12 Ch. 12 - Farewells & Discovery

Doflamingo stayed in the jungle for 2 days, before it was finally time for him to go.

"Don't worry, just finish the mission I gave you and before you know it, I'm already back." Doflamingo was crouching in front of Garfield and said to him.

"I know. Be careful out there." Garfield wasn't sad anymore, after all, during these 2 days, he already did everything he can so he won't miss Doflamingo when he's gone.

"Here, how about this..." Doflamingo picked up a carved rock that resembles a shoe, and gave Garfield the other pair.

"...I take this pair while you take the other one. Now, by the time both of this pair reunites, that means that we'll also reunite. So keep it." Garfield accepted the shoe and kept it beside him.

After saying his farewell, Doflamingo finally walked and walked until Garfield can't see him anymore.

'I'll wait for you.' Garfield laid on the ground and closed his eyes to get some sleep.

***

Meanwhile, since Doflamingo's clothings was completely destroyed 4 years ago, Doflamingo has to cut the skins of snakes and some animals to make himself a self made cloth.

'It's a bit uncomfortable but it's better than being naked.' Doflamingo commented on his current wearing as he continued walking forward.

To be honest, he doesn't have any idea how to leave this jungle, he's just gonna trust his instincts and wished that he'll be lucky enough to reach the nearest civilization by this week.

***

1 week later

"What the fuck is going on? I've been walking forward for a whole week and I haven't even seen any humans beside me." If Doflamingo didn't have a strong will and mentality, then he's afraid that he'd go crazy by now.

"At least I have free foods everywhere." Since the jungle is full of animals, Doflamingo was like a natural predator to them, as even Tigers were no matched by him and only served a purpose of becoming a food to him.

Like what's happening right now, he was sitting in front of a campfire, with a meat in stick in his hand.

He also discovered that his strings are actually good for fuel in a raging fire, as long as he doesn't make it durable and make it burnable.

Oh right, his improvement in his string powers is actually huge, now, he could form anything he wishes with his strings as long as it is physical.

Then, there is also the fact that he could adjust its durability, so he could decide on whether to make it as soft as a cloth or as hard as a steel.

Doflamingo also tried to develop some of the original Doflamingo's string techniques such as the infamous bird cage or turning his surroundings into strings.

However, all of this were in vain as he guessed that he must first awaken his devil fruit abilities before he could do any of that.

However, that doesn't mean he stopped copying some of Doflamingo's techniques.

He also learned some of his techniques, such as the Tamaito, which is where he could shoot bullets made from his strings out of his finger tips.

This technique is actually his favourite, since he don't need to bother with cannon fodders and could just use this to kill them.

Cool thing about this is that he has almost infinite ammo as long as he doesn't ran out of stamina, and it is way more lethal than an ordinary bullet, not to mention, he could rapid fire with Tamaito, which is pretty cool.

Another technique is the Goshikito, where different coloured strings is released from his finger tips which is also very lethal as it could hurt Sanji, and even cut meteors.

The other one is Parasite, which is his favourite and just like the name mentioned, it allows him to control other beings like a parasite by inserting a string inside their spines, granting him full control over their movements.

The last one he developed is a technique called Overheat, which is the hardest technique to master as it involves friction and conjuring countless small strings that is attached to each other and rubs them together which forms something akin to a pillar of flame.

He is also developing a technique called Black Knight which he doesn't have much progress off. So, basically, it allows him to create something similar to a clone made up of strings.

And although this clone is not as strong as him, but in the show, this clone could even contend with Luffy in his second gear state, which means that Black Knight is already strong and definitely stronger than Captain America.

There are other techniques of Doflamingo but it requires him to fully awaken his devil fruit powers, so this will be his skill set for now, and who knows, maybe he'll develop his own technique someday.

"As for this..." Doflamingo muttered as he raised his left hand and the ring situated on his finger shone in light.

To be honest, Doflamingo has no idea what's the purpose of this ring, from what he remembers, this ring was called Ring of Authority.

Authority of what?

Though, despite it's mysteriousness, this ring was the reason he's alive till today. If it wasn't for it, then he'd probably dead by now, under the waters, not only that, ever since that day, his weakness on waters is gone now, which is a good news to him.

