Chapter 8: Hunter's Game

The turmoil of the Edd War continued for a long time, with news about Roger and the Golden Lion spreading like wildfire. However, these matters were irrelevant to Doflamingo and didn't attract much of his attention. After all, the current Doflamingo wasn't qualified to participate in such high-level battles. He had to start from the bottom and strive step by step towards his goals. One had to eat bite by bite; otherwise, one would choke and burn one's mouth.

North Blue, a certain port town. A few days ago, Doflamingo and his crew had departed from a nearby island and arrived at this closest one.

Five figures approached from afar. Leading them was Doflamingo, walking with a swagger that acknowledged no authority, the epitome of an arrogant young noble. Behind him followed the Donquixote Family members Trebol, Diamante, Pica, and Vergo. The imposing group of five instantly caused a commotion, attracting the attention of the townspeople. After all, besides the Celestial Dragons, no one dared to be so arrogant and ostentatious. Even pirates didn't want to attract too much attention in towns. After sailing the vast seas for so long, who wouldn't want a piece of land for a moment of peace?

"Hey, Toka, look, another group of fat sheep!" A gangster, hiding in the shadows and leaning against a wall, joked with a smile.

"Yeah, so blatant. They think they're Celestial Dragons, the bastards? Tch!" The man called Toka spat on the ground and said to his companion, "We've got work, brothers. Go back and inform the boss."

The summoned gang member chuckled, "Haha, Toka, you keep an eye on them here. I'll go back and inform the boss. Today is a beautiful day!"

Toka ignored him, continuing to hide in the shadows and watch Doflamingo's group.

"Ne-ne, Doffy, it seems we've been targeted," Trebol said to Doflamingo.

"Fuffuffuffu, it seems the rats in the shadows are restless. A bunch of clowns. No need to pay them any mind," Doflamingo laughed.

Long before Trebol and the others noticed, Doflamingo's Observation Haki had already detected the covetous gazes of the rats in the shadows. Yet, he made no move. After all, how could a king sitting high on his throne be bothered by a bunch of clowns?

From the very beginning, it was already decided who was the hunter and who was the prey.

An underground estate, the gathering place of an unknown gang.

In the office, a burly man was embracing two seductive women. Suddenly, a noisy sound came, disturbing someone's good time.

"Boss, boss! Big fish! We have big fish today!" A gang member shouted loudly outside the door, bursting in.

"What the hell? Which little bastard is ruining my fun? Don't you know me?"

The man, his bear-like head buried in the voluptuous women, suddenly raised his fierce and furious face and cursed at the door. A hideous scar ran from his forehead to the corner of his left mouth, adding to his ferocity. After all, it was the hallmark of a vice-captain; who wouldn't be afraid?

The underling at the door trembled, knowing he'd disturbed the boss. He immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness.

"Boss, forgive me! Boss, forgive me! I didn't know you were enjoying yourself. But there really are big fish!"

"Damn it! What a pain! I was just about to enjoy these two beauties, and this happens. If there aren't any big fish, I'll chop you up!" The boss was furious. He then buried his bear-like head back into the beauties, taking a deep breath. "This heavenly scent! It's divine! It's exhilarating! I'm sure to have a big haul today. My little darlings, wait for me to come back and devour you, hahaha!"

With that, he got up and flung the two seductive women aside, his face full of excitement. He strode out of his office, leaving behind the two women who were writhing in pain on the floor and the kneeling gang member.

"Why aren't you leading the way? What are you kneeling there for?" The boss's distant voice startled the gang member. He quickly scrambled to his feet and followed his boss, fully displaying his flunky's abilities.

The game had officially begun.

Doflamingo and his group headed towards the shipyard. To reach Skypiea, they needed a sturdy and durable ship to support their ascent to ten thousand meters. Unfortunately, apart from the risky maneuver of using the Knock-Up Stream from Jaya Island and the relatively safer High West route to the White Sea, Doflamingo's group had no way of flying. Doflamingo didn't know the way to the White Sea via the High West. Their only option now was to rely on a sturdy ship and the Knock-Up Stream to reach Skypiea.

This was a risky choice. With bad luck, they'd fall from ten thousand meters and be smashed to pieces.

The path to becoming king wasn't smooth sailing. The dangers would only increase. This was just Doflamingo's first step. If he didn't dare to go to ten thousand meters, how could he talk about conquering the world?

At the shipyard, the fat, out-of-shape owner's eyes gleamed as he saw Doflamingo's group approaching. He hurried to greet them.

"Oh my, what brings such distinguished guests here today? Welcome, welcome!" The fat owner was all smiles, the epitome of flattery. "What do you need, esteemed guests? I'll do my best to fulfill your every wish."

Without any unnecessary words, Diamante said menacingly, "We need the best ship. Use the best materials you have here. It must be strong and reliable. Remember, money is no object."

"Yes, yes, yes, esteemed guests. I guarantee I'll use the best materials to build you the strongest and most reliable ship," the fat owner replied, seemingly frightened by Diamante's fierce appearance. He obsequiously smiled.

The fat owner's words piqued Doflamingo's interest. He thought about Roger's Golden Jackson and the future King of the Pirates Luffy's Thousand Sunny, both of which used the Treasure Tree Adam as the main material for their ships. Doflamingo was naturally curious about such a precious material. He asked with a smile:

"Fuffuffuffu, I wonder if you have any Treasure Tree Adam here, boss?"

Hearing the young noble behind Diamante speak, the fat owner carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied, "Sir, that's the best material for shipbuilding! It's the dream of countless shipwrights. We're just a small business here; we can only dream of such a thing. Sir, we don't have Treasure Tree Adam, but I assure you, I'll build your ship to be incredibly sturdy. Don't worry, sir. Our shipyard might not be as famous as Water 7, but we have integrity. The ships we build are top-notch!"

He patted his fat chest in assurance. Doflamingo found the owner's behavior amusing.

"Alright, alright. I didn't expect you to have such a thing here anyway. What's the fastest you can build my ship?" Doflamingo said impatiently.

"Sir, about that… Even if we work around the clock, it will take at least a month. And the price…" the fat owner said cautiously.

Before Doflamingo could speak, Diamante couldn't hold back any longer. He snapped, "Didn't I say money is no object? Just get it done!"

"Yes, yes, yes, sir. I'll go gather the shipwrights right away and have them work overtime to prioritize your order," the fat owner replied immediately and respectfully.

The matter of the new ship was temporarily settled. Doflamingo and his group had just left the shipyard when they were surrounded by a large group of black-clad, black-trousered gangsters, like a flowing stream. The scene frightened the residents on the street, who scattered and fled, closing their doors tightly, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.

"Boss, they just came out of the shipyard. They must be loaded. We're going to be rich this time!" There's always a sycophantic underling who knows how to read the situation and quickly report to the boss.

"Hahahaha, is that so? They are indeed big fish!"

A burly man with a scar on his face, identical to Silvers Rayleigh's, emerged from the crowd of his underlings, his aura imposing, and approached the five members of Doflamingo's group. He was arrogance and domineering personified.

"Fuffuffuffu!" Seeing this group of gangsters dressed like the Axe Gang, Doflamingo was instantly reminded of old memories. It was truly nostalgic, and he laughed even more wildly. Even Diamante and the other three behind him were infected and started laughing along.

"Good, very good, very good! Is it that funny? I hope you can still laugh later. Come on, come on, take a punch from me first, and then get down on the ground!" The gang leader's eyes turned sinister when he saw the five men not panicking but laughing even more cheerfully. He cursed violently as his fist shot towards Doflamingo.

Doflamingo didn't move, continuing to laugh without restraint. Diamante, standing beside him, reached out and blocked the fist aimed at Doflamingo.

"Hey, hey, hey, how could we let you attack our king? We're right here," Diamante said mockingly. "But you're really weak."

Then, with a terrifyingly powerful kick, he sent the gang leader flying into the distance, kicking up a cloud of dust. The surrounding underlings were stunned.

"Impossible! How is this possible? The boss couldn't even take one hit before being knocked down. What kind of monsters are they?"

Thump, thump, thump. Footsteps approached one by one. It was like the Grim Reaper coming to reap their souls. Immense fear spread through their hearts. Their hands and feet trembled, and they looked fearfully at Doflamingo and the others, hoping for their mercy and a chance to live.

However, Doflamingo ignored their gazes and continued forward.

In the distance, the flying dust finally settled. A hunched figure gradually appeared.

"Impossible! I refuse to accept this!" The gang leader cried out in pain, clutching his stomach as he lay on the ground, utterly dejected.

"I'm not this weak! Impossible! Impossible!"

The approaching footsteps drew nearer. Doflamingo's voice reached the gang leader's ears.

"You're this weak, and you have the nerve to show your face? Weaklings should know their place. This sea is vast; don't be a frog in a well, you ant."

"You weakling, still clinging to your glorious past? That will only lead to your destruction. Though your so-called glory is laughable in my eyes."

"A new glory will be created by me. The world will tremble before me. Fuffuffuffu, I—Donquixote Doflamingo—am king!"

Doflamingo didn't pause, laughing as he strode past the gang leader, leaving only an imposing silhouette for the gang leader and his men.

The gang leader and the surrounding gang members didn't dare to obstruct them, letting them leave. It wasn't the release of Conqueror's Haki, but simply Doflamingo's words that stirred up a storm in their hearts, as if they were seeing the king who ruled from a high throne.