"Given your respective ages and appearances, the conversation has strayed wildly," Doflamingo said, needing to correct the course. "How about the South Blue? The World Government's control there is stronger than in the North Blue but weaker than in the East Blue. It's also not like the chaotic homeland of gangsters that is the West Blue. Plus, you two familiar with the area can lead the way. There are fat sheep overflowing with wealth for us to slaughter, and destitute paupers waiting for us to 'save,' fufufufu~ even though we're paupers too!"
"Nyeh, nyehh, I support it!" Trebol voted yes, then paused, suddenly realizing the implication. "Nyeh, nyehh, Doffy? You had this planned all along, didn't you?"
Doflamingo didn't admit it, but he didn't deny it either. He just smiled. "The itinerary is set. Now we should discuss our future." He dropped his smile. "The future is a luxury! Only the strong have a future! The weak? They have no future at all; they will face endless gloom, pain, and despair until they die, insignificant and tragic, as if they never even existed in this world."
"That's deep," Diamante clicked his tongue.
Doflamingo remained expressionless. "Let me state this first: my rise will be incredibly swift. You'd best keep up with my pace. If you can't... I won't wait!"
"Behehehe~ As expected of a King, terrifyingly ruthless," Trebol chuckled.
Doflamingo also let out a low laugh, though it was unclear what he found amusing.
"I'll work hard, Doffy!" Vergo stood ramrod straight, chest puffed out, declaring loudly.
Pica, meanwhile, whispered, "I'll work hard too."
Looking at Vergo and Pica, then at Trebol and Diamante, Doflamingo thought, Whether it's attitude, potential, or loyalty, the gap is obvious.
"Trebol, Diamante, go to the island and get more fresh water and food. We're sailing for the South Blue." Since Trebol and Diamante themselves seemed unconcerned, Doflamingo simply ended the discussion, taking complete command. Whatever he said, the group would do, as he had already shown them respect, and they chose not to take it.
Doflamingo also wondered if he was overthinking things. Trebol looked old, but he was only eighteen. Diamante, despite his older face, was only fourteen. With their shallow knowledge and immature schemes, even if they combined their efforts and multiplied by ten, they probably couldn't outplay his methods. What independent ideas could they possibly have? They were rather "simple," which made them easy to exploit.
Trebol wriggled like a leech, exclaiming gleefully, "Leave it to me! Leave it to me! Behehehe~"
"Oh, also, get me a few sets of fitted clothes and shoes," Doflamingo added. "Simple and plain styles are fine."
Diamante confidently took on the task. "No problem! Trust my taste, Doffy."
After Trebol led Diamante out of the lounge, Doflamingo pointed at the Rokushiki training manual. "Vergo, Pica, this is your only way to get stronger right now. Cherish it; don't disappoint me."
"Yes!"
Vergo and Pica replied.
Ignoring Vergo and Pica, Doflamingo extended his hand, secreting strings from his fingertips. His thoughts scattered as the strings flowed.
"Paramecia-type: String-String Fruit."
"Strings."
"Among Devil Fruits that use physical stamina as their primary power source, this one should be considered relatively low in stamina consumption."
"Sharpness, cutting, binding, manipulation, stickiness, suturing, and so on, even the influence it grants non-living things after 'Awakening.' The 'template' for its development is indeed good, but 'facts' prove it failed; it wasn't strong enough."
"What about a miraculous, almost absurd form of development, similar to the Paw-Paw Fruit? The metaphysical lines of life, career, wisdom, and marriage... the geographical lines of longitude, latitude, tropics... the mathematical lines of intersection, parallel lines... the optical lines of light rays... can all concepts related to 'lines' be incorporated?"
"And the inherent qualities represented by strings themselves."
"..."
After a burst of creative brainstorming, Doflamingo snapped back to reality, first frowning, then smiling helplessly.
Doflamingo decided to temporarily abandon his wild ideas and follow the guidance of the "template."
This was due to time; time was not on his side.
It was also driven by his own suspicious nature and a strong sense of impending crisis; he didn't trust Trebol and Diamante.
No!
He didn't trust the entire Donquixote Family to provide security. He urgently needed self-preservation power in a short amount of time!
"Ten years. Within ten years, I must reach the 'template' level," Doflamingo set a small personal goal, then stood up and joined Vergo and Pica's training.
He needed to strengthen his frail body; Devil Fruit abilities were only one part of his strength. Haki and physical techniques couldn't be neglected either.