On the desolate island, Doflamingo's heartfelt speech had deeply moved the orphaned children. Their lives had been wretched beyond measure; the offer of a place to belong, a sanctuary, was irresistible. With hearts full of hope and gratitude, they eagerly joined, honorably becoming members of the Donquixote Family.
Doflamingo and Trebol brought the twenty children back to the Donquixote Family headquarters. News of their arrival spread quickly, and the existing members eyed the newcomers with curiosity.
"Doffy," Enel remarked, observing the scene with amusement, "at this rate, our Family really is going to become an orphanage."
"Then that makes you the nanny," Doflamingo retorted, his mood exceptionally good, playing along with Enel's jest.
"What? Nanny?!" Enel exclaimed, his expression comically aghast. "Whoever wants that job can have it! I'm not doing it!"
"Alright, alright, I know," Doflamingo chuckled, well aware of Enel's temperament. He certainly wouldn't entrust such a task to him.
Even though these children had survived the brutal trial, it didn't necessarily guarantee they possessed exceptional talent. Doflamingo had no inclination to personally oversee their training, and the other Family executives had their own responsibilities. This kind of task was, of course, best suited for an old martial arts master like Lao G.
Soon enough, Buffalo and his cohort were placed under Lao G's charge. Lao G was thrilled to receive Doflamingo's order; his old bones finally had a chance to shine and contribute meaningfully again.
Rosinante observed all of this from within the crowd, his heart heavy. Doflamingo had brought back yet another group of children. It seemed the burden on his shoulders was growing ever heavier. Not just Baby 5, but all these children too – he had to drive them all away! Remaining in the Donquixote Family would lead to nothing but ruin for them! Rosinante steeled his resolve: he absolutely had to get these children out.
In the days that followed, Rosinante began to implement his "harassment" plan, starting to act aggressively towards the children.
Witnessing this, Doflamingo gathered the children once more, ready to deliver another of his... inspirational speeches.
"I know what you've all been through," Doflamingo began, looking at the children, some of whom sported fresh bruises and bandages. "Do any of you have anything you want to say?"
"N-No..." The children avoided his gaze. They had already learned Rosinante's identity and dared not offend him, terrified that Doflamingo might abandon them, forcing them back into a life of hunger and helplessness. Though the training here was harsh, at least they had food and shelter. Most importantly, they had a chance to live.
"Really nothing?" Doflamingo pressed, his voice rising in intensity. The children lowered their heads further, remaining silent.
"I'm disappointed," Doflamingo declared, his tone scathing. "You're all a bunch of cowards! If Rosinante bullies you, then you should, of course, fight back! Within this Family, strength is paramount! And this Family has no need for weaklings! If you don't even dare to resist now, how can you possibly dedicate yourselves to the Family in the future? It doesn't matter if Rosinante is my brother, or if his strength is too great for you to handle. If you don't dare to fight back, you are nothing but cowards!"
"Whoever bullies you, you strike back! Remember this: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth! If you can manage to take down Rosinante, not only will I not be angry, I will be pleased for you!"
Doflamingo then casually produced a Devil Fruit, tossing it lightly in his hand, deliberately drawing the children's gazes.
"Do you know what this is?" he asked patiently. The children shook their heads, still reeling from his previous words. They had expected punishment, not this strange form of encouragement.
"This is a Devil Fruit!" Doflamingo announced, his voice laced with temptation. "Eat it, and you can obtain incredible power! It can also allow you to advance further within the Family!" He skillfully stoked the dormant desires within their young hearts.
"How... how can we get it?" Hearing Doflamingo's words, the children's eyes became fixated on the Devil Fruit in his hand, each one desperately wanting it for themselves.
Greed is the most effective tool for controlling hearts, Doflamingo thought with satisfaction, observing their reactions. Rosinante, my foolish little brother, you want to play games, do you? Then let these children play with you. I'd like to see if your so-called kindness can truly reform these little demons now consumed by avarice.
"There is only one Devil Fruit," Doflamingo continued, his voice like a demonic whisper, "and there can only be one victor. It all depends on your own abilities. Since you've already made your choice to be here, if someone bullies you, then you must, of course, retaliate! You must show me your determination! The weak have no right to consume this fruit of victory!"
"We understand..." the children murmured, a new, calculating light dawning in their eyes.
"Show me your attitude!" Doflamingo commanded. "Only the strong are qualified to compete for this fruit! I will keep it for you. I hope you won't disappoint me." With that parting shot, he left, leaving the children to ponder his words in silence.
Rosinante, oblivious to this development, continued his "loving guidance" – or rather, his relentless bullying – without holding back. He was convinced that a few more sessions would surely drive them away.
My foolish older brother! Rosinante thought with smug confidence. I will definitely ruin your wicked plans!
The daily "loving guidance" had become a fixture in Rosinante's routine. One day, he set out to "educate" the children once more, but this time, things didn't go as smoothly. The children stared at him with open hostility. Rosinante, accustomed to their resentful glares, simply attributed their corruption to Doflamingo's influence. My actions are just! he told himself. I bear no sin. I am noble!
"Rosinante! What do you think you're doing now? You really think we're easy to bully?!" Buffalo, bolder than the rest, stepped forward and challenged him.
Rosinante had no patience for words with these "bad seeds." He immediately launched a kick towards Buffalo, intending to put them in their place.
Buffalo, however, having learned a thing or two from Lao G, managed to hastily dodge the attack.
"Get him!" Buffalo yelled, giving Rosinante a venomous glare and signaling his companions to attack.
A swarm of small children descended upon Rosinante, fighting back with desperate ferocity. In the days and weeks that followed, this scene – Rosinante being constantly beset by a horde of vengeful children – would become a running joke within the Family. Rosinante, too embarrassed to complain to Doflamingo, suffered in silence. Buffalo and the others, having Doflamingo's tacit approval, relentlessly continued their counter-offensive, making Rosinante's undercover life exceptionally... lively.
Doflamingo, for his part, rather enjoyed watching Rosinante's predicament. His brother was, after all, mostly dead weight within the Family, contributing nothing of value. Letting him "play" with the children was a far more productive use of his time. But I wonder, Doflamingo mused, can Rosinante truly 'reform' them with his methods?
As for Rosinante's approach with Law in the original timeline... did he think Doflamingo couldn't employ similar, or even superior, methods of manipulation and indoctrination?
Three years passed in a flash. During this time, the number of orphans recruited into the Family didn't decrease; instead, it steadily grew. Rosinante's "work" became increasingly arduous. He was no longer dealing with just one or two children, but hundreds. It was a miserable existence for him, yet Rosinante, stubborn in his convictions, refused to give up his self-appointed mission.
The Devil Fruit Doflamingo had presented as a reward was eventually eaten by Buffalo. Though the other children of his cohort were envious, they couldn't complain; they simply hadn't been strong enough to defeat him. Thus, Buffalo became the user of the Spin-Spin Fruit.
As for the Arms-Arms Fruit, Doflamingo had given it to Baby 5 as soon as he acquired it. He desired a combat maid, after all. Minor troublemakers and bothersome tasks would naturally fall to her to handle. The Young Master needed to maintain a certain image, of course.
Baby 5's growth over these three years was satisfactory. At the very least, she was more than a match for an eight-year-old Robin. Doflamingo had also diligently instilled in her a comprehensive knowledge of advanced weaponry, providing significant inspiration for the development of her Arms-Arms Fruit powers. While her current strength wasn't overwhelmingly apparent, Doflamingo knew that if she continued to develop along the path he had set for her, the Arms-Arms Fruit could become a truly cataclysmic power. Imagine dropping a nuclear bomb during a fight – would any enemy not be terrified? Her physical conditioning, meanwhile, was overseen by Diamante. Doflamingo had complete confidence in his attentive and capable chief executive.
Diamante faithfully executed Doflamingo's orders while also diligently pursuing his own path of swordsmanship. He gradually learned to infuse his Devil Fruit abilities into his sword techniques. Doflamingo, admittedly ignorant about the finer points of swordsmanship, couldn't offer much specific advice, merely telling Diamante that the only way to advance further was to constantly battle stronger opponents. Diamante seemed to understand, frequently requesting Doflamingo as a sparring partner. Doflamingo, never one to hold back in a fight, readily obliged, giving Diamante ample opportunity to experience the crushing power of Conqueror's Haki Coating.
Incidentally, Doflamingo had suggested Diamante visit Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue and seek out Koushirou for guidance, hinting that Koushirou's father (Kozaburo) was also living there in seclusion and might offer valuable insights. However, Diamante declined, stating that the Family still needed his support and he couldn't leave at that time. Doflamingo didn't press the issue, but Diamante mentally filed away the name Koushirou, resolving to seek him out one day, just not yet.
The Swim-Swim Fruit was given to Senor Pink. Doflamingo trusted Senor to utilize its abilities effectively; after all, it was his fruit in the original timeline. Also, during these three years, fate intervened, and Senor met his destined love, Lucian. Just as in canon, Senor concealed his pirate identity from her. Their romance blossomed quickly, and they eventually decided to marry. Senor hadn't informed Doflamingo of his plans, intending to have a private wedding with Lucian.
Senor's intentions were good, but on the day of the wedding, Doflamingo, having received word through his own channels, made a surprise appearance with the other Family executives, offering heartfelt congratulations to the newlyweds.
