Equally skilled in physical combat, the half-fishman of the Fighting Fish race, Dellinger, sent out a prearranged signal to the family while shouting loudly:
"Hey, Hueco Mundo Organization! Hurry up and release Lao G!"
"For mere humans to serve as vessels through which the will of the Lord of the Hueco Mundo is conveyed… that is their honor." Lao G said calmly.
"Fufufufu…"
Doflamingo's sinister, oppressive laughter echoed as he closed in with alarming speed.
"Such familiar words. Does this so-called Lord of the Hueco Mundo also claim to be a god?"
He paused, then asked with feigned nonchalance:
"Or perhaps this 'Lord of the Hueco Mundo' is actually a Celestial Dragon?"
"There's no need for unnecessary probing, pirate."
Lao G's tone remained tranquil. "All you need to do is state your choice—accept mercy, or face annihilation."
In truth, the specially prepared chamber was already surrounded by the Donquixote Family's officers. Many were armed with seastone bullets Doflamingo had acquired in secret, sweeping every corner in search of any hidden Hueco Mundo members.
This, too, was part of Doflamingo's plan—
to set a trap, using Lao G as bait to draw out members of the mysterious organization.
Once that veil of mystery was torn away, Doflamingo would gain far more room to maneuver.
Of course, Yahn had already learned of this scheme from Corazon.
Thus, after taking control of Lao G, Little Gold had long since withdrawn from the area, while Robin maintained Lao G's manipulation through a chain of hidden eyes scattered in the shadows.
A few breaths passed. Doflamingo remained silent, stalling for time, hoping his officers might discover whether the Hueco Mundo lurked nearby.
"It seems you've made your choice,"
Lao G said evenly. "In that case, prepare to welcome the destruction bestowed by the Lord of the Hueco Mundo—"
"Wait!"
Doflamingo cut him off sharply.
"The Donquixote Family has no wish to offend the Hueco Mundo. Your demands—I will accept them."
"Good."
Lao G nodded, then reported the deserted island where Yahn had stayed the previous night.
"I will send someone there for the exchange. Deliver it promptly. If you're late, the opportunity is lost."
As his words fell, the markings on Lao G's forehead faded. His gaze cleared, bewildered, as he found himself staring into the eyes of his fellow family officers.
Doflamingo, however, turned to Diamante.
"Did you find anything?"
"No, Young Master." Diamante shook his head.
"We stationed lookouts in overlapping formations around this place, but found nothing unusual."
"Then the most likely explanation," Senor Pink speculated, "is that the Hueco Mundo planted some kind of 'seed' in Lao G while he was outside. That way, they can control him anytime, without needing members nearby."
Doflamingo's face darkened. He said nothing.
Being toyed with like this—manipulated in someone else's palm—filled him with rage.
"Young Master…" Diamante swallowed nervously, then asked carefully, "Do we really have to accept their demands?"
"What else?" Doflamingo shot back coldly.
"That long-range strike wiped out two officers outright, despite my interference, and left five more gravely wounded, with countless lesser injuries. The family lost billions in treasure. How many more attacks like that do you think we can withstand?"
He paused, and his voice grew heavy with frustration and reluctant resolve.
"This is the cruelty of the sea. No matter how unwilling we are, for the sake of the family's survival, a choice must be made. Trebol will have to take the risk."
The officers fell silent. They could not deny it—this time, their family had run headfirst into an iron wall.
Veins bulged across Doflamingo's forehead, but his tone was eerily calm.
"Go. Carry out the plan."
Soon after, at Spider Miles Port, a ship flying the Donquixote Pirates' flag set sail toward the island Yahn had designated.
Curiously, no other family ships departed alongside it; the remaining six or seven vessels stayed docked.
This puzzled Robin and Little Gold, who watched from the clouds above.
According to Doflamingo's stated plan, if no trace of the Hueco Mundo could be found, Trebol would take the Devil Fruit and deliver it himself.
But Yahn had predicted Doflamingo wouldn't make things so simple.
"Could Brother Yahn have been mistaken?"
Robin murmured, scanning Spider Miles below.
And then—her vision was suddenly filled by a sweeping pink coat.
Doflamingo's malicious grin loomed large before her eyes.
Robin's pupils contracted sharply. Facing this man who possessed the bearing of a king, the fourteen-year-old girl was overwhelmed by an instinctive wave of fear and dread.
With the power of the String-String Fruit, Doflamingo had lashed invisible threads to the clouds, soaring through the sky. Spotting the golden canary flitting nearby, suspicion flickered across his mind—and he instinctively unleashed his Conqueror's Haki.
A terrifying, invisible pressure crashed down upon Little Hold.
Lacking the mental fortitude of a human, how could the bird withstand the overwhelming force of Conqueror's Haki?
In an instant, its eyes rolled back, and it plummeted helplessly like an ordinary bird.
"Seems it's just a normal bird—not a Hueco Mundo disguise," Doflamingo muttered, dismissing his doubts.
With a flick of his fingers, he surged forward, flying rapidly toward the designated island.
"Fufufufu… let's see the true face of this Hueco Mundo Organization."
His laughter, steeped in malice, echoed through the clouds. Cloaked in his billowing pink coat, he looked for all the world like a flamingo soaring through the heavens.