Chapter 139: Arrangements Before Departure

The new journey had already begun! Doflamingo was practically itching for a grand battle with the powerhouses of the Grand Line! To ensure he could enter the Grand Line with peace of mind and to arrange affairs in the North Blue, Doflamingo convened a family meeting. All family members were to attend. Inside the family meeting room, everyone had taken their seats except for Doflamingo, who had yet to arrive. Buffalo, sitting next to Baby 5, leaned over to ask her for any news, seeing that Doflamingo hadn't appeared yet.

"I wonder what the Young Master has planned for such a big move this time, what he's going to announce. Baby 5, do you know anything?" Buffalo asked his playmate.

"The Young Master didn't tell me. Lately, he's been spending all his time with Monet, so I haven't had a chance to be with him! You could ask Monet," Baby 5 pouted, a hint of jealousy in her voice.

"Ohohoho, Baby 5, are you jealous?" Monet said to Baby 5 with a smile.

"I am not! I just can't stand seeing you spend so much time with the Young Master! You should know, I'm the Young Master's maid!" Baby 5 retorted, her face flushing in annoyance.

"You may be the Young Master's maid, but I'm his secretary!" Monet countered, not backing down an inch.

"Boring!" Enel muttered, listening to their conversation with disinterest. However, he was quite curious about what Doflamingo would announce. If his guess was correct, they were probably leaving the North Blue this time.

"Indeed, quite boring," Law chimed in. With no room for women in his heart, his sword path was naturally divine. Right now, Law was solely focused on becoming stronger. If Doflamingo didn't have something important to announce, he wouldn't bother wasting his time here. Listening to these women gossip was far less productive than doing a few more sets of training to strengthen his physique.

"Law, what did you say?" Baby 5, who had nowhere to vent her frustration, immediately turned on Law, scolding him.

"What, isn't it boring?" Law didn't coddle Baby 5, simply returning her glare with a fierce look of his own, his voice sharp.

"Sniffle..." Baby 5, all bark and no bite, immediately cowered behind Buffalo upon seeing Law's impolite and fierce gaze, refusing to look at him.

"Hahaha, what a wimp!" Sugar mocked with a laugh, munching on grapes.

"You!" Baby 5 was incensed, her right hand instantly transforming into a pistol aimed at Sugar.

"What? You want to make a move on me? Careful I don't turn you into a toy!" Sugar said calmly, utterly unafraid.

The others watched this unfold with considerable amusement, none of them intervening. In their eyes, it was just childish squabbling. Besides, Baby 5 wouldn't actually fire; she was just trying to scare Sugar. Just as Baby 5 was about to retort, Doflamingo's voice reached everyone's ears.

"Baby 5, put that down immediately! How can you point a weapon at family?" Doflamingo, who had seen this scene from afar, reprimanded Baby 5. He then instantly teleported to her side and grabbed her hand.

Hearing Doflamingo's voice, everyone turned their attention to him, expectantly awaiting his announcement.

"I'm sorry, Young Master!" Baby 5 reverted her transformed weapon back to its original state and apologized to Doflamingo.

"You shouldn't be apologizing to me, Baby 5. Remember, no matter what, family is always family. You should never aim your weapon at your own family. You were given weapons to protect your family, not to act like a bully," Doflamingo lectured her earnestly.

"I understand, Young Master!" Baby 5's attitude in admitting her mistake was quite good; a teachable child indeed.

"Sugar, I'm sorry. It was my fault. I shouldn't have aimed at you!" After speaking with Doflamingo, Baby 5 quickly apologized to Sugar.

"It's alright! I forgive you," Sugar said magnanimously.

At this, smiles appeared on everyone's faces, a scene of harmony. This was what Doflamingo wanted to see.

"Alright! That matter is settled. Now, I have an announcement to make," Doflamingo said seriously, taking his seat.

Everyone pricked up their ears, listening intently to Doflamingo's words.

"During this time, everyone has worked hard! It's thanks to your help that the North Blue has become so stable," Doflamingo began with words of gratitude.

