"You really do have a twisted sense of humor, Doffy."
Only after a long moment did River shake his head and speak.
"Fuffuffuffuffuffu! How amusing. You think someone is on your side, only to discover in the end that he's an enemy."
Donquixote Doflamingo laughed.
"You won't end up standing against me too, will you?"
River smiled, his tone casual.
"Of course not, Uncle River."
"That's not something to joke about!"
Donquixote Doflamingo's expression shifted slightly, and he hurried to reply.
"Haha, I was only joking."
"Get ready. It's about time for the Warlords' meeting."
River smiled as he spoke, then stood and picked up the documents on the table.
"Then I'll be going ahead!"
Donquixote Doflamingo hooked a finger on his right hand. The door creaked open, and he swiftly disappeared through it with a swaying stride.
"Heh!"
Still standing where he was, River suddenly chuckled.
Naturally, he had no doubts about Donquixote Doflamingo. Even putting aside their bond from Doflamingo's childhood, their interests had just brought them together.
Doflamingo would never make the wrong choice.
Only those who truly understood River would know more clearly just how right it was to stand with him.
After leafing through the documents on the table, River narrowed his eyes, picked them up, and left the office.
A quarter of an hour later.
Inside the spacious conference room, a Surveillance Den Den Mushi looked curiously around, transmitting everything there to the people on the other end.
An ornate, dazzling crystal chandelier hung overhead, and a solemn dark-red cloth covered the long conference table.
The room's overall layout was spacious, dignified, and solemn. A stern-faced field officer stood ramrod straight in each of its four corners.
Clearly, Marine Headquarters attached great importance to these Shichibukai, whose names were renowned across the seas.
This