Dominance

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Brontes stared down at Doflamingo with a cold expression: "The Five Elders have a message for you. This is your final warning. If you dare to repeat these actions, you'll lose your head."

Doflamingo chuckled, unfazed: "Fufufu! Those old timers are still alive, aren't they? Makes sense. They'd probably outlast us all." He said, grinning despite the gravity of the situation of his body.

"The World Government has consented to your wish to become a Shichibukai, so your life is spared. There's a meeting in seven days at Mariejois. You can show up at Marineford or the G-1 Base; it won't matter. You won't face arrest. All the Shichibukai will convene in Mariejois. You're familiar with the place, so I'll spare you the details." Brontes said.

"I see. But you're here following the World Nobles' commands, right?" Doflamingo asked, blood dripping from his mouth, hinting at a recent skirmish.

"In a manner of speaking. The World Government doesn't take kindly to threats, so they sent me to ensure you learned your lesson for the disrespect and threats you've shown them." Brontes replied, his smile cold. He signaled to a subordinate to snap a picture with a Den Den Mushi: "Take a look, I'll capture this moment. It'll serve as proof that I've flawlessly completed my mission."

"Alright, I'll head to Mariejois in a week. It's been a long time since I've been there. And to think I'll no longer be a target for the Marines, that's a relief." Doflamingo mused, lying on the ground. He saw this as an opportunity to shed his fugitive status and adopt a new guise to further his ambitions.

"While there should be no conditions on your freedom, I'm responsible for the Shichibukai, and I want to make one thing clear: don't cross my bottom line." Brontes stated in cold voice.

"Are you threatening me?" Doflamingo asked, still smiling.

"If you think so, then it is. Unless you believe you can escape if I were to come after you." Brontes responded, his own smile mirroring Doflamingo's.

"That would be quite difficult. Escaping from you? I doubt anyone but the Four Emperors could manage that." Doflamingo shook his head and said.

He was well aware of Brontes's formidable reputation and knew that challenging him would be a fool's dream.

This disparity in power left Doflamingo feeling helpless, with no choice but to comply with Brontes's directive.

All he could do was lie there, envisioning a future where he was no longer hunted by the Marines.

"Just so long as you understand." Brontes said, turning to walk towards the sea.

Anchored at the shore was a nondescript pirate ship, seemingly unimpressive at first glance. Its captain was not wanted; it appeared to be just another fledgling pirate crew.

But unbeknownst to many, this unassuming ship was transporting the World Nobles' "Heavenly Tribute." And the person overseeing this critical operation was none other than a formidable agent of the World Government's secret intelligence service, CP0.

Brontes's team had already boarded the ship and released the captured agents. As Brontes arrived at the deck, he saw the agents of the World Government, now free, glaring at the members of the Donquixote family who were trailing behind him. Their looks were filled with anger and resentment.

"Why didn't you kill them?" Demanded the lead CP0 agent, his voice laced with fury.

"Are you giving me orders?" Brontes turned to face the man, his voice was icy and sharp.

"I..." The CP0 agent started to reply but stopped short as he felt an overwhelming sense of danger emanating from Brontes.

A chill ran down his spine, and he realized that any further challenge might cost him his life.

"Remember this." Brontes said, his face was expressionless and stern: "I am the highest authority present. While the CP0 normally answers directly to the Five Elders and not to me, in this situation, I am in command. Your lives are in my hands. I won't kill you for your mistake this time. But you'd better hope that the World Nobles and the Five Elders are as forgiving."

The CP0 agent was sweating profusely, understanding the gravity of Brontes's words. Not being punished by Brontes didn't mean the World Nobles or the World Government would overlook their failure.

"Get to work. Count the Heavenly Tribute thoroughly. If even a single Berry is missing, you'll all face severe consequences." Brontes ordered, his tone left no room for argument.

His warning was meant for everyone present, including Doflamingo. Any discrepancy in the Heavenly Tribute would spell disaster for all involved, potentially costing them their lives.

The marine soldiers wasted no time. They hurried into the cabin to tally the Heavenly Tribute.

To the World Nobles, the Tribute was of utmost importance. The history of the World Government was marked by the destruction of countries that failed to deliver the required Tribute.

Once numbering of allied nations was over two hundred, now only a little over one hundred seventy countries remained, many having been obliterated for their inability to pay.

With the rise in piracy, the Marines had become a massive drain on resources. No Marine fought purely for justice; they had families to support and needed financial backing.

Without it, risking their lives for the World Government would be out of the question.

Even high-ranking Marines, like Borsalino, were concerned with their pay and time off.

If the World Government failed to meet its financial obligations, the Marines would likely be the first to rebel.

The collection of the Heavenly Tribute was a serious affair. Brontes knew he had to handle it with the utmost care and certainly didn't want to cause any unnecessary problems.

Brontes stood firmly on the ship's deck, and there was a tense silence as everyone aboard held their breath.

They all waited for the counting of the tribute to finish, knowing that their destinies were in Brontes's hands. He had the power to decide their end if he chose to.

After what felt like an eternity, the marine soldiers Brontes had assigned to tally the Heavenly Tribute returned and reported to him: "Sir, we've finished counting. Everything is accounted for; not a single item is missing."

"Phew!"

At this news, a collective sigh of relief swept through the ship, even Doflamingo, who had been nervously waiting, let out his held breath.

Doflamingo's biggest worry was the possibility of a shortfall. If the tribute was short, he faced a dire choice: either find a way to provide the missing portion of the Heavenly Tribute or sacrifice his own life.

"Set sail, we're heading back to Mariejois." Brontes commanded the crew.

As the transport ship began its journey back, Brontes turned to Doflamingo with a casual smile and said: "I'll see you in seven days."

...

Seven days later, in Mariejois, Sengoku had made the trip from Marineford.

He had come early to have a discussion with Brontes about the Seven Shichibukai. While Brontes was responsible for overseeing the Shichibukai, Sengoku, as the Fleet-Admiral, also had duties to attend to.

The issues concerning the Shichibukai had to be reported to the Marine-Admirals.

"The final two candidates for the Seven Warlords are 'Tyrant' Bartholomew Kuma and Donquixote Doflamingo." Sengoku said, reviewing the documents Brontes had given him.

"That's right, Kuma comes highly recommended after thorough evaluation, and there's not much to say about Doflamingo. His case is complex, and you're already familiar with the details." Brontes confirmed with a nod.

"I'm aware. They should have arrived by now." Sengoku remarked.

"Not necessarily. This meeting is just to make the announcement. Those who want to attend will show up; if they don't, it's not a big deal. We shouldn't have high expectations of them." Brontes responded with a sigh.

"Once they're appointed as Shichibukai, they become legal pirates; we should try to use them effectively." Sengoku suggested, shaking his head.

"No, a pirate is a pirate, no matter how legal or compliant they appear to be. It's enough if they can just keep themselves in check. And to think that pirates will significantly help the world is wishful thinking, Sengoku-san." Brontes said calmly.

Sengoku took a seat and conceded: "You're right, it's nearly impossible to expect much from pirates. Let's leave it at that."

"They'll be here soon. I've made sure that Marineford and G-1 Base are ready. If they're coming, they should arrive shortly." Brontes said with a nod of confirmation.