"Yahahaha! Doffy, that's nothing!" Enel said with a casual laugh, not treating it as a big deal.

"Yes, Doffy. This is what we all should do," Diamante added, not feeling conceited by Doflamingo's thanks, but rather humbly acknowledging his leader.

Trebol and Pica simply gave Doflamingo a deep look; everything was understood between them without words. Besides, Pica rarely bothered to speak, and Trebol's image wasn't suited for such pronouncements.

"Young Master, it's all thanks to your leadership that we've developed so well!" Senor Pink offered a compliment. The others who had joined with Senor Pink echoed. "Yes, without the Young Master, where would we be!"

"Young Master, being able to follow you is my greatest happiness," Baby 5 added gratefully.

Robin and Ibes merely looked at Doflamingo with ardent eyes, the emotions within them needing no words. As for the newer members—Law, Bepo, Sugar, and Monet—they hadn't made any significant contributions yet. Hearing Doflamingo's words, they felt somewhat ashamed, but each of them harbored a desire to contribute to the Family. They would not be inferior to the others; they too would become the pride of the Family, the pride of Doflamingo's heart.

"This is what family is. It's good to have you all," Doflamingo said, somewhat moved by everyone's words.

"Doffy!"

"Onii-chan!"

"Young Master Doflamingo!"

"Young Master!"

Everyone responded emotionally to Doflamingo's words, their eyes fixed on him intently, their hearts stirred, unable to calm down for a long time.

"Alright! Now that the North Blue is stable, our ambitions naturally cannot be confined to dominating a small place like the North Blue. The Grand Line, the New World – those are the places where we will truly make our mark!" Doflamingo announced the next step, recapturing everyone's attention.

"Really? It's been too long, Doffy! I've been looking forward to this for too long!" Enel said, somewhat dazed. No one desired strength more than Enel, perhaps not even Law. Enel had long wanted to clash with the powerhouses of the seas. Apart from his fight with Kizaru last time, Enel hadn't had any major battles, which left him feeling quite lonely. After all, the North Blue was too quiet, with only the voice of the Donquixote Family; no one dared to oppose them.

"Fuffuffuffuffu! Enel, rest assured, the strong opponents you're anticipating will arrive soon. Don't get too excited!" Doflamingo responded with a laugh.

"Well, I'm certainly looking forward to it then!" Enel said happily.

"Doffy, will all our family members be entering the Grand Line?" Diamante, who tended to think more broadly, voiced the question on everyone's mind.

Hearing Diamante's inquiry, Doflamingo shook his head and then said. "For now, I don't plan to take everyone. Besides, the North Blue is our foundation; we can't just abandon this place."

"Then, Young Master, who do you intend to take?" Senor Pink asked, somewhat nervously.

At Senor Pink's words, everyone's heart leaped into their throats. They looked at Doflamingo anxiously. They all wanted to follow Doflamingo in conquering the Grand Line. Although there would surely be opportunities later, they still wanted to be among the first to set out with him. Doflamingo fell silent for a moment after hearing this, then looked towards Senor Pink. Senor Pink, seeing Doflamingo's gaze land on him, had a bad feeling and wanted to avoid his eyes.

"Senor Pink, Russian is pregnant, isn't she?" Doflamingo asked.

Hearing Doflamingo's question, Senor Pink was startled. He hadn't expected Doflamingo to know about such a personal matter. Nevertheless, he reported truthfully. "Young Master, yes, that's correct!"

"Then you should stay in the North Blue for now. Russian probably can't do without you. I look forward to the birth of your child," Doflamingo said comfortingly.

"I understand, Young Master. I will take good care of Russian and the North Blue," Senor Pink replied immediately, though there was some disappointment in his heart. But Russian and the North Blue were equally important.

Doflamingo nodded, then turned his gaze to Lao G, Jora, Machvise, and Trebol. Those who met Doflamingo's gaze felt a pang of disappointment but were all willing to accept his orders.

