The Power of Silence (Continued)

Doflamingo fell silent. After a long while, he said, "You came all this way to find me. Tell me what you want."

"Just like that man, you vanished for nearly ten years."

He paused, his sharp gaze settling on Rosinante as though he could see right through him.

"It's simple!"

"I want to know where you stand now."

Rosinante's eyes hardened as he asked the question.

"Where I stand?"

"Why don't you make yourself clearer?"

A smile tugged at Doflamingo's lips.

He had a vague idea of what Rosinante meant.

"What you've done these past few years goes against everything that man stood for!"

"What exactly are you now?"

"Doflamingo!"

Rosinante's voice rang out.

"Are you asking who I am?"

"I can't believe you're still this naive after all these years, Rosinante."

"You've learned nothing in over a decade."

Doflamingo shook his head and laughed.

His eyes turned cold, and a chill entered his voice.

"Marine, pirate—what difference does the label make?"

"The victor makes the rules!"

After a brief pause, Doflamingo sneered again.

"That man disappeared more than ten years ago."

"Did you come here today to ask me that question on his behalf?"

"To ask whether I'm still one of his men?"

Rosinante nodded, his expression grave. "Of course."

"Fuffuffuffu!"

"How ridiculous!"

"If he stood before me again, I might give him an answer!"

"But you, Rosinante? Who do you think you are? You're nothing but my foolish little brother!"

"You should have died more than ten years ago!"

Rosinante's expression grew colder as he listened. Only after Doflamingo finished did he let out a long breath of smoke.

"I see."

"Then today, I'll force the answer out of you myself!"

With that, he raised his right hand, pinched the cigarette between his fingers, and flicked it hard.