And now he had the nerve to argue.
But as soon as he heard there'd be more money involved, his howls immediately softened. He snuck a glance toward the doorway.
Seeing that Doflamingo was already gone—
Caesar turned to the playing-dead Lily Carnation, eyes gleaming with hope, and asked in a concerned tone:
"Lily, how are you feeling?"
She was his money tree, after all!
"I'm fine, Caesar-sama. This time it should work."
Lily straightened up, her massive green orb trembling slightly.
"As long as you're alright." Caesar's gaze drifted upward.
He looked at the small artificial Zoan-type Devil Fruits growing on the branches and fell into thought.
At their current growth rate, how many matured fruits could he hand over to the boss within a month?
Even if he gave Lily enough blood and flesh, that slut couldn't control how fast they grew.
Should he ask the boss to bring Aramaki over to help?
No, that wouldn't work either. It still wasn't clear whether Devil Fruits counted as plants or creatures.
What if… he tried a growth accelerator?
After pondering for a while, Caesar finally calmed Lily down and set off toward the Tontatta's settlement.
The current crop of growth-accelerating fruits, designed to better cultivate IQ, had been handed over to the Tontatta tribe.
...
The moon hung high above.
Its cool light cast an even more sacred, solemn air over the Divine Palace.
"Queen Otohime, maybe you should head back for now? As soon as His Majesty returns, I'll make sure you're informed."
Looking at Otohime's bloodshot eyes, Scarlett couldn't help but feel sympathy.
She deeply empathized with this fellow female mermaid who had also lost her home and family.
And more than ever, she was convinced.
Everything that had happened on Fishman Island had been orchestrated by Doflamingo.
In such circumstances, what was the point of begging him for help?
In the end, like her, there was nothing left to do but accept fate.
Fortunately, Violet was still alive.
With someone finally speaking up, the former mermaid palace attendants—who had been waiting anxiously—began to chime in one after another.
"Yeah, Queen Otohime, Doflamingo-sama comes and goes as he pleases. He might have been caught up with something else."
"Waiting like this might not even guarantee you'll see Doflamingo-sama."
"If we wait for Scarlett-san to notify us, we can just come back then!"
"Right, right..."
Of course, some of the mermaids were thinking more selfishly.
For them, wasting time here was less valuable than going to work, earning money...
Then shopping, or going to the newly opened stores.
As for Fishman Island? A place where even sunlight cost money—what was there to miss?
For those who'd once served in the palace, life on Skypiea was the real deal.
Every part of Skypiea was bathed in free sunlight!
Even the air seemed sweet.
...
High in the night sky—
Blending into the darkness, Doflamingo watched the scene below with amused interest.
He'd been furious just moments ago, but the instant he saw Otohime, he understood.
Tonight was her lucky night.
"...Then I'll trouble you, Violet-san."
Feeling the eyes and emotions of her people on her, Otohime reluctantly stood up.
She planned to leave and return tomorrow.
She wouldn't give up until she saw Doflamingo.
But just as she got to her feet, a wave of dizziness from blood loss nearly knocked her out.
The others rushed to catch her.
After resting a while, the pale-faced Otohime looked even more fragile, delicate to the point of heartbreaking.
"Thank you, everyone. No need to come with me tomorrow."
"Ah, that's… It's no trouble, Queen Otohime..."
"We have time—and Queen Otohime, your health..."
"...."
Seeing her like this, those who had once benefited from her couldn't possibly abandon her now.
"Fufufufufufu~"
Having observed this little display of human nature for long enough, Doflamingo couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The human heart really was fascinating.
At the sound of that signature laugh, Scarlett reacted first. She led the Divine Guard in bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty!"
The others, including Queen Otohime, quickly came back to their senses.
In the blink of an eye, everyone below dropped to their knees.
"Stand up."
Doflamingo took a step midair, walking slowly toward the Divine Palace. His greedy gaze swept brazenly over Queen Otohime.
"Otohime-sama. Let's talk inside."
That X-ray-like stare sent chills crawling over Otohime's skin. A deep unease rose from within.
"Otohime-sama, then… we'll get going now?" The mermaids, feeling an overwhelming pressure at Doflamingo's arrival, wanted nothing more than to flee.
After bidding farewell to her people and steadying her emotions, Otohime walked into the Divine Palace.
Whatever Doflamingo wanted—she had no choice but to ask for his help.
Bang!
As soon as she stepped inside, the heavy doors slammed shut behind her, startling her badly.
Seeing her slightly panicked expression, Doflamingo spoke with feigned seriousness:
"Otohime-sama, what brings you to me?"
He already knew the answer, of course.
"Doflamingo-sama, I'd like to ask you to retrieve the bodies of Neptune, Fukaboshi, and Ryuboshi."
Her voice trembled with sorrow.
Speaking of her husband and sons' deaths to an outsider was excruciating.
"I want them transported to Skypiea, so I can bury them."
"And… for helping the people of Fishman Island, I wish to offer Fishman Island to you, as the queen, as a token of gratitude."
"I also hope that you can quell the uprising caused by Arlong and the others—and if possible, spare their lives."
She spoke with great humility. She had lost everything and never even mentioned returning to Fishman Island.
She didn't seek vengeance on her own kind. She didn't want hatred to fester.
Besides, only in this peaceful place could Manboshi grow up safely.
"Hmm. A reasonable request. I accept."
"The bodies of King Neptune and his two sons will be reunited with your family soon."
Doflamingo nodded, then his smile twisted into something far darker.
"But... that alone isn't enough."
Fishman Island, offered to him? It was already in his grasp.
"Not enough?!" Otohime lifted her head and met his blood-red gaze—only to quickly look away, panic rising in her voice.
"Doflamingo-sama, I've already given everything I have."
She had nothing left but her life.
"Fufufufufufu~"
Seeing the weakened woman before him, Doflamingo's smile widened until all his teeth were bared.
That laugh sent shivers down Otohime's spine. And—
The way Doflamingo looked at her...
Like a man admiring a prized possession.
"There's still one thing left—yourself."
The words hit her like a bolt of lightning, and she froze.
Otohime raised her hand, pointing at herself in disbelief.
"Me?"
"That's right."
Doflamingo nodded, threads unraveling from his body—revealing his towering—
"You know what to do."
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg