I am... Doflamingo? (2)

"S-Saint Doflamingo."

Within a glorious mansion that spoke nothing but luxuriousness, one blonde child with flamingo-like sunglasses was found sitting. With his cheek leaned into his hand, he seemed to be contemplating of what move he should make—regarding the game of chess in front of him.

Beyond the chess board, one man was on his knees. This man, judging by his attire, was a marine officer. He, while sweating profusely, seemed to be confused, of why he was called.

"I..."

"Have I given you the permission to speak?"

Doflamingo raised his hand, which effectively shut the mouth of the marine officer.

The marine officer couldn't help but pale up.

There was just something different about this Celestial Dragon, Donquixote Doflamingo. Be it the Saint Roswald or Saint Garling, the Celestial Dragons always held a thought that they are the chosen ones, that humans below them are nothing but worthless bugs that they can use as they see fit.

And yet, Donquixote Doflamingo. The cold glimpse beyond those sunglasses of his, along with the poker face that he never lost no matter what situation he was within. No one knew what he was thinking inside.

A boy—no, a man full of mystery. That's what scared the marine officer the most, for he didn't know just what Doflamingo was going to demand from him.

In the end, Doflamingo moved a black pawn on the chess board. Then, he snapped his fingers.

"Y-Yes, Saint Doflamingo!"

A maid hurriedly ran in and lowered her head in front of Doflamingo.

"Bring me a Den Den Mushi."

Within seconds, a Den Den Mushi as Doflamingo ordered was brought up on a separate table.

Casually dialing in a number, Doflamingo made a call.

<<...Yes, Saint Doflamingo. This is Fleet Admiral Kong speaking from Marineford—>>

"Fleet Admiral Kong,"

Doflamingo, not even bothering to wait for Kong's statement, growled.

"Do you wish to die?"

That's when the marine officer, still kneeling, realized that Doflamingo was in a foul mood.

<<...Sorry, I beg your pardon—>>

"Three Celestial Dragons foolishly decided to descend and reveal their necks to the mongrels who live based on nothing but an instinct. They may have decided to abandon their identity as one of us, but such decisions aren't for them to make."

Doflamingo's eyes peered onto the kneeling marine officer.

"Do you not understand, Fleet Admiral? A harm done onto Donquixote Homing and his family, regardless of what choices they may have made, is a direct challenge to the Celestial blood.

I've called you, marines, to discuss about this important matter, and yet... a lowly individual at the rank of Commodore all whom you bother to send?"

<<...! That wasn't our intention, Saint Doflamingo! We simply thought—>>

"I won't speak any further, Kong. If you wish to preserve your life,"

Within Doflamingo's head flashed in the memory of his past life—one where Homing's wife and his mother died.

'...No. There is no way I'd let that happen.'

"Not a single harm will be made to them. Is it clear?"

Little did Doflamingo knew, that his servants, as well as Commodore around him, were suffocating from his pressure.

The Commodore couldn't help but think,

'C-Conqueror's Haki?!'

<<...Yes, thank you for your generosity, Saint Doflamingo. We will make sure that order is executed without any mistake.>>

Without speaking any further, Doflamingo ended the call.

Then, looking at the Commodore who didn't dare to meet Doflamingo in the eye, Doflamingo made a simple order,

"Leave."

No word came out of Commodore's lips. He simply bowed before standing up, turning around, and leaving the room with hurrying steps.

"..."

As the maid came over to take away the Den Den Mushi, Doflamingo, stared at the chess board.

There were many white pieces left on the board. In contrast, the black pieces only had... a king and pawn left on the board.

'In the end... Celestial Dragons too are nothing but pawns at Five Elders and Nerona Imu's disposal.'

Though he didn't get to learn the full truth yet, Doflamingo was becoming more and more certain of the purpose of Celestial Dragons' existences.

'They've hid the truth. 20 kingdoms of the past defeated the Ancient Kingdom, and yet... there sits one person in throne surrounded by 20 embedded swords.'

Placing his hands on his back, Doflamingo hid their trembling.

'Are they even from this planet?'

Donquixote Doflamingo, a boy at the age of 8. It has been a month since his family departed to the world below.

Currently, he was acting—in desperate hopes of evading a miserable future.

"Heyy, Doffy~!"

Then entered his uncle, Saint Donquixote Mjosgard.

"Let's go buy some slaves~!"

Taking in a deep breath, Doflamingo forced a grin on his face as he stood up.

"Lead the way, uncle."