One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

Meanwhile, abandoned manors on the outskirts of the city.

Doflamingo stood by the window, gazing at the faint outline of the arena in the distance, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"Fufufufufufufu..."

"That man seems quite relaxed."

"I go to the arena to watch matches every day, and I act like nothing's wrong."

Torrepol walked over, leaning on his cane, sticky snot hanging from his nose.

"Hey~, Dover, are we just going to keep waiting like this?"

"How about... I go and test the waters?"

Doflamingo waved his hand.

"Need not."

"Let him see."

"The more relaxed he is, the more it shows that he doesn't respect us."

"That's better."

He turned around, walked back to his seat, and sat down.

"Besides, I also need time to think carefully about how to talk to him."

"That man isn't so easily fooled."

"You have to show enough sincerity to move him."

Diamanti frowned.

"Sincerity? What sincerity?"

Doflamingo chuckled.

"Of course it's—profit."

"Our greatest asset is our underground trading channels."

"Arms, drugs, slaves, Devil Fruits scattered throughout the world..."

"These are the channels he needs."

"No matter how strong he is, he can't control the whole world by himself."

He needs someone to help him with his work and to help him distribute his goods.

"And we are the most suitable candidates."

Vergo said in a deep voice,

"Young Master, are you saying we're taking the initiative to propose cooperation?"

Doflamingo nodded.

"That's right."

"Instead of waiting for him to come to us, we should take the initiative to go to him."

"This way, we can at least gain some initiative."

"and--"

He paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

"I also want to meet him in person."

"Let's see just how strong he really is."

"Let's see if my years of desperate training can hold out against him for even a few more moves."

The group exchanged glances, each seeing a complex emotion in the other's eyes.

Since their first encounter with Roy many years ago, Doflamingo has repeatedly suffered defeats at his hands, and those crushing experiences are still etched in their minds.

That shame, that pain, that sense of powerlessness...

Doflamingo has never forgotten.

In recent years, he has been training desperately, developing his Devil Fruit abilities and enhancing his Haki.

So that one day, I can wash away that shame.

And now, the opportunity has arrived.

"Dover..."

Torrepol hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Doflamingo waved his hand.

"Stop talking."

"I know what I'm doing."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the brightly lit arena in the distance.

"I'll go see him tomorrow."

…………

Day .

Roy and Tesoro were still in the VIP section of the arena.

Today's match features two pirate gladiators with bounties exceeding 100 million.

Their battles were more intense, bloodier, and more spectacular than those of the previous gladiators.

The audience was completely engrossed, and their cheers nearly lifted the roof off.

Tezzolo, unusually intrigued, pointed to the center of the arena and said...

"Boss, that guy with the knife is interesting."

"The action was fast and ruthless."

Roy nodded.

"Hmm, not bad swordsmanship."

"Unfortunately, they focused too much on speed and neglected the accumulation of strength."

"When faced with a truly strong opponent, they won't last three moves."

Tezzolo grinned.

"That's right! Compared to us, they're far inferior."

As the two were talking, Roy's eyes suddenly flickered slightly.

According to his perception, dozens of auras were rapidly approaching.

The aura of the leader was cold, powerful, and oppressive.

Doflamingo.

He finally arrived.

Roy smiled faintly, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip.

"Tezzolo".

"Um?"

"The guests have arrived."

Tesoro was startled, then realized what was happening and abruptly turned his head to look towards the entrance.

really--

At the entrance, a group of figures were filing in.

The one in the lead wore a pink feather coat, sunglasses, and a signature smile.

Don Quixote Doflamingo.

Behind him, key officials such as Torrepol, Diamanti, Vergo, and Pica stood in a row.

The sheer scale and the sheer presence instantly drew everyone's attention.

The audience turned their heads and began to discuss among themselves.

"Who is that?"

"What a grand display!"

"That feather coat... I feel like I've seen it somewhere before..."

"Wait! That's a Shichibukai! Donquixote Doflamingo!"

"What?! A Shichibukai?! What's he doing in Dressrosa?!"

The crowd stirred, a mixture of awe, curiosity, and fear.

Doflamingo ignored the stares and walked straight toward the VIP seats.

His steps were unhurried, as if he were walking in his own backyard.

