Chapter 128: You Should Understand My Tenderness

After capturing the gold transport ship, it was inevitable that demands for ransom would be made through contact with the World Government or the Navy. Considering that the shipment of the Heavenly Gold was such a significant operation, escorted by five warships, there was no reason for there not to be a direct channel of communication with the highest echelons of the World Government. In fact, it was only natural for both sides to maintain regular contact. Even if Doflamingo did not initiate communication, it wouldn’t take long for the other side to realize something had gone wrong with the transport ship. No matter what, a loss of contact on their end could never be taken lightly.

On this mission, the official serving as the World Government’s "liaison" aboard the gold ship was named Spandam. The scale and importance of this task were immense—absolute security was essential, it was a chance to bolster one’s personal record, and to leave a lasting impression both on the upper echelons of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. Success was guaranteed. Such a lucrative "easy merit" was a rare opportunity that few could attain. Therefore, it wasn’t too surprising that the role had fallen to Spandam.

By this point, Spandam had long since been forced to “come to his senses,” though his appearance now was so altered that even his own mother would take at least half an hour to recognize him. The pirates’ rapid revival methods were hardly in line with medical standards—ninety-nine percent brute force mixed with a hint of tenderness. So it was only natural that the swollen Spandam lay trembling on the deck. Earlier, he had spilled everything he should and shouldn’t have said. After all, a scoundrel with some integrity was much rarer than an honorable man wrapped in scoundrelry. The World Government’s tendency to elevate such low-level, despicable cronies to high positions suggested there was something seriously wrong with their system.

The Donquixote family had completely subdued the gold transport ship; all possible armed resistance had been crushed, including the two admirals who were now thoroughly broken by Doflamingo. The marines were tied up one by one, bundled like rice dumplings and piled aside like sacks of hemp. Besides them, the ship’s hold was overflowing with a mountain of treasure—the very thing pirates loved most. But Doflamingo didn’t even glance at it and strictly ordered that no one touch it. That treasure belonged to the Celestial Dragons—their cheese—and any rat daring to nibble without permission would surely be poisoned.

“Over 2,000 marines, two Navy admirals, more than a dozen officials from various World Government allied nations, someone claiming to be Spandam’s son, and, of course, the Celestial Dragons’ Heavenly Gold that must be delivered on time, without a second’s delay…” Doflamingo enumerated everything he held in his hands, all the while holding a special Den Den Mushi. “Well, Fleet Admiral, that’s quite the bargaining chip, isn’t it? Honestly, I’d prefer to negotiate directly with the Five Elders, but unfortunately, it seems your Den Den Mushi’s highest call level is right where you are.”

Of course, this Den Den Mushi had been confiscated from Spandam—or rather, it would be more accurate to say it was “voluntarily” handed over by him. On the other end of the line was a true heavyweight: Fleet Admiral Kong. The Fleet Admiral represented the highest position in the Navy, unquestionably a military role. Yet, by intuition, Kong now seemed more of a political figure than a soldier, perhaps because he was on the verge of further advancement.

“How are the escorting warships? Is the gold transport ship unharmed?” Kong didn’t waste time doubting the veracity of the event; instead, he asked directly. That the Den Den Mushi had fallen into the hands of pirates, and that those pirates called themselves “Doflamingo,” was enough proof that everything was true—there was no room for disbelief.

“The gold ship… not a scratch,” Doflamingo said, glancing at the smoking hole nearby. “As for the warships… guess where they are? Ha ha ha, just kidding. Your warships are enjoying a scenic tour at the bottom of the sea.”

In truth, Doflamingo wished he could speak directly with the Five Elders, who were the real decision-makers. But that seemed difficult; matters had to pass through the Fleet Admiral first. This added complexity might even lead to unforeseen complications.

It appeared the warships had been sunk, but hearing the gold transport ship was safe, Kong let out a slight breath of relief. At least this meant that Doflamingo, a former Celestial Dragon himself, hadn’t truly lost his mind. If the hijacking of the Heavenly Gold was premeditated, then Doflamingo was certainly not acting out of boredom or idleness.

“So, what do you want?” Kong asked bluntly.

“Fleet Admiral, you understand the situation quickly. This time we can both keep things under wraps temporarily, hoping to reach a pleasant reconciliation during this period. I guarantee the safety of the Heavenly Gold, but… the World Government must pay a small price.”

“That’s the ideal scenario. If I don’t get what I want, then there’s no need for childish and dull threats. But when that time comes, both the Navy and the Celestial Dragons will become the laughingstock of the world.”

Doflamingo hated the Celestial Dragons, and hated ordinary people even more. Yet, if one drew a line of allegiance, he still stood on the Celestial Dragons’ side—because he had once been one of them, a beneficiary of privilege, and he would never forget the “nobility” he had as a Celestial Dragon.

The Heavenly Gold was the best bargaining chip—no threats were needed. The consequences of losing it were far clearer to the Fleet Admiral than to Doflamingo. In the aftermath, whether it was the World Government, Navy Headquarters, the Five Elders, or Kong himself, all would bear the full brunt of the Celestial Dragons’ wrath.

Then it wouldn’t be a question of whether Kong could be promoted… At present, no one could withstand the Celestial Dragons’ fury.

So the Fleet Admiral waited for the pirate on the other end to make his demand.

“What I want is simple. It only requires a small decision from the Five Elders. With that, a pirate like me would be greatly satisfied… Within three days, I want to be officially recognized as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. This is my small request to protect our little secret.”

Yet this modest request made the Fleet Admiral at the other end of the Den Den Mushi leap to his feet. The Seven Warlords system was one of the main pillars maintaining the balance of power at sea. Its members were chosen carefully, often with considerations spanning many factors—it was not a decision to be made lightly.

For example, to maintain relations with the Fish-Men and prevent chaos after Tiger’s death, the World Government was currently deliberating whether to extend an invitation to the former Sun Pirates’ second-in-command, Jinbe.

If a former Celestial Dragon were to join the Seven Warlords, it would not preserve the system but rather destroy it.

Yet Doflamingo had chosen the perfect moment.

And this was not a matter even the Fleet Admiral could decide.