97 Dressrosa
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Brontes entered right into the room, ignoring the usual formalities.
The Five Elders didn't even try to scold him for it—they were used to his ways by now. Plus, they figured he'd show up sooner or later after hearing the latest news from the New World.
"Why didn't you guys put a stop to this nonsense?" Brontes blurted out as soon as he walked in.
"Brontes, we all agreed on this. There's information out there that could really hurt us if it gets out. It's not just us at stake here, but the Marine too." One of the Elders explained.
"The Secret Ancient Weapon, right?" Brontes said, taking a moment to collect himself.
"Exactly. You know the situation. If Doflamingo spills what he knows, we're all in deep trouble. And frankly, a small kingdom like Dressrosa doesn't weigh much in our decisions." The Elders laid it out plainly.
"But isn't Dressrosa part of the World Government?" Brontes pointed out.
"That's precisely why we need you to go there. Not necessarily to deal with this mess, but to make a statement and warn Doflamingo about spreading this information to anyone." The bald Elder chimed in, his sword resting by his side.
"Just a warning? That's absurd!" Brontes scoffed, his smile dripping with disdain.
"As long as the balance is maintained, that's our main concern." One of the Elders replied, his voice was cold and detached.
"You're playing with fire!" Brontes snapped, then spun on his heel and stormed out.
The Five Elders watched him leave, silent for a moment. Then one spoke up: "He's clearly furious and annoyed with us, but we still can control him some degree, at least he won't do anything rash."
"Don't worry. He understands the bigger picture. He's just a bit moody, that's all."
Let him be. What about the Saint Rosward and other families? Losing two CP0 agents last time, they were very angry. Brontes was brought to Mariejois because of our and some World Nobles orders, which made them very unhappy." Said the elder holding a sword.
"Let's not worry about them for now. Having Brontes handle them might actually keep them in line and prevent them from stirring up more trouble. The real headache is Fish-Man Island. It's become trickier to manage than we thought, especially with it being under Whitebeard's so-called 'protection'." The Elder in the black hat added in a serious voice.
...
Brontes stood at the front of the Maxim Ark, his face etched with anger.
He understood that now wasn't the right moment to challenge the World Government. Yet, the situation had escalated so quickly, and with the World Conference just a year away, tensions were high.
Despite appearances of stability, the balance of power among the world's forces was shifting.
The Seven Shichibukai system, in which pirates are granted amnesty in exchange for serving the government, had been effective in maintaining this balance.
For two years, these Shichibukai had been fulfilling their roles without crossing the line, focusing their attacks solely on other pirates.
However, Doflamingo's sudden and aggressive takeover of Dressrosa was a step too far for Brontes.
Dressrosa wasn't just any kingdom; it was one of the founding members of the World Government.
To see it fall prey to Doflamingo's ambitions, to watch as he aimed to overthrow the Riku Family and crown himself king, was unacceptable to Brontes.
King Riku Doldo III had stood by Brontes during a critical moment at the last World Conference, voicing his support when the Five Elders decided to transfer Brontes away from the Marines.
Despite the Elders' insistence on accepting the situation for "future developments," Brontes was determined to personally intervene and protect King Riku and his family from harm.
...
"Dang! Dang!
As Brontes arrived in Dressrosa, the sound of construction hammered in the background, a stark reminder of Doflamingo's swift consolidation of power.
Those who resisted Doflamingo's rule were being transformed into toys through Hobby-Hobby Fruit, silencing any opposition and securing his control over the country.
Doflamingo was in the midst of transforming Dressrosa into his stronghold, necessitating stealth despite his Shichibukai status providing him with a measure of protection.
But even this status couldn't shield him from the World Government's punishment should his secret dealings with Kaido come to light.
The underground harbor was a project of utmost importance to Doflamingo. With the abundance of forced labor at his disposal, he was confident in his ability to turn Dressrosa into his own paradise quickly.
Trebol, one of Doflamingo's top family members, expressed concern about the potential Marine intervention: "Young master, won't the Marines come after us? Why not just take over another island? There are plenty in the New World."
Doflamingo dismissed the idea with the confidence of someone who had found the perfect piece of land: "Why bother with some deserted island? Dressrosa is perfect as it is. It's rare to find another gem like this in the New World."
"Are you sure the World Government will be okay with this?" Trebol couldn't help but voice his concern, a noticeable quiver betraying his fear.
"Fufufu! Of course, they aren't okay with it. However, worry not about the World Government. I've sorted it all out. Even the Five Elders have given their nod to my scheme. Plus, being a noble family under the World Government, it's only fitting for the Donquixote Family to rule over our own kingdom." Doflamingo chuckled, brushing off the concern with sneer.
"That's a relief to hear! Though, I wonder if the Marines will raise any objections." Trebol mused, his spirits lifted, smiling broadly.
"Let the Marines think what they will. They can't touch us. If any issue arises, the Five Elders will have our backs. They've already approved our plans, after all." Doflamingo laughed, exuding confidence.
Suddenly, an urgent, panicked voice cut through the air: "Young master, we're in deep trouble!"
It was Diamante, sprinting towards them, his clothes drenched in sweat.
"Why the panic?" Doflamingo's demeanor shifted to seriousness instantly.
"The Marines have arrived!" Diamante blurted out, breathless.
"Who's leading them?" Doflamingo pressed, a sinking feeling in his gut, as if he already dreaded the answer.
"Fleet-Admiral Ragnarok!"
Diamante managed to say, fear evident in his voice, a name that sent a shiver down Doflamingo's spine.
...
At the newly erected Plateau of Kings, Brontes stood, imposing, with Doflamingo and his crew arrayed before him.
"Damn it! Why is he here? Didn't the Five Elders give their word?" Doflamingo cursed under his breath, his mind was racing.
His gaze locked on Brontes, sweat beaded on Doflamingo's forehead.
He'd faced off against top Marines before, even Sengoku, without batting an eye. But confronting Brontes stirred a deep, visceral fear within him, a testament to the gravity of the threat now looming over them.
Doflamingo knew all too well the nature of the World Nobles: ruthless and unyielding. Yet, he'd heard tales of their demeanor changing dramatically upon Brontes's arrival in Mariejois.
These fierce individuals had become subdued, no longer seeking conflict, a clear sign of Brontes's unparalleled influence, even surpassing that of the Five Elders among the World Nobles.
As Brontes's gaze, filled with unmistakable anger, locked onto Doflamingo, the air seemed to thicken.
"Who gave you the audacity to defy our agreement?" He asked, his cold voice cutting through the tension.
Sweat poured down Doflamingo's face, and his crew was in a similar state, their anxiety palpable.
The man before them had made an impact so profound, they were certain it would haunt them forever.
Despite their formidable reputation and Doflamingo's status as one of the Seven Shichibukai, Brontes's presence overwhelmed them, a suffocating fear gripping their hearts, making it hard to even breathe.
Yet, amidst the overwhelming pressure, Doflamingo let out a loud, defiant laugh. "Fufufu! I owe you no explanations. My actions are the outcome of discussions with the Five Elders. They have given their consent."
Doflamingo said loudly, trying to mask his fear with bravado, facing Brontes with a forced confidence that belied the dread he felt.