"Although I don't know what else you can do, but I'll surely uncover all your secrets." Doflamingo said before taking a bite over his barbeque not noticing that the ring shone in light before dissipating as if it never existed.

Soon, a new day has come and Doflamingo resumed his journey.

He met a few animals and talked with them and according to them, the nearest civilazation or a highway according to the animals, is just a few kilometers away from here.

So, after thanking them, he continued his journey until he finally reached the said highway.

"Finally, concrete ground." Doflamingo resisted the urge to crouch down and kiss the ground like an idiot.

Thankfully, he didn't have to wait too long when he saw a truck coming his way.

"I'll need a ride." Doflamingo muttered before putting his arms forward with an 'okay' sign on his hand.

Soon, the truck came and stopped in front of him as a beaded old man peeked out of the window.

"Need a ride, lil' lad?" The old man, asked with his specific dialect.

"Yeah, I've been lost in the forest just a few days ago." Doflamingo shrugged as the old driver opened the door of the passenger seat, however, when he looked at the old man, he felt like he looks familiar to him.

'Where have I seen him?' Doflamingo questioned himself.

"Well, yer' don look like yer been lost in that forest in just a few days, to me, it looks like yer been in that forest yer whole life, eh?" The old driver laughed as Doflamingo went in and sat.

"Where you at, lad?" The old driver started driving and asked.

"From Pasadena." Doflamingo answered truthfully.

"Well, yer in luck, my shipment is supposed to be delivered there by tomorrow. It looks like both of us will be in a little trip, eh?" The old driver chuckled as he turned the radio on and an old fashioned music came rocking in.

(Insert BGM: The Notorious BIG - Juicy)

As time passed, Doflamingo got acquianted with this old man who introduced himself as Stan Lee.

'Now I know why he looks familiar.' Doflamingo said to himself as he turned to look at Stan Lee vibing with the music on the radio, by tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.

'Maybe he knows that I'm a reincarnated person?' Doflamingo said to himself for the last time before averting his eyes from Stan Lee, he doesn't want the old man think that he's gay or something.

However, what Doflamingo didn't notice, a small smirk formed on Stan Lee's face before it disappeared.

Soon, a new day has come and the truck has finally arrived at Pasadena.

Stan Lee stopped at a Gas Station before Doflamingo got off the passenger's seat.

"Thanks for the ride, although I don't have any cash to pay you, but I hope this is enough." Doflamingo gave him an apologetic look before handing him a small bunny bear which was made by him during the ride.

"No need to worry about that, lad. Your company is already enough. Though I won't refuse this little cutie." Stan Lee waved his hand before grabbing the bunny bear from his hands.

***

"I hope to meet you again. See you, lil fella." After filling his gas tank, Stan Lee and him said their goodbyes before he drove off.

"We'll surely do." Doflamingo waved his hand and muttered. He just has this feeling inside him that he and Stan Lee would surely cross paths again in the future.. And little does Doflamingo know is that this feelings is very right.

After putting Stan Lee aside, Doflamingo turned to look at a distance and seeing a familiar place, Doflamingo can't help but remember what happened to him 5 years ago.

"It's been 5 years since I was declared dead, I should check the orphanage first." After setting a goal in his mind, Doflamingo walked towards the direction that leads to the orphanage.

After walking around for an hour, he finally arrived in the orphanage, however contrary to Doflamingo's expectations, the previously lively orphanage is now replaced by a gloomy and abandoned orphanage.

"What happened here while I was gone?" Doflamingo had a bad feeling when he saw this and so he rushed inside.

However, he was stopped in his tracks when he saw that the gate to the orphanage was chained.

"It's really abandoned." Doflamingo muttered as he can't imagine what would happen to the children that used to live here.

"Could it be that they were taken away by Hydra?" Doflamingo suddenly had a realization as he finally walked away from the orphanage.

"I still have to investigate about this. But first, I have to visit Matilda, I just hope that she still lives there." Doflamingo then went outside of the orphanage's property and walked back to the city, he just hoped that Matilda didn't forgot about him or else he has to start all over again and this time, it would be much harder as Matilda is surely mature now and won't be easily swayed by him.

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