Chapter 71: Just Get It Done

Ibes was fundamentally different from everyone else in the Donquixote Pirates. The others had all witnessed the ugliness of this world; even Enel had endured bullying since childhood. Only Ibes remained kind and innocent. Now, however, she was personally caught in the great whirlpool that was the Donquixote Family. If Doflamingo didn't force her to recognize the world's wickedness, to find her own resolve and eliminate enemies herself, she would sooner or later become a liability to the Family. Doflamingo wouldn't keep someone around who couldn't stomach the sight of blood.

Once you become a pirate, you need that resolve, Doflamingo mused. For a true pirate, death is hardly a threat! If you're afraid to die, don't become a pirate. This world is cruel; no one's going to play house with you. If you want something, get strong enough to take it. Only the strong can obtain everything.

Ibes's immediate trouble had found a relatively decent resolution. She was finally starting to look like a member of the Family, though still somewhat naive. It was mainly due to a lack of experience, having seen too little of the world's ugliness, always holding onto a fundamental goodwill towards it.

Doflamingo wasn't particularly bothered by Ibes's lingering innocence. Experience would inevitably change her. He intended to send Ibes out to fight more, to let her see more of this world.

"Let's go."

Doflamingo appeared beside Ibes seemingly out of nowhere, prompting her.

"But…" Ibes hesitated.

Doflamingo said no more, simply turning and walking away. Ibes had wanted to bury the woman, to give her a final resting place. Seeing Doflamingo call for her to leave, she felt a pang of reluctance—her kindness was still making trouble for her.

Ultimately, Ibes followed Doflamingo, leaving that dark place behind.

"God, about that…" Ibes stammered, unable to voice the question weighing on her mind.

"I know you wanted to bury her. There's nothing inherently wrong with that," Doflamingo said, seeing her turmoil. "But you need to understand, kindness must be selective. Look at your own injury. Think about it carefully. Consider it a lesson learned."

Ibes fell silent. She understood now that this place wasn't like Sky Island—it wasn't peaceful or stable. Even Sky Island had victims like Enel; how much more so in this vast world? Kindness wasn't inherently wrong, but did she even have the luxury of affording it right now? She could easily lose her own life otherwise.

At the Donquixote Family's temporary gathering point, Diamante, Trebol, Pica, and Enel were assembled, discussing important matters. Without Doflamingo present, these four were responsible for handling all affairs.

"Everyone, I've received word. Those five families finally couldn't hold back any longer. They're planning to make a move against us," Diamante announced.

"Yahahaha! Excellent! Yours truly just came down here looking for some excitement. Those fools aren't afraid to die, huh? The more the merrier!" Enel, never one to shy away from conflict, laughed heartily.

"Ne, ne, I actually agree with Enel on this," Trebol chimed in, surprisingly serious for a moment. "It really is a good thing. It's about time the power structure in the North Blue changed. However, those old geezers have controlled the North Blue for many years; the forces they command shouldn't be underestimated. We need a foolproof plan."

"Indeed," Diamante concurred. "They have numbers on their side. If we clash head-on, we won't necessarily come out on top. If our strength gets depleted, we'll be the ones suffering in the end. In my opinion, caution is paramount."

"What's there to fear? Just get it done!" Enel scoffed at their cautiousness. "With the few of us here? These little brats in the North Blue? I refuse to believe they're any match for us. Fodder is fodder, no matter how numerous. Can ants really shake an elephant?" He radiated confidence, clearly believing himself superior to everyone present except, perhaps, Doflamingo.

"Haha, Big-Eared Rascal, you're right! Fodder is just fodder!" Pica's high-pitched voice unexpectedly echoed Enel's sentiment. "I also agree we should meet them head-on! Fight until they know their place! Having weathered the storms of the Grand Line, how can we be so timid now!" Pica was eager for battle, partly because he wanted to awaken his Observation Haki—a lack that had long been a sore spot for him.

"Sissy! You bastard, you're actually agreeing with me today? Did the sun rise in the west?" Enel asked, genuinely surprised by Pica's support.

"Perhaps my heart has just grown restless," Pica replied, surprisingly calm despite the insult. "My hands are itching for a fight. After being trained by Doffy for so long, I crave battle too! If we keep acting so timidly, how can we ever hope to keep pace with Doffy?"

Trebol and Diamante were visibly stirred by Pica's words. Before meeting Doflamingo, their original group of four (including Vergo) had usually deferred to Trebol's lead, and Pica rarely voiced strong opinions. But Pica had changed significantly. Having glimpsed the wider world, his spirit had become more fiery.

"Behehehe! Pica, hearing you talk like that gets me all fired up too!" Trebol laughed.

"Since everyone agrees on an all-out attack, I have no objections," Diamante said, sensing the surge in morale. "It's time we fought them. Let them know we're not to be trifled with."

Just as they reached a consensus and Diamante was about to give orders to prepare for battle, Doflamingo appeared with Ibes in tow.

Diamante promptly reported everything they had discussed.

"I'm already aware of your intentions. Good," Doflamingo said after listening. "Although the North Blue is merely a small stage, it's sufficient for honing your skills right now. I trust you can handle them. Incidentally, Ibes will accompany you this time."

"Ibes? Her?" Diamante looked skeptical. It wasn't that he distrusted Doflamingo, but he'd always seen Ibes as frail and lacking real strength. "Doffy, about that…"

"What? Don't tell me you're underestimating your own comrade?" Doflamingo countered coolly.

"Haha! No, no, of course not!" Diamante felt a flush of shame at Doflamingo's rebuke. "Ibes, my apologies, my apologies," he said, turning to her sheepishly.

"It's okay," Ibes replied sweetly, not holding it against him.

"Ibes is strong," Enel interjected, offering support to his fellow native of Birka. After all, they were practically compatriots.

"Yes, she is!" Pica added his agreement.

"Well then, I'll be looking forward to seeing Ibes in action," Trebol chimed in encouragingly.

Such harmony, Doflamingo observed, taking it all in. A rare sense of contentment settled within him. The members of his Family got along remarkably well. Despite occasional minor frictions, bonds had naturally formed over their time together.

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