"Interesting!"
Moria had always been straightforward and blunt. The moment he thought of how their family's business partner was thriving recently, he couldn't help but itch for action. He went on enthusiastically.
"BOSS, let me go out and raid a little—spread the legend of you, the Heavenly Yaksha!"
He just wanted to cut someone down. Back in the day, at least Enel was around.
Sure, Enel had a filthy mouth, but at least he could fight.
Virgo, on the other hand, was too disciplined. Ever since the experiment with Kaido's subordinates started, he'd been endlessly shuttling through the Calm Belt, back and forth between Raijin Island and Flevance.
And Moria? He was dying for action.
"Alright, head to the West Blue for a bit. You've heard of Ohara, right?"
"Boss... come on, I'm a West Blue legend! Of course I've heard of Ohara, the famous archaeological sanctuary. Though I've never actually been there."
Moria scratched his head, clearly confused.
Boss didn't seem like the type to care about archaeology. Guys like them cared about strength, not ancient books.
"Ohara's been destroyed. There's one survivor. Bring her back to me."
"Boss, then... should I head out now?"
Moria asked tentatively.
"Go."
Click!
He hung up carefully.
And just like that, Moria could no longer hold back the excitement that was bubbling inside him. In a flash, he launched from the deck straight to the lookout atop the mast and shouted in the direction of the West Blue.
"Heh-heh-heh-heh! Boys, we're heading back to the West Blue—let's get the hell off this godforsaken rock!"
"OOOOOHHHHH!!"
...
Meanwhile...
Doflamingo finally set out, carrying the still-sleeping Smoothie in his arms.
...
Time passed.
The calendar turned to 1501.
After three years of chaos, the seas had settled into a new equilibrium.
The first half of the Grand Line had been swept clean by three monstrous Vice Admirals.
In the New World, Whitebeard was enjoying his twilight years.
BIG MOM had joined forces with Kaido, their combined might surging to a new peak.
But none of that had anything to do with Doflamingo.
He was just a merchant.
Well, aside from the occasional outpost getting hit by some dumbass pirate crew that didn't know their place.
...
Right now, Doflamingo wore a strange expression.
He couldn't help but wonder... was this Merveille blessed with some kind of fertility buff?
He had just returned to Skypiea when Judge came running over, practically glowing with excitement.
"She gave birth, Boss! My wife gave birth!"
Shaking off his wandering thoughts, Doflamingo decided to go take a look at his future assets.
"Come on then, take me to see your kids."
A short while later...
In the Upper Yard Medical Wing.
Judge pointed to a crib off to the side. "Here, Boss."
Following the gesture, Doflamingo looked down.
Ichiji, Niji, Sanji, and Yonji—four brothers, bundled together in one crib.
At the moment, none of them had their signature hairstyles, combat suits, or even distinguishable eyebrows.
Honestly, if Doflamingo didn't remember that Sanji was the only one who inherited his father's bright blond hair...
He wouldn't have been able to tell them apart.
Classic.
Judge and Sora both had blond hair. Yet out of five children, four had different hair colors.
"Fufufufufu... Congratulations, Judge. This—this is the future might of the Germa Kingdom!"
He clapped Judge on the shoulder, offering genuine congratulations to his right-hand man, now a proud father of both sons and daughters.
"No, Boss... this is all because of your strength."
Judge lowered his head slightly, his tone sincere.
He had finally realized who the real king was.
The World Government had licked their boots for four hundred years and still denied Germa 66 a single piece of land.
Now, this Boss not only gave him territory—he gave him resources, too.
The stronger the Boss, the greater their empire.
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg