84 Doflamingo
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Brontes offered an apologetic smile as he addressed the group: "I'm sorry for summoning you all like this. I'm just not used to being without familiar faces around me. While you're with me, we might see fewer battles, but after three years, I promise to send you all back to Marineford."
"Yes, sir!"
The marine soldiers couldn't help but respond with enthusiastic cheers.
"Alright, let's get moving. We have a mission, and I feel a lot better with you all by my side." Brontes said gently, offering a reassuring pat on the shoulder to each of his men as they prepared to depart from Mariejois. Their mission was clear: set a course for the North Blue!
...
Meanwhile, Brontes was working hard to complete the Seven Shichibukai Project mission.
The position was met with mixed feelings; some looked down on it, while others were desperate to claim it. Kuma was among those interested, and there was another pirate in the North Sea who was just as eager—Doflamingo.
Doflamingo's name was well-known in the North Blue, and not for good reasons. His infamy came not only from the bounty on his head but also from his secret identity as the Underworld Broker, known as Joker.
Despite his desire for a spot among the Seven Shichibukai, Doflamingo found himself without a clear path to achieve it.
However, he had learned through his connections that there was a list for the Shichibukai, and there weren't many openings left. This made Doflamingo restless, prompting him to devise a plan involving the Heavenly Tribute.
After the World Conference, nations would collect the Heavenly Tribute and deliver it to the World Government.
Typically, the Heavenly Tribute Gold would reach Mariejois within three months following the conference.
But this year, an unexpected event occurred. The Heavenly Tribute from the North Blue was delayed, having been intercepted by Doflamingo in the North Blue waters.
Doflamingo's plan was straightforward: he intended to use the Heavenly Tribute, along with news of a secret weapon in Mariejois, to secure a position among the Seven Shichibukai.
It was a blatant threat. Normally, the World Government wouldn't pay much attention to such antics, and even the Heavenly Tribute wasn't considered a significant concern.
However, if word got out about the secret weapon in Mariejois, the consequences could be unpredictable, and the reaction from pirates worldwide could be severe. The World Government couldn't risk such information becoming public.
The Marines were instructed not to get involved and to leave the issue in the hands of the World Government.
The responsibility fell to Brontes, and upon his return, the World Government wasted no time. They ordered him to head to the North Blue immediately to manage the situation.
His mission was to ensure Doflamingo remained silent and to oversee the safe transport of the Heavenly Tribute back to its intended destination.
Doflamingo was feeling trapped and despondent. After seizing the Heavenly Tribute, he was acutely aware that he had angered the World Government, especially since he had threatened them.
As a former World Noble of the Donquixote family, Doflamingo had some knowledge of how the Heavenly Tribute was transported, unlike the Marines, who were kept in the dark about such procedures.
The Marines were not in charge of the transport; it was the special military forces of the World Government, the direct subordinates of the World Nobles, who handled it. The Marines were not authorized to know the details of these operations.
There had been a past incident where corrupt Marines conspired with pirates to steal the Heavenly Tribute.
After that betrayal, the World Nobles refused to let the Marines be involved in transporting the Tribute again, choosing instead to rely on their own forces.
While others might not be aware, Brontes was fully cognizant of Doflamingo's true identity.
Doflamingo was originally a member of the World Noble Donquixote family, though he was no longer a World Noble.
...
At this moment, Doflamingo was on an island in the North Blue, in possession of both the ship that carried the Heavenly Tribute and its crew. He was waiting for the World Government's negotiators to make contact.
"They should be arriving any moment now." Doflamingo calculated, expecting the World Government's envoy to show up soon.
He was desperate for the Shichibukai title, which would not only ease his underworld dealings but also play a crucial role in his grander plans.
Doflamingo was far more ambitious and malevolent than other pirates. His list of atrocities was long and dark, including the murder of his own father and brother, all to reclaim his place in Mariejois and continue his illicit activities. He was the epitome of evil.
"Even though I've directly challenged the World Government, I'll secure my seat as a Shichibukai." Doflamingo mused with a an evil grin.
Suddenly, a man, who looked as untrustworthy as a weasel, rushed in with news: "Young master! The Marines have been spotted nearby. They're heading this way."
"Have they now? Fufufu, once I'm a Shichibukai, I can move freely into the New World. Kaido must be growing impatient." Doflamingo laughed.
The Shichibukai title came with many benefits, such as immunity from Marine pursuit, which was invaluable to Doflamingo. It would provide him with a veneer of legitimacy to cover his illicit activities.
"Doffy, you must be cautious. The person they've sent is no ordinary Marine." Trebol warned, his voice tinged with anxiety.
"Who is it? Could it be Vice-Admiral Tsuru?" Doflamingo asked.
"It's not her, it's him, he—"
"Woosh! Rumble!"
Before Trebol could finish his sentence, a whirlwind descended from the sky with such force that it seemed to shake the very air around them.
Doflamingo looked up, his eyes widening in shock as he saw a warship plummeting from the heavens.
"Fufufu, I didn't expect him to come personally. It seems becoming a Shichibukai won't be so easy after all." Doflamingo said, managing to smile despite the situation.
"Rumble!"
The sound of thunder roared, reverberating through the area. Doflamingo's frown deepened, but his sunglasses protected his eyes from the blinding flashes of lightning. He knew exactly who had arrived...
"You've got some nerve, the outcast of the Donquixote family!" A voice boomed from within the storm.
A hand emerged from the swirling lightning, hurtling towards Doflamingo with the force of a punch.
"Damn!"
Doflamingo cursed under his breath, his hands moving with incredible speed to create a web-like barrier in an instant, attempting to block the incoming attack.
"Boom!" The sound was deafening as Brontes's punch collided with the web, and lightning crackled violently around them.
Doflamingo's expression turned grave as he saw his web struggling to hold back the punch.
"Clang!"
But in the next moment, the web shattered, and the hand grasped Doflamingo's chest with unyielding strength.
"Boom! ZliZli!"
The arm, connected to the wrist by strands of lightning, pulled Doflamingo down with such force that when he hit the ground, it shattered beneath him. He coughed up blood from the impact, a clear sign of the severity of the blow.
As quickly as it had appeared, the lightning hand vanished, and in the midst of the fading storm, Brontes's figure became visible.
"Young master!"
The other members of the Donquixote family, seeing their leader in peril, rushed over without a second thought and launched an attack on Brontes.
"Overestimating yourselves."
"ZliZli!"
Brontes sneered, and a burst of lightning erupted from his body.
"Bang!"
The ensuing blast was so powerful that the attackers didn't stand a chance; they were struck down before they could even reach him.
The ground was soon littered with charred bodies, and only a few, like Pica, remained conscious, watching in terror as Brontes approached.
"I know you're not dead, Doflamingo. Stand up! We have something to discuss." Brontes called out, his gaze fixed on Doflamingo, who lay some distance away.
"Cough! Cough!"
Coughing violently, Doflamingo managed to sit up, blood spilling from his mouth. His face betrayed his inner panic despite his attempt to laugh it off.
"Fufufu! I never would have guessed that Fleet-Admiral Ragnarok would come in person." Doflamingo said, his laughter tinged with malice.
