Chapter 133

In a situation where neither side wanted to completely fall out over this matter, Du Feld proposed a solution first.

Each side would put forward three people for three death matches!

If Doflamingo wins, the incident would be as if it never happened.

But if he loses, he must pay a one-time compensation of ten billion Berries!

Moreover, there's a clear cause for this situation, and everyone knows what it is.

Thus, Du Feld emphasized that the participants in the death matches must include the person responsible for his substantial losses.

Initially, Doflamingo did not agree, but after several rounds of negotiations, the final terms were set:

Each side would put forward three people for three death matches.

Among them, the Donquixote Family would have Abel participate in one of the matches, but Du Feld's side couldn't send anyone over the age of 16 to fight.

The other two death matches had no restrictions.

It's a best of three series, but all three matches must be completed.

If the Donquixote Family wins, the incident will be forgiven, and they will also loan Doflamingo a substantial amount of money at a reasonable interest rate.

If Du Feld wins, Doflamingo must gather ten billion Berries within a month to pay him.

The location would be on Exile Island, located in the first half of the Grand Line.

Usually, a permanent pointer is required to reach there, but these two bosses didn't take it seriously.

Doflamingo agreed to the terms, confident in his officers' strength and enticed by the promise of a large loan at low interest.

With this money, he could comfortably set up his plans in the Grand Line and even the New World, bypassing many troublesome checkpoints and sea routes.

This would allow the Donquixote Family's fame to grow beyond the North Blue and enter a phase of rapid development.

As for whether the loan shark king would go back on his word, the chances seemed slim.

He seemed to be rich enough to only care about money, having invested in various promising industries over the years, including the raw materials for nutritional fluids initially seized by Germa, and even rumored to have funded Vegapunk's research team.

Even after Vegapunk was taken by the World Government, it wasn't clear what kind of breakthroughs he left for the loan shark king.

So, Doflamingo believed he wouldn't jeopardize his long-established reputation for a 'small' amount of money.

Someone that short-sighted wouldn't have come this far.

Doflamingo explained everything in detail, not wanting to create a rift with his 'family'.

He also believed that Abel, for the sake of the family, would make the right choice.

And what did Abel think?

Honestly, he had no thoughts.

He felt a bit moved by Doflamingo's words over the Den-Den Mushi, but then he was promptly 'sold' by him.

Death matches are about risking one's life, where the survivor leaves.

Even though Doflamingo emphasized that his opponents would be under 16, Abel knew his own strength but was aware of the unpredictability of such fights.

He didn't believe he was the only prodigy on the sea.

However, he didn't show these feelings and calmly nodded, "Don't worry, Captain Dofla, this matter started because of me, and I will not back down."

"I'm glad you think that way. Once our family's power grows in the Grand Line, we'll have a better chance of finding the right Devil Fruit to cure you and Law's illness," Doflamingo mentioned, skillfully bringing up Law to manipulate emotions.

If it were someone else, they might have been overwhelmed with gratitude by now.

...

Because Doflamingo didn't want the Marines to track his movements, he didn't use his flashy Flamingo No. for departure. Instead, he chose a more low-key ship called the Little Yon, claiming he was off to negotiate a big deal and would return in three to five days.

If Tsuru knew he was leaving the North Blue for a while to meet the loan shark king, she'd probably contact Marine Headquarters to see if they could capture them all at once.

Days later, Doflamingo and his crew successfully arrived at Exile Island in the first half of the Grand Line, guided by their permanent pointer.

Besides the crew, the officers accompanying Doflamingo included Diamante, Gladius, Lao G, Senor Pink, and Abel.

With Trebol and Pica back home, they felt secure.

Of course, bringing more people was also a precaution against any tricks by the other side.

Abel had wanted to bring Baby-5 along, but the mission was too dangerous, and Doflamingo didn't agree, so he had to give up the idea.

Even without the boost from weapons, Abel felt confident with his sword Onimaru.

If his opponents were really limited to under 16, he felt his chances of winning were good, as long as he didn't encounter a monstrous prodigy like 'Big Mom' in her youth.

After all, his strength was growing rapidly every day.

Even he didn't know how strong he had become.

Perhaps this was a chance to test himself.

"Actually, you don't have to participate in this. The young master never forces anyone in such matters," Senor Pink approached Abel, offering him a cigar, then lighting one for himself.

Abel took it without hesitation, adeptly puffing away.

"There's no need. I can't always hide behind others. Besides, I caused this, so it wouldn't be right to let others risk their lives while I stay safely in the North Blue waiting for your return."

The two of them, leaning against the ship's railing, looked somewhat similar.

Both were dressed in black suits and sunglasses, epitomizing the style of 'suit thugs'.

With Abel's recent growth spurt, now standing over 1.6 meters tall with clear muscle definition, he didn't look so young anymore.

At first glance, they almost looked like uncle and nephew.

Of course, if Senor Pink was considered ruggedly handsome, then Abel was purely handsome from every angle.

But Abel wouldn't admit to any resemblance between them.

At most, their outfits were similar.

This was inevitable, as Abel's modern aesthetic couldn't adapt to the quirky pirate style, and he found the 'ordinary dress' more acceptable.

So, he just went with it.

After all, in the Donquixote Family, it was Doflamingo who led the trend of wearing suits.