"Give me back my money!!!"
"Fuffuffuffuffu, how amusing!"
Doflamingo had been casually inspecting his own business empire in disguise when he noticed something off.
The woman being grabbed by the Minotaur was a Devil Fruit user.
"Sir, please remain calm..."
Baccarat, her expression unchanged, even took a moment to fix her disheveled hair. This sort of thing happened at least ten times a month.
Would these brainless pirates ever learn?
Not only had this idiot lost his money, but now he was about to lose his life as well.
She needed to pick a target with deeper pockets next time—her commission for today had just taken a hit.
"Butterfly Dance!"
Two hands, positioned as if performing a backstroke, emerged from the rooftop.
Two blue slashes shot downward, engulfing the Minotaur.
There was no way to dodge!
"What?!"
The Minotaur had just released his grip on the woman, preparing his next move.
But the X-shaped slashes were already upon him.
"Damn bastard, who dares act so recklessly here?!"
His massive, muscular body was instantly sliced into four pieces!
From the rooftop, Senor Pink emerged, shaking the cigar in his mouth. He was getting irritated—lately, too many fools had been overstepping their bounds.
"Did you see that?! He slashed with his hands!"
"Idiot, that's the Guardian of North Odesse, Lord Senor!"
"Should we take him out?"
"Damn it, you shouldn't be discussing this out loud! He's looking this way!"
"..."
Rubbing her sore wrist from where she'd been grabbed, Baccarat glanced at the effortlessly stylish Senor Pink, admiration flashing in her eyes.
If she could claim this handsome man for herself, all his wealth would be hers!
"A modified Rankyaku, a slash using only his hands? Not bad."
Doflamingo gave his assessment of Senor's performance.
From his vantage point, Senor Pink scanned the pirates who had just been running their mouths.
Then, noticing a small pink figure among the crowd, he hesitated for a moment, his cigar slipping from his lips.
That brief pause sent the wrong signal to the reckless pirates.
Seizing the moment, they surged forward, cutting off Senor's escape route, intent on hacking him to pieces.
But instead of retreating, Senor advanced. With the Young Master present, spilling these fools' blood was just perfect.
As he closed the distance, the blades and swords aiming for him rippled like water.
"M-Masaka?!"
In the stunned eyes of the onlookers, Senor Pink swam right through the deadly blades, his fists closing in on their heads.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
A flurry of punches sent pirates crashing to the ground, one after another, piling on top of each other.
Landing effortlessly, Senor Pink caught his falling cigar and straightened up.
"That was incredible! Lord Senor!"
A group of stunning casino dealers huddled together, blocking Senor's view, squealing like fangirls.
Of course, this Senor Pink was far from the mature man he would become two decades later.
But he had something new—
Money and power!
Baccarat, however, stood alone, unimpressed. As a mature woman, she found such antics childish.
Silently, she activated her ability, draining the luck from the now-deceased Minotaur's body.
Pushing past the excited young women, Senor Pink walked toward the pink figure in the distance.
"Aaaah! Senor's hands are so strong! I'm getting wet!"
Flustered, Senor Pink slumped slightly, adjusting his sunglasses as he quickened his pace, looking slightly embarrassed.
The crowd parted like waves, clearing a path for him.
Facing the pink figure, Senor Pink placed his right hand over his chest and spoke in a deep voice.
"Young Master!"
Doflamingo clapped him on the shoulder, smiling.
"Well done, Pink. I plan to send you to Sabaody. What do you think?"
Senor's combat skills, mastery of Rokushiki, and Devil Fruit development were more than enough for him to serve the family in the Grand Line.
Leaving him in North Odesse was a waste.
Before Senor could respond, a newly emerged pirate who had been watching from the sidelines was already in shock.
The ruler of North Odesse himself had just bowed to another man!
Meanwhile, Baccarat's eyes sparkled—she had just found a much better target.
Though she hadn't grown up in the North Blue, as a technician loosely affiliated with a powerful family, she had some understanding of its true ruler.
Donquixote Doflamingo.
"No problem, Young Master. Serving you and the family is my greatest honor."
Snapping out of his thoughts, Senor responded passionately.
He was tired of playing petty games in the North Blue, especially with the government and Marines constantly meddling.
"Fuffuffuffuffu, excellent. The family thrives on your contributions. Now, come, take me to see the seeds we planted three years ago."
"Yes, Young Master!"
Senor Pink turned to lead the way.
"You, red-haired woman, you come too."
Doflamingo turned his head toward Baccarat, motioning with his right hand.
Even with her somewhat vague features, he recognized her.
One of Tesoro's future subordinates.
The Lucky-Lucky Fruit user, Baccarat.
"Me?!"
Pointing at herself, Baccarat was momentarily stunned.
Then, her mind raced.
Gritting her teeth, she followed after them.
No matter what, staying close to a big boss was always the safest bet.
...
"Lord Doflamingo!"
Ignoring the powerless puppet king of the now-defunct North Odesse, Doflamingo opened the doors to the royal underground vault.
Inside, Germa's stationed researchers were already waiting.
Behind them stood rows upon rows of nutrient-filled capsules.
Inside each pod was a two-meter-tall, identical naked man.
These were the seeds planted in North Odesse three years ago.
A hundred thousand clones, produced at a lower cost.
Senor and Baccarat stared at the sea of bio-pods, both shaken.
'Is this the result of North Odesse' three-year investment?'
Senor had only ever handled supply deliveries for the researchers. This was his first time seeing the actual project.
'Are they alive… or dead?!'
Baccarat felt a chill run down her spine. Piles of bodies stacked like this—how many lives had been taken?
Doflamingo glanced at the lead researcher's chest plate and asked, "Germa 005, how much longer until they're ready?"
"King's Boss, in 90 natural days, these clones will fully mature. The final imprinting still requires the king."
'King's Boss?' What kind of ridiculous title was that? These researchers really were brain-dead.
Ninety days—three months. Would they make it before Roger's execution? Otherwise, their strongholds might take a hit.
Might need to summon Judge back to the North Blue.
Like a farmer surveying his soon-to-be-harvested crops, Doflamingo examined the rows of bio-pods.
Satisfied, he turned to leave.
The free labor was growing splendidly!
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+220 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg