"That's... a dragon!!!"
"Kaido of the Beasts!!! He's entered the Grand Line!!!"
"The Donquixote Family is doomed! Guess I don't have to pay back my gambling debts now!"
"Oh yeah? Then you can go die right now!!!"
"..."
In Mock Town, amidst the panic-stricken gazes of the pirates— A black dragon soared into the sky.
"Nothing beats making others do the work for you."
Doflamingo leaned into the soft, billowing flame clouds, lazily chewing on Alabasta's signature grapes fed to him by Scarlett. Normally, he had to fly himself, and the String-String Fruit wasn't exactly the Float-Float Fruit. The takeoff experience was never this smooth.
Plus, he couldn't pass through the White Sea or White-White Sea, both laden with Seastone particles.
Vergo, who could control the flame clouds, had no such restrictions and simply plowed through anything in his way. As a result, this was Doflamingo's first time witnessing the interior of the White Sea—the bountiful resources of this vast aerial ocean.
"Look at that fish! And that octopus!"
Yamato's eyes sparkled as she watched the various sea creatures scatter in terror from Vergo's reckless approach. Her excitement was so overwhelming that tears welled up in her eyes.
This is the White Sea that Father told me about!
Kozuki Hiyori silently observed everything from the side.
...
The black dragon tore through the White Sea and the White-White Sea.
The rising sun bathed every inch of the sky in golden light, draping the nearby Angel Island and Upper Yard in a shimmering glow.
"Wow! So beautiful!!"
The breathtaking sight drew gasps of amazement from the four young girls onboard.
Doflamingo pointed toward one of the more untouched islands.
By the time the black dragon reached Upper Yard, those left behind on the Sky Island had already gathered to greet them. Besides the two scientists obsessed with their experiments—Caesar and Judge—Trebol, Lao G, and Jora stood waiting, each holding a baby. Baccarat was also present.
"Welcome home, Doffy/Young Master/Boss."
"Waaaah! Waaaah!"
"Baccarat, come with me."
Doflamingo lifted the comatose individuals and the Mythical Zoan user, preparing to leave.
Just me? A glimmer of joy flashed across Baccarat's face.
"Young Master, shouldn't you at least look at your children first? They're undoubtedly the most adorable in the world!!!"
Jora, rubbing her arm where Sophie had pinched her, spoke with exaggerated emotion.
"That's right, Doffy! Just like you, they're born to be kings!"
"Children!?" Yamato, slow on the uptake, finally registered the information.
She glanced at the little ones in Jora's arms, then at Doflamingo's smug face.
"They really do look like you!"
"Business first."
Doflamingo shot toward the laboratory with the comatose bodies and Baccarat in tow.
Kurozumi Higurashi and Kurozumi Semimaru were about to die—their Devil Fruit abilities couldn't be wasted.
"Jora, take care of the kids. Especially that little horned brat—teach her the difference between men and women."
Having grown up in the oppressive environment of the Beasts Pirates and the feudal society of Wano, Yamato lacked any sense of gender identity. Jora, who had even managed to feminize the boy Dellinger, was the perfect candidate to drill this into Yamato's thick skull.
"Baccarat, how much luck have you stored?" Doflamingo asked as they moved.
Realizing their destination was the lab and not the divine palace, Baccarat's overloaded mind snapped back to focus. She calmly answered, "Boss, about fifty thousand units."
"More than enough."
...
Donquixote Royal Laboratory.
After briefly acknowledging the sleep-deprived Caesar and Judge, Doflamingo had Higurashi and Semimaru locked in special Seastone-constructed chambers filled with various fruits—apples, dragon fruits, mangoes, bananas, cantaloupes, and more.
Two special serums were then injected into their bodies.
Their frail, elderly forms swelled with renewed vitality.
But the serum was no miracle cure—it was a beast's medicine. A powerful drug that, even for a strong and healthy person, would consume their lifespan and energy. For those already on death's doorstep, it only burned away their remaining time.
Unlike a normal person, who could at least vent the overwhelming surge of power, these near-lifeless husks could only shudder in place as death crept closer.
"Boss, this Devil Fruit extraction method has reached near perfection. We've achieved a 98% success rate."
Judge stole a glance at Baccarat, subtly hinting that he wanted in on the process.
"That's right, Boss! What kind of fruits are we extracting this time? Must be important if Baccarat herself is overseeing it."
Caesar, lazily rocking his goat-horned head, shared Judge's curiosity. Baccarat's participation meant that they were confirming the viability of the experiment, not merely gambling on an extraction.
The Kurozumi siblings, now reduced to nothing more than sacrificial vessels, began vomiting blood.
With the gathered pirates offering their luck as tribute, the power of the two Devil Fruits slowly dissipated and reformed within the fruit pile.
A black banana and a purple apple emerged.
"Boom!"
The sealed Seastone door swung open.
Doflamingo flicked his fingers, sending his threads flying into the room and snatching up the two distinctly transformed fruits.
"Baccarat, how much luck did we use this time?"
"Boss, surprisingly little—less than ten thousand."
Baccarat seemed puzzled. She had expected the process to drain her completely, as it had in previous trials.
Perhaps the closer they got to success, the less energy was required. Their previous approach had been correct all along.
Doflamingo smirked. "Judge, Caesar, we're on the right path."
"Of course, Boss. This is your will." Both men nodded in agreement.
Feeling the experimental breakthrough, they were more convinced than ever.
"Judge, bring Reiju here. I'm curious about your and Queen's research results."
Judge hesitated. "Boss, I—"
"Hmm?"
"Boss, you'll see for yourself soon!"
...
Upper Yard Shoreline.
"Hi, I'm Yamato. This is Kozuki Hiyori, Violet, and Scarlett."
Introducing herself with a bold grin, Yamato leaned forward, reaching out her slightly dirty hands toward Sophie, the equally haughty child.
"Let me play with him for a bit!"
Jora swiftly raised both hands, letting Yamato grab only the vibrant fabric of her dress.
"Oh-ho-ho~ This isn't a toy! He's still too young."
Feeling the strength in Yamato's grip, Jora's motherly instincts flared, and she smiled warmly.
Yet another healthy little troublemaker.
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+220 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg