As soon as Doflamingo returned to Dressrosa, he immediately summoned Trebol to his side.
"Has the news been spread?" Doflamingo asked.
"It has already been spread," Trebol nodded and said. "If nothing goes wrong, they should arrive in Dressrosa by tomorrow."
Of course, if Fire Fist Ace chose to hide away like a coward, their plan this time would be meaningless. However, he felt that Fire Fist Ace wasn't that kind of person, so the probability of him coming to Dressrosa was quite high.
"That's good."
Doflamingo showed a satisfied expression. As expected, this guy was very reliable when it came to handling matters. Next, it would depend on whether that fellow Fire Fist Ace would take the bait.
Then, Doflamingo noticed that Trebol's expression was a bit off, so he asked, "What's wrong?"
"Dof, is it really okay to lure Fire Fist Ace here at this time?" Trebol hesitated for a moment before saying, "Don't forget the relationship between Straw Hat Boy and Fire Fist Ace."
Although the Straw Hat Pirates were nothing to the Donquixote Family, Fire Fist Ace's pirate crew was different! The strength of those guys was truly formidable!
"I naturally know their relationship. It's precisely because of that that I'm doing this," Doflamingo said.
Seeing Trebol's confused look, Doflamingo explained, "Although I don't know what kind of agreement Straw Hat Boy and Law reached, in order to kill that brat, I must find a way to lure them to Dressrosa."
"And Fire Fist Ace is an excellent bait."
Hearing this, Trebol immediately understood Doflamingo's intention. Because Fire Fist Ace was Straw Hat Boy's brother, there was a very high probability that Straw Hat Boy would come here after hearing news of him participating in the battle.
It had to be said, this was indeed a brilliant strategy!
Thinking of this, Trebol nodded in agreement.
"I understand, Dof."
After speaking, Trebol paused for a moment and then continued, "Then how do you plan to handle Law?"
"Naturally, I'll do as that brat said and resign from the position of the Seven Warlords." A sinister smile appeared on Doflamingo's face as he said, "That way, he'll be willing to return Caesar to me~"
His plan was to use his status as a former Celestial Dragon to demand the World Government help him fake his resignation from the Seven Warlords! This would make that brat Law let down his guard, allowing him to get Caesar back.
As for why the World Government would still care about him, a former Celestial Dragon...
He was a man who held the secret of the Celestial Dragons' national treasure, so it was quite reasonable to make a few demands~
"That brat probably never dreamed you were once a Celestial Dragon, Dof," Trebol laughed.
"Fuffuffuffuffu~"
"I hope that brat Law likes the gift I've prepared for him," Doflamingo grinned. This time, he would make that brat realize how terrifying the price of provoking him was!
Fuffuffuffuffu~
Trebol laughed upon hearing this, but then a solemn expression appeared on his face as he said, "But Dof... will the Marines discover what we're doing in Dressrosa?"
According to their plan, Fire Fist Ace and several other powerful pirate crews would appear in Dressrosa. Coupled with the Young Master faking his resignation from the Seven Warlords title...
Under these circumstances, the Marines would inevitably send a Marine Admiral-level combatant here! Would something unexpected happen then? For example, the Marines discovering the truth about Dressrosa...
"Don't worry, they won't," Doflamingo sneered. "Because not many will walk out of here alive."
"As for the Marine Admiral..."
At this point, Doflamingo paused and then continued, "The World Government won't let him run his mouth."
As someone who had cooperated with the World Government for a long time, Doflamingo knew exactly what kind of existence the World Government was. Therefore, he wasn't particularly worried about his actions here being discovered.
Of course, the premise was that he wasn't defeated and Sugar didn't lose consciousness. Otherwise, even if he held some secrets, the World Government wouldn't let him off.
Thinking of this, Doflamingo said, "Trebol, stay close and protect Sugar during this time. Don't let anything happen to her."
Trebol, who was deep in thought, was startled for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, Dof, I understand."
As a high-ranking officer of the Donquixote Family, Trebol naturally knew Sugar's importance to their family. He would certainly do his best to guard her.
Doflamingo nodded and then said, "Once we capture Fire Fist Ace, it'll be time to trade with the World Government."
"This time, we must get enough benefits."
After all, such a good opportunity didn't come around every time, so they had to take as much as possible!
"But won't that provoke the World Government?" Trebol asked. "Don't forget that what we did at Punk Hazard has been exposed."
Once the Marines found out what they had done there, would the World Government use it as an excuse to cause trouble? That was a problem.
"The World Government won't bother me over such a small matter," Doflamingo shook his head and said. "After all, they've done their fair share of such things too."
"However... it is indeed a liability."
After speaking, Doflamingo paused, pondering the impact of the situation. After a moment, he said, "Let's see the World Government's sincerity first."
However, he felt the World Government wouldn't trouble him over this matter. After all, the bloodline of the Pirate King, Fire Fist Ace, was more important! So he believed the World Government wouldn't do anything unnecessary.
"I just wonder if the World Government will hold another public execution this time," Doflamingo muttered to himself. If they held a public execution this time, there would be no one left to go to Marine Headquarters to save that guy.
Thinking of this, a trace of mockery appeared in Doflamingo's eyes.
Then, Doflamingo looked at Trebol and asked, "By the way, what is Baby 5 doing?"
She had been screaming about coming back to kill him when she left. Why was she so quiet now?
"She's outside," Trebol said, glancing toward the window. "She probably realizes how big the impact of this event is, so she's not fooling around anymore."
Of course, if that girl didn't know the urgency of the situation, he wouldn't mind teaching that brainless woman a lesson.
