One Piece: Crown of Darkness

Late July.

The scorching weather grew even hotter. The sea surface shimmered with rising steam, and even the birds soaring on the wind succumbed to the intense heat, appearing listless and dejected.

Pica, enduring the blazing sun as he trained, wiped the sweat from his tanned skin and rummaged in his pocket for a few coins. He waved them at the News Coo in the sky, subscribing to the newspaper for Doflamingo—it had become his habit.

"Caw~ Cawgh~ "

The News Coo landed dejectedly. Its usually high-pitched, clear call, a signal for people to buy newspapers, had become low and strained.

"Just, just a moment," Pica said, meeting the weary gaze of the News Coo. His soft heart, unsuited to his robust exterior, was touched. He fetched a bowl of water and carefully approached the News Coo, offering it a drink.

Compared to people, Pica preferred interacting with animals because, whether ferocious or gentle, beneficial or harmful, they at least wouldn't mock him for his strange, innate voice.

"Caw~ Caw~!!!"

After drinking the water, the News Coo recovered its spirits, hopping and chirping as if thanking Pica.

A rare smile appeared on Pica's honest face. He poured the remaining clear water into a cup, threaded a string through it, and placed it around the News Coo's neck. "You've worked hard, little guy."

After paying for the newspaper and waving goodbye to the News Coo, Pica's smile faded. He turned to give the newspaper to Doflamingo, but his gaze casually swept over it.

Thump!

The newspaper fell to the ground.

"Pirate King Gol D. Roger — Arrested!"

The headline on the front page was a shocking, world-shattering piece of news!

"Doffy! Doffy!"

Pica shrieked, picking up the newspaper and charging into the lounge like a small tank.

"What's wrong, Pica? An enemy attack?" Giolla, who was kneading dough for lunch, put it down and quickly grabbed her shotgun, roaring furiously, "You lazy slob in the crow's nest! What the hell are you doing?! Observation, detection, and handling the first wave of enemies is your job!"

Sliding down the passage connecting the lounge and the crow's nest, Trebol smoothly replied, "Behehehe~ Don't get so worked up, Giolla, it's not..."

"Don't you dare underestimate a housewife's resentment from worrying about meals every day!" Giolla roared unceremoniously, her ferocity making Trebol sweat with embarrassment.

"It's not an enemy attack," Pica said, his face red, holding up the newspaper, stammering, "It's, it's the 'Pirate King'! The 'Pirate King' has been arrested!"

"Eh?!!!"

A look of bewilderment spread through the lounge.

The only one unaffected was Doflamingo.

"Calm down!" Doflamingo set his book down, frowning in displeasure. "Look at you all, so spineless!"

"But, but, but that's the 'Pirate King,' Doffy~" Diamante cautiously retorted. "Even he got arrested..."

Doflamingo leaned back on the sofa, glanced at the newspaper, and tossed it aside as if it were trash. "'The Marines orchestrated a secret operation days ago, capturing the head of evil, Gold Roger, in one swift move,' 'This is a glorious victory'... The content is so full of crap! Utterly whitewashed!" He looked at his stunned family members, saying playfully, "Hearing isn't always believing, and seeing isn't always believing either, fufufufu~ Hand me the Den Den Mushi. Quiet, everyone."

Giolla threw down her shotgun, glared fiercely at Pica, the "root of all evil," and at Trebol and Diamante, who were also caught in her anger, then immediately complied with Doflamingo's order.

A moment later.

Pere pere pere~~~

Click.

"This is Spandine, who's calling?"

Spandine's tone was light and cheerful. He wasn't good at hiding his emotions, so it was easy to tell he had been doing very well recently, even feeling invigorated.

"Fufufufu~ My friend, it's me," Doflamingo said with a smile. "I believe I've given you enough 'support,' so! What stage are you at now?"

Spandine fell silent for a moment, then cautiously replied, "I'm just a little short of becoming the chief of CP9. I'm very grateful for your 'support.'" He paused slightly, then hesitated to add, "D-Doffy, I have an important call to take here; can we make this quick?"

"Are you trying to shake off my 'friendship'? Hm? Fufufufu~ My friend, are you going to hurt my feelings again?" Doflamingo's tone turned chilling.

Spandine frantically said, "No, no, no, I didn't mean that, Doffy, I really..."

"Alright, just teasing you! Fufufufu~ There's something I need to confirm with you," Doflamingo changed the subject. "Roger, the 'Pirate King' Roger. Tell me everything."

Spandine hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice. "Roger turned himself in. He suddenly appeared alone at Marine Headquarters; everyone was stunned."

"What?"

Trebol and the others listening in were dumbfounded.

"Hmm," Doflamingo gestured for his family members to be silent, then said calmly, "And then?"

"Uh..." Spandine paused. "Don't you think..."

Doflamingo's voice held a warning, a mix of intimidation and deceit. "Think what? My friend, among my businesses, there's the selling of scarce intelligence resources, and you're not my only channel for scarce intelligence resources! Fufufufu~ Remember my question just now: 'There's something I need to confirm with you'! Understand?"