Three... three of them?!
Can you believe it?
Can you?
Believe it?
"H-How is this possible?"
The members of the Donquixote Family aboard the ship stared wide-eyed at the three identical Fishmen before them.
"Damn bastard! Once I get out of here, I'll kill you!"
Inside the water prison, Doflamingo's shock quickly turned into fury. Since stepping onto the path of villainy, he had never been humiliated this badly.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm just here for the money."
Kisame, unfazed by Doflamingo's murderous glare, spoke nonchalantly. After saying his piece, he ordered one of his clones to summon Zeff and the others.
Once the clone left, Kisame turned his gaze toward the snot-nosed man before him and said with disdain, "I want half of all the supplies on this ship."
Then, remembering that these were pirates, he added, "Oh, and the treasure too." His eyes flicked toward the extravagant ship docked nearby. "Don't tell me you don't have any. Just that ship alone is worth a fortune."
"You bastard! Don't even think about it! That ship is the Young Master's bargaining chip with the World Government!"
Hearing Kisame's demand, the snot-nosed man flared with anger.
"Heh... well, you don't have to give it up." Kisame's gaze shifted to the water prison. "But tell me, how long do you think this kid can last in there? Two minutes? Five?" He smirked. "I'd say five minutes is his absolute limit."
"You...!"
Hearing their Young Master could only last five minutes, the snot-nosed man began to panic, looking anxiously toward Doflamingo, whose expression had turned grim.
The Water Prison Jutsu could trap someone, but it didn't block out sound.
Everything Kisame had said fell right into Doflamingo's ears. The fact that this man dared to target the Heavenly Tribute made his blood boil with rage.
But anger wouldn't solve anything. Every second he spent trapped in this prison pushed him closer to death.
Compared to his own life, the Heavenly Tribute suddenly didn't seem so important.
There was no choice. A man under the eaves cannot refuse to bow.
For all his years of arrogance, Donquixote Doflamingo had finally met his match.
Gritting his teeth, he gave a slight nod toward Trebol outside the prison.
Receiving his master's signal, Trebol clenched his fists in frustration before growling, "Fine! We agree to your terms! Just let our Young Master go!"
"Heh, of course, I'll let him go… but not just yet."
Kisame grinned maliciously before continuing, "If you want your Young Master to live, you'd better get moving."
"Once my ship arrives, you'll load everything onto it."
"And don't try anything funny. That kid's life is in your hands."
"The sooner you finish, the sooner he gets out of danger. But if you stall... well, don't blame me if he dies."
"You...!"
Trebol gritted his teeth. He had assumed this muscle-bound brute would be all brawn and no brains, but this guy was nothing but trouble.
Doflamingo's life was in their captor's hands. They had no choice but to comply.
As soon as Kisame's ship pulled alongside theirs, the entire crew started working, even the constantly snot-dripping Trebol.
These were ruthless men, but they were loyal to Doflamingo. Not a single one dared to make a move against Kisame.
They even loaded more than half of the treasure from their luxurious ship onto Kisame's vessel.
Seeing the sheer volume of wealth, even Kisame—who had never cared much for money—couldn't help but suck in a breath.
The treasure, stacked high like a small mountain, was simply immeasurable in value.
"We did what you asked. Now, keep your word."
Trebol approached Kisame, casting a worried glance at Doflamingo, who was now barely conscious, his limbs flailing weakly.
"Hah. This brat's lucky to have men like you."
Kisame had no intention of killing them. He had already taken what he wanted—there was no need for senseless slaughter.
After all, this wasn't the Shinobi World. He didn't need to follow its rules.
Although letting him go was somewhat akin to releasing a tiger back into the wild, Kisame didn't see Doflamingo as much of a tiger at all.
As his opponent teetered on the brink of unconsciousness, Kisame finally removed his hand, much to Trebol's anxious relief.
Splash—!
The moment Kisame's palm left the water prison, the sphere burst apart.
Like a drowned rat, Doflamingo collapsed onto the deck, soaked and gasping greedily for air. Though his mind was hazy, he knew he had just been saved.
"Young man, if you want revenge, I'll be happy to oblige—anytime."
With those words, Kisame's form suddenly collapsed into a pool of water, soaking into the deck.
"...This guy was fake too?"
The crew aboard the ship stood frozen in shock.
They had never imagined that even the Fishman controlling the water sphere was a clone.
At this point, was anything real?
After witnessing Kisame summon his clones, they couldn't even tell which was the real one anymore.
If they found out that the real Kisame had never even stepped onto their ship, who knew what they would think?
"Wait... does that mean the one who fought the Young Master before was also…?"
Trebol suddenly realized something but couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
A shiver ran down his spine.
"Heh, looks like you're smarter than you look."
A voice, as deep and ominous as a nightmare, rumbled through the air.
The entire ship froze.
Everyone immediately turned toward the railing.
There, appearing as if from nowhere, was that man again.
Dressed in a black cloak adorned with red clouds, he stood at the ship's edge.
The massive weapon resting on his shoulder radiated a pressure so immense that it left the crew struggling to breathe.
"You bastard, you're back again?!"
Finally regaining some strength, Doflamingo's face darkened to the extreme.
Not only had he been beaten, but he had also been robbed—by some nobody whose name had never even been heard across the seas.
If word got out, he'd become the laughingstock of the entire underworld.
He wanted nothing more than to kill this man on the spot, but his body was too weak.
Even if he were at full strength, he doubted he could actually defeat Kisame.
This was a world where the strong preyed on the weak.
If he couldn't be the hunter, then he would have to lower his head and endure.
"Heh, don't get the wrong idea. I didn't come back to rob you."
Kisame chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.
"I just need a Log Pose—preferably one that points to a nearby island."
Earlier, when he returned to his ship, Zeff had asked whether he had obtained a Log Pose.
Compared to treasure, a Log Pose was far more valuable—without one, they could end up stranded and starving at sea.
Realizing this, Kisame immediately turned back.
Hearing that he wasn't here to steal more from them, the crew visibly relaxed.
Trebol was about to grab a random Log Pose to get rid of him, but then—
"Trebol, give him the Log Pose for Shadin Island. We still need the others."
Doflamingo's words startled Trebol.
Shadin Island?
Trebol hesitated for a moment but didn't question it. He retrieved the Log Pose from the ship's cabin.
Kisame took it from Trebol's hands, gave a brief nod, and—without another word—vanished before their eyes.
"Fufufufu… There's a road to heaven, but you refuse to take it. Instead, you barge straight into hell."
As Kisame's ship sailed off into the distance, Doflamingo's eyes gleamed with cold, murderous intent.
From his coat, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi—its features fierce and menacing, adorned with two large horns.
Puru... Puru... Puru…
"Doffy!"
A voice answered on the other end, dark and oppressive.
"fufufufu… Kaido, I accept your deal."
"However, as your business partner, I'd like you to take care of a little problem for me. I know you're near Shadin Island—help me kill someone."
"Fine. But remember our agreement, brat. If you betray me—"
"I will erase you from this sea with my own hands."
"Wororororo… A Fishman, huh? Now this is interesting."
(End of Chapter)