Chapter 177

### **Chapter 177**

The power of the **Float-Float Fruit** was known **worldwide**, its legend cemented by its former wielder—

**The Golden Lion, Shiki.**

Since his death, countless **ambitious individuals** had **fantasized** about inheriting its ability.

But what they failed to understand was—

**Fate had no say in who received the Float-Float Fruit.**

Its next user was **not chosen by destiny**.

**It was chosen by Carl.**

---

Carl **tossed** the Float-Float Fruit lightly in his hand.

The **eyes** of Doflamingo and the others **followed its rise and fall**.

Their **expressions wavered** between anticipation and disbelief.

Carl noticed **Doflamingo's reaction**.

His lips curled into a **playful smile**.

Then, in a voice that was **impossible to ignore**, he asked—

**"Doffy, do you want to be the next user of the Float-Float Fruit?"**

Doflamingo's **body tensed**.

His **eyes widened in shock**.

He stammered—

**"Saint Carl… are you… are you offering me the Float-Float Fruit?!"**

Carl chuckled.

**"Why else would I bring it out?"**

Then, his voice softened, but his words carried **undeniable weight**—

**"I believe you're worthy of it."**

---

Doflamingo's **heart pounded violently**.

A **storm of emotions** surged within him.

Ever since his father, **Saint Homing**, had **abandoned their status** as Celestial Dragons—

He had **fallen from heaven to hell**.

The humiliation… the **bitterness**…

The **rage** of a child who had lost **everything**.

In the **original timeline**, his fate had already been sealed.

His **mother had died in misery**.

His **father had been slaughtered by his own hands**.

A **ten-year-old child**, holding **his father's severed head**, had traveled to the **Holy Land**—

Begging for **acceptance**.

Yet, the **Celestial Dragons had mocked him**.

Scorned him.

**Rejected him.**

That moment had **pushed him into darkness**.

But this time—

**Carl had appeared.**

At the lowest point in his life, **Carl had extended his hand**.

**"My Figarland family can accept you."**

Those words had **shaken Doflamingo to his core**.

Unlike Trebol's **obsessive loyalty**, Carl's recognition felt **genuine**.

And **Doflamingo craved that recognition** more than anything.

He had spent **years trying to prove himself**—

Trying to earn **Carl's approval**.

When he saw **disappointment in Carl's eyes earlier**, fear **gripped his soul**.

But now—

Carl was offering him the **legendary Float-Float Fruit**.

**Claiming that he deserved it.**

Doflamingo felt **paralyzed**.

---

His eyes locked onto the **Float-Float Fruit**.

His throat **went dry**.

This was an **unimaginable opportunity**.

A **miracle.**

But—

He had already **eaten a Devil Fruit**.

His **String-String Fruit** was his **foundation**.

And yet…

Was there really a **choice** for him to make?

Doflamingo took a **deep breath**—

Then, he **lowered his head**.

His voice was **humble**, yet filled with **regret**.

**"Saint Carl… I already possess a special ability. Forgive me… but I cannot accept the Float-Float Fruit."**

Carl's **expression remained unreadable**.

Then, he spoke **calmly**—

**"I know."**

Doflamingo's **breath caught in his throat**.

**He knew?**

Carl had been **aware all along**?

Was this a **test**?

A **trial to measure his worth?**

Doflamingo's mind **spun**.

Then, Carl stepped closer.

Leaning in, he murmured—

**"I can give you a second chance to choose a Devil Fruit… but you'll have to pay a price."**

His voice was **low**, **hypnotic**—

Like a devil whispering in his ear.

**"Are you willing?"**

Without hesitation—

Doflamingo **answered firmly**—

**"I am!"**

Carl's red eyes **flashed**.

**"Even if that price is your life?"**

---

Doflamingo **froze**.

For a brief moment, his **resolve wavered**.

But then—

**His jaw clenched.**

His fists tightened.

His childhood… his **suffering**…

The **laughter of the Celestial Dragons** echoing in his mind…

**He would not hesitate.**

Doflamingo looked straight into **Carl's crimson gaze**.

And then—

He **nodded.**

Carl placed a hand on his **shoulder**.

His touch was **oddly warm**.

Then, his voice rang out—

**"Very well. Now… hurt yourself. The more severe, the better."**

---

A heavy **silence** fell.

Vergo and the others **stiffened**.

Trebol **collapsed to his knees**, his face **ashen**.

Vergo, his ever-loyal second-in-command, **trembled**.

His voice cracked as he shouted—

**"Doffy, don't—!"**

**BANG!**

The gunshot **cut through the night air**.

Doflamingo **shot himself in the chest**.

The force **sent him flying backward**.

His body **crashed onto the ground**, arms **sprawled out**.

Blood **spurted from the wound**, staining his white shirt **crimson**.

A **pool of red** spread beneath him.

**"DOFFY!"**

Vergo **sprinted toward him**, panic in his voice.

Diamante and Pica followed—

Though Pica **accidentally stepped on Trebol**, sending the man into **another fainting spell**.

But before any of them could reach him—

Carl had already **knelt beside Doflamingo**.

His **scarlet right hand** pressed against the wound—

A **flash of red light** erupted.

And just like that—

The **bleeding stopped instantly**.

---

Everyone **froze**.

No one **dared to interfere**.

Carl lifted his hand—

His **gaze unreadable**.

The bullet wound was **dangerously close to Doflamingo's heart**.

Yet, he had pulled the **trigger without hesitation**.

A **true test of devotion**.

Doflamingo's face was **pale**, his breathing **ragged**.

Yet, he managed to whisper—

**"Saint Carl… is this… enough?"**

Carl's **eyes softened slightly**.

He nodded.

Then, his hand **turned dark**.

A strange **energy pulsed** from his fingertips.

And then—

In an instant, he **withdrew another Devil Fruit**.

A **white, pear-shaped fruit** materialized in his palm.

Doflamingo's **breath hitched**.

His **eyes widened in astonishment**.

The **Float-Float Fruit** was no longer the only treasure before him.

A **new power** awaited.

And with it—

A **new destiny.**

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**+115 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg**