Holy Land Mariejois,
Room of Authority.
The five elders, figures wielding the greatest power in the world sat in solemn silence, their eyes fixed on the Den Den Mushi resting on the central desk.
After hearing Ozz's voice, they exchanged brief glances.
Then, slowly, each one gave a slight nod.
In truth, they had never worried about whether the list Ozz would provide might be flawed, or how loyal he was to the World Government.
After all, no matter how obedient a wolf might be… it was still a wild beast.
It could never match the loyalty of the Marines the Government's own hounds.
What they truly sought from the Warlords of the Sea were not loyalty or morals, but influence the raw, terrifying sway that those infamous pirates held across the oceans. That influence would help the World Government tighten its grip on the seas.
Of course, if Ozz lauded by the New Era as the "Heir to the Pirate King" were to join them, that would be ideal.
But alas, not long ago, he had turned them down.
"So then… let's hear it, Ozz.
After all, you once sailed on Roger's ship. We still trust your judgment.
This man you've chosen who is he?"
It was Saint Saturn who broke the silence.
Upon hearing this, Doflamingo visibly tensed.
But Ozz, calm as ever, replied leisurely:
"You should know him well.
Donquixote…"
The mention of that name left the Five Elders momentarily stunned.
A Celestial Dragon?
"Doflamingo."
The Five Elders: !!!
Staring at the expression of confusion flickering on the Den Den Mushi's face, Ozz chuckled.
"Yep, that's right. That little punk you exiled from the Holy Land?
He's awakened his Conqueror's Haki now.
I don't really get your logic, to be honest tossing out someone born with the Conqueror's Spirit, and instead sending Admirals to babysit those spoiled nobles who do nothing but ride around on slaves."
He still had more to say plenty of jabs to throw but before he could go on, one of the Five Elders cut him off coldly.
"Affairs within the Celestial Dragons are not your concern.
Let's talk about this Donquixote boy."
Nusjuro, who always sat silent and cold with his blade resting in his lap, now spoke with frosty sharpness.
No matter what, the internal matters of the Celestial Dragons were not something an outsider any outsider was qualified to judge.
In their eyes?
The Celestial Dragons could never be wrong.
"You should understand, Ozz.
The title of Warlord is reserved for those whose very names can shake the seas.
Doflamingo? Sure, we've heard of him.
Perhaps he's famous in the North Blue…
But on the world stage, that's far from enough."
Exactly.
To them, Doflamingo was little more than a teenage thug from the North Blue. He might've built a shadowy empire in the underworld, but to these men? Still not worthy.
Their benchmark was far higher something more tangible.
Something like…
A victory over an Admiral.
Or a duel with a Yonko.
But Ozz was already prepared for this.
"You really should give the younger generation a chance, shouldn't you, esteemed Five Elders?"
He smiled, ever composed.
"All you care about is reputation and deterrence, right? That's easy enough.
What if I put my name on the line for him?
What if I tell the press, tell the world,
that the great pirate Donquixote Doflamingo clashed with me and, though defeated, survived and escaped?"
"What…?"
The reaction was instantaneous.
Even Doflamingo who had been completely floored by Ozz in the blink of an eye not to mention the Five Elders, men who had seen centuries of political storms… were stunned.
Is that even allowed?
Was Ozz planning to pull a Wano-style spin on the rest of the world?
And yet, the more they thought about it, the more they realized…
It could actually work.
With Ozz's reputation formerly of the Pirate King's crew and his shocking list of accomplishments, all it would take was some carefully crafted headlines and a few dramatic "details" in the paper, and the whole world would eat it up.
Even the original source had signed off.
Who would dare question it?
The eligibility issue was resolved just like that. After a brief deliberation, the Five Elders gave their consent at least in principle.
Still, one of them Peter offered a final warning.
"Ozz, since you're willing to stake your reputation on this, we won't object.
But make no mistake,
the Warlords are meant to stand as a check against both the Navy and the emperors of the New World.
They must not lose.
If Doflamingo is defeated in the open…
it won't just tarnish the World Government's name it'll drag yours through the mud as well.
Do you understand that?"
The implication was clear.
To put it less delicately: if Doflamingo didn't have what it took, and was shoved into a spotlight he couldn't handle, it would all blow up in everyone's faces.
But Ozz didn't flinch.
Because he knew.
He knew the flamingo born from fire and hell still had potential.
He'd held the Warlord title for years in the original timeline. It was only when the protagonist finally came knocking that he fell and that was partly due to his own flaws, partly to plot armor.
But as a subordinate?
He had what it took.
"Well then," Ozz narrowed his eyes and smiled,
"since you still have doubts how about we make a deal?"
"We're listening," came the cold reply.
"If Doflamingo ever loses and is stripped of his position…
I'll take his place."
A hush fell.
Ozz had gambled his own name.
As expected, the moment those words were spoken, the Five Elders didn't even bother to deliberate.
They accepted on the spot.
Because no matter how you looked at it, this was a deal they couldn't lose.
If Doflamingo lived up to expectations, Ozz's name backing him would give the World Government a perfect, unshakable banner to fly.
And if he failed?
They'd get Black Gun Ozz himself as a Warlord a pirate who could genuinely stand against the emperors of the sea.
Either way, the World Government came out ahead.
Click.
The Den Den Mushi connection was cut.
The cell fell deathly silent once more.
Only the flickering candlelight remained, casting long shadows across the prison walls and over the face of the man at the center of it all:
Donquixote Doflamingo.
Sweat rolled down his temples as disbelief filled his eyes.
What had just happened felt more like a fever dream than reality.
Was this even possible?
With just a few words just a conversation one of the most powerful men on the seas had elevated him with a snap of his fingers.
Just as easily as lifting an ant.
And of course…
Destroying him would be just as effortless.
As Doflamingo looked at the calm, unshaken figure beside him watching as he gently tucked the Den Den Mushi away into his coat.
For the first time,
He understood.
He finally understood…
What real power looked like. Holy Land Mariejois,
----------------------------------------------------
Did you miss me, or were things just too boring without me?
(Next Chapter: "I Hope You Won't Be Angry, Lord Ozz")
Impatient? Same. Hit up my P@treon for future chaos!
[email protected]/_theon