"We just got word that all three of our smuggling ships were hijacked in Queilpa."
Everyone from the Donquixote Family had gathered in the room, waiting for Doflamingo's orders.
"I'll take a crew and wipe them out!"
Diamante spoke first.
The others felt much the same. They'd been slapped in the face like this, and if they didn't strike back, wouldn't the Donquixote Family become a laughingstock?
"Of course we'll wipe them out. Nobody gets to steal my cargo and kill my men, then walk away unscathed."
"But simply killing them all isn't enough!"
"I'm going to use this retaliation to make the Donquixote Family's name ring out once more. I want those scum who only dare scheme in secret to tremble in fear at the mere sound of our name and never dare oppose us again."
"So I'll be leading this operation myself."
"Corazon and Jora will stay behind to guard the house. Everyone else, get ready for battle. Don't let a single one of them escape."
Before long, Doflamingo's orders had been passed along.
Mingo was rather protective of his younger brother, so he always gave him relatively safe assignments.
Jora was also staying behind to look after Dellinger, who was still a baby.
With the two of them keeping watch, Mingo felt at ease.
Everyone else sprang into action.
"Come on, Abel! We've got a big operation!"
Abel was sweating it out on the training ground when Baby-5 hurried over to him.
"What big operation?"
Abel was completely lost.
Baby-5 quickly explained, "Someone hijacked one of our smuggling ships. Young Master just flew into a rage and decided to wipe them out."
Anyone bold enough to openly challenge the Donquixote Family was certainly gutsy.
"You mean we're going too? Wouldn't something like this be handled by someone other than rookies like us?"
Buffalo immediately lifted his chin proudly. "Young Master set aside this chance for us to get real combat experience! You wouldn't understand, since all you do is train like an idiot every day."
Aren't they just raising killing machines? What's there to be proud of?
Abel silently rolled his eyes.
Still, fighting others was unavoidable if he wanted to become truly strong.
Real combat was also a good way to improve his abilities.
Besides, nearly the entire Donquixote Family was going, which meant a bunch of high-level players taking along a low-level one. The danger was minimal, making this the perfect chance to rack up experience.
So Abel wasn't reluctant in the least. If anything, he was eager to give it a try.
"Where's that guy Luo?"
Baby-5 immediately raised her hand. "I saw him! Lord Corra took Luo away."
Abel nodded. "Then we won't look for him. Let's go."
Queilpa wasn't far from the port town of Spadamalus, but Doflamingo cared deeply about making a grand entrance, so he still brought everyone aboard the ostentatious Numancia Flamingo.
The entire ship was pale pink. Its figurehead was a bird's head atop a long, slender neck, complete with sunglasses just like Doflamingo's.
It was outrageously flashy, yet somehow perfectly suited to Doflamingo's personal style.
The interior decor carried on the former Celestial Dragon's tastes, all lavish grandeur with a flamboyant flair.
Still, Mingo knew how to enjoy himself—and he was rich!
The ship had every supply imaginable, and the food was even better than usual.
On top of that, Mingo had brought the household maids aboard. Every day felt like a party!
Traveling on a ship like this was so delightful that you never wanted to leave.
Even Abel couldn't help thinking that maybe he should just let loose for a couple of days.
Luckily, he remembered in time that he was still a kid.
And so he successfully banished those distracting thoughts, focusing on training and eating every day.
Hah! Women only slow a man's sword arm!
"Abel, wanna play hide-and-seek with me?"
"No. Get lost!"
Buffalo ran off with a sob, but before long, Baby-5 came cheerfully over.
"Abel, Abel, let's play hide-and-seek together!"
"No."
"If you can find me, you won't have to pay back all that money you borrowed."
Damn!
Was this the money attack of a rich little girl?
I refuse to give in!
"What should I call you?"
"Master~"
Ah.
That felt good.
Forget training this stupid sword!
Two days later, at a manor on Mount Queilpa.
Every member of the Skunk Pirates, who had provoked the Donquixote Family, had gathered there.
As for the manor's original owner...
They'd already buried him in the back garden as fertilizer.
The flowers there would surely bloom beautifully next year.
"Have all the traps been checked?"
"Everyone, stay sharp! Keep your eyes open!"
"By my reckoning, the Donquixote Family should arrive within the next few days. This is our chance to make the Skunk Pirates' name ring out once and for all!"
"But, Boss... They're the infamous Donquixote Family! Can we really beat them?"
One of the men looked nervous and afraid.
The place was so far from the port that there was no time to escape by ship. He couldn't understand where the captain had found the nerve to pick a fight with them—and then wait so brazenly for them to come for revenge.
Smack!
Captain Mephitis was a rat-faced man, but when he got angry, he was terrifying. He slapped the man who had just spoken and sent him flying.
"Heh. If the Donquixote Family dares come here, this island will be their grave!"
Mephitis seemed utterly confident.
Of course, he wasn't counting on his hundred or so cannon fodder underlings.
Three other Pirate Groups were already hiding on a neighboring island!
Hijacking the Donquixote Family's smuggling ship was only the first step in their plan.
Their real goal was to carve up the Donquixote Family's territory and influence!
Of course, he couldn't say that out loud just yet.
If the others found out they were only cannon fodder meant to lure the Donquixote Family into attacking, they would probably panic and turn on him.
Just then, one of his men suddenly burst through the door, shouting, "They're here! The Donquixote Family's ship just docked!"
Captain Mephitis immediately perked up. "Fire the signal flare at once and tell everyone to fall back here! Looks like today's our big chance to make a name for ourselves!"
The clueless underling immediately did as he was told, while Mephitis quietly slipped away from the crowd and took out a small Den Den Mushi.
"It's me. The prey has arrived."
"Good. We'll move at once. Remember to stall them for a while. As long as we destroy their ship first, we'll be in an unbeatable position."
"Don't worry. Today, we'll wipe out the Donquixote Family for good!"
Before you continue