Hey there.

I hope everyone is still healthy. I'm a bit sorry that I took so long and that the chapter isn't very long and will probably only tease a bit of what is going to come. But yeah, no big talk before the chapter.

I hope you enjoy it and onto the chapter. Also warning there is a slight hint at torture and possibly more. Nothing is described. So it is safe to read for everyone... but "better safe than sorry" if it really ist just hinted at.

~Chapter 22 – Evil grows in the dark~

The room was dark. Just as he liked it. It gave his whole cabin a more dangerous vibe. Even more, than it already was. It was good to scare his crew members even more.

"What do you mean you lost the trace of them?"

Angrily the captain threw his crewmate against the wall of his cabin.

"I-I'm s-sorry, C-Captain. But they weren't there…" the man spluttered. The legs were shaking. No, not just the legs. The whole body was trembling in fear.

Something which pleased the captain. Also, the delicious smell of fear tickled his nose. How he loved it when his crew was afraid of him despite all of them being Betas and maybe one or two Alphas. But all of them were under his command and would never question his dominance. Because he was the Lead Alpha here. The top tier Alpha.

"So you come here to tell me that you lost the trace instead of searching them?", his voice dropped into a murderous tone.

The man shrieked in fear.

"Maybe I have to discipline you again?", the captain wondered. He would definitely enjoy that. Taking out his frustration on his men was his greatest pleasure.

"Captain, the brats, you want. They got new bounties. They may be in the Grandline", his first mate entered his cabin.

He turned his head to look at the new one in his room. No signs of lying. Good. "Get us to the Grandline. I want the two brats in front of my boots so that they can lick them." A dark smirk ghosted over his face. He had a few more ideas about what he would do with the brats.

With a dark glance, he looked over the man that was still pressed against the wall. This one would be the perfect test object for these ideas.

"If that was all, then leave me alone for the day. I have to discipline someone."

Just seconds later screams filled in his room.

The veins were popping slightly on his forehead. These stupid marines. How could they dare to try to prevent his plan?

He knew exactly why there was an 'Only Alive' the wanted poster in front of him. They had done it because they want the fruit. The fruit should have been in his possession. But his own brother had ruined it!

This stupid, traitorous Omega. If he had the chance he would slice the dead body apart. Even if he loved his brother dearly. He didn't take betrayals easy.

"Ne, Doffy, what should we do? More people will come after Law because they are curious", Trebol spoke up somewhere at his right.

The whole situation wasn't really in their favour.

Doflamingo studied Law's face in the picture.

"What do we know about his second gender? He is older than twenty-one. Meaning that his second gender is fixed", the Shichibukai was thoughtful.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed how Trebol seemed to tilt his head.

"No information at the moment."

"Then get it. I want everything. Because it will determinate our plans", Doflamingo said with a slight grin.

He already had some ideas in his head and he would succeed.

Doflamingo stood up and left the cabin of the ship. They were still in Paradise after the Shichibukai meeting which had been a disappointment. He had expected some more drama and chaos. But there hadn't been anything.

Well, nothing that piqued his interest.

Even the short interruption of this former sheriff hadn't been very entertaining. Only the information might lead to something interesting if he went on and delivered it to Kaido. The strongest creature in the world would surely love this information…

Or not. Depending on how drunk and suicidal the Yonko was when he got the message… but he was sure that Kaido would be able to use this situation to his advantage to take out a rival. If he had his senses together.

He grumbled and paced up and down in his room in Mock Town.

He had fled from the New World to Paradise to be sure that the old man wouldn't be able to go after him with his full force. Even if his plan had succeeded, he wouldn't have been able to go against all remaining commanders and the old man.

But the first part of his plan had failed. He hadn't gotten the Yami Yami no Mi in his possession. Well… technically, it had been in his possession. But someone must have taken a bite. So when he finally had the time to consume it. It had been rotten. Devil fruits only rotten when the lost their power. Meaning someone had taken over the power.

It was unknown to him who had eaten it. But since the information that no one was dead, he suspected that Thatch had somehow eaten it and had been able to survive the attack because of that.

Stupid commander.

Now the second part of his plan was crumbling. He had to get the Shichibukai position. Otherwise, the infiltration of Impel Down would be too much of a trouble.

But the problem was the message he got from Lafitte. While there hadn't been a decision, yet, there wasn't even the slightest hint that he had a chance. The problem was that there seemed to be a dislike for him in the eyes of the Fleet Admiral. One of the persons who would decide who will become a Shichibukai.

He had to get his hands on a now more notorious pirate then planned to prove that he was worth the position.

He needed to find someone who pissed the government off and had quite a bounty.

How easy it could be if the old man sent someone after him. Because he was sure that the Marine couldn't let the chance slip through their hands to kill off a commander of a Yonko crew.

I thought of leaving no author note at the end. But now... well I just wanted to say the title was inspired by the song "Where Evil grows" by the Poppy Family. You should listen to it. It's quite a catchy song, even if it doesn't fit the tone of the chapter.^^

stay healthy =)