"Fufufu, have you agreed?"
Donquixote Doflamingo lounged casually as he spoke into the Transponder Snail, his tone light, yet laced with absolute certainty.
"Are you threatening me, Doflamingo?" The voice on the other end was sharp with displeasure.
"How could I be, Uncle Guilemock?" Doflamingo chuckled. "I should be qualified to inherit Dressrosa. No… I am destined to." [T/N: I dont know who this is from canon. So I will leave the name as told by author till i find out the actual name if any.]
"Is that your reason for usurping the country?" Saint Guilemock's voice turned cold. "CP0 has already reported the situation. You were behind it, weren't you?"
"It wasn't me," Doflamingo replied flatly. "Even I was surprised."
"It must be you. Your so-called leniency toward Dressrosa contradicts your nature. Anything abnormal has a reason."
"It's my ancestors' land. Is it so strange for me to show a little sentiment?" Doflamingo's smile did not falter.
"You are not that kind of man."
"Fufufu!" Doflamingo laughed, then sighed softly. "Everyone wears two faces. One for the world, one for themselves. That is only natural."
"I am simply returning Dressrosa to Donquixote rule."
His tone shifted, almost playful, yet dangerously precise.
"You would not want news about the national treasure to spread, would you? That would cause quite a bit of trouble. After all, it is that legendary—"
"Enough!"
Saint Guilemock cut him off instantly.
"Keep that knowledge to yourself. You have already lost your status as a Celestial Dragon."
There was a brief pause before his tone softened.
"Congratulations in advance, Your Majesty. The World Government will send representatives to endorse your coronation."
The call ended.
For a moment, silence lingered.
Then Doflamingo began to laugh again, the sound echoing outward like something alive.
"Fufufufufu…"
Not long after, Doflamingo stepped out.
He was about to become the King of Dressrosa.
Public opinion had already been secured. Nearly all of Dressrosa's citizens supported him. The Riku family's rule had been completely dismantled.
As for the World Government, the matter had already been settled.
At Marine Headquarters, the news quickly spread.
"That was definitely Doflamingo's doing," said Tsuru with certainty.
Sengoku nodded. "Without evidence, we can't act. This is an internal matter of a World Government nation. Our hands are tied."
Dressrosa's location was strategic, its terrain naturally fortified. Once Doflamingo secured it, his rise would be unstoppable.
"We still need to monitor him," Tsuru added. "He will not remain quiet."
"G5 Branch will handle it," Sengoku decided.
Even so, they both understood the truth.
A man like Doflamingo would not leave any trace behind.
Dressrosa, Port.
Tens of thousands had gathered.
Among them stood Scarlett and Violet.
Three hours earlier, they had received news of Doflamingo's arrival and prepared a grand welcome.
Soon, a ship bearing the Donquixote Pirates' flag docked.
Doflamingo stepped off slowly, draped in his iconic feathered cloak.
Scarlett took a quiet breath, then knelt.
This single action marked the end of the Riku family's rule.
The crowd followed, kneeling in waves.
Doflamingo smiled warmly and helped her up.
"There's no need for such formality."
He then addressed the crowd in the plaza.
"Although I am a pirate, pirates have principles."
"My brutality is reserved for enemies. For my people, I will treat you as family."
His voice was calm, yet carried across the entire plaza.
"You may question my character. But tell me… does being a good person make one a good king?"
"Was King Riku a good person?"
The crowd fell silent.
"Yes, he was," Doflamingo answered himself. "But he was not a good king."
"He could not protect you. He could not enrich you. He taught you to endure suffering."
"A man like that may be kind… but he is unfit to rule."
The words struck deep.
"But I am different."
"As long as I stand here, no pirate will dare threaten this country."
Cheers erupted.
"I will also bring you wealth. You will leave poverty behind… and find happiness under my rule."
His words were intoxicating.
Confidence, authority, and promise blended seamlessly into a perfect performance.
Then came the final confirmation.
Members of CP0 appeared and publicly announced that the World Government recognized Doflamingo as the rightful king.
The crowd erupted once more.
Any lingering doubts vanished.
Later, inside the palace, Doflamingo extended an invitation.
"Why not stay?"
Scarlett refused without hesitation. "I have no desire to live with pirates."
Doflamingo tilted his head slightly. "Do you not wish to witness this country's future?"
She remained unmoved.
Violet hesitated.
"If you leave," Doflamingo continued, "people will say I drove you out."
Silence fell.
After a moment, Violet spoke.
"I will stay."
Scarlett was stunned.
"Sister, you should go," Violet said softly. "I can visit you."
Doflamingo smiled faintly.
This was enough.
Time would do the rest.
Doflamingo adapted quickly to his new role.
Unlike King Riku, ruling was effortless for him.
Under his command, Dressrosa rapidly transformed into an underworld trade hub.
Hidden ports handled illicit commerce, while the public saw only prosperity.
Living standards improved.
Wealth flowed in.
The people did not question the source.
They only saw results.
Merchant ships bearing the flag of the Nightfall Pirates began arriving.
This single detail sent ripples across the New World.
If Doflamingo had their backing, then opposing him meant provoking a force second only to the Yonko.
Elsewhere, Marshall D. Teach looked over the reports and chuckled.
"He really knows how to climb."
Doflamingo's rise benefited them as well.
Though the relationship was cooperative, the balance of power remained clear.
Doflamingo was useful.
But not indispensable.
"Still… he's improved," Teach muttered.
This version of events was far more stable than brute force conquest.
More dangerous too.
Meanwhile, preparations for the upcoming Swordsmanship Tournament continued.
Two months had passed.
Only one remained.
Swordsmen from across the seas gathered at Parage Island.
Temporary arenas filled with constant duels.
Reputations rose overnight.
The Nightfall Pirates capitalized on the momentum, broadcasting battles and offering massive rewards, including Devil Fruits.
The region surged with activity.
Parage Island was rapidly becoming the thriving hub they had envisioned.
Back in Dressrosa, Doflamingo stood at the palace balcony, gazing over his new kingdom.
Everything was unfolding exactly as planned.
Power.
Influence.
Control.
All of it, within his grasp.
"Fufufufu…"
At last, the stage was his.