"Hmm… it's working, but not by much."
Crimson eyes blinked slowly as Doflamingo's consciousness returned. He murmured under his breath.
Over the past two weeks, the reforms he had discussed with Tesoro had already been put into practice.
The former citizens of Dressrosa, grateful for his rescue, willingly offered prayers on his behalf.
Especially the natives of Skypiea—with their innate tribal worship traditions, they were a perfect fit for this.
But still, it had only been two weeks.
In the original timeline, Nico Robin was ten when she was first branded the Devil Child by ignorant fools across the world.
And she didn't master her devilish powers until she was thirty.
This kind of blind reverence, however, was nothing compared to the sincere prayers of the Donquixote people.
Doflamingo felt as if he were just one thin membrane away from grasping the power he had dreamed of.
The only question was—when would that final barrier finally break?
"Still… it hasn't been all for nothing."
He lifted a hand.
Bit by bit, his spiritual and physical energy drained as he focused on binding something intangible.
The metal-rimmed frame resting nearby lifted into the air and flew straight into his palm.
This wasn't his old invisible threads. No—it was magnetic force.
"Fufufufufu~"
Things that already existed in the realm of common understanding were always easier to manipulate.
"Doffy, what's got you so happy?"
Beside him, awakened by his laughter, Smoothie propped herself up on her arms, still half-asleep.
Her drowsy gaze turned to Doflamingo.
The feathered haori draped over her slipped from her shoulders, revealing her graceful figure.
"There's something worth celebrating. My ability has taken another step forward."
"Really?" Smoothie's eyes lit up, and her sleepiness faded instantly.
"As expected of you, Doffy. Even such a seemingly mundane Paramecia Fruit becomes terrifying in your hands."
In her mind, the only thing holding Doflamingo back was the Fruit itself.
If not for that limitation, he would've already become king of the world.
"Fufufufu~"
Doflamingo smirked. Praise like that always delighted him.
He wrapped his arm around Smoothie's bare shoulders, his gaze radiating desire.
"Smoothie, let's get in a little morning exercise."
...
By late morning, after a round of exertion, Doflamingo finally got back to business.
"BOSS, Phase One of the God-Making Project is complete. Statues of us are currently being crafted. The new curriculum Robin wrote has already been fully distributed. As you instructed, it's being sent out across the seas, bundled with any purchase of Family weapons."
Tesoro was reporting the progress made during Doflamingo's time away.
The God-Making Project was, of course, intended to use faith to enhance Devil Fruit abilities.
How could they pass up an opportunity to empower everyone?
But for now, the ones included in the plan were:
Thunder God Enel, Dragon God Vergo, Forge God Pica, Sky Goddess Smoothie, and Wealth God Tesoro, along with Luck Goddess Baccarat.
"Not bad. But— Make a change to the textbook plan: distribute it freely across the seas."
As long as one out of ten people could be fooled, it wouldn't be a loss.
"Yes, sir!"
Tesoro nodded, then shifted to another topic.
"As for our new product launches—the Seastone bullets are in extremely high demand. Should we raise the price?
According to sales data, most of them are being bought by the Navy."
Seastone bullets paired with firearms were a nightmare for Devil Fruit users.
If caught off guard, even the strongest could be subdued and butchered.
They'd become the sea's new favorite after stimulants.
"Double the price. Good stuff shouldn't be sold cheap."
"Understood. In addition, Kuro has completed the mission you assigned, BOSS. He's currently escorting two prisoners."
Since this involved the World Government, Tesoro felt it was worth mentioning.
"Reward him as you see fit. Let him take a break afterward."
Doflamingo was about to head to the New World for an archaeological project—he had no time to deal with loose ends.
"What about Crocodile? Still insisting on dying on Skypiea? And has Rosinante returned from the North Blue?"
"Crocodile is in the lab. Rosinante arrived on Skypiea just yesterday."
"Good. You're dismissed."
Doflamingo's eyes lit up as he stood and vanished on the spot.
Time to have some fun.
...
Third Ring Residential District
As more and more immigrants arrived, the streets had become lined with food from every corner of the North Blue.
"Rosinante-sama, here you can find delicacies from all across the North Blue."
Law guided the dazed Rosinante through the crowd, happily chattering.
"Hey kid! Don't forget our spicy grilled meat from Alabasta!"
A nearby stall owner butted in, displeased by the way Law was talking.
It's not just North Blue cuisine here!
"..." Law rolled his eyes subtly and offered a half-hearted reply.
"You're right, sir."
Rosinante, meanwhile, was completely bewildered.
This wasn't the Skypiea full of human experimentation and flesh factories he had imagined!
Why did everything look so peaceful?
This… didn't feel like it belonged in this world.
Could his brother really have built such a place?
"Blind-sensei!"
Law's eyes lit up as he spotted his personal Observation Haki instructor through the crowd.
"Good afternoon, Law. And you, sir—would you like to join me for some soba noodles? They're quite good."
Issho turned around, holding a steaming bowl of soba in his hands.
But when Rosinante saw the Seastone chains draped around Issho's shoulders, his pupils shrank.
The trauma from being tortured by the Beasts Pirates for so long had left him on edge.
He instantly raised an inaudible harmonic barrier over his hands, ready to fight.
Another monster. Why is someone so dangerous walking around with unlocked chains?
Does my brother even know about this?
"There's no need to be alarmed, sir. I'm merely a defeated foe of Doflamingo."
Issho, ever perceptive, took a sip of noodles and continued.
"As for the unlocked chains—Doflamingo-sama personally granted me that exception. Truly, no need for concern."
Law tilted his head, noticing the tension.
"Rosinante-sama? Blind-sensei? You two…"
Rosinante paused, then slowly released his ability and ruffled Law's hair.
"It's fine, Law. Want something to eat?"
A little while later, the three of them sat on the roadside, slurping their soba.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Rosinante looked at Issho—separated by Law—and asked,
"What's your name?"
"I am but a loser. My name is not worth remembering. I once failed to understand the hearts of men—you may simply call me 'the blind man.'"
Issho turned and smiled warmly.
He could sense the kindness and confusion in Rosinante's heart.
"I've lived here for over two years and understand the place fairly well. If there's anything that troubles you, I'd be happy to help."
"Thank you."
Rosinante let out a long breath, then asked,
"What do you think… of my brother, Doflamingo?"
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Fanfic is finished 527 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg