Chapter 264 - 122

Chapter 122This young man had once defeated an invited Shichibukai during the early days of the Shichibukai system, earning an invitation to the position himself. However, he refused it and chose to join the Whitebeard Pirates instead.His talent and strength were beyond doubt."Fufufufu, I have to admit, that Blackbeard Teach's plan is truly insane."Doflamingo sat on his throne, letting out a low chuckle.Stirring up an all-out war between the Four Emperors and the Marine?Such a audacious idea made even him feel a shiver of dread, yet at the same time, a morbid excitement."Nah, nah, Doffy, are we just going to let Blackbeard's matter go?"Trebol, draped in a feather coat resembling a quilt, with a long snot hanging from his face, abruptly leaned his unpleasant face close to Doflamingoand asked.When Trebol first learned that Blackbeard planned to capture Ace as a 'certificate of allegiance' to become a Shichibukai and ignite a war between the Four Emperors and the Marine, even he wondered if Blackbeard had gone completely mad.The one to be provoked was Edward Newgate, known as the strongest man in the world, Whitebeard!Doflamingo replied, "Let's just wait and see how things develop."Doflamingo had indeed helped Blackbeard to some extent this time, by holding back Ace, buying Blackbeard a few days to recover from his injuries and make his arrangements.Of course, he didn't go all out; he was just doing a favor and seeing how the situation would unfold.He didn't want to get too deeply involved in this muddy water.According to Blackbeard, he only needed a few days' delay because he had been severely injured by a rascal called Straw Hat in the first half of the Grand Line and needed time to recover.Doflamingo was quite disdainful of this.Blackbeard had enough guts, but his strength didn't seem to match his ambition; he was actually severely injured by a rookie pirate in the first half?However, fighting Ace was nothing to Doflamingo, so he agreed.Who knew that the fight would escalate into a genuine rage, mainly because Doflamingo had a foul mouth and provoked Ace with words during the battle, inadvertently mentioning Whitebeard.As a result, Ace, like a mad dog protecting its pup, instantly unleashed a furious onslaught, forcing Doflamingo to respond seriously, and he even sustained some injuries in the end. Just thinking about it made him furious."Nah, nah, Dofla..."Doflamingo frowned in distaste: "You're too close, Trebol.""Nah, nah, too close, and then what?" Trebolshowed no self-awareness and moved even closer."Sit properly in that seat."Doflamingo pointed to the chair beside him, and after Trebol slowly moved away, he continued, "I think this matter has great potential. If Blackbeardtruly has the ability and luck to deliver Ace to the World Government, then it will be a huge spectacle. The World Government will certainly make a big deal out of it, and then it will be hard for this sea not to fall into chaos!"Doflamingo's ultimate goal was to subvert this world, and Blackbeard's crazy plan aligned with his own to some extent.The more chaotic the world, the more room he, as the Joker lurking in the shadows, would have to maneuver.Wasn't his becoming a Shichibukai, a nominal ally of the World Government, precisely to wait for and exploit such opportunities?The Underworld needed to be as chaotic as possible. Many of his illicit businesses only became profitable when things were in disarray.Chapter 174: The Undercurrents of the WorldDoflamingo then asked Trebol, "How is that matter I asked you to investigate? What's the situation with the pirate who severely injured Blackbeard?"Doflamingo felt that anyone who could injure Blackbeard, whom he considered to have some strength, to such an extent, was definitely no ordinary character.Especially in a place like the first half of the Grand Line.Could it be some old geezer he didn't know about?Trebol immediately pulled out a stack of intelligence reports and handed them over: "Nah, Doffy, we've found him. It's a recently rising pirate crew, and the Captain is called Straw Hat Monkey D. Luffy.""Straw Hat?"Doflamingo looked at Luffy's carefree smiling face on the bounty poster and found it somewhat familiar.He took the documents and began to flip through them."These pirates, I alone can take care of all of them once they reach shore."A tall, burly man in armor said in a high-pitched, unique voice.He was Pica, a Paramecia Stone-Stone Fruit