Chapter 176

An undisclosed location, North Blue

A high-profile meeting was underway between various underground forces, mafia syndicates, and criminal organizations from North Blue—or at least what was left of these once-mighty factions. The room was thick with tension, and fear was palpable among the attendees.

These men, once monsters feared by the world, were now hiding, running for their lives since the man known as the Heavenly Demon had returned to North Blue. Doflamingo was hunting down his enemies with relentless fury. He had already taken down two of the six underworld emperors.

"He's a madman! A fucking madman!" A man in a black suit ranted, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. "All I did back then was purchase the assets he left behind. I didn't even have any connection with the events! But that demon killed them all—killed every last one from my family." His face contorted in agony as he recounted the horror.

When he returned home from a business trip, he found his entire estate in ruins. All his men and family were slaughtered, and the estate was burned to the ground. He had narrowly escaped the massacre; his absence was the only thing that saved him from the same grisly fate.

"We need to stop him!" Another voice chimed in, this one belonging to a burly man seated at the head of the table. He was one of the underworld emperors, currently controlling the smuggling ring. "Doflamingo is dead set on hunting everyone down.

He's out for vengeance, and he won't stop until he kills us all. Even the five families of the West have retreated completely from North Blue to defend themselves on their home turf." The burly man's voice was steady, but the fear in his eyes betrayed him.

Since the massacre on the wedding night, many parties related to the Donquixote family's downfall have tried to retaliate against the demon, but nothing seems to work. Doflamingo's wrath was unparalleled; his power was too great.

"He won't stop," a third voice interjected, softer but no less intense. It belonged to a woman, her face shadowed by the dim light. "Doflamingo won't stop until he's purged North Blue of every last one of us. We need to band together, pool our resources. It's the only way we stand a chance."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. The underworld emperors and their allies knew the truth in her words. Alone, they were vulnerable, but together, they might stand a chance.

"Do we have any intelligence on his movements?" someone asked.

A man seated in the corner, dressed in a sharp suit and sporting a scar across his cheek with an eye missing and most of his body scorched , leaned forward. "We've had our eyes on him, but what's the use? I sent all thousand of my men to surround and kill him, but the bastard just laughed and started killing us for sport; even his subordinates just stood by and watched as Doflamingo alone was enough to slaughter my men, who were equipped with sea stone bullets, and I even had three devil fruit users amongst my men; I threw myself into the sea so I could survive."

Frustration and fear mingled in the air, a potent cocktail that made even the most hardened criminals uneasy.

"We need to draw him out," the burly man said, his voice cutting through the chatter. "We need a plan that forces him into the open, where we can hit him with everything we've got."

The woman leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "We could use bait. Something he can't resist. But what would that be?"

"Perhaps," she said, her voice steady. "Or maybe we can find someone powerful enough to challenge Doflamingo. Someone who hates him as much as we do."

"Who?" the scarred man asked, a flicker of hope in his eyes.

"There's always someone," she replied. "We just have to find them. But first, we need to get out of here. Staying in one place makes us easy targets."

"We need to find someone he cares about," the burly man said. "Someone who can be the bait."

A silence fell over the room as they pondered the question. What could tempt the Heavenly Demon enough to draw him into a trap?

"His brother, I heard that he has a brother who he loves," another man smoking a cigar said finally. "Doflamingo is too strong for us to take on. So if we can exploit that and use his own brother against him, as long as we capture Doflamingo's brother, we might have a chance."

Contrary to the man's expectations, the room plunged into a deathly silence. Many who were aware of the matter and had connections with the New World turned to face the fool who had suggested the idea.

Doflamingo was already something they couldn't handle, and they were running for their lives. The thought of going after his brother was simply suicidal. Realizing he had made a fool of himself, the man awkwardly sank back into his seat, puffing nervously on his cigar.

"How about we place a new bounty on him in the underworld?" another suggested, breaking the tense silence.

"No," a seasoned smuggler countered, shaking his head. "I don't think anyone would even dare go after his head. Don't you know what he did to those bounty hunters who tried? Even simply thinking about it sends chills down my spine. I just hope I don't die like that. Now I regret ever involving myself with that matter back then," he sighed, frustration evident in his voice.

"It's all the World Government's fault!" A burly man roared, slamming his fist on the table. "If they had just disposed of him when they captured the bastard back then , we wouldn't be hiding like rats now!"

"Bang!" A gunshot echoed inside the dimly lit room, cutting off the man's rant mid-sentence. He slumped forward, blood trickling from a bullet hole in his head.

A hushed silence fell as everyone turned their heads in the direction of the gunshot. From within the shadows, three figures stepped out, adorned in white suits and wearing different styles of masks. The room's atmosphere shifted from fear to dread as the infamous World Government agents revealed themselves.

"CP0," someone whispered, barely audible.

The lead agent, wearing a mask with intricate designs, stepped forward. "One should think three times before opening their mouth and openly insulting the World Government! Now that's an offense punishable by death," he said, his voice cold and emotionless. "Your attempts to conspire against Doflamingo are futile. He is not something people like you can handle alone."

The realization of who these agents were sent a shiver down the spines of everyone present. CP0, the elite and secretive unit of the World Government, had a reputation for ruthlessness and efficiency.

"You think placing a bounty will help you bring down a pirate who has been clashing in the New World supremacy?" The second agent mocked, their voice muffled by the mask. "Doflamingo's reach extends far beyond what you can comprehend. He is a resourceful man, and we suspect, he already knows about your little get together."

A murmur of fear and confusion rippled through the room. The attendees, once proud and powerful, now found themselves reduced to cowering criminals, cornered by a force far greater than any they had ever faced.

"What is the World Government's Cipher Pol doing here?" The woman questioned, her voice a mixture of curiosity and defiance. The CP0 leader turned his gaze to her, his expression unreadable behind the intricately designed mask. Not many knew about the existence of the Aigis Division, and after a brief silence, he spoke.

"We are here with a proposal. As you stand now, Doflamingo will sooner or later hunt you down like dogs, one by one. Your fates are sealed unless you find a way to bring down Doflamingo," the CP0 agent declared, his eyes sweeping across everyone present at the table.

"Why are you helping us now? The world government left us to our fate. So why now? What are you guys planning, and even then, how do you propose we take down that monster? I am sure you are aware that he has a bounty of over 1.5 billion belly. That kind of powerful man should not be in the four blues," the underworld emperor commented.

Although displeased with the World Government's actions, he couldn't ignore the possibility that this might be their last saving straw.

"We have our own agendas, which you don't need to worry about. If you don't want to be part of the plan, you can leave anytime," the CP0 leader remarked with a smirk. Everyone in the room knew that anyone who tried to leave would meet the same fate as the dead man slumped on the table.

"Good! Now that we have all come to an agreement, I must say that luring out Doflamingo is the only way to confront him. As for the current Donquixote family, there is one thing that might lure Doflamingo into a trap," the CP0 leader said.

He pulled out a small chest, placing it on the table before opening it. Inside lay a devil fruit, its swirling patterns and vibrant colors unmistakable. With their limited knowledge, the attendees couldn't discern what kind of devil fruit it was, but they waited for the CP0 agent to explain.

"This is a mythical Zoan devil fruit. I am sure the Donquixote family would be interested if such a fruit were to be auctioned," he chuckled. Since the massacre in Level 6 of Impel Down, hundreds of devil fruits have returned to circulation in the seas, and many are popping up throughout the world.

Greed was evident on many faces around the table when the CP0 leader revealed that it was a mythical Zoan fruit. The allure of such a rare and powerful treasure was almost palpable, but no one dared to reach for it. They all knew too well the fate of anyone who tried to take something that belonged to the World Government. The air in the room was thick with tension, a potent mix of avarice and fear.

The dimly lit room, filled with the faint scent of cigar smoke and the quiet hum of hushed whispers, felt almost suffocating. The soft, flickering light from the chandelier cast eerie shadows on the walls, making the masked faces of the CP0 agents seem even more menacing. The sight of the fruit, with its swirling, almost hypnotic patterns, only intensified the atmosphere.

A bead of sweat trickled down the temple of one of the underworld figures, a portly man known for his ruthless dealings in the black market. His eyes were fixated on the fruit, and for a moment, he looked like he might reach out and grab it. But then his gaze flickered to the CP0 agents, their presence a stark reminder of the power and danger they represented. He quickly averted his eyes, the desire for self-preservation overpowering his greed.

The CP0 leader, sensing the room's hesitation, allowed a thin smile to crease his lips behind the mask. "Good. You understand the stakes," he said, his voice smooth and authoritative. "This fruit is not for you to take. It is a tool, a means to an end. Use it wisely, and it may just save your lives."

The World Government was aware that the Donquixote brothers were actively hunting for devil fruits. Confirmed sources indicated that within the short time they had resurfaced, they had acquired nearly half a dozen devil fruits, with potentially more obtained in secret. In such a time, if a mythical zoan fruit, one of the rarest devil fruit types, were to be auctioned in North Blue, Doflamingo would undoubtedly take the bait.

"No! It wouldn't work. Doflamingo is too smart to fall for it. None of our powers can auction the fruit, as he will immediately know it's a trap. Even the World Government auctioning it would be too high profile," the woman countered, analyzing the feasibility of the plan.

The CP0 agent chuckled. "Of course, we have considered this issue. That is why we suggest you reach out to Germa 66 to conduct this auction. In the meantime, you can also pool your resources and hire Germa to take down Doflamingo once and for all," he commented.

The CP0 leader couldn't help but smirk. For them, it wasn't a loss if either force perished. These desperate men and women, clinging to their fading power, would pool their resources to hire Germa. They already had intel that Germa was looking for massive funding, and Judge was someone they needed to deal with, especially because of his involvement with MADS. As for the devil fruit, if things went south, they would simply take it away.

The room fell silent as the criminals considered the proposal. The idea of involving Germa 66, a mercenary force known for its advanced technology and ruthless efficiency, was both tempting and terrifying. They were notorious for their combat prowess and scientific advancements, but hiring them would come at a steep cost.

A woman, her sharp features partially obscured by a dark veil, leaned forward. "How do we know this plan will work? Doflamingo is not a fool. He will see through any obvious trap."

The CP0 agent nodded, acknowledging her concern. "Indeed, Doflamingo is cunning. But he is also ambitious and greedy. The lure of a mythical Zoan fruit is too great for him to ignore. Especially given the recent surge in devil fruit circulation. He will come, and when he does, you guys can get rid of him once and for all."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. The suggestion of involving Germa 66, with their formidable technology and mercenary prowess, lent a new layer of credibility to the plan. The criminals present, though driven by their own interests, recognized the necessity of a united front against such a powerful foe.

"But why would Germa 66 help us?" Another man asked, his voice laced with skepticism. "They are mercenaries, not our allies. What's in it for them?"

The CP0 leader's eyes gleamed with a knowing look. "Germa 66 is in need of funding. Their recent endeavors have stretched their resources thin. Offering them a substantial sum in exchange for their services will ensure their cooperation. And make no mistake; their involvement will tip the scales in your favor."

The room fell silent as everyone considered the proposal. The stakes were high, but so was the potential reward. The thought of finally being free from Doflamingo's relentless pursuit was too enticing to dismiss.

"Fine," the burly underworld emperor finally said, his voice carrying a weight of reluctant determination. "We'll pool our resources and contact Germa 66. But if this plan fails, the world government will have more than just Doflamingo to worry about."

"We have no other choice," the woman finally said, breaking the silence. "If we want to survive, we need to take this risk. We need to reach out to Germa 66 and lure Doflamingo into the open."

"In that case, we will help you coordinate with Germa 66 and ensure everything goes according to plan," the CP0 leader assured them with a sinister chuckle. "Remember, this is your best chance to bring down Doflamingo. Do not waste it."

As the meeting adjourned, the criminals dispersed, each with a sense of grim determination. They knew the risks involved, but the prospect of freedom from Doflamingo's relentless pursuit was worth the gamble. The CP0 agents watched them leave, satisfied that their plan was set in motion.

In the shadows, the CP0 leader communicated with his superiors, confident that the operation would bring about a significant shift in power. They had set the pieces on the board, and now, it was only a matter of time before the game began.

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Currently updated until Chapter 230.

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