175
Doflamingo's lips slowly curved into a smile devoid of warmth.
"I understand."
He murmured into the receiver, his voice hoarse, "We're everyone's target now."
"That's right."
Lami relayed the words without a ripple in her voice. "First, that 'New World **' led by Imu will certainly want to crush us to dust, especially once news of your return spreads.
Second, the Navy-those self-proclaimed machines of righteous violence-aims to bring every nation under its wing.
Even if its leaders have no selfish intentions, that goal alone puts them at odds with us.
Then there are the powerful figures standing on these seas. Who among them would willingly kneel to another? Back then, they agreed to gather temporarily for two reasons: they acknowledged Rossi's strength, and Imu loomed over them as a shared, unknown, powerful enemy.
But now? If the twin kings of Donquixote stood together and could even withstand Imu's 'move,' who could stop them?"
She paused briefly, letting silence spread at both ends.
"As for the ** Army... they're hidden even deeper, and their goal is even more dangerous.
You could almost say they're everyone's enemy, the shadow every faction watches most warily beside its pillow, and the common enemy of the vast majority."
Lami's voice finally softened a little, but grew all the graver:
"So, brother, please be very careful."
Doflamingo slowly set down the receiver.
The faint click of the snail's shell closing sounded exceptionally clear in the silent hall.
He turned, his gaze sweeping over every face at the table.
Outside the window, Dressrosa's blazing sunshine baked the sea of flowers outside the Royal Palace, drawing out a sweetness so rich it was almost pungent.
Yet the air inside the hall was as cold as the deep sea.
Rossi surmised that the various factions would likely