"One Piece:The True Codex"Chapter 375: Mutual Benefits
William observed Doflamingo, whose ever-present grin seemed like a mask permanently affixed to his face. He hadn't expected the flamboyant Warlord to so quickly grasp the potential of using the train company as a unifying link to rally the Seven Warlords of the Sea, thereby enhancing their collective influence.
Although the Seven Warlords of the Sea were considered one of the three major powers of the Grand Line, their actual sway and prestige paled in comparison to the Marines Headquarters and the Four Emperors. They had always been a step behind the other two forces.
Now that William had become a Warlord, the reputation and standing of the group were directly tied to his own. Strengthening the Warlords' influence and voice would benefit him personally. Conversely, if the Warlords remained weak and disjointed, all the effort he had put into securing this position would be for naught.
In fact, William wasn't the only one who had realized this.
Standing before him, Doflamingo was one such person. Another was Dracule Mihawk, the "Hawk-Eye."
Both men clearly understood that in the chaotic world where various factions vied for supremacy, being obedient and compliant would not earn respect. On the contrary, as long as one demonstrated strength and influence, even someone as unpredictable as Doflamingo would find themselves courted by others.
Mihawk, despite his solitary and aloof nature, had shown his understanding of this dynamic during the Warlord Summit in the original series. When Doflamingo and Fleet Admiral Sengoku exchanged barbs, Mihawk was the first to speak up in defense of the Warlords as a collective. His actions weren't out of fondness for Doflamingo but rather an acknowledgment that, when facing the Marines, the Warlords needed to stand united.
The problem was that the Warlords' connections with one another were too loose and scattered. William had recognized this weakness, which was why he proposed the joint-stock company plan. To the Five Elders, the train network proposal was the main focus. But to William, the joint-stock company was the true core of his strategy.
Through this company, William could bypass the Marines and the World Government entirely, convening private "shareholder meetings" with the Warlords to divide interests among themselves.
Doflamingo leaned back on his lounge chair, squinting at the sun as he spoke casually. "Just look at the Sabaody Archipelago. The slave trade here used to be small-scale, chaotic, and disorganized. I decided to monopolize this business. Who would dare oppose me? And this is just the Sabaody Archipelago, which is already close to the New World. The entire first half of the Grand Line is a treasure trove, ripe for us to carve up as we please."
"Don't forget about the Marines Headquarters," William reminded him.
"Are you afraid of the Marines Headquarters? The stronger we are, the more tolerant the World Government and the Marines will be," Doflamingo replied with a mocking laugh. "Until now, I was probably the only one among the Warlords who understood this. But now, I'd have to include you. If we join forces and pull the other Warlords into our private alliance, what can the Marines Headquarters do to us, even if they find out about our dealings?"
"I'm willing to invest in your train company. And if you're interested, I can let you buy into my auction house. Everything is already set up; all you need to do is put in some money and wait for the profits to roll in. That's far more concrete than your train company, which is still just a proposal," Doflamingo said, turning his head to look at William with a sly smile.
William paused in thought. It was clear that Doflamingo's intentions were firm and his plans well-formed. This wasn't an idea he had come up with overnight; it was something he had likely been considering for a long time. William's proposals to the Five Elders—the train network and the joint-stock company—had merely provided the perfect opportunity for Doflamingo to refine and advance his own plans.
In the original series, Doflamingo was portrayed as a master manipulator, adept at navigating relationships with the Four Emperors, government officials, the Celestial Dragons, and even the other Warlords.
"I'm not interested in the slave trade," William said bluntly.
Doflamingo's smile faltered slightly, though it didn't disappear entirely. He hadn't expected William to reject his proposal so outright.
However, William's refusal wasn't due to a lack of interest in forming a partnership or alliance. He simply didn't want to involve himself in the slave trade.
"I'm not interested in that business," William continued, "but it seems like the Sabaody Archipelago has other lucrative opportunities, ones that haven't been consolidated under a strong figure. You know this place better than I do. Perhaps you could lend me a hand."
"What kind of business?"
"Coating," William replied succinctly.
Doflamingo chuckled and picked up a bottle of beer. "That doesn't sound like a very profitable business."
"Once it's monopolized, it will be," William said simply. "Once the train company is established, I plan to open a direct line from here to the area below the Holy Land Mariejois. What do you think?"
William's goal was twofold: to present a tangible result to the World Government and the Five Elders, and to reward Doflamingo for helping him consolidate the coating industry on the archipelago.
William suspected that Doflamingo's efforts to monopolize the slave trade were tied to the Celestial Dragons, who were undoubtedly major patrons of the trade. Whether or not his suspicions were correct, a direct train line to the Holy Land would benefit Doflamingo's business while also advancing William's own plans.
"Talking business with a smart man is always a pleasure," Doflamingo remarked.
William smiled faintly and raised his beer in a toast to Doflamingo. "The feeling is mutual."
Doflamingo added, "Once you've met the other Warlords, you'll realize just how rare conversations like ours are."
Suddenly, as if struck by a humorous thought, Doflamingo slapped his forehead and burst into laughter. "As newly allied partners, I have a piece of information that might interest you."
"Do you know why the World Government hasn't rushed to announce your appointment as a Warlord in the newspapers? Why they've decided to wait three days before making it official, even though they want you to release Garp and the other captured Marines?"
"Why?" William asked.
"Because they're cleaning up loose ends," Doflamingo replied with a wicked grin. "More specifically, they're silencing those who know too much. The ones they've scapegoated for this whole mess are being eliminated to ensure they can't speak out publicly. That way, the public will have no choice but to believe the government's version of events."
Doflamingo laughed maniacally, slapping his thigh as if he'd just heard the funniest joke in the world. "That little Marine who leaked your story to the press, along with the journalist from the World Economy News Paper—both of them are on the government's hit list. If you want to save them, or kill them yourself, now's your best chance. Wait too long, and it'll be too late!"
Volume Four: Reverberations Across the Seas, End.
Next Volume: The King of Kings
"A bridge spanning north and south, turning the chasm into a thoroughfare!"
(End of Chapter)
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