Chapter 91: Quite the Spectacle of Betrayal

Barajas, who had been gloating mere moments before, now lay sprawled on the ground, his body charred black, barely a patch of intact skin remaining. He was still faintly conscious, just enough to hear Robin's parting remark. The final insult was too much; he breathed his last, too ashamed to even exist in this world any longer.

Nearby, Rumaty Lima had witnessed Doflamingo's attack. He had assumed Doflamingo was strong, perhaps comparable to himself, but he hadn't anticipated this. Doflamingo had eliminated an enemy without even moving a muscle. More shocking still was the revelation that he was a Logia-type Devil Fruit user. Lima suddenly grasped the terrifying reality of who they had provoked. This could very well end in total annihilation. The desire to retreat surged within him. The rewards promised by the Five Families were tempting, but what good were they if he was dead? However, he hadn't even fought yet. If he suggested withdrawal now, the Five Families would likely refuse.

"Boss Coy… perhaps we should retreat?" Lima finally voiced his thoughts, albeit hesitantly.

"What? What did you just say?" Coy shot back, astonished, his voice jumping an octave.

"I said we should retreat! We are absolutely no match for Doflamingo! Continuing like this is just throwing away lives!" Lima urged, trying to reason with him.

"What do you know? We've already bet everything on this! Besides, Doflamingo won't just let us run away!" Coy retorted icily. "What's this, Lima? Thinking of deserting? Don't forget, we're all in the same boat here. If we fall, you won't escape unscathed either." He delivered the warning with undisguised menace.

"Where's your pride as a strong fighter, Lima?" McNeil, having overheard, chimed in angrily. "You're the strongest one we hired! How can you show cowardice before the battle even truly begins?" The situation wasn't even disadvantageous yet, and already they had a traitor in their midst.

To hell with pride! Lima cursed internally. Pride won't keep me alive! Isn't this just suicide? He couldn't believe this one job was going to send him to an early grave. He still had so much living left to do!

Lima's eyes darted around slyly, but he remained silent under McNeil's accusation, instead focusing on how to get out of this hornets' nest.

Seeing Lima's silence, McNeil mistakenly assumed he'd accepted the criticism and turned his attention back to the ongoing battle.

The other family leaders, however, wore expressions of deep displeasure, directing glares at both Lima and Coy. Who knew Coy would recruit such a lily-livered coward? Who knew these pirates were such worthless trash?

"Lima, get in there!" Coy ordered, his face dark as thunder. "Finish off the Donquixote Family quickly, so we can prepare your victory feast sooner!"

Victory feast? More like a funeral feast for us, Lima scoffed inwardly, though his expression remained neutral.

"Since Boss Coy insists," Lima said smoothly, his words offering false reassurance, "I wouldn't want to freeload. Watch me take down Doflamingo."

It had to be said, Rumaty Lima was quite capable. After eating the Mantis Fruit, he had made a name for himself on the Grand Line with his signature "Deadly Scythe Hands" technique, earning a bounty of 100 million Beli. Unfortunately, his overwhelming fear of death and lack of true pirate conviction held him back. Despite his considerable strength, he eventually provoked someone he shouldn't have and was forced to flee the Grand Line. He ended up in the North Blue, continuing his life in the underworld. Compared to the local powers, he was exceptionally strong, yet he deliberately kept a low profile. It was precisely this caution and cunning that allowed him to become an honored guest among the mafia families.

But fate is unpredictable. Today, he'd run into a truly ruthless figure like Doflamingo. There was absolutely no way he would risk his life for Coy and the others. He had too much future ahead of him – women, money, power awaited. He couldn't possibly let it all end here.

"Excellent, Lima! Go get him!" "Teach Doflamingo a lesson!" "It's all up to you now!"

Hearing Lima's confident declaration, Dole and the other bosses grew excited again, already envisioning the destruction of the Donquixote Family.

Lima remained silent, inwardly scoffing at their naivety. His mind was already made up. What did their lives matter to him? They were doomed today anyway. Even if Doflamingo somehow spared them, Lima wouldn't.

The Five Families' leaders watched Lima stride forward, his face set in grim determination, his gaze fixed intently on Doflamingo. They mentally applauded his focus, completely oblivious to the fact that Lima was actually contemplating the best way to introduce himself to Doflamingo and offer his services.

Doflamingo watched Lima approach, a dangerous, knowing smile playing on his lips.

With a sudden burst of speed – shua – Lima vanished from his spot and reappeared directly beside Doflamingo.

Ibes instantly tensed, watching the newcomer warily. Little Robin nervously pressed closer against Doflamingo's leg, her small hand tightly gripping his trousers.

Only Doflamingo remained utterly unfazed, radiating calm indifference.

"You wish to dance as well?" Doflamingo asked, oozing coolness, referencing his earlier thought about the Families.

"Dance?" Lima paused, momentarily thrown by the metaphor, then quickly stated his true intention. "No. I wish to pledge allegiance to you."

Doflamingo raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. He'd been anticipating a challenge, perhaps a chance to impress Robin and Ibes with his power. This? Seriously? Are you messing with me?

"Yes, pledge allegiance to you," Lima repeated, his voice tight with nervousness, terrified Doflamingo might refuse.

Instead of answering Lima, Doflamingo turned his gaze down to Robin. "Robin, what do you say?"

Robin blinked, surprised to be consulted. After a brief pause for thought, she replied clearly, "Big Brother, someone wants to join us based on mere words? That doesn't show much sincerity, does it?"

Doflamingo's smile widened slightly; he was pleased. He still didn't respond to Lima.

Lima looked down at the small girl by Doflamingo's leg, heard her words, and a slow smile spread across his own face. He understood immediately. Of course. What better proof of sincerity than delivering the heads of the North Blue's rulers? Doflamingo's silence is his approval of her words.

"Sincerity," Lima declared, his voice hardening with resolve. "You will see it."

Without further delay, Lima spun around and shot back towards the cluster of Five Family bosses like an arrow. It was the perfect opportunity to eliminate them – a demonstration of his loyalty to his new potential master, and perhaps a twisted form of payback for their "hospitality."

The Mafia bosses, having dominated the North Blue for years, were no fools. They had watched Lima closely. Seeing him exchange a few words with Doflamingo and then rush back towards them with such speed, a dreadful realization dawned upon them: they had been betrayed.

"Damn him! That bastard Lima! He dares betray us!" McNeil, ever the hothead, exploded in fury.

"Coy! Look what kind of person you recruited! He betrayed us!" Warner immediately turned on Coy, demanding accountability.

"Bastard! That damned traitor!" "Damn him to hell!" The other leaders couldn't help but curse under their breath.

Coy's face was utterly livid, darker than thunder, as if he'd swallowed shit. His desire to kill Lima now surpassed even his hatred for Doflamingo.

"Men!" Coy snarled, ignoring the others' complaints, his voice dangerously cold. "Kill that traitor!"

"Hahaha! Boss Coy! Thank you for your generous hospitality all this time!" Lima's mocking laughter echoed from above. He had already transformed mid-flight – a terrifying, ten-meter-long Flying Mantis now hovered menacingly over them.

"Lima! You despicable coward!" McNeil screamed up at him, unable to contain his rage. "What did Doflamingo offer you?! Why would you betray us to join him?!" The others stared intently, desperate for an answer.

"Offer?" Lima tilted his insectoid head. "Doflamingo didn't offer me anything." He paused for effect. "But… survival is the greatest reward of all, wouldn't you agree?"

"Lima!" Coy ground out his name through clenched teeth, his killing intent boiling over.

The other bosses heard Lima's explanation, and a wave of burning humiliation washed over them. Lima believed so strongly they would lose that he'd betray them simply to save his own skin, throwing himself at Doflamingo's mercy.

"Alright, alright, yelling won't do you any good now," Lima chirped playfully, thoroughly enjoying their fury. "Besides, it's not like we were close. Why call my name so intimately? You're certainly no beauty, and frankly, your voice is quite grating!"

"LIMA! YOU DIE! JUST DIE!" Coy completely lost control, screaming incoherently. He'd never been subjected to such profound humiliation. Killing Lima was now his absolute priority, Doflamingo be damned.

"Tut-tut, why so angry?" Lima replied shamelessly. "Relax. My scythes are very quick. You won't feel a thing. It'll be painless, I promise."

"Fire! Kill him! Kill that traitor!" the other bosses roared, unable to tolerate his mockery any longer, ordering their men to open fire.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

A dense barrage of gunfire erupted, bullets streaking towards the giant mantis in the sky.

But bullets, no matter how numerous, were useless against a foe of Lima's caliber. With contemptuous ease, he deflected the entire volley with flicks of his gleaming, razor-sharp mantis forelimbs.

A predatory glint shone in his multifaceted eyes, a bloodthirsty urge taking over. With his scythes poised, Lima dove straight down towards the five doomed Mafia bosses, ready to begin the harvest.