Chapter 186: You Want to Be My Boss

North Blue, Spadamerus Island.

The town of Spadamerlz is a port city dominated by heavy industry, filled with stone buildings and chimneys, perpetually shrouded in grayish-white smoke.

Doflamingo, along with core executives Trebol, Pika Pika, Diamante, and others, is stationed here.

Doflamingo is revered as King.

He uses the island's existing equipment and workers to mass-produce firearms, grenades, and other munitions, selling them to various kingdoms in the North Blue.

At the same time, using this location as a base, his business and influence gradually extend toward the Grand Line.

The Donquixote Family's headquarters.

"My lord Barzab Seven."

"Then I shall await your arrival."

Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Doflamingo glanced at Corazon's wanted poster from the corner of his eye and couldn't help but laugh.

"That rascal."

"His bounty is even higher than mine, his older brother's."

Doflamingo could never have imagined that his missing younger brother had actually joined the Morning Star Pirates, becoming an intern aboard the Donghai Dihuang.

What was even more laughable was—

The spy he had painstakingly sent to the Marines, who was then sent by the Marines to spy on the Morning Star Pirates, was subsequently sent by Barzab Seven to spy on the Beasts Pirates.

"A foolish younger brother, as long as he is alive, that is enough."

While Doflamingo was sighing with emotion, Trebol knocked on the door.

"Young Master, Vergo has returned."

Doflamingo, wearing sunglasses, a pink feather coat, cropped pants, and pointed shoes, froze in place instantly.

"Vergo? What has he come back for?"

"Bring him in quickly."

Before long, Vergo, wearing sunglasses, appeared in Doflamingo's line of sight.

"Young Master, I have a plan."

Hearing that Vergo, representing Kaido, invited him to become the King of the Kingdom of Dressrosa, Doflamingo froze in place once more, only speaking softly after a long while.

"So, you want to be my boss?"

Doflamingo really wanted to ask Vergo: Who exactly are you working for now, kid?

Are you the spy I sent to the Marines?

Are you a Lieutenant at Marine Headquarters?

Are you an intern with the Morning Star Pirates?

Or are you an executive of the Beasts Pirates?

"Young Master," Vergo hurriedly explained.

"Wealth is sought amidst danger, Young Master. If we rely solely on our own efforts, it will take at least ten years to seize Dressrosa."

"With the help of Boss Kaido, you can become the King of Dressrosa immediately."

"We only need to secretly build up our strength; victory will ultimately belong to our Donquixote Family."

Doflamingo admitted he was somewhat tempted.

Doflamingo, now twenty-one, had only made a name for himself in the North Blue, while the Vinsmoke Family and the Marines held greater power in the North Blue.

Compared to these two forces, the Donquixote Family was, after all, established only recently.

Whether in territory or subordinates, they fell short of the Marines and the Vinsmoke Family in every aspect.

Doflamingo originally planned to continue developing in the North Blue for a while, and when the time was ripe, head to the New World to reclaim the Kingdom of Dressrosa.

While expanding his sphere of influence, he would move the Donquixote Family's headquarters to the New World.

Now, there was a new choice.

Although cooperating with Kaido was akin to skinning a tiger, what Vergo said held some truth: wealth indeed requires seeking danger.

Following the rules would never lead to great achievements.

Barzab Seven, at nineteen, dared to lead the Morning Star Pirates to attack Marineford to rescue Luo Jie's son.

Doflamingo was even two years older than Barzab Seven.

"Vergo, explain in detail."

Vergo detailed the Beasts Pirates' occupation of Wano Country and their subsequent expulsion by the Morning Star Pirates from Wano, leaving Doflamingo stunned.

"In other words: the Morning Star Pirates now possess two territories in the New World, Honeycomb Island and Wano Country?"

"Yes, Young Master."

Doflamingo grinned and laughed strangely without stopping.

"Hehehehehe~"

"Truly a man capable of shattering Marineford, his strength matches his ambition. I really want to ask how this fellow cultivates."

At nineteen, he first destroyed Wang Zhi and seized Honeycomb Island.

Then he destroyed Marine Headquarters, defeated Kaido, and seized the vast, mineral-rich land of Wano Country.

Truly a crew member of the Pirate King, Luo Jie.

Even great pirates like Whitebeard and Kaido probably could not have achieved this at nineteen.

"Did you come alone this time?"

Vergo reported in detail about Queen's mission to the Vinsmoke Family.

"Young Master, let's do it."

"If we refuse, Kaido will very likely seek cooperation with others; at that point, reclaiming Dressrosa will only be more difficult for us."

If there was no chance before, so be it, but now that the opportunity is right here, how could one possibly miss it?

If one lacks even this much courage, how can one become a King in this brutal world?

To become a King, one must dare to take risks.

Doflamingo patted Vergo's shoulder.

"Things obtained too easily are never cherished. I plan to have a good talk with Kaido, striving to ensure the Donquixote Family's rights and interests are not infringed."

"The time has come for you to play your part."

Doflamingo never imagined that sending Vergo to infiltrate the Marines back then would, after several twists and turns, yield such an unexpected surprise.

With Vergo, this trusted subordinate and spy, in place, they would surely be able to gauge the negotiations and secure even more benefits.

Vergo snapped to attention and saluted.

"Loyalty, Young Master."

"By the way, Young Master, the proposal to seize Dressrosa from Kaido was specifically instructed to me by Captain Barzab."

Hearing this, Doflamingo frowned.

A vague sense of unease rose in his heart; he felt this was a trap set by Barzab.

"Wano Country... will Inazuma become a member of the World Government in five months?"

"Yes." Vergo nodded.

"The World Government will launch a massive publicity campaign soon to endorse Inazuma's membership."

Doflamingo breathed a sigh of relief.

Once Inazuma becomes a member of the World Government, if a war is launched against other member nations, the World Government will surely intervene to mediate.

Perhaps Barzab acted this way hoping Kaido would seize new territory, thereby preventing Kaido from frequently raiding Wano Country.

Doflamingo felt he had uncovered the Morning Star Group's intentions.

"Go rest for now."

"In a few days, Barzab will come by; make sure to have Queen discover it inadvertently at that time."

"I understand, Young Master."

Watching Vergo leave, Doflamingo put his hands in his pockets and looked at Trebol.

"Trebol, what do you think?"

Trebol bent his body: "I think Vergo makes some sense."

"The New World stage is large enough; whether in land, population, or resources, Dressrosa is far superior to our current territory."

"As for Kaido and the Beasts Pirates..."

"Having such a bodyguard team in the New World is actually quite good for us."

"At the very least, we won't have to worry about being invaded by other great pirates immediately after taking Dressrosa; we will enter a period of explosive growth."

"The only downside might be that you, Young Master, must temporarily endure humiliation."

"Only when we possess sufficient strength, or find a more powerful partner, can we break free from the shackles of Kaido and the Beasts Pirates."

"You can talk with Barzab first."