One Piece: Crown of Darkness

"Hmm?"

The cloudless sky suddenly lost its color; shadows enveloped half of Arinland.

"Smoothie. Smoothie!" Doflamingo looked up, while trying to speak calmly. "I want some snacks. Go to town and buy some for me. Vergo, Pica, Giolla, you all go with her too."

Smoothie also kept her head tilted back, gazing upward. "Don't lie to me! That's..."

"Go! Leave at once!" Doflamingo knew his lie was exposed, so he simply revealed his urgency. It was the first time he'd rushed Smoothie.

As their relationship deepened, Smoothie understood that Doflamingo could sometimes be as unreasonable and domineering as her mother. After much hesitation, she chose to obey Doflamingo's wishes, stomping her foot. "Let's go!" Taking a few steps, she couldn't help but say worriedly, "Take care of yourself, Doffy, I..."

Doflamingo didn't reply, his eyes fixed on the sky in a state of alert, waving for Smoothie and the others to leave quickly.

"What's going on, Young Master's Lady?"

"Doffy... is he nervous?"

"Are we really not staying?"

"..."

Giolla, Vergo, and Pica's murmurs and questions gradually faded, and a figure slowly descended.

It was Shiki.

Compared to three years ago, his appearance had changed significantly, primarily because of the half-rudder embedded in his head, a grim souvenir from the Edd War, lodged deep within his brain!

In that war, which seemed like a cruel joke from fate, the Golden Lion Grand Fleet, which had dominated the world for over a decade, was casually swallowed by the sea, and even the powerful 'Golden Lion' himself was comically headshot by a piece of wood.

Compared to three years ago, Shiki's mental state had also changed considerably.

This was a world where victors reigned and losers suffered. Regardless of how Shiki had ground the Roger Pirates into the dirt during the Edd War, or how disheveled the Roger Pirates were when they barely escaped, people would only remember that Roger defeated Shiki, never considering Shiki's bad luck or Roger's fortune...

So much effort ruined in an instant. Even the 'Golden Lion,' with his ambition to conquer the world, couldn't escape dejection. Thus, his expression was terrible, his eyes filled with gloom, lacking his former aura, like an aging lion full of vigilance towards challengers, furiously guarding his remaining, fading glory.

This was also Doflamingo's reason for sending his family members away. He anticipated Shiki's current erratic mood, prone to lashing out at anyone, whether they provoked him or not. He couldn't risk it...

Besides, he and Shiki had exchanged contact information, but Shiki had arrived secretly and with great fanfare, without prior notice, clearly indicating hostile intentions.

Smoothie, who also recognized Shiki, didn't overthink things as Doflamingo did. She simply felt that Shiki was a dangerous scumbag under any circumstances.

"Jihahahaha~ We meet again, little brat!" Shiki forced a smile. "Not going to welcome me?"

Doflamingo's eyes swirled as he chuckled, "Fufufufu~ No matter the time or place, I welcome you, my esteemed major client! Please take a seat; I'll get some good wine to entertain you."

"Aren't you surprised how I found you?" Shiki declined Doflamingo's offer, instead asking with interest.

Doflamingo calmly replied, "Even without the Golden Lion Grand Fleet, you're still the 'Golden Lion,' aren't you?"

Doflamingo implied that Shiki still commanded immense power.

"Jihahahaha! You certainly know how to talk!" Shiki was pleased with Doflamingo's response and sat down on the deck. "With your intelligence network, you couldn't possibly be unaware of the Edd War, or even many details unimaginable to ordinary people... In any case, that's right! My Golden Lion Grand Fleet is gone. What are your thoughts?"

Doflamingo considered for a moment, then said, "No thoughts, really. Just wondering if Roger ate the 'Lucky-Lucky Fruit'..."

"Bang!!!"

Crack~

Shiki slammed his palm onto the deck, cracking it, and glared at Doflamingo with fury.

After a long silence.

"You understand what I mean, 'Joker,' Doflamingo!" Shiki gritted out.

Doflamingo narrowed his eyes. "News or a method to help you rise again?"

"Jihahahaha, see! You truly understand me! Our last meeting left a deep impression on me. I believe if anyone can help me, it's you," Shiki said heartily.

Doflamingo licked his lips. "Should I be honored? Or should I be terrified?" After a brief pause, he shook his head and added, "But, you shouldn't have come! Placing your hope in others? I don't recall that being the 'Golden Lion''s style."

"Stop spouting nonsense, brat!" Shiki immediately became enraged and embarrassed.

Doflamingo's face darkened, his fingers constantly twitching. "Dyna Stones! I told you about them long ago! And stop putting on airs, 'Golden Lion'! I owe you nothing! If you're truly capable, go snatch them from the World Government's hands!"

"Jihahahaha~ Your wings have hardened; you're no longer cautious, learning to show your fangs now, eh?" Shiki gripped his sword hilt, but didn't draw it.

Doflamingo suddenly stopped. "Fufufufu~ Business is business! I need compensation."

Snap~

Shiki glanced at the side of the ship, nonchalantly snapped his fingers, and a small boat descended from above, clearly prepared.

"Ten Devil Fruits, one ton of gold and jewels," Shiki said grandly.

Doflamingo kneaded his brow, annoyed. "One name: Dr. Vegapunk! That's all!"

"Your customer service is terrible! Jihahahaha~ The scientist hailed as 'five hundred years ahead of human intelligence'? The power of science?" Shiki was surprisingly pleased.

Doflamingo scoffed, "You want to quickly regain your strength and control immense power. You either seize the Dyna Stones, which are no less powerful than Ancient Weapons, or you obtain the world's top scientific power. I am certain that these are the only two ways! Otherwise, you'll have to honestly gather your remaining forces, continue to conquer other pirates, and rebuild the Golden Lion Grand Fleet!" He took a deep breath. "Don't let there be a next time, even if you are the 'Golden Lion'!"

"Warning me? You? Or those few little mice? Or Big Mom behind you? Jihahahaha~ Fine, I'll 'visit' you again when I have time," Shiki declared arrogantly, floating away.

Watching Shiki disappear, Doflamingo said, with a headache, "Why are you still hiding?"

Smoothie and the other three appeared dejectedly. Their return was what had made Doflamingo abandon the idea of sparring with Shiki earlier to test his own limits.

"Sorry, Doffy," Smoothie said, biting her lip.

Doflamingo sighed. "It's alright."

Doflamingo had never intended to fight Shiki to the death; he'd be foolish to. He was still far from Shiki's level. He merely wanted to use the opportunity to express his stance to Shiki, to prevent Shiki from getting used to forcing trades.

Compared to Shiki's forced trades, Doflamingo's intentions were actually far more malicious...

Dyna Stones? Dr. Vegapunk? Which of these isn't a massive pitfall? The World Government would never tolerate anyone meddling with them!

Just like the Roger Pirates who touched the forbidden subjects of Ancient Weapons and the Void Century's history, the World Government would relentlessly pursue them.

In other words, Doflamingo had painted two sweet, grand pictures: visible, but unattainable. If Shiki managed to get them, Doflamingo would congratulate him! Especially if Shiki truly snatched Dr. Vegapunk from the World Government's jaws, that would be even better; then Doflamingo would have his own opportunity, wouldn't he?

"Failure is terrifying! He's not the 'Golden Lion' he once was," Doflamingo mused with a sigh, murmuring, "I cannot fail, never!"

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