Inside the grand and magnificent palace of Dressrosa, an unusual atmosphere hung heavy.
Doflamingo, a pirate who held the title of Warlord of the Sea while also being the secret emperor of the underworld, sat on his throne, his expression dark and grim enough to drip water.
"Fufufufufu, what an unexpected surprise. Kizaru, what brings an Admiral of the Navy here? Could it be you've come to bring me a gift?"
There was a hint of mockery in Doflamingo's words, but a glint of vigilance shone in his eyes behind his signature pink feather coat and sunglasses as he stared intently at this uninvited guest.
Roy, however, seemed unfazed by Doflamingo's hostility, sprawling into a seat with his characteristic lazy smile.
His gaze swept over the glowering Donquixote Family officers present, finally landing on Baby 5. With a smile, he said, "My dear lady, would you be so kind as to prepare a cup of tea for me?"
As if drawn by some unseen force, Baby 5 immediately switched allegiances and actually turned to prepare the tea.
This scene made Doflamingo's expression darken further; veins bulged on his forehead, but constrained by Kizaru's identity and power, he could only suppress his rage.
"Kizaru, you know very well what this place is. What is your real purpose?"
Roy, however, seemed unconcerned with Doflamingo's interrogation. He took a light sip of tea before slowly speaking. "No need to be so tense, Heavenly Demon. The reason I came this time is to take—ah, no, to investigate the matter of the Snow-Snow Fruit."
Hearing this, Doflamingo flew into a rage. He had paid an enormous price to acquire this fruit, intending to use it as a promotion reward for a Family officer.
Now, Kizaru was suddenly interfering, trying to snatch it away. How could he not be furious?
"Kizaru, don't be ridiculous! I bought that fruit with a hefty sum!" Doflamingo's voice was filled with anger.
Roy, however, seemed uninterested in letting the matter drop. He set down his teacup, the corner of his mouth curling into an amused smile. "Oh? A legal purchase? Then please hand over that fruit to me for investigation."
Doflamingo's expression grew even darker at these words.
He silently thanked his luck that Roy was a Marine and still bound by the World Government's authority; otherwise, he probably wouldn't even have a chance to protest.
But even so, he would never give up this precious fruit easily.
"So you mean to make an enemy of me? Think carefully, Kizaru!"
Roy maintained his lazy smile.
He calculated quietly to himself: since he was going to prepare a Devil Fruit for Haibara Ai, a Logia type was undoubtedly the best choice.
And for now, the Snow-Snow Fruit was an excellent option.
As for Doflamingo's anger and provocation, he paid them no mind.
After all, against absolute power, any threat was futile. And extorting a scumbag like Doflamingo carried no guilt whatsoever.
"I hear recently, that worst criminal in history—Hashirama Senju—appeared."
"Quite terrifying, willing to kill even a Celestial Dragon."
"What are you implying, Kizaru?"
Burning with rage, Doflamingo stared intently at Admiral Roy before him, a sudden powerful urge welling up inside him: he wanted to test for himself just how big the gap was between him and those at the peak of the world, the Admirals and Emperors.
He fixed his gaze on Roy, who was leisurely sipping tea, then suddenly vanished, reappearing behind Roy in an instant.
He swung both hands forward, countless fine, thread-like strings immediately coated in dense Armament Haki, slashing violently toward Roy.
"Goshikito!" Doflamingo snarled, his tone vicious.
But in that instant, he was shocked to discover Roy's figure had vanished.
"Oh my, how terrible. Daring to attack a Navy Admiral, this won't be settled so easily."
Roy's voice suddenly sounded right beside Doflamingo's ear, laced with mockery and amusement.
The next moment, Roy's figure reappeared, his leg kicking out like lightning, carrying terrifying force straight at Doflamingo.
"Light Speed Kick!" Roy called out softly. The words had barely left his mouth when his foot struck, its speed astonishing.
Doflamingo immediately had his strings wrap around him, quickly forming an unbreakable shield in a desperate attempt to block the blow.
Yet against this Light Speed Kick, powerful enough to shake heaven and earth, he was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, countless buildings shattering along the path from the sheer impact.
"So, Doflamingo? Hand over the Snow-Snow Fruit, and toss in a few hundred million Berries for this old man's mental distress."
In the distance, Doflamingo struggled to rise from the rubble, utterly disheveled. For a seasoned Warlord like him, though fierce, this blow was clearly not fatal.
Yet his heart was filled with rage and resentment, mixed with a trace of barely concealed fear.
He clearly realized just how vast the gap in strength was between himself and Roy.
In the end, unwilling to lose face before his Family officers, Doflamingo could only swallow his fury and unwillingness, surrendering the precious Snow-Snow Fruit and several hundred million Berries.
His gloomy gaze followed Roy's departing figure as he made a silent vow:
"I must become stronger! I must obtain that legendary weapon! Only then can I avenge this humiliation!"
Roy, naturally, paid no mind to Doflamingo's internal thoughts.
He had now arrived once again in Conan's world.
[Spend points to bring Devil Fruit into this world?]
The system's prompt echoed in his mind.
Roy cursed the chat group inwardly; bringing a Devil Fruit into this world cost so many points, making him wince.
But for Haibara Ai's sake, he would just have to accept being overcharged.
"So this is the legendary Devil Fruit?"
Haibara Ai looked at the bizarrely shaped fruit before her, a mix of disbelief and curiosity flickering in her clear eyes, their light complex.
Roy had actually brought this here for her, sending a wave of warmth through her heart and touching her deeply.
'I really wish I could cut it open and study it properly,'
Haibara Ai thought to herself, but quickly shook her head, dismissing the idea.
She understood the Devil Fruit's unique nature; a failed attempt would not only waste this rare opportunity but would also betray Roy's thoughtfulness.
So, she carefully cut a sliver from the Devil Fruit and gently placed it in her mouth.
An indescribably bizarre taste exploded in her mouth, making her gag repeatedly, her face turning pale.
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