"Regarding the current issues with Fish-Man Island, the BOSS has already given it some thought. That's why he wants to help everyone here."
With a smile, Senor Pink pulled out a Visual Den Den Mushi.
Doflamingo already had a plan?
Neptune stared at Senor Pink, a creeping sense of unease building in his chest.
Beneath the night sky, the projection appeared crystal clear.
A ring-shaped island slowly came into view.
It grew larger by the second as the perspective shifted to one of its outer corners.
Boundless white clouds stretched across everyone's vision.
Residents—some with wings, some without—played on the beach and in the white sea.
Everyone from Fish-Man Island stared wide-eyed in disbelief and cried out in shock.
"This is…? The ocean?!"
"A white ocean!"
"Is this the legendary Sky Island?!"
"..."
"Exactly."
Seeing the reaction from the fish-men and merfolk, Senor Pink nodded in satisfaction and continued his explanation.
"This is the White Sea, located 10,000 meters above the ocean. Its boundaries haven't even been fully measured yet. The ecosystem is rich—home to countless Sky Fish and Sky Kings."
"In other words… it's suitable for us to live in too?"
A voice rose from the group of fish-men.
"Correct."
Senor Pink gave a nod, appreciating the timely prompt.
"Since the sea refuses to accept the fish-men and merfolk, the BOSS warmly welcomes you to live on the Sky Island. After all, the BOSS doesn't discriminate. He treats everyone equally."
"And what's the price?"
Tiger, now barely able to move, forced himself to stand despite his injuries and asked in a firm voice.
As long as they weren't being turned into slaves—if it was for the future of Fish-Man District—he would pay any price.
Even his life.
Those young children... their lives shouldn't wither away before they've even begun.
Not in a place like Fish-Man District, drowning in silence.
Fish-Man District, the resting place of the Noah, was mostly submerged in seawater.
Compared to those sea-level apartments with sunlight and an abundance of oysters, Fish-Man District was cold, damp, and facing a food crisis.
Everyone turned to Senor Pink, waiting for his response.
"Tiger! We don't even know what Sky Island is really like..."
Otohime tried to dissuade him in a panic. Even Neptune looked like he wanted to intervene.
No matter what others thought of Tiger now, both she and Neptune still held him in high regard.
They couldn't allow him to be misled.
"Silence!!"
Tiger shouted, his voice firm and loud.
This was the business of Fish-Man District. It wasn't the concern of Ryugu Palace.
Otohime shut her mouth, sensing the resolution in Tiger's voice.
He didn't want any help from the royal palace for this matter.
"No need to get so worked up."
Senor Pink took a drag from his cigarette and pulled out another Visual Den Den Mushi.
This time, what played was everyday life in the residential areas of the Donquixote Kingdom.
Even through the screen, one could see it clearly.
Peaceful, calm, hopeful smiles lit up the faces of every citizen.
It soothed the unease in everyone's hearts.
The life under the rumored terrifying Heavenly Yaksha, Doflamingo, didn't seem nearly as nightmarish as they'd imagined.
Once the recording ended, Senor Pink resumed his commentary.
"This is daily life for the people of the Donquixote Kingdom. Most of the immigrants from the Blue Sea come from war-torn countries in the North Blue."
"The BOSS is always willing to lend a hand to those suffering in crisis. That includes you as well."
"And the price? Work for the BOSS. Fair enough, right?"
"Or… keep scraping by in the shadows of Fish-Man District, where the sun doesn't even reach."
"Keep draining the lifeblood of your own people just to survive."
"..."
Silence hung over Gyroncorde Plaza that night.
After a long pause, Tiger took a deep breath and asked in a low voice,
"That's all?"
"What, you thought he wanted slaves?"
The bitter sarcasm made the expressions on the fish-men's faces subtly shift.
But Senor Pink remained unfazed and calmly replied.
"The BOSS has no such kink. The Donquixote Family has zero interest in the filthy human trafficking business."
Tiger's voice trembled slightly.
"Can… everyone in Fish-Man District go?"
"Of course. Every single resident—fish-man or merfolk. There's a job for each of them on Sky Island."
"And unlike your cramped underwater pigeon coop apartments, the Sky Island has land to spare."
Neptune's face darkened even more.
Didn't he also wish the people had more spacious homes?
This tiny island was already supporting five million people—far beyond its capacity.
Tiger suppressed the impulse to sell himself on the spot and lowered his head.
"Please allow me to give you an answer tomorrow."
He wasn't acting alone. He needed to hear the will of his people.
"Of course. But we'll be leaving tomorrow evening. Oh, and King Neptune, Queen Otohime—your citizens are welcome on Sky Island too. The BOSS would be happy to have them."
Without waiting for any response, Senor Pink turned and left with his men.
"See you tomorrow!"
"Tiger! This—"
Seeing Doflamingo's people walk off, Otohime couldn't hold back any longer.
"We'll be returning to Fish-Man District now. Please rest, Your Majesty, Your Highness."
Tiger's cold words made Otohime realize just how far the gap between them had grown.
An invisible wall had risen between them.
Tiger lifted the completely paralyzed Jinbe, called for the fallen fish-men nearby, and led the group back toward Fish-Man District.
...
After sleeping for most of the day, Doflamingo's consciousness entered the dreamscape.
Staring at the name "Jinbe" lighting up on the panel, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"So even if I wasn't the one who beat him, it still counts? But what's Senor Pink doing on Fish-Man Island?
Is the Sky Island offer not tempting enough? Did he go straight into Fish-Man District because they weren't falling for it?
Can't be… those sewer-dwelling fish-men don't want to rise above their station?"
His gaze landed on the one remaining unlit name: Bartholomew Kuma.
Doflamingo felt his obsessive side acting up again.
"Looks like I need to keep an eye on the Revolutionaries. Gotta find Kuma and give him a good beating."
...
The Next Day.
In the Laboratory.
A square-shaped human "stick figure" was suspended in midair, its limbs twitching uncontrollably.
It looked as if something was trying to tear its way out of his skin.
This was a sign of growth—a Zoan Devil Fruit user evolving further.
Doflamingo was increasingly convinced he'd been right to eliminate Kurozumi Orochi back then.
"Kurozumi Orochi really was a top-tier piece of trash. Even half-dead and living on instinct, his Devil Fruit is still growing stronger."
"BOSS! That test subject you brought back from Wano is still in great shape!"
Caesar bowed with a sycophantic grin as he gave his report.
"I wonder... Lady Baccarat, would you—"
"Caesar, your current results aren't enough to impress me. And don't think I don't know you've been drinking with geisha at the pleasure halls all day!! Every single bill has been sent straight to Tesoro's office!!!"
Doflamingo's icy gaze slowly slid across Caesar's scalp.
This greedy old bastard—lecherous, lazy, and always looking to cut corners.
Not like Judge, who had a family to support and always did his job diligently.
Caesar's face turned white, drenched in sweat as he stammered,
"I... I... uh..."
Bang!
With surgical precision, Doflamingo embedded Caesar straight into the floor. A visible bump grew on his head like something out of a cartoon.
To spare him the pain, Doflamingo even knocked him out cold afterward.
Just then, the lab's heavy door creaked open.
A large, imposing figure squeezed through, looking slightly panicked. He shut the door behind him.
Bullet, his upper body wrapped tightly in bandages tied with a cute little bow, took a quick glance outside before straightening up into his usual cold, muscular stance.
"Doflamingo, what do you want from me?"
"Of course..."
Doflamingo grinned.
"...I've got a gift for you."
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg