Chapter 44: Doflamingo — Did I Just Become the Fall Guy?

More and more pirate ships rushed to dock at Jaya.

Every vessel carried lavish gifts prepared specifically for trading in exchange for Devil Fruit powers.

These treasures were worth fortunes.

For the pirates, they represented the enormous price they were willing to pay for greater power.

As soon as the ships reached shore, pirates leaped off their decks and charged onto the island.

No one wanted to miss the opportunity to trade with one of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard.

Of course, not everyone could come out on top.

The crews that fell behind quickly became frustrated and furious.

Rather than accept defeat, they chose the most direct solution possible.

Fight.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Cannons roared.

Explosions lit up the island.

The entire shoreline seemed to be engulfed in flames.

Screams echoed everywhere as pirates were blasted into the air.

Smoke filled the atmosphere.

"Damn it! You sneak-attacked us! That’s cheating!"

One injured captain roared furiously.

"Men! Hit them back!"

Waving his weapon, he led a counterattack.

Elsewhere—

"Beat them senseless! Let them know the Kun-Kun Pirates aren’t easy targets!"

Another captain shouted while directing his crew.

"Fight! Kill them all!"

Orders rang out from every direction.

Soon, the entire island had become a massive battlefield.

Cannons fired.

Blades clashed.

Flames spread.

Almost no corner of the island remained untouched.

The scene perfectly demonstrated just how irresistible the prospect of additional Devil Fruit powers had become.

The next morning, as sunlight broke through the clouds and illuminated Jaya’s harbor, another group arrived.

Many pirates who had traveled great distances finally reached the island.

They had expected to find the Whitebeard Pirates here.

Instead, they found nothing.

The island was unusually quiet.

There was no sign of Whitebeard’s fleet anywhere.

Despite their disappointment, most chose to stay.

Perhaps some clues—or treasures—had been left behind.

Just as these pirates began searching the island—

A luxurious and uniquely designed ship slowly approached the harbor.

Unlike ordinary pirate vessels, it flew no traditional Jolly Roger.

Instead, large golden letters adorned its hull:

Donquixote

The arrival immediately drew attention.

It was the ship of Donquixote Doflamingo.

As the vessel docked, Doflamingo stepped onto the shore.

A Den Den Mushi sat in his hand.

After listening to a report, he hung up and pointed toward the southeast.

"Over there."

His tone carried obvious impatience.

The sudden order caused the Donquixote Family officers to exchange surprised looks.

Their curiosity was immediately piqued.

Ten minutes later...

Bellamy stood trembling before his idol.

Donquixote Doflamingo.

His entire body shook with nervousness.

After thinking it over countless times, Bellamy had ultimately decided to tell the truth.

Lying to someone like Doflamingo was practically suicide.

So he reported everything exactly as it had happened.

When he finished—

Doflamingo simply stood there silently.

His expression was cold.

The oppressive atmosphere nearly made Bellamy wet himself.

Finally—

"Bellamy."

Doflamingo spoke.

"You don’t need to be so nervous."

To Bellamy’s surprise, his tone wasn’t particularly harsh.

"This isn’t your fault."

Doflamingo had always been clear about rewards and punishments.

He wasn’t the type to blame subordinates for things beyond their control.

Lifting his head, he looked toward the sky.

Curiosity flickered in his eyes.

"So the Whitebeard Pirates actually went looking for the legendary Sky Island."

Then he surveyed the surrounding area.

More and more people were arriving at Jaya.

The purpose of these newcomers was obvious.

They all wanted to find the Whitebeard Pirates and obtain the rumored ability to wield a second Devil Fruit power.

"Hmph."

Doflamingo sneered.

"A bunch of parasites infesting the seas."

"They want multiple Devil Fruit powers?"

"Have they ever looked in a mirror and asked whether they’re even qualified?"

The Donquixote Family officers immediately echoed his contemptuous laughter.

In this ruthless world, only the strong survived.

The weak merely served as stepping stones.

Diamante stepped forward.

"Doffy, there’s no point staying here."

"The Whitebeard Pirates will definitely show themselves again."

"When that happens, we’ll be the first to arrive."

"Then the power of multiple Devil Fruits will belong to us."

Doflamingo pondered briefly before nodding.

He was about to leave—

When his expression suddenly changed.

His brows furrowed.

"What is that...?"

Everyone followed his gaze toward the sea.

The next second—

Their faces changed dramatically.

Warships.

Countless warships.

The horizon was filled with Marine vessels.

They were approaching Jaya from every direction.

The formation resembled a giant encirclement.

Sunlight reflected off the warships’ hulls and flags, creating a chilling sight.

"The Marines?!"

"What are they doing here?!"

The sudden appearance of such a large Marine force completely caught the Donquixote Family off guard.

Their plans had never included a direct confrontation with the Marines.

Yet the situation was clearly spiraling beyond expectations.

Doflamingo’s face darkened.

Then realization struck.

His eyelid twitched.

"Damn it..."

"We’ve become the scapegoats."

The Donquixote Family officers quickly understood as well.

The Marines had almost certainly been tracking the Whitebeard Pirates.

Unfortunately, the Whitebeard Pirates had already left.

And now the Donquixote Family happened to be standing right where the Marines expected their target to be.

They had unintentionally become substitutes for Whitebeard’s crew.

The thought made Doflamingo extremely unhappy.

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