One Piece: Crown of Darkness

Even in this chaotic era of rising powers and clashing monsters, sometimes even Shiki's rivals had to reluctantly concede the title of "strongest" to him, acknowledging his unique peak position in the pirate world.

Perhaps in terms of individual strength, Roger and Edward Newgate might still be qualified to stand alongside Shiki, but when it came to their armed forces...

Doflamingo believed that even if all the people on the Roger Pirates' Oro Jackson and the Whitebeard Pirates' Moby Dick were combined and multiplied by ten, they still wouldn't outnumber the Flying Pirates on Shiki's Golden Lion. Not to mention the colossal Golden Lion Grand Fleet composed of nearly a hundred pirate crews under his command, darkening the sky.

It was truly awe-inspiring!

And utterly terrifying!

As Shiki ascended, and the supremely vast fleet, shimmering under the blazing sun, became clearer, Doflamingo felt a shudder, envy, and an undeniable awe. This was a major power! This was a grand spectacle! This was a great man! What were "Big Mom" and the Big Mom Pirates? Just petty pirate games!

At the same time, a surge of longing pride swelled within Doflamingo—One day, he would take his place!

"Jihahahaha~ How's that, brat?" Shiki asked proudly, seeming to notice Doflamingo's yearning.

Doflamingo snapped out of his trance, letting out a long breath. He concisely evaluated, "A true great pirate."

"Jihahahaha! You're quite the talker," Shiki said, bringing Doflamingo to the bow of the massive Golden Lion, marked by a golden lion head sculpture. His pride and smile faded. With a single glance, he dismissed his subordinates who were about to approach, then said coldly, "Ancient Weapons, what do you mean? Brat, if you answer incorrectly, I'll throw you off here."

Doflamingo spread his hands. "Haven't you always sought immense power to fulfill your ambition of ruling the seas? Fufufufu~ I assume you know the legends of the Ancient Weapons, and perhaps you've even acted on them."

"You know quite a bit," Shiki said, sitting cross-legged, his arms folded across his chest. "Continue."

Doflamingo also sat down, meeting Shiki's gaze without flinching. He chuckled. "There are three Ancient Weapons: Uranus, Poseidon, and Pluton. I don't know the whereabouts of the first two. But for the latter, the 'most evil battleship in history' that can destroy an island with a single shot, I know its whereabouts! No, rather, I know someone who knows its whereabouts."

"Don't tell me it's one of the Gorosei or a Celestial Dragon," Shiki's small eyes glinted with sharpness.

Doflamingo shook his head. "This person is a pirate, and you're familiar with him." He then changed the subject. "If I tell you who this person is, can you generously let go of Big Mom's offense against you? After all, you've dealt with Big Mom quite a bit. In reality, she's like an overgrown, troublesome child."

"Jihahahaha~ An interesting description! Hey, brat! Who are you to her, to pay such a great price for her? Your information is very valuable," Shiki was amused, but also intrigued.

Doflamingo chuckled, half-truthfully. "Fufufufu~ I'm a businessman. She's my only major client. Of course, I have to maintain a good relationship with her, to show her my worth, and to show my worth to the outside world. That way, I'll have the opportunity to grow big and strong."

"You lie without even thinking, you brat! Jihahahaha!" Shiki laughed loudly, then continued, "Fine, so why don't you tell 'Big Mom' the whereabouts of the Ancient Weapon? If she had an Ancient Weapon, she wouldn't have to fear me, would she?"

Doflamingo pondered for a moment. "She doesn't have your strength, nor your ambition."

"Jihahahaha~ Good, I guarantee I'll forgive Big Mom's offense against me," Shiki said.

Doflamingo said smoothly, "Roger, your sworn rival."

Shiki looked surprised and uncertain, his brows furrowed high.

"The whereabouts of Pluton are recorded on a Poneglyph. Out of about thirty Poneglyphs, nine truly record the 'Void Century,' three mention Ancient Weapons, and four..."

Doflamingo suddenly stopped, saying playfully, "Fufufufu~ The remaining information isn't free. Business is business, one thing at a time! In short, this is why the World Government has been frantically pursuing the Roger Pirates these past few years, not just because of the 'Void Century,' but also because of the whereabouts of the Ancient Weapons."

Shiki silently puffed on his cigar, the smoke shrouding his dark face, giving him an air of eerie mystery.

"And Kozuki Oden, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, defecting to the Roger Pirates, is also related. I don't know if Roger's special Observation Haki, 'Voice of All Things,' has the effect of deciphering Poneglyphs, but Kozuki Oden certainly can."

Doflamingo indirectly confirmed the accuracy of his intelligence. "Oden is the lord of the Kozuki Family of Wano Country. His identity probably isn't a secret to you. But he has another identity: a descendant of the craftsmen who carved the Poneglyphs. He knows how to decipher the ancient script! Furthermore, Oden's defection was arranged personally by Whitebeard."

Shiki finally showed emotion. "You've gained a new major client! What do you want from me, brat?"

Doflamingo said seriously, "I also want to ask you a few questions."

"Deal!" Shiki said decisively. "Ask away."

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