Aeridar was most confident about Doflamingo’s inclusion because the man was utterly driven by profit. When the stakes were high enough, he’d even be willing to destroy the World Government.
As the two sides finalized their cooperation, the atmosphere in the hall grew lively.
"Aeridar, you said earlier you needed my help. If it’s something I can assist with, just say the word." Doflamingo asked leisurely, sipping his juice with one leg crossed over the other.
Since they were allies, he naturally wouldn’t be stingy. Even if he gained no immediate profit, earning a favor from a prominent pirate was well worth it.
Hearing Doflamingo’s words, everyone else quieted down, looking at Aeridar.
"Do you know what condition I gave the World Government when I joined the Seven Warlords of the Sea?" Aeridar asked with a mysterious smile.
Doflamingo’s expression showed intriguing interest.
"My condition was to affiliate with the World Government!" Aeridar declared, enunciating each word.
"Affiliate with the World Government?!"
Doflamingo froze, and the executives of the Donquixote Family were equally stunned.
Usually, only a complete nation had the right to affiliate with the World Government. How could a pirate crew do that? Was he planning to emulate the Germa Kingdom?
"That’s right, affiliate with the World Government," Aeridar nodded.
"Those five old geezers probably wouldn’t agree to a pirate crew affiliating with them... even if you command a fleet of several thousand," Doflamingo said, giving Aeridar a deep look.
Doflamingo’s own collaborators were those five old geezers, so he naturally understood their temperament and character.
"Truly worthy of being ’Joker’ of the underworld. Your intelligence work is impressive."
Aeridar glanced at Doflamingo playfully, but he didn’t dwell on it. Such a matter couldn’t be kept secret anyway.
Then, Aeridar smiled again. "A pirate crew, naturally, is impossible. But what about a complete New World nation...?"
"A complete New World nation... are you thinking of...?"
Doflamingo seemed to guess Aeridar’s meaning and his breath hitched.
This guy’s objective truly exceeded his expectations. To have such an idea, he was an extraordinary newcomer.
"Exactly. I plan to conquer a non-World Government affiliated nation in the New World, and then affiliate it with the World Government," Aeridar said, his lips curling. "That’s the condition I presented to the World Government, and they agreed."
As his words fell, the Donquixote Family executives couldn’t help but gasp. Even Diamante and Trebol stared at Aeridar in shock.
It was worth noting that they had only taken over the Dressrosa Kingdom through cunning tactics, which was also partly because Dressrosa was already a World Government affiliated nation.
"Fufufufufu~ Such ambition truly suits your status, Fufufufufu~" Doflamingo praised him with loud laughter, his fingers twitching back and forth.
"I’ve already guessed your purpose. You’re here for intelligence assistance, aren’t you?"
Though Doflamingo’s words were a question, his tone was utterly certain.
After all, most non-affiliated nations in the New World were militarily strong, and the weaker ones were under the protection of a Yonko. They weren’t easily swayed, so the choice of target had to be extremely cautious to avoid an accidental capsizing.
As a renowned broker in the underworld, Doflamingo’s intelligence network was naturally formidable. With his help, things would certainly be much easier.
"That’s right. I need intelligence on all non-affiliated nations in the New World, excluding those under the Yonko. I’ll pay a considerable reward," Aeridar stated directly. He had hoarded so much gold now; he wasn’t short on money at all.
Finally, Aeridar added with a smile, "I’m sure that with all the development in Dressrosa, your finances aren’t exactly overflowing either."
Initially, Doflamingo had considered not asking for payment. After all, they were allies, and providing some intelligence was a small matter.
Demanding money would not only make him lose face but also cause others to look down on him.
However, upon hearing the last sentence, he fell silent. Developing Dressrosa indeed incurred huge expenses.
Although Pica’s help in construction saved a lot of money, the construction of various factories, the handling of interpersonal relationships, subordinates’ salaries, and rewards were all massive expenditures.
"Fufufufufu~ Then, consider the intelligence handled. I guarantee your satisfaction."
Thus, Doflamingo no longer declined, directly making a guarantee. He could always compensate himself later in other ways.
"Then I’ll trouble you to put some extra effort into it."
Aeridar smiled with satisfaction. As things stood, his purpose in coming to Dressrosa was nearly complete.
Pere pere pere pere~ Pere pere pere pere~
Suddenly, the sound of a Den Den Mushi rang out from Doflamingo’s pocket.
Doflamingo frowned. Not many people knew his Den Den Mushi number. Who would be calling at this moment?
Doflamingo offered Aeridar an apologetic smile and, without shying away, pulled out a dark blue Den Den Mushi from his pocket.
"The World Government?"
Seeing the dark blue Den Den Mushi, both Doflamingo and Aeridar recognized it. This was the World Government’s dedicated Den Den Mushi for contacting the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Aeridar had one too.
Members of the Seven Warlords could use this Den Den Mushi to freely contact the World Government, but people within the World Government, without the permission of the Five Elders or the Seven Warlords Office, couldn’t connect even if they had the number.
"This is Doflamingo," Doflamingo answered casually.
"Hello, Doflamingo-san, I apologize for disturbing you, but we require your assistance now." A deep, magnetic male voice came through the Den Den Mushi, speaking very politely.
"Oh, please. You guys wish I were dead. What a hypocrite," Doflamingo said scornfully. "Besides, I’m very busy. I don’t have time to work for you."
The Den Den Mushi seemed to have switched hands, and a resolute, cold voice replaced the first. "Doflamingo, this is Felix Gregory. A high-priority World Government prisoner was attacked by pirates during transport. One escort ship has been sunk, and the prison ship is severely damaged. Many prisoners have escaped. The Marines are too far away to arrive in time. You’re the closest to our location. We need your support now."
"Fufufufufu~ So it’s you. I’ve heard of your moniker, the man nicknamed ’Thousand Kill.’ One of the most excellent instructors in the CP agencies, the infamous cold-faced instructor. Cold-blooded, ruthless, cruel, those are your epithets." Doflamingo let out a strange laugh, remembering the man’s identity, but flat-out refused him.
"Help? Don’t forget, I’m a pirate too. Or rather... are you going to forcibly conscript me?"
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