One Piece: Crown of Darkness

"Mamamama~" Charlotte Linlin adjusted her posture, leaning back in her throne and laughing. She looked even more like a bloated old witch. She stared at Doflamingo for a long moment, then her intelligence clearly kicked in. "Every pirate goes through the Grand Line. If you haven't even sailed the Grand Line, what kind of pirate are you? Just a bunch of little thugs on the sea! Have you sailed the Grand Line, Doffy?"

Doflamingo chuckled. "I'm only eleven, no rush, fufufufu~"

"I can agree to you and Smoothie being together, but not now! Not here! Once you've sailed the Grand Line, gained a name and status, come to the New World to see me, and then propose directly to Smoothie, the most excellent of my excellent daughters. Skip the engagement; it's too much trouble."

Charlotte Linlin actually started acting like a rogue. "Anyway, just like you said, you're only eleven, and Smoothie is only twelve. No rush! You're both still young, you have plenty of time to squander, mamamama~"

Having said that, Charlotte Linlin became quite pleased with herself, observing Doflamingo and even Smoothie as if a cat playing with a mouse.

Smoothie's heart tightened. She really wanted to refute Charlotte Linlin, but the years of accumulated awe she held for Charlotte Linlin made her hesitate...

Doflamingo observed Smoothie's expression, giving a subtle shake of his head to signal her to stay silent. He then said, "No problem! Big Mom, your wish is my command."

"Mamamama~" Like hitting a cotton ball, Charlotte Linlin found no resistance, and her laughter inevitably subsided. She said suspiciously, "You brat, you're not planning something, are you?"

Doflamingo spread his hands. "No, I'm just a little disappointed, but it's fine. As I said, we're still young! We have plenty of time to squander, fufufufu~"

Charlotte Linlin's aura grew gloomy. She hated Doflamingo's unconcerned demeanor. This was her home turf, her territory.

Sensing Charlotte Linlin's displeasure, the feast became silent. Even the boisterous anthropomorphic tableware and food stopped making noise.

The suppression lasted for a long time.

Rumble rumble rumble!!!

Charlotte Linlin exploded, flipping the dining table over in a fit, instantly causing chaos.

"I'm not eating! I'm unhappy! I'm so unhappy, ahhhhhhh~"

Charlotte Linlin was throwing a tantrum, stomping and rolling around like a giant spoiled child.

Everyone: "..."

Meanwhile, Doflamingo swiftly carried Smoothie into the air, hovering.

From the moment he boarded the singing ship, Doflamingo hadn't let his guard down. When Charlotte Linlin flipped the table, he thought she was going to attack him, so he quickly activated his pre-planned move, secreting strings to connect to the mast and ascend for refuge, although Smoothie wasn't part of the original plan.

"Where's Doflamingo? Smoothie's gone too!"

"Above!"

"This guy... is he also a Devil Fruit user?"

"..."

When everyone recovered from their speechless reaction to Charlotte Linlin's unreasonable outburst, they realized Doflamingo and Smoothie were gone. They searched around before confirming.

"Smoothie." Doflamingo suddenly said.

Smoothie stared blankly at Doflamingo. "Hm?"

"What do you think..." Doflamingo began, "would happen if I just took you away like this? Fufufufu~"

Smoothie paused, then shook her head, warning him in a low voice, "Perospero-nii, Katakuri-nii, they're back. Don't cause trouble."

"Fufufufu~" Doflamingo, of course, also knew that the important Charlotte Family executives who had been out were back. Those ships in the distance were too conspicuous; his eyes weren't blind. But he laughed very happily, because he had already gotten his answer.

Swoosh!

Thud.

He landed lightly, still carrying Smoothie.

"Woah~"

"!!!"

A powerful encirclement of onlookers almost swallowed Doflamingo and Smoothie.

Smoothie was startled and timidly escaped.

"Fufufufu~" Doflamingo, however, was brazen enough. He waved grandly at everyone, like a hero who had accomplished something extraordinary, enjoying the cheers and applause.

"None of you are paying attention to me! I'm so sad! Ahhhhh~"

In stark contrast, Charlotte Linlin continued her solitary tantrum.

"Big Mom, hey! Bride-to-be, you should prepare for your wedding! There's a wedding cake!" Doflamingo shouted loudly.

Charlotte Linlin leaped up, her spirits restored. "That's right! Mamamama~ Thanks for reminding me, Doffy! I want wedding cake! I can't wait, I can't wait!"

Everyone: "..."

Capricious, domineering, and willful—that was the Emperor of the Sea, Big Mom, someone who inspired immense fear.

Doflamingo silently evaluated Charlotte Linlin in his mind.

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