"Trebol, I'll leave the North Blue to you. With you looking after things, I can rest assured," Doflamingo said reassuringly to Trebol.

"Ne-ne, Doffy, don't worry! Leave the North Blue to me!" Trebol, understanding Doflamingo's intentions perfectly, gave his firm guarantee.

"Lao G, Jora, Machvise, Senor Pink, Trebol, the North Blue is in your hands. I believe we will reunite again soon!" Doflamingo gave those staying behind a hopeful prospect.

As for those whose names Doflamingo hadn't called, a sense of relief and secret joy filled their hearts. After speaking, Doflamingo turned his gaze to Sugar and said gently. "Sugar, before we depart, I will take you to a place. You will wait for us there peacefully!"

"Why?! Young Master, I don't want to go!" Sugar said, tears welling in her eyes upon hearing Doflamingo's words.

"Sugar, be obedient!" Before Doflamingo could speak, her sister Monet, beside her, began to reprimand Sugar.

"Big sister! I don't want to be separated from you all!" Sugar looked at Monet pitifully.

"Sugar, it's a beautiful and peaceful place, and also the main base of our Donquixote Family, our most important location. I'm sending you there because I can only rest easy if you are there. This is a very important responsibility. Can you do it?" Doflamingo tried a different approach to coax Sugar.

"Really?" Sugar sounded uncertain at Doflamingo's words. Then, under her sister's encouraging gaze, she capitulated. "Alright then! I'll go."

As for the other new members of the Family, like Law, Baby 5, Monet, and others, Doflamingo planned to take them for some tempering. They were the new generation's pillars of the Family; only by going through hell could they grow stronger.

"Alright, that's settled! Everyone, prepare yourselves," Doflamingo said, then prepared to leave.

"It seems we're about to leave this beautiful place! What wonderful memories," Robin remarked wistfully at the opportune moment.

"Indeed, it was very wonderful, Robin," Doflamingo said, rising and addressing her. "However, the future will be even more wonderful. Let us go forth together to welcome the future that belongs to us!"

Above a vast, white sea of clouds, Doflamingo flew with Sugar. Sugar was captivated by the beautiful scenery of white clouds and blue sky, her resistance largely gone. Soon, the two arrived at Angel Island. Gan Fall and the Old Chieftain, having already received news, came together to welcome them.

"God! Welcome back!" the two said respectfully to Doflamingo.

"Gan Fall, Old Chieftain, it's been a while!" Doflamingo greeted them.

"Thank you for your concern, God! We are all well! And this young lady is??" After thanking Doflamingo, the two asked with some confusion.

"I am an executive of the Donquixote Family, Sugar!" Before Doflamingo could speak, Sugar introduced herself.

"So it is Lady Sugar," the two greeted Sugar respectfully.

"I've come this time because I want Sugar to be stationed on Sky Island!" Doflamingo explained his purpose to them.

"This?" The two were somewhat worried. After all, Sugar was so young; how could she possibly have any strength? Was Doflamingo entrusting Sugar to their care?

Sugar, seeing their expressions, said indignantly. "Who are you looking down on, you two smelly old men?"

With that, Sugar waved her small hand and turned them both into toys. The two, now toys, were aghast. However, before Doflamingo could even react to their memory erasure, Sugar changed them back to their original forms.

"Thank you, Lady Sugar, for your mercy! With Lady Sugar here, Angel Island will surely be even more stable!" The two had just been to hell and back; the experience had been thoroughly dreadful. They quickly sought Sugar's forgiveness.

"Alright! I'll leave Sugar in your care then!" Doflamingo instructed the two again.

"We will absolutely not disappoint God's expectations!"

"That's good! Sugar, everything here is up to you now."

"Young Master, rest assured! I will help you just like my sister. I guarantee the stability of Sky Island!" Sugar said, patting her chest and making a firm promise.

"Fuffuffuffuffu! Well then, I shall wait and see," Doflamingo said, patting Sugar's head with a praising smile.