Capítulo 220: Chapter 220: Selling Law in One Turn
There was no denying that Wood held more cards in this negotiation because of his overwhelming strength. However, Doflamingo was no pushover, nor someone who could be easily manipulated. If this so-called negotiation ended with Wood not planning to leave anything behind, then Doflamingo was more than willing to engage in a battle to the death.
"Mr. Doflamingo, there's no need to get agitated. When did I ever say that I was planning to take Trafalgar Law with me?" Wood's words caught Doflamingo off guard, making him freeze for a moment.
In all honesty, if given the choice between 5 billion Berries and the Ope Ope no Mi, Doflamingo would undoubtedly choose the Devil Fruit. Berries could be earned at any time, especially for someone like him who thrived in the underworld. However, the chance for immortality wasn't something one could encounter just anywhere.
Doflamingo had previously believed that the only reason Wood had chosen to cooperate with someone like Diaz Barrels was the potential for immortality offered by the Ope Ope no Mi. But now, Wood was telling him that he would give up Trafalgar Law, who had eaten the Ope Ope no Mi, in exchange for 5 billion Berries.
"Are you sure you're not just toying with me? You're really willing to give up the chance at immortality for a measly 5 billion Berries?"
Wood's original plan was to take Corazon and Law, while Doflamingo would receive the 5 billion Berries from the World Government. This arrangement wasn't even Doflamingo's lowest limit, as he still had room to negotiate with Wood. However, he had never expected that Wood would be so skilled at negotiating that he would reverse the bargaining table entirely.
Law, who had consumed the Ope Ope no Mi, was worth far more than 5 billion Berries. But what shocked Doflamingo was that despite holding the upper hand, Wood chose the Berries over the opportunity for immortality.
Wood's willingness to compromise so easily made Doflamingo suspect that he might be trying to deceive him—perhaps tricking him into removing the "Birdcage" first.
"Five billion Berries, 'measly' you say? Do you know I once traveled the Four Seas just to get my hands on 100 million Berries? Did you know I once had to share a cramped ship with a bunch of sweaty men because I couldn't afford to build my own ship? And do you know that our pirate crew once had to sell seafood because we were on the verge of starvation?"
Doflamingo was genuinely taken aback by Wood's words, so much so that he started to question whether he was hearing things correctly. The idea that a pirate with a ten billion Berries bounty—a man who had managed to outmaneuver him—had once been so desperate that he had to sell fish for a living was mind-boggling.
Imagining this, Doflamingo couldn't help but feel that his own value was plummeting. He was Doflamingo, the new kingpin of the underworld, known as "Joker." And yet, he had been bested by a man who used to sell fish.
The thought of such information spreading was enough to make Doflamingo question whether he would still have a place in the underworld.
"In any case, I prefer the solid 5 billion Berries over the unreliable promise of immortality. After all, people live in the present, and the future is too uncertain to bank on. Moreover, even if Trafalgar Law has eaten the Ope Ope no Mi, it will take time for him to develop the ability to grant immortality, right? The World Government won't sit idly by knowing there's a boy who could potentially grant immortality. My pirate crew is still small; I don't want to be endlessly pursued by the World Government because of Trafalgar Law."
"And if you still doubt my sincerity, I can help you get rid of the World Government agents on this island first. Once the Donquixote Family's officers are free from the World Government's interference, you won't have to worry about me reneging on our deal, will you?"
Currently, apart from Trebol and Diamante, all of the Donquixote Family officers were on this island. Doflamingo acknowledged Wood's strength, but if he combined his power with that of the other officers, Wood's chances of victory would significantly decrease.
"So, Mr. Doflamingo, have you made your decision? I believe I've shown considerable sincerity. If you're still unsatisfied, then I suppose we'll have to settle this by force. However, I suspect that while the fish might die, this net of mine won't necessarily break."
Had Wood shown enough sincerity? In truth, Wood had made so many concessions that Doflamingo began to wonder if Wood had some other ulterior motive. But with the terms now laid out, and unable to imagine a scenario where he and his officers could lose to Wood alone, Doflamingo eventually agreed to the terms.
"It seems you're not that interested in Trafalgar Law, who has eaten the Ope Ope no Mi. Does that mean the real reason you're willing to compromise is because of Rosinante? Now I'm even more curious—what exactly is the relationship between my traitorous brother and you?"
Doflamingo had initially been furious when Corazon betrayed him, but considering his brother's personality, he wasn't too surprised. What intrigued him now was Rosinante's identity and his connection to Wood. Clearly, it wasn't just a simple partnership.
"You don't have to keep probing. I can tell you clearly—your brother, Rosinante, is a Marine undercover agent sent to infiltrate the Donquixote Family. The only reason I saved him is that he struck a deal with me. If I helped that brat Law obtain the Ope Ope no Mi, he agreed to gather intel on the Marines for me."
After what happened, Doflamingo would undoubtedly dig into Rosinante's background. Given his influence in the underworld, it wouldn't take long to uncover Rosinante's identity as a Marine. So instead of trying to conceal the truth and risking unnecessary suspicion, Wood chose to reveal Rosinante's identity.
This also indirectly explained why Wood was so intent on saving Rosinante. After all, finding a Marine undercover agent with some rank and standing wasn't an easy task.
In terms of position and rank, Rosinante's status as a Marine Commander was nothing compared to Vergo's rank as a Marine Vice Admiral. However, one mustn't forget that Rosinante was an undercover agent. His role wasn't just about gathering intelligence from the Marines; he could also send false information to the Marines to mislead them.
Hearing Wood's explanation, Doflamingo's eyes narrowed behind his sunglasses.
"I take back what I said before. It seems you're also a man of ambition and vision. You're willing to exchange a Ope Ope no Mi worth 5 billion Berries for Rosinante. Do you really think he's worth that price?"
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 350+ at p@treon.com/Betek and change @ to a
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder