Doflamingo

"Little Flamingo."

At the nickname, a vein on Doflamingo's forehead throbbed sharply.

He was only ten, but he had long since ceased to be a child.

Flight, hunger, humiliation, gunfire, and blood—they had carved themselves into his bones before childhood ever could.

Since the Donquixote Family's founding, it had done as it pleased, with no one daring to cross it. Fed on fear and violence, his pride had swollen almost beyond control.

And now—

Someone dared call him that to his face, in a tone so mocking and condescending?

The difference in their height no longer mattered. He forced himself to ignore the pressure bearing down on him from the man before him.

Doflamingo snapped his head up. Beneath his red sunglasses, his gaze cut like a knife, and his roar tore from his throat.

"Bastard—!!"

"Who the fuck are you talking to?!"

The shout exploded down the street.

It nearly stopped the hearts of the four people behind him.

Trebol's face went deathly pale. Slime wobbled across the ground as he rushed forward on instinct and, ignoring Doflamingo's look of disgust, yanked him behind his back.

"D-Dof!!!"

Trebol's voice shook. He could barely get the words out.

"He's—he's—"

"The Azure Dragon!!!"

That name struck the air like a heavy hammer.

Vergo, Pica, and Diamante felt their hearts sink at almost the same instant.

Before fear could even take shape in their minds, the three moved to shield Doflamingo.

Their legs trembled, and cold sweat had soaked their backs, but they forced themselves upright and stood guard.

Behind them, Doflamingo's eyes flickered at the name Azure Dragon.

Of course he had heard the stories about that Vice Admiral.

In the North Blue and even across the world, the name was nearly synonymous with disaster.

The flicker passed. Doflamingo raised his