"You… how do you know all this!?"
BOOM!!!
A surge of terrifying Conqueror's Haki erupted from Doflamingo's body, flooding the air like a demonic tide, its invisible fangs baring toward Red.
But in that instant—
Two equally fierce waves of Conqueror's Haki exploded out from Luffy and Ace.
One heavy and domineering, the other blazing like fire.The two auras intertwined—like a giant's invisible hand—crushing Doflamingo's pressure flat.
"You… you two…"
Doflamingo's face twisted darkly, his sharp gaze flashing like a hidden blade.
Yet after witnessing the Haki radiating from Luffy and Ace, even he had to rein in his arrogance and turn his attention to the man those two kings were guarding—Red.
"How do you know all this!?"He ignored the dumbstruck Bellamy and Sarquis, his question aimed squarely at Red.
Red smiled faintly, his tone calm."No need to get so worked up, Doflamingo."
"Secrets are only secrets because one day they're bound to be revealed."
"We have our own ways of gathering information."
He gestured downward twice with a finger, a small, disarming smile on his lips—signaling he meant no harm.Then, his voice grew steady and serious again.
"Doflamingo, I'm not here to threaten you with this secret. I just want you to know—we're not your enemies."
"And from here on, I hope you'll take this conversation seriously."
"After all… you know as well as I do—time is running out."
"Cooperation is the only way we both win."
Under Red's composed voice, Doflamingo slowly suppressed the anger and shock in his heart.
Though he didn't yet understand what kind of "win-win" Red meant, when he looked up again, his presence had already shifted back to that of the Underworld King who ruled the shadows.
"Fuffuffuffuffu~"
"This game really is getting more complicated."
He leaned back in his chair, eyes sweeping sharply over the three men before him, and then said in a low, dangerous voice:
"You want to know the current state of the Whitebeard Pirates, don't you?"
"You don't look like you're clueless, so I'll keep it short."
"The Marines have already decided to launch a full-scale purge against Whitebeard's crew."
"From the intel I've gathered so far, they've already captured one division commander—and taken down six subordinate crews under Whitebeard's flag."
"As for Whitebeard's territories in the New World, the Marines have occupied quite a few."
"And that number's still climbing."
"What!?"
Ace shot to his feet, fists clenched tight, fury burning in his eyes.
"Calm down, Ace!" Red quickly reached out, patting his back. "Didn't we already see this coming?"
In the original timeline, Blackbeard had managed to seize Whitebeard's territory within two years of the Marineford War, cementing his place as an Emperor.
That alone proved the man had been planning his move long before.
Now, all he'd done was hand that same plan—or a portion of it—to the Marines.
And with their manpower and coordination, their purge of Whitebeard's forces would only proceed faster.
"Cut off the limbs and eyes before you strike the head… a clever strategy," Red murmured.
He hadn't expected the cooperation between Blackbeard and the Navy to move this fast.After all, it hadn't even been a month since the Straw Hats defeated Blackbeard.
That only meant one thing—
"The Navy's really dead set on this," Red whispered, realizing the gravity of the situation.
Beside him, Ace was trembling uncontrollably.
He looked like he might bolt through the door at any second—straight toward the New World to warn Whitebeard himself.
"Ace! Don't forget what you promised me!"
"Now is not the time to act rashly."
"Trust your crewmates. Trust Whitebeard."
"They're not so easily defeated."
"All we need to do is follow the plan."
"…"
Ace's body radiated heat from his surging emotions.But after a few tense seconds, he finally released his fists, exhaling a heavy breath.
"You're right, Red."
"Now's not the time to panic!"
He dropped back into his seat, the fury in his eyes condensing into a dangerous glint.
"…"
Watching the exchange, Doflamingo's hidden eyes flickered behind his crimson lenses.
Something wasn't adding up.The Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates… taking orders from some no-name guy?
And that Straw Hat kid's Haki just now…
This group is far more dangerous than I thought.
"Let's get to the point," Red said suddenly, fixing Doflamingo with a knowing look.
"Doflamingo—tell me something. You hate the Celestial Dragons, don't you?"
"You'd love to see those pompous gods dragged down from their pedestals, wouldn't you?"
Doflamingo's lips curved into a faint grin. "You know quite a lot…"
Red's grin widened."As they say—the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"So tell me… as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, are you interested in helping us stage—"
"—a live broadcasted public execution of a Celestial Dragon?"
CLANG!A metal tray hit the floor behind him, Bellamy having dropped it in shock.
But Doflamingo didn't even turn around.
Because he too was utterly stunned.
"You're joking… right?" he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction.
But seeing the unwavering look in Red's eyes—and those of Luffy and Ace—his throat went dry.
Red's gaze was still calm as a still pond."Do I look like the kind of man who jokes about things like this?"
"No," Doflamingo smirked darkly. "You really don't."
"Fuffuffuffuffu~"
"You're planning to use the Celestial Dragons to divert the Marines' attention, aren't you?"
"A clever move indeed. The Marines, being dogs of the World Government, could never stand by if a Celestial Dragon's in danger."
"Fine then. Tell me your plan—I'll decide if I want in."
He wasn't expecting much from this "plan," but a scheme this absurd was worth listening to for entertainment alone.
A public execution of a Celestial Dragon?What kind of lunacy was that?
Killing one was easy—he'd done it himself.His father. His brother. Both were Celestial Dragons.
But executing one publicly?That was suicide.
Even Doflamingo wouldn't dare dream of it.
The wrath that would provoke from the World Government would make even the sea itself tremble.
Yet before he could sneer again, Red spoke up with an unexpected calm:
"I think you've misunderstood, Doflamingo."
Red smiled faintly. "As much as I hate to say it, your Donquixote Family isn't qualified to join this operation."
"Neither you nor your crew could withstand the World Government's fury."
"I'm here to ask for cooperation, not to drag you into a death sentence."
"So you'll only need to do two things for me—"
"First, find me the trace of a Celestial Dragon."
"Second, spread word of it as widely and as fast as you can."
"Do that, and you'll be free of all further involvement."
"What do you mean!?" Doflamingo frowned, feeling insulted.
Red only grinned. "Exactly what it sounds like."
"This is just the beginning of our cooperation—I can't hand you the key details yet. I hope you understand."
"…Looks like I don't have much choice but to help you then," Doflamingo said darkly.
Still, rather than anger, there was amusement in his smirk.
"I just hope I see your names on the front page soon—"
"Not in the comedy section."
With that jab, his expression shifted into thought.After a moment, he said, "If you're looking for Celestial Dragons, Carnival City might be your best bet."
"From what I know, there are three of them on that island right now."
"If you've got the guts you claim, go try your luck there."
"Carnival City…" Red's eyes flickered with realization. "I see."
"Thanks."
He knew the place well.
Carnival City—one of the outermost islands along the seven routes of the Grand Line's first half.A paradise of endless revelry, where parties and festivals never ceased.Pirates, Marines, Minks, Fishmen—everyone could find a place to celebrate there.
It was famous across the Grand Line for that very reason.
In fact, when Red designed Pokémon Paradise, he had studied Carnival City's culture for inspiration.
From Jaya Island, it would take only three days to reach—far more efficient than their previous plan to sneak into the heavily guarded Sabaody Archipelago.
"Fuffuffuffuffu…"Seeing Red deep in thought, Doflamingo chuckled, then stood up from his chair.
He pulled a flamingo-shaped Den Den Mushi from his coat pocket.
"This can contact me directly," he said."If you ever need media coverage—call me."
With that, he turned to leave.
Just as he reached the door, he paused and lifted a hand.
"Consider this a free bonus for the show you're about to perform."
"By this time tomorrow, I'll be at Marine Headquarters—with the other Seven Warlords."
"Care to guess why they're calling us together?"
Leaving that cryptic riddle behind, Doflamingo strutted away, his steps echoing arrogantly down the corridor.
"Red!!!"
The moment he was gone, both Luffy and Ace sprang up, voices raised.
"I know!" Red's eyes flashed with urgency, but he quickly shook his head. "There's no time to keep adjusting our plans now…"
"If things have reached this point—we strike fast!"
The Navy's pace after receiving Blackbeard's intel was terrifyingly fast.At this rate, even if they succeeded in diverting attention, the Whitebeard Pirates would still take devastating losses.
And someone else might swoop in to reap the spoils.
As Red reached for his Den Den Mushi to contact his allies—
"Brrr! Brrr! Brrr!"
"Brrr! Brrr! Brrr!"
"Huh? Who'd call me now?"
He picked up, frowning in confusion.
A second later, the Den Den Mushi's face contorted into a comically familiar grin.
"Hey~ is this Lord Red speaking!?" came a raspy, slightly nasal voice.
"…Buggy?"
Red blinked, bewildered.
"What's with the sudden call? Did something happen?"
"Ah, well, nothing too serious," Buggy said awkwardly, scratching his cheek. "Just thought I should let you know something."
After fumbling with his words for a few seconds, he continued nervously:
"See, Lord Red… do you remember that guy Bartolomeo from Loguetown?"
"The one who, uh, attacked Lady Nami and Sanji back then?"
"Well, I ran into him recently—on Carnival City Island."
"And, uh, he's been crying his eyes out, begging to join the Straw Hat Pirates…"
"I figured I should, you know, ask what you and Lord Luffy think about that."
"Oh, right—he's the Barrier-Barrier Fruit user. Pretty tough guy, actually. Might be worth considering."
Meanwhile, on Carnival City, Buggy hung up the receiver, glancing nervously at the teary-eyed Bartolomeo beside him—and instantly regretted his life choices.
Of all the promises to make… why agree to introduce this lunatic to the Straw Hats!?
If Mr. 3 hadn't been strong enough to handle a Vice Admiral alone, Buggy never would've made such a reckless deal in the first place.
Now, all he could do was pray that Red wouldn't chew him out.
After all—this was Red, the man who had built an entire Pokémon World with his own hands!
Why would someone like him care about a nobody like Bartolomeo!?
But then—
From the Den Den Mushi came Red's sharp, startled voice:
"Wait!"
"Did you just say… what city!?"
(End of Chapter)