Doflamingo's Obsession

"However, I'm afraid they don't expect that you're planning something even bigger next. You're really never quiet... If I were them, I would do everything I could to get rid of you." Dover licked his lips. "I'm afraid those five people can't sit still anymore... Maybe he will make a move too."

"No, Imu won't move."

"Oboro said."

The two men were discussing the deepest 'secrets' of the world's nobility in the most casual of conversations.

"If I wanted to, with some careful planning, I could eliminate Kaido in Wano Country, though Shanks is someone I can't get rid of in a short time. The reason I can't touch Shanks is because of his special status. The other Yonko can't be deeply bound to the World Government, but he's the only exception..." Oboro tapped the sofa with one hand and rested his chin on the other, continuing to admire the scenery outside the window, his eyes wise. "It's not that he's that strong, but rather... he's the only smart one among the Yonko."

"At certain crucial moments, it is possible to break free from the 'constraints' of one's stance, something that Kaido and Big Mom cannot do."

"The reason I left two of the Yonko behind is twofold: first, to avoid provoking Shanks to completely side with the Celestial Dragons; and second, to preserve a threat that could benefit the World Government. Sometimes, having one dominant force isn't necessarily a good thing; the Rocks Pirates are a good example of this. Moreover, the Yonko are just a title to us. Even if Linlin and Whitebeard are gone, as long as we fill the vacancies, the Yonko will still exist."

"What tigers fear is not encountering another tiger, but a pack of wolves... In special situations, numbers are often more advantageous than individual soldiers... The most crucial thing is to distract them."

"If you get them to focus all their energy on one target... it actually becomes easier."

"Hey... what have you been through to make your mind so insidious and terrifying?"

Doflamingo retorted.

"Horrible?"

Long raised an eyebrow, looked up and tapped his temple. "Isn't the brain the most unique advantage of humans? I'm just making use of it a little."

"Fufufu..."

"You should know, right? The truth about you and me can't be hidden forever... It will be exposed sooner or later. Even if you have the privileges of a 'Celestial Dragons,' once the plan succeeds, you will be classified as an 'unforgivable' member."

Oboro looked at Joker.

"Fuck... I was never one of them to begin with; it was their own choice." Doflamingo pushed up his glasses with his middle finger, his tone displeased. "I just think... if there has to be a Celestial Dragons who wields absolute power in this world, then... why can't it be me?"

After saying that, he opened his arms and burst into laughter.

Dover's mind replayed his childhood memories of returning to Mary Geoise after suffering worldly malice, pleading to rejoin the world's aristocracy. He remembered the mocking, scornful faces and the undisguised, humiliating words of insults... He remembered them vividly, as if they were yesterday.

The vows and angry words he uttered at that time, facing the 'ruthless' closed gates of the holy land, were not just casual remarks.

He wanted to let those Celestial Dragons know... he was serious!

Doflamingo understood even more clearly that if Oboro hadn't appeared... he probably wouldn't have been able to achieve this goal in his lifetime on his own.

"You just said you wanted to fill the vacancy of Yonko... Besides me, who else could it be? Blackbeard?"

"Um."

After destroying Totto Land, the Hell Pirates would help the Donquixote Family annex all of Big Mom Pirates's territory and resources—this was an agreement made between the two from the beginning. Even if the outside world considered Doflamingo merely a 'puppet ruler' chosen by the God Slayer, Doflamingo wouldn't mind at all. Oboro disliked the title of Yonko, but he quite liked it... Given the Donquixote Family's current size, sitting on the throne of Yonko seemed somewhat unworthy.

But it's not a big problem...

The entire Donquixote Family will receive Oboro's divine blessing, including himself, and will also gain the 'Demon Tribe Bloodline'... At that time, their strength will greatly increase. Moreover, as long as they have money, with the influence of the Yonko, they won't have trouble recruiting people. With the help of the Hell Pirates, they will be able to secure their position.

"You really have high hopes for him..."

Doflamingo was somewhat skeptical of Blackbeard's abilities; to put it bluntly, he underestimated Marshall D. Teach.

Kaido's personality is too well understood. Including Shanks, the Yonko are only two fewer, not all of them... Even though Shanks is considered the most 'peaceful' of the Yonko, he can't just stand by and watch others be on equal footing with him. Don't underestimate the 'One Piece instinct'.

If Oboro were to take the position of Yonko, Kaido and Shanks would be left with nothing but 'eyes wide open'.

But if someone like him or Marshall D. Teach wants to be served at the dinner table, they have to ask Kaido and Shanks for permission first.

The Donquixote Family, with the help of the Hell Pirates, was able to become one of the Yonko, but Marshall D. Teach, on his own... would find it incredibly difficult to fight against Kaido and Shanks.

That's a bit of a fantasy.

"Do you and him also have any collaborations?"

Doflamingo knew that the Blackbeard Pirates had received a boost in divine power from Oboro.

"He's not a good partner... Marshall D. Teach is a mad dog that bites its master. I don't want to become the second Whitebeard," Oboro joked. "The scar on Shanks' eye... was left by Marshall D. Teach. The two of them fought when they were both apprentice crew members... and the fight ended in a draw. It's just that after joining the Whitebeard Pirates, Marshall D. Teach has always kept a low profile, which has made everyone overlook his potential threat and abilities. This guy's potential... is in no way inferior to Shanks', and so is his cunning."

"I see..."

Dover gave a perfunctory reply, still not believing that Marshall D. Teach was capable of going that far.

"Get ready... this is a very important step."

Long got up and left, reminding him.

"Fufufu..."

Doflamingo is just weaker. With his status and connections in the New World, he is someone even the Yonko cannot underestimate. He is one of the most qualified candidates to be one of the Yonko, so Oboro doesn't mind giving him a hand.

Furthermore, considering that even someone like Buggy could become one of the Yonko by some twist of fate, Doflamingo seems a bit more 'reasonable' in this light.

He and Dover are plotting something... Rob Lucci has already figured it out.

Therefore, at this critical juncture, it is necessary to 'blockade' Rob Lucci.

Not to mention Oboro, even Doflamingo wouldn't let this kid ruin things... At least, his current identity as a 'Celestial Dragons' still has some value to him.

It's not time to turn against each other yet.

And once he becomes one of the Yonko, as Oboro said, he will become an unforgivable sinner.

The Five Elders had no choice but to 'bow their heads'... Perhaps they will eventually relent and restore his status as a 'world noble,' using this opportunity to sow discord between him and Oboro.

These are all possibilities.

This scene is in stark contrast to the time when the family of several people begged the Celestial Dragons to take them in again.

Don't think the Five Elders wouldn't do something like this... On this vast ocean, profit is everything, and anything is possible; nothing is absolute.

The prerequisite is that you must have the leverage to negotiate terms.

Although these things haven't happened yet... Dover could already foresee them.

"Fufufufufu..."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Once outside the gate, Long glanced back at the house from which the maniacal laughter was emanating, paused for a moment, and then continued walking away.

His childhood experiences... truly influenced Dover's entire life.