Can it work? Yes, it can!
A sample of the "Iron Balloon" was finally in his hands!
Doflamingo was ecstatic, though he didn't show it on his face.
He ignored the sharp, knife-like glares from those around him.
"Your blood sample is incredibly valuable. As an investment, I'd estimate it to be worth 8 billion. The remaining 2 billion is a mere trifle to the flourishing Totto Land.
"However, I have another proposition—one that ensures mutual profit. Are you interested?"
Enel noticed a tall figure staring at his young master and quietly stepped forward to block their line of sight.
Here we go (* ￣︿￣).
"Let's hear it, Doflamingo," Big Mom leaned forward, her massive presence exuding an oppressive aura. "You'd better bring me those two birds—unaltered. Remember, no modifications."
"Fufufufu, of course. I'm sure you've heard of the secret medicine, haven't you?" Doflamingo said smoothly, dispelling any doubts his potential business partner might have.
"A cheap thrill for inferior pirates," she scoffed. "This stuff costs lives."
"Correct. As you've seen, it's a craze among the weaker pirates." Doflamingo paused to take a sip of his screaming red wine, wetting his dry lips. The wine on his lips was as red as blood.
"But remember—ninety percent of those sailing the seas are these so-called 'inferior' pirates. They pillage, slaughter, and burn like a swarm of locusts. However, even within their ranks lies untapped wealth. They are, after all, the most loyal customers of the secret medicine.
"In the New World, a single dose can sell for as much as five ounces. But my reach in the New World is currently limited. What do you say, Charlotte? Would you like to handle this market?"
On his way to Totto Land, Doflamingo had encountered plenty of pirates wanting to rob him. Some had even pulled out doses of the secret medicine.
The second-hand dealers in the New World had jacked the price up to five ounces.
Damn scalpers were making more profit than him. That wouldn't do.
"Yohohohoho! Mama, happy birthday!" A slender man entered, licking his oversized lollipop cane with an exaggerated slurp. His deep blue hair, streaked with pale blue spots, cascaded down past his shoulders. A striped hat sat atop his head, and he wore a long, light-yellow coat with a wide collar.
It was none other than Big Mom's eldest son—Charlotte Perospero.
"Mamahaha! Perospero, you came just in time! Handle the negotiations with Doflamingo regarding the secret medicine."
Relieved to see her 'external brain' arrive, Big Mom immediately abandoned the discussion, returning her focus to gorging on food.
"Greetings, I am Donquixote Doflamingo. Regarding—"
"You mean the secret medicine's distribution? Your Donquixote Family would handle transport from Sabaody to the New World, and Totto Land would oversee sales? A fifty-fifty split? That's rather greedy of you, Perorin."
Perospero was well aware of the demand among certain Zoan users for the secret medicine. The wealth it could generate was undeniable.
But running distribution wasn't just about selling. They had to establish bases, protect supply lines, and deal with inevitable attacks. While the Charlotte Family was a major power in the New World, they weren't invincible.
There was never a shortage of reckless lunatics.
And Doflamingo wanted half?
If it weren't for Katakuri mentioning how Doflamingo had tanked their mother's strongest attack and survived—plus his ability to fly—Perospero would've looted him already.
"Doflamingo, the pirates of the New World are nothing like those in the Grand Line. We're taking on most of the risk. Seventy-thirty, Perorin!"
"Fine. But payment must be in gold."
At this point, Doflamingo had lost track of how much money he possessed.
Weapons dealing across the Four Seas, mucus bombs, secret medicine, firearms—all were pouring into every corner of the world.
He was ensuring that every pirate had access to proper self-defense.
Defective Skypiean dials were flowing into the hands of noble families across the seas.
Every weapon depot came with its own casino, restaurant, bar, and pleasure hall.
Every pirate who stepped in left with satisfaction.
And then there was the gold from Skypiea.
Not to mention the secret medicine.
Money was just a number to him now.
What he wanted was something else.
A shared interest.
"Mama, what do you think?" Perospero turned to his mother. His role was advisory; the final say belonged to Big Mom.
"Mamahaha! Fine. But Doflamingo, why are you so obsessed with gold?"
Big Mom found it odd. While pirates did like gold, most weren't picky—Berries worked just fine.
"Maybe because I used to be a Celestial Dragon?"
Doflamingo casually dropped his real identity, as if it were an insignificant detail.
Real pirates couldn't care less about that.
But a Celestial Dragon?! In Totto Land?!
Big Mom's eyes gleamed with excitement as she blurted out an unexpected offer.
"Doflamingo, why don't you become my husband?"
For the first time, the gathered Charlotte siblings froze.
Perospero and Katakuri exchanged a glance, then discreetly repositioned themselves—quietly blocking off any possible escape routes for their "young stepfather."
If she were twenty years younger, maybe.
But in five years, she'd be a full-blown hag. Who could handle that?
Doflamingo rejected her outright.
"Lady Charlotte Linlin, I prefer younger women. I'm only seventeen, after all."
"Mamahaha! I'm in my prime, you ignorant brat!"
Big Mom twisted her massive frame dramatically, though her real focus remained on her ambitions.
"Ah, of course, Lady Charlotte Linlin!" Doflamingo rolled his eyes internally and swiftly changed the topic.
"I've developed something new in the Four Seas—a system called the Underground Bounty. Unlike the World Government's bounties, this one isn't limited to pirates. It allows people to place bounties on Marines, nobles, and even royals. What do you think? Interested?
"Secret medicine is far more useful than Belly. Those placing bounties can even receive an advance of up to half the reward."
Perospero, who had been feigning indifference, perked up instantly. This could turn the sea's rabid beasts into obedient hounds. He immediately thought of ways to use it against the islands still resisting Big Mom's rule.
He almost agreed on the spot but remembered to consult his unpredictable mother first.
"Who controls the Underground Bounty?" he asked.
"Fufufufu, the New World would be under Totto Land's jurisdiction, of course. I only require the authority to post certain requests. How about it?"
Perospero turned to his mother.
"Mama, I think it's a great idea. What do you say? Perorin."
"Fine. But Doflamingo, become my son-in-law. My eligible daughters will arrive on Cake Island tomorrow. Perospero, bring him their photos."
"Right away, Mama! Chess soldiers, fetch them from my desk! Perorin!"
Before long, a stack of photographs was placed before Doflamingo.
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+255 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg