostly pale as they gasped in unison.
Daren's steps paused.
He turned his head and gave Doflamingo a bright smile.
"Good. Keep that desire to kill me alive..."
"Hatred is one of the strongest fuels for growth—whether it's aimed at me, the World Government, the Celestial Dragons, or the Five Elders... doesn't matter."
"As for why I'm helping you..."
Daren blinked.
"Do you know what my idea of 'justice' is?"
Doflamingo froze.
"What is it?"
The corners of Daren's lips curled into a wicked grin.
"Because I think it'll be fun."
"An abandoned prince, burdened by blood-deep hatred, rising up to take revenge on his noble kin... isn't that entertaining?"
"And finally... Happy birthday, Doffy. My godson."
With a final smile, Daren vanished.
Leaving Doflamingo standing there, frozen in place.
...
A long time passed.
Under the anxious eyes of Trebol and the others,
his gaze slowly regained its icy gleam.
"Fufufufufu..."
Suddenly, he began to laugh maniacally.
His whole body trembled from the force of it. Tears streamed from the corners of his eyes.
"Interesting... this is just too interesting..."
"My dear godfather... your justice..."
"Fufufufufu..."
He tilted his head back, laughing like a madman, as his pink feathered coat billowed around him.
"—Self-serving Justice'!!"