The Demon King's Proposal
The air in Doflamingo's palace grew heavy as Bai Yu's voice echoed through the Den Den Mushi.
His officers—Torrepol, Pica, Diamanti—stood frozen in disbelief.
They had just been discussing Bai Yu—
And now the so-called Demon King had contacted them directly.
Doflamingo's smile wavered slightly as he replied:
"Fufufufu… I've heard your name plenty of times already. But this sudden call… You really caught me off guard."
Bai Yu's voice was calm, almost casual:
"Don't worry—I got your contact information from Hawkeye. Nothing serious—"
Doflamingo listened closely, sensing no hostility.
"—I just wanted to say…"
"Brother Ming, let's be friends."
Doflamingo's smile froze.
"…Friends?"
For a moment, he couldn't tell if Bai Yu was being sincere—or if this was some kind of trap.
In the underworld, there was no such thing as friendship.
"Fufufufu… Well, I do enjoy making friends—especially with big pirates like yourself…"
"No, no—Brother Ming, you're too modest," Bai Yu replied smoothly.
"You've guided so many pirates—you're my senior."
"Fufufu… I wouldn't dare call myself your senior, Your Excellency the Demon King."
"Come on, just call me Bai Yu. I really do want to be friends."
Doflamingo's grin faded slightly as suspicion crept into his mind.
Something about Bai Yu's tone—too smooth. Too polite.
In the underworld, when someone asked to be "friends," it usually meant trouble.
"…And what exactly does this friendship involve?" Doflamingo asked, eyes narrowing.
Bai Yu chuckled.
"Since we're friends… can you help me out with something?"
"I need some Devil Fruits."
"Good ones."
Doflamingo's eyes glinted with amusement.
Ah… There it is.
He wants something.
"Fufufufu… I thought you might ask for something like that. Well—you've come to the right man."
"The underground trade of Devil Fruits is my specialty. I've got a few in stock—what are you looking for?"
"Hmm… Logias would be nice. Or maybe a few Mythical Zoans."
"…Are you serious?" Doflamingo's smile stiffened.
"There are only so many Logias in the world. And as for Mythical Zoans—those are even rarer."
Bai Yu replied casually:
"Why not? If someone already ate the fruit… I'll just kill them and take it."
Doflamingo's pupils shrank.
Diamanti and the others stared at the Den Den Mushi in shock.
The Dark-Dark Fruit…
The Sand-Sand Fruit…
The Thunder-Thunder Fruit…
The Door-Door Fruit…
The Soul-Soul Fruit…
The Lion Fruit…
The Bat-Bat Fruit…
Even the Mythical Zoan Nine-Tailed Fox…
Bai Yu listed them all with terrifying calm—
As if killing their current owners was nothing more than a formality.
"Fufufufu…"
Doflamingo's laughter was slow, but there was a trace of unease beneath it.
"Well, well… If you're serious about that—"
"—Then when I find them… I'll hand them over to you myself."
Doflamingo's mind raced—
He still didn't know if Bai Yu was joking or not.
But one thing was clear—
This so-called Demon King wasn't afraid of anyone.
Not even the Yonko.
And that kind of confidence… was dangerous.
Bai Yu's voice was light as he added:
"Stay in touch, Brother Ming. We're friends now, after all."
"Fufufufu… I look forward to seeing how you grow, my friend…"
Click.
Doflamingo placed the receiver down, his grin fading into a thoughtful expression as he gazed out over Dressrosa.
"Fufufufu… Did you hear that?" he muttered to himself.
"The times are laughing."
Back on the Island Cloud
Nami leaned over, hands on her hips.
"Seriously?! You asked for several Devil Fruits?!"
Bai Yu took a sip of juice, completely unbothered.
"Why not?"
Nami gasped.
"But he's your friend! How could you just ask him for something like that?!"
Bai Yu tilted his head innocently.
"Exactly—he's my friend."
"And friends give each other gifts."
"Isn't that normal?"
The five girls exchanged looks.
"…"
…That actually made a twisted kind of sense.
Somewhere in Dressrosa—
Doflamingo suddenly sneezed.
Twin Capes
The Island Cloud descended toward the towering cliffs of Reverse Mountain, stopping just above the lighthouse at Twin Capes.
As Bai Yu and Kaya teleported to the ground, a deep rumble shook the earth.
BOOM!
Laboon—the enormous whale—thrashed in the water, startled by their arrival.
"Be quiet, or you'll scare Kaya," Bai Yu said calmly.
A burst of Conqueror's Haki flashed through the air—
Laboon trembled—
And instantly fell still.
"…Was that an illusion?"
An elderly voice echoed from nearby.
Bai Yu and Kaya turned—
To see Crocus emerging from the lighthouse.
The old doctor's sharp eyes quickly scanned Bai Yu—then narrowed in thought.
"Hmm… Space-type abilities?"
"If it's a complete Space Fruit… That would make it one of the three legendary fruits."
Bai Yu raised an eyebrow.
"Three legendary fruits?"
"Time, Space, and—"
Crocus shook his head, not revealing the third.
"Well, never mind that. I suppose you didn't come here just to scare Laboon. So—"
"How do you know Brook?"
Bai Yu's smile didn't fade.
"The Rumbar Pirates were wiped out in the Florian Triangle."
"But Brook… came back to life."
Crocus' eyes widened in shock.
"…He's alive?!"
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