user. When his ability was fully activated, he could assimilate the rocks of an entire island, creating a gigantic stone golem. In his view, immense size itself was an unbeatable force.However, his high-pitched voice, which contrasted sharply with his muscular physique, made some of the surrounding subordinates standing by He couldn't help but cover his mouth., their shoulders shaking as they desperately tried to suppress their laughter.Pica hated nothing more than people making fun of his voice. If anyone dared to laugh out loud, they would surely be beaten to death on the spot by him.Doflamingo had also emphasized more than once that the Donquixote Family executives were his most valued family and that outsiders were absolutely not allowed to ridicule them.Although these words sounded particularly ironic coming from him, who had personally murdered his father and brother.Doflamingo looked at the bounty poster, tapping his finger on the armrest: "Monkey D. Luffy, that name is very similar to a certain old Marine."Trebol reminded him: "Nah, it's said that he's related to Navy Hero Garp.""Fufufufu, no wonder then."Doflamingo laughed, but there was a hint of apprehension in his smile.Trebol asked, "Should we make a move? Teach that Straw Hat a lesson."Doflamingo shook his head: "Teaching Straw Hat a lesson is one thing. But if he's really related to that old Marine, it's troublesome. None of the old Marine soldiers from the previous era are easy to deal with. Provoking him will only attract greater trouble."He recalled his embarrassing experience of being chased all over the world by Vice Admiral Tsuru, and he still felt a lingering fear.Putting aside whether he could win, even if he really had the ability to do something to Vice Admiral Tsuru, it's estimated that the entire Marinehigh command would go into a collective frenzy, especially the Navy Hero Garp, who acts without any regard for consequences.Doflamingo felt that with his strength and influence, it was better to be cautious and not actively provoke those old guys with deep backgrounds for now.The old Marines who have survived until now have intricate networks of relationships that even Spider-Man couldn't untangle. Doflamingo didn't want to test the waters, and not everyone within the Marine supported the Shichibukai system."But this Straw Hat had conflicts with some of our peripheral forces in the Grand Line."Diamante, dressed like a bullfighter in red leather pants and a cape, spoke up.He is a Flutter-Flutter Fruit user, able to make anything he touches as light as cloth, but its material remains unchanged, offering decent defense. However, in front of a true swordmaster capable of cutting steel, it seems somewhat insufficient.Doflamingo raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What happened?"Diamante reported that a small pirate crew affiliated with their family had been taught a lesson by the Straw Hat in Mock Town.Doflamingo's face broke into his characteristic sinister grin: "Fufufu, since they dared to touch someone from my Donquixote Family, even if they're just peripheral fodder, we can't let it slide.Keep a closer eye on this Straw Hat's movements."His 'attention' naturally meant that if an opportunity arose, he wouldn't mind tripping up this rookie pirate or finding some amusement in him.He leaned back on his throne, crossing his legs, as if everything was under his control."Now, all we need to do is wait patiently. Keep a close eye on Blackbeard and Ace's movements. I believe there will be results soon."He looked at his flamboyantly dressed executive, "Diamante, I'll leave this matter to you."Upon hearing this, Diamante's face showed a look of difficulty, and he awkwardly declined, "Wait a minute, Doffy, I'm not very good at collecting intelligence and tailing people."Doflamingo knew the personalities of his executives well and went along with his words: "No, I just think that only someone as astute as you can do this well."Diamante suddenly seemed embarrassed by the praise, waving his hands, his voice becoming high-pitched: "Don't say that, you make me sound like a genius~"Doflamingo smiled genuinely: "Only a genius like you can handle this matter.""Since you insist on saying so..."Diamante's vanity was greatly satisfied, his voice suddenly rising as he thumped his chest, guaranteeing, "Then I'll just have to admit I'm a genius! Leave it to me, Doffy!"A few days later.The Straw Hat's going merry had arrived at the