Chapter 86: Does Everyone Think They Can Take on Me?!
"Excellent. Family, let's prepare to welcome our guests!" Doflamingo slowly made his way backstage, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "This is going to be fun… Fuffuffuffu…"
"Boss! Everything's ready!" reported a pirate clad in black, his face concealed beneath a scarf and hood, bowing to a man with ash-green hair and dark sunglasses.
"Good... When does the auction begin?" the man asked, sweeping his gaze over his subordinates.
He was none other than Gild Tesoro, a man who had made up his mind to claim a mysterious Devil Fruit rumored to appear at the Donquixote Family's auction— the Paramecia-type Gold-Gold Fruit, capable of controlling gold.
Three years ago, Tesoro had escaped the infamous Mariejois slave liberation incident. Ever since, his hatred for nobles and the wealthy had grown insatiable. Yet, his past also forged an obsession with money that far exceeded ordinary greed.
"If I had enough money, I could have saved Stella. Stella wouldn't have died… and I wouldn't have been taken by the Celestial Dragons…" Tesoro clenched his teeth, lost in painful memories. He could feel the burning pain of the Celestial Dragon's Hoof branded on his back. Even though he had later carved a larger star-shaped mark over it, that part of his body always radiated torment.
"The Gold-Gold Fruit… Who could have guessed I'd stumble across this opportunity? I must obtain this Devil Fruit! With it, I'll become the wealthiest man in the world! I'll crush all the rich beneath my feet!"
"The guests are already entering the auction venue," one of his subordinates reported. "We've confirmed several of the Donquixote Family's officers are present. Security appears to be under the command of their top executive, Diamante, the Flutter-Flutter Fruit (Hira Hira no Mi) user."
After his escape from Mariejois, Tesoro became a pirate, carving a reputation in the chaos of the North Blue and gathering a group of followers—violent mercenaries who would do anything for money. Alongside them were loyalists indebted to him for saving their lives.
Tesoro's talent for amassing wealth had always been extraordinary. Over the past three years, his personality had changed drastically, making him willing to go to any length for profit, achieving remarkable success. He also understood the crucial role of power in acquiring wealth. Lavishing his followers with riches, he earned unwavering loyalty from the mercenaries and diehard allegiance from those he had saved.
"Diamante, huh..." Tesoro sneered. "The Donquixote Family's officers are formidable, but they're still recovering. There's no way they've concentrated all their manpower at this auction. This is the weakest they've been in a long time. Besides…"
"The 'guests' at this auction aren't exactly trustworthy allies. When they see the Donquixote Family in trouble, their first instinct will be to kick them while they're down. Ahahahaha!"
"Gather our forces. We'll storm the venue during the latter half of the auction! Secure the final item—the Devil Fruit—for me. Everything else is fair game for you to take." Tesoro's voice was firm with command. "But the Devil Fruit… It's mine!"
"Yes, Boss!"
"Three, two, one—Sold!"
"Congratulations to VIP #26 on winning this auction item! You can collect it backstage after making your payment!"
The Donquixote Family's auction was in full swing, with Gladius hosting as the auctioneer. His lively demeanor came as a pleasant surprise to Doflamingo, who observed from backstage.
"Not bad, Gladius," Doflamingo murmured, mildly impressed. Normally, he would have entrusted professional hostesses with the task, but after their recent losses, Doflamingo couldn't afford any risk. Trusted family members had to oversee everything personally, and Gladius, with his sharp wit and solid combat skills, was the perfect choice.
"Behehehe… Seems like Pica's subordinate knows how to put on a show."
Suddenly—Boom!
A commotion erupted outside, accompanied by the sound of something heavy smashing into the venue.
"What's going on?"
The attendees, mostly underground bigwigs from the North Blue, exchanged glances. It seemed like trouble was brewing. Did someone target the auction because of the Devil Fruit? Or was this an attempt to humiliate the Donquixote Family in front of the North Blue's underworld elite?
Suspicion began to fester. Several attendees decided to prepare for an exit. Regardless of the cause, one thing was clear—this was dangerous, and their lives were far too valuable to risk.
"Where's Diamante?!" Doflamingo barked, directing his family to be on guard. The Den Den Mushi on the table began to ring—it was Diamante.
Bero-bero-bero… Click.
"Doffy!" Diamante's voice came through, filled with urgency. Chaos and the sound of battle echoed in the background. "The auction venue is surrounded by armed men in black! There are too many of them, and—Damn it!"
Bang!
Ratatatatata!
"Young Master! They've got heavy weaponry! We're about to be overwhelmed!"
Boom!
Doflamingo hung up, veins bulging on his forehead. "Fuffuffuffu… How amusing…"
"So, one after another, they think the Donquixote Family is done for? Eager to take our place?"
"Trebol, guard the auction items. Jora (Giolla), help Gladius keep the 'guests' calm—we can't afford any accidents with them!"
"Behehehe… Leave it to me, Doffy!" Trebol waved his cane, heading to the exhibition hall, while Jora moved to assist Gladius.
Crash!
The auction hall's doors burst open as a wave of black-clad attackers stormed in, unleashing a storm of bullets indiscriminately.
"Bastards!" Doflamingo's rage boiled. The intruders were clearly lunatics, recklessly attacking everyone in sight. Did they not understand the identities of the people here? Were they not afraid of retribution from the North Blue's underworld?!
"Donquixote Family! This is your trap!"
"Damn you, Doflamingo—you backstabbing scum!"
"Run! They're here to wipe us out!"
The panicked guests, enraged by the indiscriminate assault, turned their suspicions toward the Donquixote Family. Could this be an elaborate ruse to eliminate them and monopolize their business interests?
Meanwhile, Doflamingo's crew was struggling under the relentless barrage of gunfire. Without Pica, whose abilities could dominate such a chaotic battlefield, the others found themselves unable to turn the tide.
"Damn it…"
Even Doflamingo had to momentarily retreat from the ferocity of the attack, grinding his teeth in fury.
"Fuffuffuffu… Do you really think anyone can just waltz in here and take what's mine?!"
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