One Piece: Crown of Darkness

As twilight neared, between the ebb of black and white.

The top floor of Arinland's tallest building was brightly lit, teeming with elegantly dressed gentlemen and ladies. Amidst the melodious and soothing music, they greeted, chatted, and flirted with each other, gracefully navigating the exquisitely decorated environment with ease—a clear display of high society.

Indeed, they were the financial magnates of the "City of Dreams" or their representatives.

The atmosphere was jarringly broken by Peclo. The undertaker, reeking of decay and blood, had also donned a suit, but he looked so strangely comical it was almost ridiculous, like a monkey in human clothes.

Even though he was once the largest force in the "City of Sin" and had dealt extensively with the people present, Peclo was still exceptionally nervous.

When had he ever been invited to or witnessed such a splendid, elegant occasion?

He had only ever been invited to or witnessed deceitful faces, brutal and vicious fights, and the painful, ashen expressions of the dead. He and they simply didn't belong to the same world.

"Peclo-san? Peclo-san!"

A voice from beside him startled the flustered Peclo.

"W-What is it, Del-san?" Peclo stiffly turned his neck. Beneath his masked face, his enormous mouth strained to produce a faint smile.

Del, a middle-aged man with an elite appearance, was startled by Peclo's terrifying visage. After a moment, he spoke, "What exactly do you want from us by contacting us? You should explain the reason, shouldn't you?"

"I..." Peclo hesitated, then tried to reassure him. "Just a little longer, please. Just a little longer."

Peclo was acting on Doflamingo's orders, having been busy for days organizing this gathering, but Doflamingo hadn't arrived yet.

"It's been half an hour," another elderly man beside them said, his tone flat, but revealing displeasure.

"That's right!"

"Peclo, are you toying with us?"

"Our time is extremely valuable!"

"..."

Questions assailed Peclo from all sides, leaving him scrambling.

Suddenly.

"Fufufufu~ Hey, hey, Ladies and gentlemen, please don't trouble Peclo! He's no longer the one in charge. The 'City of Sin' is under my command now."

From the doorway, Doflamingo entered with his family, accompanied by Smoothie and Daifuku. He bowed slightly with a beaming smile and said, "My apologies, I intended to find a suitable formal suit, but I couldn't, so I simply came as I am. How rude of me! If I've delayed your precious time, I sincerely apologize again."

"Who is this guy?"

"What's going on, Peclo!"

"You all..."

"..."

The crowd immediately erupted, because Doflamingo's words revealed enough information—someone had unified the endlessly warring dark side of this city!

Day and night indeed divided Arinland into two distinct worlds. While it might seem as though the "City of Dreams" and the "City of Sin" didn't intersect, that was merely the surface. Beneath, their connections were inextricably intertwined.

For example, the "City of Dreams" brought wealth to Arinland, and the reason why Arinland, existing as a large trading hub rather than a nation with armed forces, could retain this wealth from being extorted was partly due to the "City of Sin." It served at least as a buffer.

If bandits tried to plunder Arinland, the villains of the "City of Sin" would resist first, and even if they weren't a match, they would buy the "City of Dreams" time to hire people.

This was crucial.

"Everyone! Nice to meet you all! Please take care of me!" Doflamingo raised his voice, pressing his hands down. "Fufufufu~ Sit! Sit down! Listen quietly until I finish speaking! Otherwise... I'll start killing people!?"

"Don't you dare threaten us, you bastard!"

"Do you think we're easily fooled country bumpkins?"

"Don't get carried away!"

"..."

Even knowing Doflamingo's identity, these elites weren't afraid. They weren't strangers to the underworld and knew that when it was time to be tough, they had to be, or they'd lose the initiative and be led by the nose into a trap, devoured completely, bones and all.

"Fufufufu~ I understand! I understand!" Doflamingo showed no anger or annoyance. He strolled through the crowd, occasionally pulling out a chair for someone or pressing down on another's shoulder.

He smiled and said, "Many of you conduct business globally, possessing great influence, and perhaps disdain a nobody like me... No matter, I believe we will gradually become acquainted and reach a consensus! The prerequisite is that you listen to me first. You must understand that a nobody often means a hot-headed youth, prone to impulsiveness or flying into a rage. I wouldn't want bloodshed to occur before we even talk, would I?"

The room quieted considerably as the dignitaries thoughtfully took their seats.

"That's more like it! We are all business people, and for business people, harmony brings wealth," Doflamingo stood on the platform, clapped his hands, and said, "Today, I've invited you all to discuss the future of Arinland, and also to discuss business. Nothing else."

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