next island indicated by the log pose.Long Chain Island.This was a peculiar archipelago composed of twelve slender islands forming a ring, and they were about to land on one of them.Looking into the distance, there were endless emerald green meadows, and the entire island was flat, with only a few tall, slender trees dotted here and there.The emerald green meadows and towering slender trees gradually became clear in their sight.Before the ship even docked, the sea breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and damp earth from the island.On the deck, Little Merry was holding a glass of Sanji's special nutritious milk, drinking it with gusto.Ever since Sanji implemented the crew's health plan, Chopper, Merry, and Nika's unwavering task every morning was to finish this glass of milk, rich in various nutrients.Nika had some complaints about this, feeling it interfered with her alcohol intake plan, but she often succumbed to Merry's sparkling eyes and Chopper's persuasion about it being good for her health.Nami stretched her body and walked to the ship's rail, gazing at the approaching island.Ever since getting rich overnight on Sky Island, she had lavishly subscribed to the World Economic News Agency's VIP service. Every day, a News Coowould deliver the latest newspaper on time, allowing her to grasp all important information on the sea immediately.Information was scarce in this world, and News Coos were the best way to get it.Today was no exception; a familiar News Coofluttered its wings and landed. Nami paid the Berries and took the newspaper, which still smelled of ink.Her eyes quickly scanned the front page, and her expression subtly changed.Chapter 175: You're a True-Blue Marine Third Generation?!"Luffy!"She held the newspaper and quickly walked towards Luffy, who was doing his morning warm-up against the golden stele in a corner of the deck."What's wrong, Nami?"Luffy stopped his movements, wiping the sweat from his forehead. The high-intensity training still made his body radiate heat.Nami handed him the newspaper, pointing to the headline on the front page:"World Government Announces ShichibukaiCandidate List, Crocodile's Vacancy Sparks Competition!"Below the headline, several nominated great pirates were listed, and one name was particularly glaring.Marshall D. Teach.That is, Blackbeard."Blackbeard?"Luffy blinked, "The guy I punched away before we went to Sky Island?""That's him!"Nami's tone was incredulous, "According to this newspaper, his biggest achievement seems to be betraying Whitebeard and killing Thatch, the Fourth Division Commander. But when we met them at the knock up stream, after your Gomu Gomu no Bajrang Gun, I thought they would be dead or crippled, yet they're still alive and kicking, and even nominated for Shichibukai?"Usopp, who was nearby, leaned over and complained while looking at the newspaper: "Hey, hey, if this Blackbeard can be nominated, why didn't Luffy, who defeated Crocodile, receive an invitation? Although we certainly don't care about being Shichibukai, this is a matter of pride!"In the future, when we meet other pirates, I, Master Usopp, can boast that our Straw Hat Pirates were invited by the World Government to become Shichibukai, but we refused!"The prestige would instantly soar!Luffy chuckled awkwardly, scratching his cheek: "Well, that might have something to do with my grandpa.""Grandpa?"Nami and Usopp both looked at him.Luffy hadn't mentioned his family before."Yeah, my grandpa is a Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral," Luffy said casually."Oh, so he's a Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral." Nami nodded.Then she rushed forward and grabbed Luffy's collar, "Huh? Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral?!"You're a true-blue Marine third generation, so why did you go out to sea as a pirate?Nami's head almost buzzed.Luffy smiled sheepishly. Well, who told him he met Shanks?Garp always said that Shanks should be captured and thrown into Impel Down. It was all Shanks' fault for infecting Luffy with the 'Red Hair' poison.Garp wanted to train Luffy to be the best Marinesoldier, but he ended up becoming a Shichibukai... If Garp were at Marineford during the next World Government meeting, the newspaper headline the next day might very well be about the Navy Heroand his grandson, a Shichibukai, fiercely battling at Marineford.Imagining that scene, it was simply too beautiful."Speaking of which."