A/N:Hello! This chapter was a little harder to write as I wasn't sure how to go about it. This time we will jump to Dressrosa, so it's from Doflamingo's POV.
Before I forget, I just wanted to let you know that I made a side blog for this fic on Tumblr.
A bit OT I know haha! But I wanted you guys to have a more interactive reading experience. So you can submit your own thoughts, suggestions or just see some of the moodboards, aesthetic inspiration for this story. Just search "celestialbonds"on Tumblr.
Chapter IV:The Puppeteer
Throughout its history, the lush, fertile land of Dressrosa saw its fair share of kings, dynastic struggles, prosperity and poverty. The events of the last decade were particularly memorable for their contrasting mix of bloodshed, grief, relief, conflict, peace and wealth.
The island was bustling with activity, its balmy climate fueling life's pleasures and passions. The inanimate lived with the animate, side by side, as though it has always been this way. But has it? Despite the contrast and diversity of life and activity on this island, a visitor would soon notice a certain air of orderliness and control that loomed over every inhabitant.
The source of this organisational control resided in the heart of Dressrosa-King's Plateau.
His laughter echoing through the halls of the Royal Palace, Doflamingo seemed to be enjoying this particular morning as he stepped out onto the marble terrace of the palace. With a newspaper in hand, he turned around to speak to a grinning man behind him.
"Fufufufu, Diamante did you read the news? My little brother was named the Grand Architect of Water 7! He's even helping them secure the buildings from their annual flood while their Mayor is designing some sort of technology to save the city. Who would have thought eh?"
"Uhahahaha, I did not expect that. But then again I did not expect him to be a Marine either! Doffy, you were too generous to forgive his survival." Diamante replied.
"Well, you see my generosity extends to traitorous rats as well. Besides, I haven't seen him since the day I shot him fufufu. I imagine he couldn't stay in the Marines after stealing the Ope Ope No Mi. I thought they would execute him, wonder how he got out of that one..." Doflamingo continued to read the newspaper.
Sengoku bailed him out eh? He added that to his list of questions to the Fleet Admiral.
"The Marine scum chose to execute Vergo for treason instead, maybe that's why they let him go?" Diamante suggested as he side-eyed one of the patrolling guards.
Doflamingo furrowed his brow and looked up at Diamante, "I made it clear to you all that we should no longer breach that subject. Vergo was a dutiful man and was loyal to the end, he destroyed all evidence on our plan for Dressrosa. I appreciate that. But his death is a reminder of our past shortcomings and I will not have it. Are we clear?"
Diamante bowed his head, "Forgive me Doffy. I can be a foolishly forgetful man sometimes. I will go check up on the other executives and make myself useful." he said apologetically.
Sensing the change in the mood, the blond man beckoned Diamante to come closer.
"Before you do that, look over there Diamante," Doflamingo pointed down to the city below them, "we built up this city and expanded our power. A lot of this happened thanks to you." he complimented the man next to him.
"Oh no, Doffy this is all thanks to your leadership and foresight. Nothing to do with me." Diamante said in a modest tone.
"Please, it had a lot to do with you, and you know it. You can't deny the obvious fufufu." Doflamingo laughed and went back to his newspaper.
"Fine you are right, I did contribute to it; I suppose, uahahaha. I will be off then." having earned his praise for the day; Diamante proudly walked out of the terrace.
Still pondering over his "beloved" brother, Doflamingo's attention was then caught by a smaller headline: "The Gracious King & Generous Shichibukai".
Seems the Crocodile-man is doing well in Alabasta, Doflamingo thought and continued reading.
To commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Rain Dinners Casino and Resort, the ever popular Sir Crocodile is sponsoring celebratory events throughout the entire Alabasta Kingdom. Permission, to use the various premises of the Nefertari family across the country for the events, was graciously granted by the grieving King Cobra Nefertari. The joyful events coincide with the second anniversary of the disappearance of the only heir to the throne-Nefertari Vivi.
Doflamingo looked up from his reading as he lounged on the terrace. What is he up to there? The only Nefertari heir is gone, and Crocodile is gaining popularity. Interesting. He walked to his study and grabbed a transponder snail.
"Oi Doffy, is everything alright?" came a nasal voice through the speaker.
"Trebol, I want you to investigate Crocodile's business in Alabasta." Doflamingo requested nonchalantly as he adjusted his glasses.
"Ne-ne-ne, I heard he is making a lot of money there! Behehehehe you want to have a slice of that desert pie Doffy?" Trebol asked.
"Fufufufu, our business is going so well it runs itself Trebol, we don't need to complicate it with smaller ones. But Crocodile is a cunning man; we need to know his next moves in case he gets too close to our business turf." Doflamingo explained.
"Behehe you are right Doffy, I also heard that the Alabastan King's only daughter disappeared there too. I will have our people look into Crocodile then and prepare a report. Maybe you can ask him at the Shichibukai meeting behehehe!" Trebol joked.
"Good, investigate the Princess too. It seems there's more to this story." Doflamingo ignored the top officer's joke and hung up before Trebol could say anything else.
Hmm, Nefertari eh? The only family that didn't join the other 19 at Mariejois. And why is that? Were their ancestors fools like my father, who wanted to live among commoners? Could the Crocodile-man know something about this?
Doflamingo massaged his temples as he walked through the corridors of the palace, ignoring the concerned looks of his subordinates.
"Young Master, I thought you left for Mariejois!" A flamboyant woman with orange and yellow hair looked at him with surprise.
Stopping in front of a large oak door, Doflamingo smiled in her direction, "Jora, tell the others not to disturb me, I will be leaving for Mariejois soon."
"Certainly Young Master, I will let them know!" Jora nodded with a smile.
"Oh, and one more thing, do we have any subordinates from Alabasta?" Doflamingo enquired.
"None that I know of Young Master, I will check again. But I am sure I would have remembered if we had anyone working from there since I love Alabastan art!" Jora said excitedly.
"I see, thank you." Doflamingo nodded and went inside the library. He threw off his signature feather coat. Its soft feathers landed on a burgundy sofa with a shuffling sound. He walked around, looking at the plethora of books before him.
I need to know more about these Nefertaris; he thought as he continued to search for any relevant material. His eyes stopped on a simple brown book, titled "The History of Alabasta Vol.I".
"This will keep me busy at the meeting fufufu." he grinned and grabbed the book. The tall blond walked out of the library and headed to the throne room. On the way there, he asked the guards to summon one of his executives to join him.
A petite brunette in a polka dotted dress was waiting for him by the time he entered the throne room. She had her eyes closed in concentration.
Doflamingo sighed and waited, not wanting to interrupt the woman's work.
"There seem to be enough clouds around Dressrosa for you travel with your ability Doffy. And the sea is fairly calm. Shall I ask Diamante to prepare a backup ship for your return trip from Mariejois?" the woman inquired.
"Thank you, Violet, I'd rather have you prepare a faster boat for me from Dressrosa. I have to go through some paperwork you see." He pointed to the leather-bound volume in his hand. Violet nodded and proceeded to make arrangements.
Doflamingo leisurely plopped onto his royal seat and was about to have a drink when the transponder rang.
"Pere-pere-pere"
"Gacha"
"Diamante, this better be urgent. I am leaving Dressrosa soon." Doflamingo said irritably.
"Well I am not sure if this is urgent or not, but that gang of spoiled brats led by Bellamy got into a petty argument in Jaya. Bellamy was beaten up pretty badly by some rookies there. I thought you should know since it's along the way for you, but we can deal with him." Diamante dutifully reported.
"That pathetic fool! No, he dared to tarnish the Donquixote Family's reputation with his weakness. I will deal with him myself. Who were the rookies?" A vein protruded on Doflamingo's forehead.
"It's some small-time pirate crew from the East Blue but their bounties are rising pretty fast. Their Captain is Monkey D. Luffy." came the response.
"D. eh? Keep an eye on him too." Doflamingo hung up. I will need to make a side trip to Jaya then, Bellamy lost to a rookie from the East Blue, the weakest sea!
The meeting, Crocodile and his schemes in Alabasta, the Nefertari Princess and that idiot Bellamy...fufufu looks like I will have plenty of entertainment on this trip, he grinned before venturing out to the meeting point with the Marine escort ship bound for Mariejois.
A/N:I wanted to explain the Vergo-Roci situation a bit too. Also there seems to be a lot of reading involved in this story ahahaha. But I based this on Law's flashback where Doffy researched Flevance and was shown tutoring Law with a bunch of books around them. Vivi will be back next chapter (I wish this applied to the manga too lol).