Behind him, the Don Quixote family's executives followed closely.

Soon, they arrived at the VIP section.

Doflamingo stopped, took off his sunglasses, revealing his sinister eyes.

He stared at Roy, a smile playing on his lips.

That smile held a hint of provocation, a touch of probing, and a complex emotion that was hard to describe.

"Fufufufufufufu..."

"Emperor of Heavenly Dao, Roy."

"have not seen you for a long time."

Roy put down his teacup, looked up, and stared at him.

His gaze was calm as still water, without the slightest ripple.

Doflamingo.

"You've finally decided to show your face."

Doflamingo laughed.

"Fufufu... I've seen you having such a leisurely time in the arena these past few days, I really didn't have the heart to disturb you."

"However, some things have to be discussed face-to-face."

Roy raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"What are you talking about?"

Doflamingo took a deep breath, his smile vanished, and he said seriously,

"cooperate."

"I want to work with you."

Upon hearing this, Tezzolo's expression changed, and he abruptly stood up.

"Doflamingo! Don't give me that crap!"

"They sent people to infiltrate and sabotage things a few days ago, and now they want to cooperate?"

"Do you think we're stupid?!"

Doflamingo ignored him and just stared at Roy.

Roy raised his hand, signaling Tesoro to calm down.

"cooperate?"

He said calmly,

"Doflamingo, your attitude changed a bit too quickly."

"Just a few days ago they were trying to take over my territory, and today they're here to talk about cooperation?"

Doflamingo chuckled.

"Captain Roy, you don't understand."

"In the world of pirates, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests."

"I admit that I did have designs on Dressrosa before."

"But now that you've come in person, this idea is naturally abandoned."

"Let's try another idea—"

"I'll cooperate with you."

Roy looked at him and remained silent for a few seconds.

Then, I laughed.

That smile carried a hint of amusement, and also a hint of admiration.

"interesting."

"Doflamingo, you're quite interesting."

"Sit down and let's talk."

He pointed to the seat next to him.

Doflamingo sat down without any ceremony, while the Donquixote Family executives stood behind him.

Tesoro stared at them warily, with faint crackling lightning around him.

Roy picked up his teacup, took a sip,

"Tell me, how do you want to cooperate?"

Doflamingo crossed his arms and placed them on his knees.

"It's very simple."

"What you have, I want."

"I have what you want."

"Seastone, weapons, bloodline transplant technology, sea trains..."

"These are the assets of Beehive Island."

"And I—"

He paused.

"We have trading channels all over the world."

"Arms, drugs, slaves, Devil Fruits... anything that can make money, I can help you sell it."

"Moreover, the price is absolutely fair."

A glint of light flashed in Roy's eyes.

underground trading channels...

This is indeed Doflamingo's greatest asset.

That's what he needs most right now.

Although Beehive Island has developed rapidly, it is still not firmly established and its underground channels are not yet mature.

If we could use Doflamingo's connections to sell Seastone and weapons worldwide—

That would be an unimaginable fortune.

"sounds good."

Roy said calmly,

"but--"

"Doflamingo, you should know that in the New World, having connections alone is not enough."

"Strength is the foundation."

"Without real ability, no matter how much money you earn, it's just money you're saving for someone else."

Doflamingo's smile froze slightly.

He certainly understood what Roy meant.

"Roy."

Doflamingo took a deep breath and said in a deep voice,

"I understand what you mean."

"so--"

He stood up and looked directly at Roy.

"I want to fight you."

"Let me show you whether I'm qualified to discuss cooperation with you now."

These words caused an uproar in the room.

Tesoro suddenly stood up, his body crackling with lightning.

"Doflamingo! You're asking for it!"

Roy raised his hand, signaling him to stop.

Then, he stood up and looked at Doflamingo.

Their eyes met, and it seemed as if invisible sparks were dancing in the air.

There was a few seconds of silence.

Roy smiled.

That smile carried a hint of appreciation, but also a hint of fighting spirit.

"interesting."

"Doflamingo, you do have some guts."

"good--"

I promise you.

"Let me see how much you've actually improved over the years."

A glint of light flashed in Doflamingo's eyes.

"good!"

"Then let's find a place!"