After the wedding, Doflamingo had a private conversation with Senor Pink. Though he was reluctant to meddle in Senor's personal affairs, Doflamingo couldn't bear the thought of his subordinate suffering the same tragic fate as his canon counterpart. He earnestly advised Senor to tell his wife the truth. A relationship built on deception, he warned, was doomed to end badly. The canon Senor Pink, the "most tender-hearted hard-boiled man," had lost everything. One shouldn't wait until it's too late to regret. Tragic love stories might be poignant, but why couldn't a happy love story be just as good? Doflamingo genuinely wished for his subordinates to find happiness.
To ensure Senor didn't repeat his past mistakes, Doflamingo even went so far as to subtly outline the potential future tragedies that awaited him if he persisted in his deception, causing Senor to break out in a cold sweat as he realized the devastating consequences.
Subsequently, Senor Pink confessed everything to Lucian. He had braced himself for a dramatic, negative reaction, but instead, Lucian simply gave him a gentle smile and a warm embrace, offering no blame or recrimination.
"This is the most perfect kind of love," Doflamingo thought, observing them from a discreet distance outside their home, using his Observation Haki to listen to their conversation. He had been prepared to vouch for Senor if things went poorly, but it seemed his intervention wasn't needed. He was relieved. Let the young couple continue to bask in the sweetness of their love. Doflamingo felt a sense of satisfaction, as if a small regret from his past life had been rectified.
As for the remaining two Devil Fruits – the Hobby-Hobby Fruit and the Snow-Snow Fruit – they already had designated owners in Doflamingo's mind. He had no intention of giving them to anyone else. However, it would be another three years before their intended users appeared. By then, Doflamingo anticipated he would no longer be in the North Blue.
Over these three years, Robin had blossomed into a young woman. She had developed her Flower-Flower Fruit abilities to the point of creating "Cien Fleur: Wing" and even "Mil Fleur: Gigantesco Mano." Doflamingo's personal tutelage had been instrumental in her progress. However, her physical strength was still lacking due to her age, and she had yet to awaken Haki. Nevertheless, she had mastered the Rokushiki techniques Soru and Geppo. Though, for flight, Robin preferred her own elegant "Cien Fleur: Wing," even if it only lasted for five seconds. It was beautiful, after all! Who could resist an angel with wings?
Doflamingo's own power had also increased significantly. His Human Data Transmission, which could initially only cover a single island, could now span the entire North Blue. He had, of course, mastered Conqueror's Haki Coating. While his Rumble-Rumble Fruit's maximum voltage hadn't increased, his focus over the past three years had been on manipulating electromagnetic fields, allowing him to develop techniques far more potent than simple lightning strikes. The lack of progress in maximum voltage was therefore understandable.
Enel and Pica, the resident rivals, spent their days productively, constantly training and sparring. Doflamingo rarely burdened them with administrative Family affairs; their purpose was clear – they were his primary combatants, the strongest warriors in the Donquixote Family after himself.
Enel, the gifted one, had even managed to master the advanced application of Armament Haki, Ryuo. This achievement made him insufferably smug, and he constantly flaunted it in front of Pica. Pica, naturally, was infuriated but helpless, as he simply couldn't beat Enel.
On a more positive note, Pica had finally, painstakingly, awakened his Observation Haki. Though it was still a far cry from Enel's proficiency, it was a significant step forward.
Ibes, like Robin, received Doflamingo's direct instruction. She had successfully mastered both Armament and Observation Haki, becoming a formidable fighter in her own right.
Trebol, Doflamingo hadn't forgotten him either. Though his Sticky-Sticky Fruit abilities were somewhat... disgusting, Doflamingo encouraged him to study Charlotte Perospero's application of a similar fruit. More importantly, Doflamingo hoped Trebol could awaken his Devil Fruit. He had given Trebol considerable "attention" over the past three years. With the North Blue relatively stable and only minor threats remaining, Doflamingo had ample time to focus on strengthening his Family's foundation.
Jora, Lao G, and Machvise also had their assigned tasks and training regimens. Doflamingo would occasionally offer them guidance, helping them awaken their Haki. While they hadn't managed to awaken Observation Haki, all three had successfully mastered Armament Haki, not disappointing Doflamingo's expectations.
In summary, all noteworthy members of the current Donquixote Family, excluding the very young, had now mastered Armament Haki. They were significantly stronger than their canon counterparts at this stage. This progress was largely attributable to Doflamingo's "electroshock therapy" Haki awakening method; otherwise, it would likely have taken them much longer.
The Family's development was progressing like a raging fire, with every member advancing towards greater strength. Doflamingo now looked forward with keen interest to the impending arrival of Trafalgar Law. As for the tragic conflict in Flevance... he had no intention of interfering. A Law forged in the crucible of tragedy, a Law burdened by a miserable fate – that was the Law Doflamingo preferred.
After all, Doflamingo was a villain, wasn't he?