For a moment, Donquixote Doflamingo just stared blankly — then sneered faintly.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said coolly. "I have no connection with Kaido."
If not for Ron's terrifying presence, he would have already exploded in fury.
Cutting off all trade with Kaido right now? That would be suicide.
The next time Kaido set foot on Sabaody, his first move wouldn't be starting a war — it would be turning Doflamingo into paste.
Ron chuckled, taking a long drag from his cigarette.
"You don't have to believe me. Just take a look at these two Devil Fruits first."
He waved his hand casually across the bar.
In an instant, two strange fruits appeared on the counter — swirling with unnatural patterns, radiating immense power.
Doflamingo's pupils constricted sharply. His breath hitched.
He recognized them immediately.
The Magma-Magma Fruit — and the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Daibutsu (Great Buddha).
These were the powers of Akainu and Sengoku themselves.
So why… why were they sitting here on this bar counter like souvenirs?
It made no sense.
If word of this ever leaked out, the entire Grand Line would go insane.
Doflamingo didn't ask. He knew better than to pry into a man like Ron.
After a moment, he said quietly,
"That's impressive… but it's not enough. Those fruits don't buy my loyalty — and they're not worth making Kaido my enemy."
Ron smiled, exhaling smoke.
"Fair point. Then let's make things more… interesting."
He tossed the Magma-Magma Fruit lightly to Rem.
"This one's yours."
Rem caught it with both hands, eyes sparkling.
"Thank you, Master."
Without hesitation, she took a bite.
The tavern's temperature spiked instantly.
Her body began to glow — molten veins of lava flowing beneath her skin, drops of magma hissing as they hit the floor.
Doflamingo and Diamante both twitched violently.
A natural-type fruit.
The most destructive Devil Fruit in existence — handed casually to a maid?
That wasn't wasteful. That was criminal.
Ron blew out another smoke ring.
"Here's my offer. Bring me four of your SMILE fruits — I'll trade you one genuine Ancient Zoan."
Doflamingo's fingers froze mid-air.
Four SMILEs for one Ancient Zoan?
That was absurd.
Each SMILE was cheap to produce, unstable, and half of them failed. An Ancient Zoan, though…? That kind of power could reshape empires.
He wasn't stupid. He could see the play.
Ron got to exploit the system difference — and he got a partner strong enough to rival the Four Emperors.
Both sides won.
Doflamingo grinned, teeth glinting.
"Fufufufu… Fine. You've got yourself a deal."
Then he turned to Diamante.
"Bring me three SMILEs — now."
Inside, Doflamingo was elated.
This was his greatest bargain yet.
SMILEs were dirt cheap and prone to failure — but if Ron could truly provide real Zoans in exchange, then Kaido's monopoly meant nothing.
Within minutes, Diamante returned, lugging a small locked case. He set it gently on the bar.
"Everyone out," Doflamingo ordered coldly. "No one comes near this place. Not a word leaves this room."
Diamante nodded without hesitation, stepping outside and closing the door firmly behind him.
The transaction that was about to happen could never be known to the world.
If it leaked… not even the Donquixote Family's ashes would survive the Marine purge that followed.
Ron crouched, opened the case, and checked the contents — three perfectly preserved artificial fruits, spiraled and shimmering faintly with that unnatural SMILE hue.
He smiled.
"System, convert all SMILEs into points. Then exchange for one Ancient Zoan Fruit."
[Ding! Conversion complete. Host balance: 500 points.]
A pulse of light shimmered above his palm — and a new Devil Fruit appeared, scales of black and gold swirling across its surface.
Ron set it gently on the counter.
"Trade complete."
Doflamingo's sunglasses hid his trembling eyes.
"Fufufufu… So it's real."
He reached out — his hand shaking ever so slightly — and picked up the fruit.
He examined it closely, every swirl, every ridge, then carefully slipped it into the inner pocket of his coat.
A Zoan-type Devil Fruit, Ancient Model — Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Tyrannosaurus Rex.
He could barely contain himself.
This one fruit alone could change his entire organization.
Ron smirked.
"So, about your deal with Kaido…"
Doflamingo threw his head back and laughed, manic and proud.
"Kaido? Sorry, never heard of him!"
"From now on, I only do business with you!"
Ron blinked.
"…Well, that was fast."
Still, he couldn't help smirking. Classic Doffy.
Doflamingo moved to the window, pushing it open. The sunlight poured over him as he stretched his arms wide, laughter rolling like thunder.
"Fufufufufu! Soon, the Donquixote Family will rise higher than the Celestial Dragons themselves!
This rotten world — I'll burn it down and rebuild it in my image!"
He turned back, face wild with glee.
"With a few years of trading, my men will all wield Ancient Zoans. The World Government won't stand a chance!"
Ron raised an eyebrow.
"Two SMILEs for one Zoan, ten for a Logia or Mythical Zoan. That's the rate. Write it down."
Doflamingo froze mid-laugh. His heartbeat quickened.
The possibilities — the sheer scope of it — made his skin crawl.
And yet, for the first time in years, a flicker of genuine fear welled inside him.
Just who was this man?
How could he hold this kind of power… and remain so calm?
Through the haze of smoke, Ron's face was half-shadowed — unreadable.
Even a man like Doflamingo, whose life had been twisted through pain and madness, couldn't see through him.
Then he laughed again — low, dark, and certain.
"No matter who you are… as long as our deal stands, I'll give everything I have. Even my soul."
He raised his glass and drained it in one go, lava-hot determination burning in his chest.
"Let's tear this world apart — the one ruled by those arrogant Celestial scum. I'll make them choke on the blood of their own gods."
His grin widened, sharp as a blade.
"I'll crush the World Nobles, burn their cities, and build a new justice — my justice!"
Ron blew out a lazy puff of smoke.
"Do what you want. Just don't mess with my bar."
Doflamingo laughed.
"Fufufufu… Of course not. We're partners now."
He had barely finished speaking when a buru-buru-buru rang from his coat pocket.
The two-horned Den Den Mushi blinked awake.
"Doffy," came the deep growl on the other end, "where are the SMILEs? You're falling behind schedule."
Doflamingo's grin froze — then sharpened.
He calmly picked up the snail, sighed… and hung up.
Then he dropped it to the floor and crushed it under his heel with a crunch.
"Kaido, from now on… don't call me again. Wouldn't want Ron to get the wrong idea."
The line went dead.
Far across the sea, in Wano Country, Kaido blinked, dumbfounded.
"...Huh?"
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