"An alliance? A Seven Warlords' pact? You and me?"
Doflamingo blinked in surprise, then threw his head back and laughed mockingly.
"Fufufufufu! You've got some nerve, brat! An alliance only happens between those of equal strength. Do you really think you qualify? Besides, a 'Seven Warlords' alliance'? I don't recall there being a naïve little punk like you among the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
His tone sharpened as he added, "And how exactly do you know I'm the 'JOKER' of the Underworld?"
At that, Doflamingo's face grew dark. Very few people knew he was the infamous arms dealer 'JOKER' — those who did were either top brass in the World Government or some of the most powerful pirates. Even the Marines had never been able to prove it; otherwise, given the sheer scale of his arms trafficking to pirates, gangsters, and revolutionary forces — especially his dealings with the crews under Kaido's command, who sourced nearly ninety percent of their weapons through him — the Marines would have long since sent an Admiral to crush him.
But without hard evidence, they could do nothing. It was this lack of proof that let Doflamingo continue to manipulate the Navy and the World Government, even securing his place as king of Dressrosa.
"Of course, a Seven Warlords' pact," Aeridar said with a confident grin, deliberately ignoring Doflamingo's pointed question. "As for a seat among the Warlords? Easy. Just take one of the Seven down."
"Fufufufufu! 'Take one down' — listen to yourself! Outrageous!"
Doflamingo sneered at him, the red lenses of his sunglasses flashing. "You can't even beat me, kid. And you think you're going to bring down another Warlord?"
He laughed contemptuously, but he didn't seem particularly bothered that Aeridar knew about his 'JOKER' identity. After all, the Marines suspected it too — they just lacked proof. As long as Doflamingo wasn't defeated and no evidence surfaced, they wouldn't dare make a move against him.
"Heh heh heh... that's my problem," Aeridar replied, smirking. "Besides... not being able to beat you now doesn't mean I can't beat you later."
"Fufufufu! Such confidence!"
Doflamingo chuckled, his voice dripping with amusement.
Aeridar's smirk widened. "Sure, every Warlord is strong — but some are stronger than others. Just like you... you can't beat Hawk-Eye."
For the first time, Doflamingo's smile twitched slightly — but he didn't deny it. After all, Dracule "Hawk-Eye" Mihawk wasn't just the world's greatest swordsman; his old rival and drinking buddy was none other than Red-Haired Shanks, a Yonko. Mihawk's strength was on par with monsters at the level of the Emperors — a power Doflamingo had no intention of provoking lightly.
He'd barely escaped with his life once before. He wasn't stupid enough to poke the beast again.
"So," Doflamingo drawled, "who are you planning to go after?"
"As if I've decided that yet," Aeridar said with a glint in his eyes, his voice low and cold. "Every one of the Seven is a monster. I'll have to choose carefully."
"The Seven Warlords... the most cunning survivors on these seas," Aeridar continued. "Each of you joined the Warlords for your own reasons. The Warlords, after all, are the largest independent faction in this whole ocean... but strangely, you've never united."
"Because the World Government and the Marines would never allow it," Doflamingo interrupted sharply.
Aeridar waved a hand dismissively. "Secrecy. Even if they suspect, what can they do without proof? They need the Seven Warlords. They wouldn't dare break ties completely. Maybe they'd replace one or two of you — but all? No way."
Doflamingo said nothing. Behind his sunglasses, it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. Only the subtle halt of his constantly twitching fingers betrayed the fact that he was giving Aeridar's words serious consideration.
"Information sharing. Mutual defense. Business exchanges.
"If three Warlords formed an alliance, the World Government would start sweating. If four or five joined hands... even the Yonko wouldn't be invincible. Take Kaido, for example."
A wild, almost predatory grin spread across Aeridar's face.
"Fufufufufu! Such ambition!"
Doflamingo leaned forward slightly, laughing with genuine delight.
"Ambition? No no, nothing so grand," Aeridar said, feigning humility. "I'm just saying... if I'm going to sail these seas, people should at least know my name."
He tilted his head playfully, flashing a grin as he pointed down at the Chris.
"So? Want to come aboard and visit my ship?"
Meanwhile, on the Chris, the crew below was abuzz with confusion.
"Hey, hey — what do you think Captain's talking about with that Warlord up there?"
"How would I know? They're too high up!"
"They were just trying to kill each other — why are they chatting now?"
The crew exchanged bewildered glances. A moment ago, their captain had clearly been at a disadvantage, even wounded — yet now he was casually chatting with the enemy? It made no sense.
"Fufufufu! What a joke. You're just a greenhorn pirate right now,"
Doflamingo said with a glint of amusement, staring hard at Aeridar. "You've got no right to talk about alliances with me."
Then he grinned, adding, "Tell you what — when you become a Seven Warlord yourself, then we'll talk.
"I'll be waiting for you... in Dressrosa."
With that, Doflamingo didn't wait for a response. He turned, leaping into the sky and vanishing into the clouds, disappearing from Aeridar's sight.
Aeridar stood still for a moment, then smiled to himself, muttering under his breath,
"Such a stubborn guy.
"Don't worry. I'll come to Dressrosa.
"And I'll remember this wound."
He understood Doflamingo's meaning clearly enough — until Aeridar claimed a seat among the Warlords, everything he said was meaningless.
First, he would need to accomplish something big.
He needed to make a name for himself across the seas, then defeat one of the current Seven, taking their place by right of power and reputation.
It wouldn't be easy — he'd have to plan carefully.
With a sharp shake of his head, Aeridar gathered himself, using Geppo to swiftly descend back onto the deck of the Chris.
"Captain, are you okay?"
Millie and Mina rushed up to him, their faces filled with worry as they saw the blood on his clothes.
"I'm fine. First, get the ship moving," Aeridar said, waving a hand dismissively.
Then, without waiting for more questions, he let Millie and Mina drag him below deck to tend to his wounds.
Dimitri nodded, turning to the helmsman to give the order.
Meanwhile, Arlan and the other officers followed closely behind, eager to hear the full story of what their captain and Doflamingo had discussed.
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