"We just received word that all three of our smuggling ships were hijacked in Quellpa."
Inside the room, all members of the Donquixote Family had gathered, awaiting Doflamingo's orders.
"I'll take a team and wipe them out right now!" Diamante declared, taking the lead.
The others echoed his sentiment. After such a humiliating slap in the face, failing to retaliate would make the Donquixote Family a laughingstock.
"Wiping them out is a given. No one can steal my goods and kill my men without paying the price."
"But merely killing them isn't enough!"
"I want to use this retaliation to further solidify the Donquixote Family's reputation. I want those cowardly scum who dare to scheme in the shadows to tremble at the mere mention of our name, too terrified to ever oppose us again."
"Therefore, I will personally lead this operation."
"Corazon and Giolla will stay behind to guard the base. Everyone else, prepare for battle! No one is to escape."
Doflamingo's orders were quickly relayed.
Doflamingo had a soft spot for his younger brother, Corazon, and always assigned him safer missions.
Giolla, who was tasked with caring for the infant Dellinger, was also ordered to stay behind.
With these two guarding the base, Doflamingo felt secure.
The rest of the crew immediately sprang into action.
"Hurry up, Abel! It's a major operation!"
Abel, who was sweating profusely in the training yard, saw Baby-5 rushing toward him.
"What's the big deal?" Abel asked, confused.
Baby-5 quickly explained, "Someone hijacked our smuggling ship! The Young Master is furious and has decided to wipe them out."
Daring to openly provoke the Donquixote Family like that was certainly bold.
"You mean we're going too? This kind of mission shouldn't be for rookies like us, right?"
Buffalo immediately puffed out his chest and declared proudly, "This is a real combat opportunity the Young Master specifically reserved for us! Someone like you, who only knows how to train mindlessly every day, wouldn't understand."
'Just training to be killing machines. What's there to be proud of?' Abel thought to himself, rolling his eyes inwardly.
Still, to become a true powerhouse, engaging in actual combat was unavoidable. Real-world experience was indeed a way to enhance one's strength.
Moreover, with the Donquixote Family mobilizing almost entirely—essentially a bunch of big shots leading the newbies—the danger level was low. It was the perfect opportunity to grind for experience.
So Abel felt not the slightest reluctance, but rather a growing sense of anticipation.
"Where's Law?"
Baby-5 immediately raised her hand. "I saw him! Lord Corazon took Law away."
Abel nodded. "Then let's not bother looking for him. Let's go."
Quellpa wasn't far from the port town of Spider Miles, but Doflamingo, ever the showman, insisted on arriving in style aboard his flamboyant flagship, the Flamingo.
The entire ship was painted a pale pink, its figurehead a bird's head with a long, slender neck, sporting sunglasses identical to Doflamingo's signature pair.
It was ostentatious and eye-catching, yet perfectly suited to Doflamingo's flamboyant personality.
The interior decor followed the same aesthetic, reflecting the tastes of this former Celestial Dragon: gaudy, opulent, and undeniably extravagant.
One had to admit, Doflamingo knew how to enjoy life—and he certainly had the wealth to indulge.
The ship was stocked with every imaginable luxury, even better than their usual fare.
What's more, Doflamingo had brought his personal maids along, turning every day into a lavish party!
Traveling on such a vessel made one almost forget their destination.
Even Abel couldn't resist the urge to indulge for a couple of days.
Thankfully, he remembered he was still a child in time.
He successfully purged his mind of distractions, focusing entirely on training and devouring meals each day.
'Hmph, women only slow down a man's sword-drawing speed!'
"Abel, let's play hide-and-seek!"
"No. Get lost!"
Buffalo ran off whimpering, but moments later, Baby-5 arrived, beaming.
"Abel, Abel, let's play hide-and-seek!"
"No..."
"If you can find me, you won't have to repay the money you borrowed."
'Damn it!'
'Is this the money-based offensive of a rich loli?'
'I will never yield!'
"What did you call me?"
"Master~"
'Ah...'
'That feels good.'
'This damn sword... I might as well not bother practicing with it!'
***
Two days later, at a manor on Mount Quellpa.
All members of the Skunk Pirates, who had provoked the Donquixote Family, were gathered here.
As for the manor's original owner...
He had long since been buried in the back garden, used as fertilizer.
Next year, the flowers there would likely bloom with an especially vibrant and sinister beauty.
"Have all the traps been checked?"
"Everyone stay sharp! Keep your eyes peeled!"
"Judging by the timing, the Donquixote Family should arrive within the next few days. This is our chance to make the Skunk Pirates' name known for good!"
"But Captain... they're the infamous Donquixote Family! Can we really win?"
One of the crew members looked nervous, clearly afraid.
This place was so far from the port that even if they tried to escape by ship, it would be too late. He couldn't understand where the Captain got the courage to antagonize such a powerful enemy, let alone brazenly wait for them to retaliate.
*Slap!*
Captain Mephitis, a weasel-faced man, was particularly terrifying when enraged. He sent the man who had just spoken flying with a single slap.
"Hah! If the Donquixote Family dares to come, this island will be their grave!" Mephitis declared with unwavering confidence.
His confidence didn't stem from his hundred-odd cannon fodder subordinates.
Instead, it came from the three other pirate crews already lying in wait on neighboring islands!
Seizing the Donquixote Family's smuggling ship was merely the first step in their plan.
Their true goal was to carve up the Donquixote Family's power and territory!
Of course, these plans couldn't be revealed yet.
If the others here learned they were just cannon fodder used to lure the Donquixote Family into attacking, chaos would erupt immediately.
Just then, a subordinate burst through the door, shouting, "They're... they're here! The Donquixote Family's ship has just docked!"
Captain Mephitis's spirits surged. "Launch the signal flare immediately! Tell everyone to return to their posts. Today is our chance to make a name for ourselves!"
His bewildered subordinates immediately obeyed, while Mephitis quietly slipped away from the crowd and pulled out a small Den Den Mushi.
"It's me. The prey has arrived."
"Excellent. We're moving out immediately. Remember to stall them a bit. Once we destroy their ship, we'll be invincible."
"Rest assured, we'll wipe out the Donquixote Family completely today!"