Who was Doflamingo?
He was one of the future Seven Warlords of the Sea, the infamous underworld king known as "Joker," and a major partner of Kaido of the Beasts.
He was also the first person in the pirate world to publicly demonstrate Devil Fruit awakening.
If not for a once-in-a-generation prodigy who later appeared, even bringing him down might not have been guaranteed.
Could I really beat someone like that?
Chenos asked himself silently.
The caution in his heart made him stare at Doflamingo with extreme vigilance.
Then something caught his attention.
Doflamingo wasn't wearing that iconic pink feather coat.
Nor was he in pointed shoes.
Instead, he wore a black suit.
That realization struck Chenos instantly.
This isn't the awakened Doflamingo yet.
He was strong—very strong—but not the terrifying monster he would become in the future.
Only… slightly stronger than Chenos himself.
That realization made Chenos quietly breathe a sigh of relief.
"Sorry," Chenos said calmly.
"I don't have a family—and I don't have the habit of becoming someone else's family member. I appreciate the offer, though."
Doflamingo looked at him with mild surprise.
Earlier, Chenos had clearly shown fear—real caution—even dread.
But now that fear had vanished, replaced by calm confidence.
Doflamingo didn't know why Chenos's demeanor had changed.
But he liked him.
Especially Chenos's earlier display—cruel, ruthless, overwhelmingly powerful.
Someone like that would undoubtedly become one of his top executives.
"Friend," Doflamingo said, smiling faintly,
"Since you know my name, you should also know the Donquixote Family."
"We're merely companions gathered under the banner of 'family.'
We treat our companions as kin—there's nothing wrong with that."
"If you have no family of your own, you could gain one with us."
"Care to reconsider?"
"No," Chenos replied decisively.
"I have things I need to do. Your family is powerful—but it doesn't align with my interests."
"However," he added,
"I am interested in cooperation."
Cooperate—yes.
Join—absolutely not.
The moment Doflamingo appeared, Chenos's mind had begun racing.
For an instant, he had considered joining the Donquixote Family.
With their backing, his growth would be fast.
But he rejected the idea just as quickly.
Joining would cripple his long-term goal—building his own power.
The Donquixote Family didn't allow independent forces.
If Doflamingo ever discovered Chenos building his own faction, it would be interpreted as betrayal—and Doflamingo never tolerated betrayal.
They would become mortal enemies.
Cooperation, on the other hand, was different.
Doflamingo possessed immense influence in the underworld.
Working together allowed Chenos to remain independent, continue building his own power, and still grow rapidly.
Doflamingo covered his face with one hand, letting out a low laugh.
"Fufufufu… interesting."
"But understand this," he continued.
"Those who cooperate with me can't be weak."
"Otherwise… they die."
Chenos laughed softly.
"Who dies… isn't decided yet."
Doflamingo vanished.
He reappeared instantly at Chenos's right side, kicking toward him.
Chenos had already sensed it—his right arm came up to block.
Even so, the impact sent him flying several meters before he stabilized himself.
Shaking his slightly numb arm, Chenos frowned.
The kick was reinforced with Armament Haki.
His Devil Fruit was still underdeveloped.
Against Haki-infused attacks, his absorption efficiency dropped sharply—only about 10%.
After this, he thought, I really need to train harder.
But Doflamingo gave him no time to think.
He raised his index finger, mimicking a gun.
"Overheat—no."
"Bullet String."
A thin thread shot out at bullet speed.
Chenos tilted his head, narrowly avoiding it, then charged forward instead.
"Rebound Step!"
Elastic force detonated beneath his feet.
His body blurred—appearing beside Doflamingo like teleportation.
He threw a heavy punch.
Doflamingo's eyes flickered in surprise at Chenos's speed—but he didn't panic.
He waved his left hand.
Countless threads burst forth, weaving into a web.
"Spider Web!"
The instantly-formed web caught Chenos's rebound-enhanced punch with ease.
Chenos tapped the web lightly and retreated.
"Fufufufu… fascinating," Doflamingo said.
"You absorb attacks and then release them explosively?"
"What incredible potential."
"But tell me—where is your limit?"
He stretched his arm back—
Then swung forward violently.
"Five-Color Strings!"
Countless ultra-thin threads shot out, twisting together midair into a whip no thicker than a strand of hair, slicing toward Chenos.
Doflamingo didn't even glance at the surrounding pirates.
The whip passed through them effortlessly.
A moment later—
Their bodies slid apart.
Pirates, massive trees requiring ten men to encircle, weapons—everything the whip touched was sliced cleanly in half.
Those who survived screamed and fled.
"A monster!"
"This isn't human!"
"That's Doflamingo—the great pirate!"
Neither Doflamingo nor Chenos paid them any attention.
To them, those pirates were nothing more than expendable ants.
As the whip closed in, Chenos pushed his Observation Haki to the limit.
The threads were impossibly thin—yet lethally sharp.
One mistake, and he'd lose a limb.
But instead of dodging—
Chenos smiled.
He raised his palm—
And placed it directly in the whip's path.
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