When Doflamingo heard Trebol's words, a flash of relief showed in his eyes. That idiot Baby 5 had finally grown up a bit.
"Alright, get ready," Doflamingo said, his expression turning serious. "The World Government will be sending CP0 and a Marine Admiral here soon. Don't let them discover anything extra."
"Understood."
Trebol nodded, then walked toward the door with a chuckle.
Watching Trebol leave, Doflamingo turned his gaze back to the window, cold killing intent flickering in his eyes.
"Those brats..."
They actually had the audacity to threaten a member of the Seven Warlords like him. In that case, he would teach them how adults handle things!
Fuffuffuffuffu~
Fuffuffuffu—!
Meanwhile, on the other side.
A pirate ship was floating off the coast of Rasax Island, and Ace and the others were standing on it.
"Is the news reliable?" Ace asked with a frown.
"It's reliable," Marco nodded seriously. "Many people in the underworld have already received the news released by Doflamingo."
To make those in the underworld believe that this event was real, he had specifically released photos of the Diamond-Diamond Fruit! Therefore, Marco believed it was the real deal.
"Then what are we waiting for?!" Vista said excitedly. "Let's go and snatch that Devil Fruit back!"
When he heard news of Diamond Jozu's death, Vista felt immense pain. Now that there was a chance to reclaim his brother's Devil Fruit ability, he certainly couldn't let it pass!
"We're definitely going to take it, but we can't just charge in recklessly without a care," Ace said.
After two years of growth, Ace was much more mature than before, and he had considered that this might be a trap.
"Do you think this is a Marine plot?" Marco saw through Ace's thoughts. Was he worried this was a double act between Doflamingo of the Seven Warlords and the Marines? Was the goal to lure their pirate crew there?
"It's possible," Ace nodded. "Don't forget that Devil Fruit originally belonged to our brother."
In this situation, the ones most likely to be lured in were their old brothers! So he had reason to suspect that Doflamingo was doing this intentionally.
Vista was stunned for a moment, then frowned. "You mean... they're setting a trap for us?"
"It's possible."
As soon as these words were spoken, Vista fell silent. Would they really do such a thing? Vista thought about it carefully and concluded: it was possible! After all, Ace was the son of the Pirate King!
So the World Government might really cooperate with Doflamingo of the Seven Warlords specifically for Ace's sake. But if they just ignored it, wouldn't their brother's Devil Fruit be...
As if thinking of something, Vista's expression gradually became despondent.
Ace clearly saw what Vista was thinking, so he said, "Don't worry, I won't let Jozu's Devil Fruit fall into anyone else's hands."
He couldn't leave Jozu's Devil Fruit to others, so even if it was dangerous, he had to go!
Hearing Ace's words, Vista immediately cheered up.
"What do you plan to do?"
"We're definitely going to Dressrosa," Ace said. "But we can't go there without gathering any intelligence."
Ace paused, considering various possibilities, then continued, "How about this: we'll head toward Dressrosa first. At the same time... we'll gather as much useful information as possible."
The more intelligence they gathered, the more advantageous it would be for them.
"Intelligence..."
Marco's eyes flickered, and then he said, "Speaking of which, I did receive an interesting piece of information."
"What information?"
"A short while ago, Caesar, a subordinate of Doflamingo, was captured by Luffy and the others."
Ace was stunned for a moment, then showed an interested expression. "What happened?"
After saying this, Ace waved to the navigator, signaling that they could set sail.
Marco smiled slightly and said, "I don't know the specifics, but I heard that Luffy and the others might have formed an alliance with Trafalgar Law. Afterward... the two of them worked together to capture Caesar at Punk Hazard. Although I don't know what their goal is, they've certainly made an enemy of Doflamingo."
"I see."
Ace nodded, then laughed. "In that case, we have another reason to go to Dressrosa."
"Yeah."
Marco's face was also full of smiles as he said, "Maybe we'll even see them there~"
The "them" he referred to were naturally Luffy and Meiser.
Ace and Vista burst out laughing upon hearing this. They were also looking forward to meeting those two men!
"Brothers, our target is Dressrosa!"
"Set off!"
"YEAH!!"
Sharing the same idea as Ace, the BIG MOM Pirates also reacted immediately after receiving news that Doflamingo had that powerful Devil Fruit.
Their original plan was to buy the Devil Fruit with money. But unfortunately... Doflamingo declined. Since he had intended to use the Devil Fruit to lure Ace from the beginning, he naturally wouldn't sell it beforehand.
As a result... BIG MOM sent people to participate in Doflamingo's tournament. And the one responsible for handling this matter was Katakuri!
"Katakuri-niisan..."
Standing next to Katakuri, Galette frowned and said, "I have a feeling this matter isn't that simple."
Although on the surface this seemed to be a reward Doflamingo offered to lure strong fighters to compete, her intuition told her that Doflamingo was up to something! His goal was definitely not that simple!
"I know," Katakuri said calmly. "Doflamingo's target is likely Fire Fist Ace."
After speaking, Katakuri paused and then continued, "If I'm not mistaken, there are already many Marines hiding in the shadows of Dressrosa."
There might even be a Marine Admiral!
"Are we still going?"
"Of course," Katakuri said. "These are Mama's orders."
Seeing Galette's worried look, Katakuri said, "Don't worry, even if there's a Marine Admiral, I can get you all out of there safely."
Regardless, they had to go and try. It would be best if they could get the Devil Fruit, but if not, they could still leave safely.
"Alright," Galette sighed. "I hope nothing goes wrong this time."
Katakuri simply nodded and said nothing more. Meanwhile, Smoothie remained expressionless, staring at the distant sea, lost in her own thoughts.