While Garling initiated Shanks's "love slash" education in the Holy Land, Blake once again arrived at Spadamirz.
Since he was in North Blue and Barrels's pirate crew was coincidentally nearby, Blake decided to drop by and see Doflamingo.
In fact, Blake didn't have many filters for the male characters in the original work.
Whether he liked or disliked them, his focus was more on their respective positions and whether they could impact his plans.
Doflamingo's stance was less about destroying the World Government and more about wanting to retaliate against society.
Otherwise, looking at his performance in the original work, aside from the struggle for the Ope-Ope no Mi, which had some opposition to the World Government, the rest of the time he was truly just an arms dealer in the Underworld.
Essentially, he was also a guy who enjoyed watching chaos unfold.
However, unlike Morgans, Doflamingo was more inclined towards actively creating chaos, like Blake.
Arriving at Spadamirz Port again, the scene was identical to Blake's last visit.
Doflamingo once again led the main cadres of the Donquixote Family to greet him at the dock.
Blake stood at the bow, looking down, and noticed several more familiar faces beside Doffy.
"Fufufufufu... Saint Blake remembering a small fry like me truly surprises me."
Doflamingo was now wearing his orange sunglasses, and his tone was as strange and distinctive as ever.
"Passing through North Blue, I just happened to remember you're a rather good pastime."
Blake's tone was casual. Under the salutations of Trebol and others, he walked down the gangplank, his gaze sweeping over Pink, Gladius, Rosinante, and the others:
"It seems your family is thriving even more."
Doflamingo seemed not to have caught the jest in Blake's tone, stepping aside to clear the way:
"Thanks to you."
"Knowing Saint Blake was coming, I specifically prepared the best red wine from North Blue."
Blake nodded indifferently, then looked down at Rami beside him.
The little girl was looking at him with a complex expression.
"Go on!"
Blake patted her head:
"Remember to be back on time."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Rami nodded vigorously, then set off with Kuina and Kaya towards the ruins of the White Town.
After the Trafalgar family was taken away by Blake, the country where Flevance was located suffered a joint siege from other nations on the island.
Because Blake had taken Law away in advance, there were no accidents this time, and all the citizens were annihilated.
Rami didn't have much affection for Flevance, but she still wanted to go back and see it.
After Rami and the others left, Blake waved his hand at the eager maids behind him:
"You all go find some fun too, just don't go too far."
Perona and Olga cheered, dragging Robin and Koala towards the city, while the others scattered like birds and beasts. Only Stella, Mandy, Hancock, and Kalifa remained by Blake's side.
Seeing this, a glint flashed in Doflamingo's eyes:
"Fufufufufu... Saint Blake is truly generous to his subordinates."
"They're not really subordinates."
Blake casually corrected him:
"At least not yet."
In Blake's view, only those who could solve problems for him counted as subordinates, and there were only a handful of them, such as Mandy and Koala.
The others would be raised as little maids for now, and he would see about them later.
Led by Doflamingo, everyone arrived at the Donquixote Family's castle.
The banquet was held in the castle's great hall. As Blake had expected, Doflamingo was very good at reading people, and the entire banquet was thoroughly enjoyed by both host and guests.
During the feast, Doflamingo actively introduced the newly joined family members, his words imbued with the pride of expanding his influence.
He also particularly emphasized his younger brother, Rosinante.
Blake listened in a desultory manner, occasionally chiming in with a few words of agreement.
He didn't think much of this two-faced brother.
Blake even felt that if he had such a brother, he would most likely make the same choice as Doflamingo.
Both of them knew very well that this conversation would not involve any substantive cooperation or secrets; it was more like an unspoken social interaction.
Doflamingo showcased his utility and network, while Blake, just right, played the role of a World Nobles who was in a good mood and willing to give some attention.
Until a small, thin figure, carrying after-dinner desserts, timidly walked up to Blake.
This was a little girl of about ten, with a head of raven-Blake shoulder-length hair and wide, blinking eyes that showed a hint of apprehension.
She wore a fitted maid's uniform, and the silver tray she held seemed a bit large for her, making her look like a cat trying hard to imitate adult behavior, both clumsy and endearing.
Blake looked at the little girl, who was trying hard to make herself useful, and a playful smile appeared on his face. He deliberately spoke in a somewhat troubled tone:
"Ah, my ship just happens to be missing a maid like you who can help serve tea and water and take care of odd jobs."
He paused slightly, observing Baby5's reaction with interest.
Sure enough, the little girl's breathing noticeably quickened, and her eyes began to light up.
"But..."
Seeing Baby5's obvious eagerness, Blake then slowly continued:
"Looking at you, you probably wouldn't do a good job, right!"
"I can do it!"
Baby5, with newfound courage, shouted at Blake, her small body trembling slightly with excitement:
"Please, let me do it! I'm very good at this!"
"Saint Blake, you need me, don't you?"
Seeing this, Doflamingo's mouth twitched, his expression like seeing Magellan's carefully crafted fake news in Impel Down.
He was both shocked and angry at Baby5's audacity to yell at a Celestial Dragon, and helpless at Blake's precise hit on Baby5's weakness.
Before Doflamingo could say anything, Blake placed a hand on Baby5's head, looking at him with a half-smile:
"Doffy, I am indeed surprised by the speed of your power expansion."
"But you should know, this sea always speaks with strength."
"I wonder if you've made any progress over the years?"
Doflamingo was startled at first, then a light reflected off his glasses.
Blake's abrupt change of topic... did he want to test his strength?
Sure enough, Blake immediately continued:
"Mandy, you go spar with him."
"See if he's been focusing on the right path all these years."
Mandy, from behind, responded and stepped forward, her footsteps steady, a faint chill emanating from her. A layer of frost quietly condensed on the ground beneath her feet.
Doflamingo's smile stiffened.
Although Observation Haki can perceive aura, it's difficult to judge a person's strength based on that alone.
However, at this moment, he felt an almost tangible sense of pressure from Mandy.
But, not wanting to show weakness, Doflamingo grinned and said:
"Fufufufufu... Saint Blake truly cares about my growth."
"Then let me give it a try!"
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