"Fufufufu, are you alright, Corazon?"
With all the pursuers killed, Doflamingo, veins throbbing on his forehead, asked, suppressing his anger.
Corazon didn't respond. Within the Donquixote Family, he played the role of a mute, so he merely nodded.
Doflamingo didn't dwell on it, his expression under his red sunglasses complex as he looked at this brother he had only recently found.
Having risen from the Underworld, he had accidentally learned that the Nicuss Empire was offering a bounty for the Silence-Silence Fruit or its user, which had now reached an astonishing 1.7 billion Berries.
And this long-lost brother was precisely the user of the Silence-Silence Fruit. By handing him over, he could establish a connection with Nero, one of the Four Emperors.
This would bring more than just a single benefit to the future of the Donquixote Family.
Empress Nicuss, Nero, who wielded power and authority, didn't value the authority over the Underworld, merely collecting some protection fees symbolically.
If he could become Nero's spokesperson in the dark world, he would gain unimaginable advantages.
Doflamingo was very tempted by this brother, but as the young master of the Donquixote Family, he couldn't actively sell Corazon.
So, at this moment, Doflamingo's gaze towards Corazon was extremely complex.
Corazon, however, was completely unaware. Calmly, he pulled a lighter from his pocket, lit a cigarette, and after successfully setting his black feather cloak on fire, began rolling on the ground.
With a face full of black lines, Doflamingo looked at this suddenly returned brother, not truly trusting him in his heart.
He delivered an aerial kick, and the wind it generated extinguished the flames. Just as Corazon stood up, he stumbled and fell flat on his back again.
But he was, after all, his last blood relative, and Doflamingo's heart was still somewhat conflicted, as past memories flashed through his mind.
His father, who brought the family down from the Holy Land, being oppressed by those around them, scavenging for food in trash cans, his deceased mother... Finally, Doflamingo extended his hand to Corazon on the ground.
Corazon, lying on the ground, was silent for a moment before taking his hand and standing up. Then, the two quickly released each other.
Doflamingo didn't look at Corazon: "Stay with the family for now and don't run around. Someone is after you."
Corazon looked at Doflamingo's profile, remaining silent.
"Fufufu! It's nothing! It's just that in a while, there might be a long-term mission that requires you to complete it. Get ready!"
Seeing his brother's somewhat complex expression, Corazon frowned slightly. Could his identity have been exposed?
No, based on his understanding of Doflamingo, if his Marine identity had been exposed, he would definitely be a dead man by now.
"I still have some things to do and need to go out for a while."
Glancing at the still-silent Corazon, Doflamingo turned his back, his figure instantly disappearing from where he stood.
Corazon looked at Doflamingo's retreating figure in the sky, beginning to ponder who was after him.
An entity that even the current Doflamingo couldn't handle, seemingly not even contemplating a confrontation—a force that could absolutely crush the current Donquixote Family.
Forget it, don't think about it! The most important thing right now is Law; he needs to find a way to cure his lead poisoning sickness!
Corazon shook his head, as if trying to clear these thoughts from his mind.
Three days later, Corazon, from the Donquixote Family, secretly set sail in a small boat, carrying a large amount of treasure... In Flevance, a crimson giant dragon violently landed on the ground.
The earth shook, and a deep crater was formed in the ruined city.
"Hmm, a city that just perished?" Nero's dragon head emerged from the pit, looking around uncertainly, feeling that she might have gone to the wrong place.
"This doesn't look like it just perished, does it?"
Iceberg and Franky, held in her dragon claws, shivered from the cold, also looking around with uncertainty.
"Don't worry, I'll ask!"
Transforming into her human form, she dropped the two to the ground, and Nero pulled out a den den mushi from her ample bosom.
"Hmm, Lord Holio?"
"...Nothing! It's just that I happened to arrive near Flevance and could lend a small hand."
"..."
"Nani? Got it wrong?"
"Flevance perished months ago! Then my allowance..."
"Nothing!"
"It's nothing... I just happened to be passing by, and it has nothing to do with Flevance!"
"red bean paste! red bean paste!"
"Muhaha, then remember to strengthen your intelligence department's training. Don't make such basic mistakes!"
"Hmm, rest assured, how could I possibly think of intercepting your achievements early just because I'm short on money?"
"Understood, I know!"
The den den mushi hung up, and Nero calmly put it back.
Looking at the country full of ruins, not even a scavenger was in sight.
"Hmm, let's wipe this utterly worthless place off the map!"
"Hey! Big Sister Nero, it wouldn't be that bad..." Iceberg quickly tried to stop her, not forgetting to call out to Franky: "Right, Franky, you agree, don't you?"
"If possible, I'd like to see an attack like that!" Franky scratched his head, his expression somewhat expectant.
"Idiot! Is this the time to be saying that?" Iceberg was speechless, his face full of black lines.
"Hmm, then you two are in for a treat today! Anyway, this place only produces poisonous ore. If it completely disappears, my vase will become even more valuable!"
Nero puffed out her cheeks, looking annoyed.
"No, no, no! To wipe a country off the map just for a vase is too absurd, isn't it?"
Iceberg persisted, but his tone was no longer as firm as before.
"Besides, there are other neighboring countries that border this place. Even if you can destroy it, what if you accidentally affect other areas?"
Listening to Iceberg's earnest persuasion, Nero also frowned in thought: "Hmm... Then it's their bad luck?"
"...Is that something a person would say?"
Iceberg's eye twitched, and he finally realized that the person before him was one of the Four Emperors, a notorious pirate who reigned supreme.
Talking about collateral damage with a pirate was indeed a bit foolish.
"Urgh! Anyway, I've decided! You two hurry up and get to the Deserted Island next door. In ten minutes, I'm going to sink this place!"
"Big Sister Nero!" Franky raised his hand.
"What is it?"
"Can I watch from closer? I promise I won't disturb you!"
"Denied! But I guarantee you'll see everything clearly even from the Deserted Island!"
"Eh~" Franky's face fell.
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