"I've got a brilliant idea—how about a prisoner exchange?"
"..."
The conference room fell into a heavy silence.
On the other end, Doflamingo wasn't in any rush. After all, the initiative was in his hands.
He casually cradled Bonney in his arms and, ignoring Kuma's resistance.
Let the big guy relive a bit of his cheerful childhood.
Everyone in the conference room exchanged uneasy glances.
Ivankov, Karasu, and Terry Gilteo shifted their gazes between Dragon and Rosinante.
Could it be that Doflamingo wanted to use Rosinante as leverage?
Swapping a comrade for a comrade? That would be a disgrace.
The Revolutionary Army couldn't possibly stoop to that.
That thought made a few of them restless, nearly ready to speak up.
Rosinante, off to the side, had the same suspicion—and his silence only deepened.
"Phew…"
Dragon let out a long breath, meeting all the varied expressions around him.
His voice was heavy as he spoke into the transponder snail.
"What do you want in exchange? Who do you want?"
No matter what, at least find out what Doflamingo was after.
"Fufufufufu~"
Doflamingo chuckled lightly.
"Of course, our adorable little Bonney! As for what I want—just a little bit of hormone."
He shrugged. "I mean, come on, she's not that valuable. So? Deal?"
Everyone froze. That was not what they were expecting.
Even Rosinante, who was prepared to sacrifice himself for a comrade, was momentarily stunned—and a bit disappointed.
Disappointed that, perhaps, in his brother's eyes… he wasn't as important as he'd thought.
"Yes! Yes! Just say what you want, Heavenly Yaksha-boy! What kind of hormone do you need?!"
While the others were still processing, Ivankov couldn't sit still anymore. The moment he realized he could save Bonney, he darted in front of Dragon and pressed his mouth right up to the transponder snail.
His anxious urgency made Doflamingo's smirk widen. He teased, "Dragon, what do you think?"
Faced with so many hopeful eyes, how could Dragon bring himself to refuse?
"How's the exchange going to work?"
"Healing hormones, female hormones… give me all of them…"
Doflamingo listed everything he remembered, flamboyantly and without pause.
"Once it's ready, drop it off at Whiskey Peak."
Dragon's expression darkened. "That's it?"
"That's it."
"And Bonney?" Dragon pressed coldly.
They were supposed to be exchanging, and yet Doflamingo hadn't said a word about how Bonney would be handled.
Was he really trying to play them for fools?
"Oh!"
Doflamingo clapped like he'd just remembered something and looked down at the girl in his arms.
He unraveled the silk threads sealing her mouth one by one and gave her a light pat on the head.
"Go on, Bonney. Say hello."
Avoiding those crimson eyes, Bonney looked down at her father beneath her, trembling.
Her voice was weak and stuttering.
"...San... Dragon... save... Fa—"
The words were cut off.
"Clack clack clack~"
If not for the fact that Bonney and Kuma's lives were at stake, the Revolutionary Army probably would've already sent their regards in the form of fists.
Because riding on someone else's head and taking a dump? It felt great.
As the sound of grinding teeth came clearly through the transponder snail, Doflamingo laughed with unrestrained glee.
"Fufufufufu~ See? Bonney's in perfect health."
"Once I receive what I want, she'll show up safe and sound at Whiskey Peak."
"Of course, you could always choose to say no."
Click!
He hung up.
The moment the call ended, the pent-up rage in the room exploded.
"That damned Heavenly Yaksha!"
"What an infuriating bastard. Acting like he's above everyone."
"Even willing to use a child in negotiations—how's that any different from human trafficking?!"
"Born of the Celestial Dragons, rotten to the core!"
"..." Rosinante stood frozen, face burning with embarrassment.
Terry Gilteo realized his slip and quickly apologized.
"Not talking about you, Rosinante! I meant your bastard of a brother."
"It's… it's fine…" Rosinante lowered his head.
Pretend I don't exist. That's easier for everyone.
Ivankov turned to Dragon, who had remained silent this whole time.
"Dragon?! Say something! Dragon!"
"So what now? We reject Doflamingo's deal?" Dragon opened his eyes and looked around the room.
His question silenced the furious room in an instant.
With Kuma's monstrous body and Dragon's abilities, there was always hope—as long as Kuma wasn't dead, there might be a way to save him.
But Bonney? A five-year-old child… could she really survive in Doflamingo's hands?
Right now, they had a chance to rescue her. If they gave that up and she died…
How would they face Kuma? Even if he forgave them, they wouldn't be able to forgive themselves.
"Ivankov, prepare everything we promised. We're almost at Whiskey Peak."
Leaving just those words behind, Dragon turned and walked away, his steps heavy, his heart even heavier.
Dealing with Doflamingo felt more exhausting than rallying ten countries.
As Dragon left, it was like the soul had been drained from the room.
One by one, the others trailed out, heads bowed.
...
Meanwhile…
In the royal laboratory.
Doflamingo, wearing a smug grin, swaggered toward his next captive.
He wasn't the slightest bit concerned whether the Revolutionary Army would agree.
This whole thing? Just a whim.
If they didn't bite, no big deal. He lost nothing. He could always find another way to toy with them next time.
If they did agree, even better—he could push things even further.
As for Bonney? Of course he wouldn't hand her over.
Back when he was weak, he played by the rules. He kept his promises.
But now?
He was the rules.
BAM!
The door to the confinement cell was kicked open.
Light spilled in—bright, blinding—into a room that had known nothing but darkness.
Inside, a withered, skeletal figure barely taller than two meters stirred. Aramaki, shriveled and near death, hungrily soaked up the precious sunlight.
He sighed in silence.
If they drew any more blood… he really would die.
"Aramaki mutt! I've come to see you!"
The moment he heard that voice—etched into his mind, seared into his soul—Aramaki's flickering consciousness snapped back.
He opened his eyes.
And in that light, he saw the silhouette of the man.
His dry, cracked lips barely moved as he croaked out a hoarse, sluggish voice.
"Do… Doflamingo… you… I…"
Click!
Doflamingo casually snapped a photo of him before Aramaki could finish.
Looking at the man's sorry state, he smacked his lips in mock pity.
"Damn… Judge and Caesar really are some sick bastards."
"Poor little Aramaki."
He glanced around the lab, then casually lifted a barrel of discarded solution and dumped it over Aramaki.
"Ahhh~!"
But Aramaki didn't care. He soaked up the liquid greedily, his body visibly regaining a trace of fullness.
The surgical scar across his skull was still plain to see. His skin had taken on a bluish hue.
"How are you feeling now, my little Aramaki mutt?"
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg