Chapter 70: The Greatest Darkness in the North Blue

The largest and most economically prosperous commercial port in the North Blue—

Port Tas.

When Doflamingo led the Donquixote family into its harbor, the scene that greeted them was a chaotic blend of noise and opulence.

Ships of all shapes and sizes jostled for docking space. Sails bearing different crests billowed like waves, while sailors shouted over each other from their decks. Nobles and wealthy merchants stood ashore with pipes in their mouths, barking orders at the laborers scrambling to unload cargo. Their voices even drowned out the crashing of the waves.

Farther off, the streets were lined with endless rows of shops, bustling with crowds. Goods from all across the North Blue—and even other seas—filled every corner.

Looking further down the main road, a sprawling city stretched outward, seeming to grow the farther one looked. A network of white inland canals cut through blocks of buildings like ribbons, weaving through tightly packed homes and towering structures.

It was prosperity, filth, and wealth all tangled together—crowded, rich, messy, and reeking of money and rot.

"I say... I say... No wonder they call this the largest trading port in the North Blue..." said Trebol, eyes wide, a string of snot dangling beneath his nose.

"There's gotta be a whole lot of fat to skim off here," muttered Diamante, licking the corner of his mouth, his face smeared in bright paint.

Vergo stayed silent, a piece of bread stuck to his cheek.

Pica let out a sharp, high-pitched laugh. "Pretty soon, this place'll belong to the Donquixote family!"

Their faces brimmed with raw ambition and arrogant pride.

And they had every reason to be arrogant.

In just half a month, the Donquixote family had risen from practically nothing—seizing over 30% of the mafia territory and underground businesses across the North Blue. Their rise had been unstoppable, like a blade cutting through paper, elevating them to one of the region's top criminal powers.

No one in the history of the North Blue had ever pulled off something like this.

But the Donquixote family had.

And now, the thriving trade port before them was their next target.

"Rodriguez family..."

Doflamingo stood at the bow, overlooking the bustling, noisy town. A cold smile slowly curled his lips.

He still looked the same—sunglasses, a casual shirt, cropped pants, and pointed shoes.

But this time, he wore a pink feathered coat, fluttering proudly in the salty sea breeze like a young, defiant flamingo.

"Doffy... I say, I say, once we take out the Rodriguez family and swallow up all their operations, we'll have control over half of the North Blue's underworld, won't we?"

Trebol hobbled over on his cane, chuckling in his usual greasy tone.

Doflamingo nodded, grinning wickedly.

"Exactly. The Rodriguez family controls Port Tas. Their influence runs deep on this island. With the port's commercial advantages, they've got their hands on at least 30% of the North Blue's illegal trades..."

"Take them out, and the rest—Snoke, Vincent, Rockefeller—they're nothing we can't handle."

Hearing their young master speak with such confidence, the four Donquixote officers grinned with admiration.

"Young master... actually, we don't need to bow to that Marine at all," Diamante suddenly said, voice low and sinister.

His face was twisted with dissatisfaction and resentment.

"Once we take full control of the North Blue's underworld, with the power we'll have, the Navy won't dare lay a finger on us."

"Besides, he loves to talk like the underworld is yours—but let's be real. We're the ones who fought for every inch of that territory. Has Rogers Daren ever lifted a finger to help us?"

The moment those words left his mouth, silence fell over the group.

The smile on Doflamingo's lips slowly disappeared.

He turned to look at Trebol and the other three.

"Is that what you all think?"

The four of them lowered their heads, unable to meet his icy gaze.

"We just believe you're a born king."

"A king should never bow to anyone."

Their voices were barely above a whisper.

Doflamingo stared at them for a few seconds in silence. Then he turned away, and after a pause, said calmly,

"I'll pretend I never heard any of that."

"And I don't want to hear it again."

"Understood?"

The four bowed deeply, answering with respect,

"Yes."

But as they spoke, their eyes met briefly.

Doflamingo's tone had been calm—too calm.

And they knew their young master all too well.

The calmer he sounded, the more it meant fury was boiling beneath the surface.

Would a proud, untamed king really kneel to anyone?

The name Donquixote didn't allow for that.

"Let's move."

Doflamingo took a deep breath, the corners of his mouth rising into that familiar cold, mocking grin.

"Fufufufufu... Let's take what's ours."

He raised both hands high. Countless invisible threads erupted from his fingertips, shooting into the sky and vanishing into the distance—toward the town ahead.

The fierce wind whipped up his pink feathered coat, sending it flaring behind him.

Doflamingo let out a wild, savage laugh.

"The rules of this world... are nothing but survival of the fittest!!"

"Fufufufufu!!"

The moment his words fell—

Bang!

A Donquixote family member fired a shot into the sky.

"The Donquixote family is conducting business—civilians and unrelated parties, clear out immediately!!"

The sudden gunshot startled the nearby townsfolk.

Their faces went pale as they looked up at the rising Jolly Roger. Dropping everything they were doing, merchants, civilians, and sailors fled in terror.

Donquixote members sneered as they leapt from the ship, charging toward the Rodriguez family's stronghold.

The battle had begun.

...

 At the same time...

Inside a lavish estate.

In a sealed conference room.

Fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering light over two figures seated on opposite ends of a long meeting table.

One was a middle-aged man in a black peak-lapel suit, his expression heavy as he stared at the Marine Captain across from him—who was casually puffing on a cigar.

His voice was hoarse.

"I know you're angry, Admiral Daren."

"But don't you think... for the house to step into the game... it's a little unfair?"

Daren narrowed his eyes, a cold smirk tugging at his lips.

"Yeah, it's unfair. But that's how the world works."

The man's forehead bulged with veins as he gritted his teeth.

"For all these years, I've followed your rules. And now, I just—"

"But you still broke them," Daren cut in without a hint of mercy.

The man's face went ghostly white.

His bloodshot eyes locked onto the Marine, fists clenching and unclenching over and over.

"Why me?" he asked, breath ragged.

"It's not just you," Daren replied coldly. "Anyone who breaks the rules will be punished."

The man froze. Then, unexpectedly—he laughed.

Loud, manic laughter—tears streaming down his face.

"Hahahaha!! So that's how it is! Fine by me! We've been butting heads all these years, never giving in... At least now we end up in the same place. Hahahaha!!"

"Rogers Daren... they call you the 'scum of the Marines'... but I know better. You're a viper."

"Cunning to the extreme. Cold-blooded beyond reason. Sometimes I wonder if there's even a shred of sympathy or hesitation in you."

"Go ahead. Do it. From the day I chose this path, I knew this day would come."

"They call me a titan of the North Blue underworld..."

He let out a self-mocking laugh, his body trembling, eyes locked onto Daren.

"What a joke..."

"In the North Blue... the greatest darkness wears the flag of justice."

(40 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon com / PinkSnake