Chapter 49

After finishing the call, Nangong Yan was invited into the castle by Diamante. Seated at the long rectangular dining table, Diamante personally brought out some food and a bottle of red wine.

Nangong Yan was in no hurry. He leisurely drank wine and chatted with Diamante, learning about the Donquixote Family's development in the North Blue.

From Diamante's words, it was clear that the Donquixote Family had developed quite well in the North Blue. They had become the most renowned pirate crew in the region, and their influence was expanding rapidly.

Diamante also probed indirectly into Nangong Yan's purpose in coming here. Though he might have had some guesses, he still could not get a read on Nangong Yan.

Half an hour later, Doflamingo was the first to return to the base. At this point in time, Doflamingo had yet to wear the iconic outfit from the original story.

Doflamingo wore a black shirt, a red tie, and white trousers embroidered with dark red patterns at the cuffs. His golden hair stood high on his head, and he wore orange sunglasses.

Doflamingo stepped into the hall, removed his sunglasses, and smiled his signature smile. In a loud voice, he said, "For Lord Nangong to personally visit my humble home truly brings glory to it!"

"Zehahahaha... Enough with the flattery. Let's discuss business." Nangong Yan speared a tender piece of steak, put it into his mouth, and spoke clearly even as he chewed.

"Fine." Doflamingo strode over and sat across from Nangong Yan. Diamante promptly brought him a meal, and the two ate as they talked.

"May I ask what brings Lord Nangong here? If there is anything you need the Donquixote Family to help with, just say the word. The Donquixote Family will not refuse."

"There is nothing I, Nangong Yan, need your help with. My purpose here is simple: to invite you, Doflamingo, to join my Demon Emperor Pirates and become a core crew member."

Nangong Yan spoke in a deep voice, slowly and directly, without concealing anything.

No surprise appeared on Doflamingo's face. Clearly, Nangong Yan's purpose had been within his expectations.

Doflamingo was also a proud and arrogant man. As for whether he was qualified to join the Demon Emperor Pirates, he had no doubt that he was!

Doflamingo did not immediately agree. Having awakened Conqueror's Haki, he was highly ambitious. Before suffering the blows of the New World, he had no desire to serve beneath another.

Although joining the Demon Emperor Pirates would greatly benefit the Donquixote Family and allow them to develop faster.

Still, Doflamingo did not dare refuse lightly. Otherwise, he would thoroughly offend Nangong Yan. If Nangong Yan went mad, who knew what might happen?

Seeing Doflamingo hesitate, Nangong Yan took a sip of red wine and smiled faintly. "I've looked into you. The former Celestial Dragon, Donquixote Doflamingo."

"You hate the Celestial Dragons deeply, don't you? You want to turn the Celestial Dragons' world upside down. But with your strength alone, forgive my bluntness, there is very little you can accomplish."

"The String-String Fruit has limited potential. Even if you develop it to the point of awakening, it will pose no real threat to the World Government or the Celestial Dragons."

"If you want to throw the Celestial Dragons' world into chaos, you must seek outside aid. Join the Demon Emperor Pirates. The Demon Emperor Pirates will be your greatest support."

"I do not intend to hide this from you either. Since I came personally, I never considered the possibility of failure. Whether your allegiance is sincere or false, you must join my Demon Emperor Pirates!"

By the end, Nangong Yan's domineering aura burst forth. His Conqueror's Haki crashed toward Doflamingo like wave after wave.

Doflamingo's expression tightened as his Conqueror's Haki erupted involuntarily. The two bursts of Conqueror's Haki collided in midair, black-red lightning spreading and intertwining through the air like enormous serpents.

The two forces of Conqueror's Haki contended in the air, and Nangong Yan was determined to force Doflamingo into submission. If he could subdue him with Conqueror's Haki, he did not want to resort to force and damage their relationship. After all, Nangong Yan already regarded Doflamingo as one of the Demon Emperor Pirates.

Nangong Yan's Conqueror's Haki had awakened during his clash with Golden Lion; Doflamingo's Conqueror's Haki had awakened when he faced threats from ordinary people. In terms of spirit and vision, Nangong Yan was not inferior to Doflamingo in the slightest, and he also possessed formidable strength.

Nangong Yan's Conqueror's Haki slowly forced Doflamingo's into a corner. Veins bulged on Doflamingo's forehead as he resisted with all his strength.

Black-red lightning spread through the hall, while invisible shockwaves surged in every direction. The food and wine bottles on the table were sent flying and smashed onto the floor. Cracking sounds echoed throughout the hall as fine cracks began appearing along the walls.

Diamante watched the two men struggle anxiously, but he did not dare make any rash moves. He held his steel cape before him, using it to withstand the increasingly powerful shockwaves in the hall.

Fifteen minutes later, the entire hall was a mess. The rectangular dining table had been shattered into several pieces scattered across the floor. Cracks covered the walls and floor, with dust strewn everywhere.

Doflamingo could no longer hold on. The black-red lightning vanished, his body shook violently, and blood trickled from his mouth and nose.

"Doffy, how are you? Are you all right?" Diamante rushed to Doflamingo's side, his face full of concern.

"I'm fine. It's only a minor injury." Doflamingo waved his hand, though his expression was rather unpleasant.

After all, losing in a contest of Conqueror's Haki proved that he was inferior to Nangong Yan. As fellow conquerors, both proud and arrogant, it naturally left him deeply dissatisfied!

"Doffy, I have said nearly everything I needed to say. Now it depends on your answer. Will you become my companion, or my enemy?" Nangong Yan rose from his chair, his right hand gripping the hilt of Eastern Emperor as sharp sword intent brewed within its sheath.

So long as Doflamingo dared let a single word of refusal leave his mouth, earth-shattering sword energy would burst from its sheath, slice through the air, and strike straight at Doflamingo and Diamante!

Feeling astonishing killing intent envelop him and sharp sword intent lock onto him, a bead of cold sweat appeared on Doflamingo's face. Once he realized Nangong Yan was not joking in the slightest, he swallowed involuntarily. After carefully considering Nangong Yan's words, he finally made his decision.

"It seems I have no other choice. I hope that, as you said, Captain, I can achieve my goal and turn the world of those lofty Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land upside down!" A trace of respect appeared on Doflamingo's face. Since he had made his decision, he would see it through without hesitation!

"Very good. A wise man submits to circumstances. On behalf of the Demon Emperor Pirates, I welcome you! It is easy for outer members to join the Demon Emperor Pirates, but we do not accept trash as core crew members."

"The core crew members I invite will all become captains of the Demon Emperor Pirates in the future, each capable of standing on their own. At the very least, they must possess the strength of an ordinary Marine Headquarters vice admiral."

"If you can build a good relationship with them in the future, invite them to help you throw the Celestial Dragons' world into chaos."

"As captain, I will not stop you. If your future contributions to the Demon Emperor Pirates are great enough, I would not mind commanding the Demon Emperor Pirates to cause a massive uproar for you, Doffy!"

Doflamingo's eyes grew brighter and brighter upon hearing Nangong Yan's words. The respect on his face deepened as his eyes gleamed. "I am willing to serve the Demon Emperor Pirates and the Captain!"

Nangong Yan nodded in satisfaction. Then his expression abruptly changed, and he said coldly, "You two, leave immediately. Three immense presences are rapidly approaching from the east. Each of them possesses strength comparable to a Marine admiral!"

Upon hearing this, Doflamingo and Diamante rushed out of the castle. Taking Diamante with him, Doflamingo activated the String-String Fruit's power, wrapping thin strings around the empty clouds as they fled rapidly westward.