บท 24: Chapter 24
Title: The Investement: 10 Billion Berries Every Year!
How could Doflamingo have fathomed that his longtime acquaintance, his eldest brother, harbored such a concealed identity? It was as if a devoted wife, after years of matrimony and bearing children, suddenly revealed herself to be a man. The revelation left Doflamingo dumbfounded, unable to comprehend the truth before him.
After the initial shock subsided, Doflamingo found himself drenched in a cold sweat as he mustered the courage to address Xilan, "Master Xilan, are you truly intending to dispose of me?"
Now devoid of any doubt, Doflamingo realized that if Xilan wanted him silenced, he would be unable to withstand such an onslaught. His mind raced with fear and trepidation.
Xilan shook his head and chided, "Why do you persist in being so foolish? If I truly desired your demise, I would not need to personally engage with you in this manner."
"With a mere encounter, I could... no, I would not even need to meet you to bring about the downfall of Dressrosa."
Doflamingo stood stupefied, fully aware of the validity of Xilan's words. The realization that he could obliterate Dressrosa struck him with a paralyzing dread.
"Thank you, Master Xilan," Doflamingo managed to utter, a mixture of excitement and relief etched across his weathered face.
"You are most welcome. We have, after all, enjoyed a long-standing alliance," Xilan responded, his voice carrying a profound meaning. "Joker, both the World Government and the Marines have ordered your demise. As a Marine Admiral, if I were to spare you, I would bear substantial risk. Consider..."
"Greedy old man!" Doflamingo muttered under his breath, his mind quickly comprehending the underlying implications. With his heart racing, he spoke deliberately, "To be frank, I have prepared 10 billion berries for you, Master Xilan. I wonder if this can appease you?"
"Ten billion?!" Xilan's eyes widened in astonishment. He inwardly lamented that he should have feigned greater resistance and extracted a heftier sum from this cunning individual.
Doflamingo, the master of underground trade, with a global reach in various illicit businesses, considered 10 billion berries a mere trifle. The profits from his annual transactions of artificially created Devil Fruits between Caesar and Kaido amounted to billions of berries.
"Could there be something missing?" Xilan's countenance darkened, regret creeping into his thoughts.
Observing Xilan's somber expression, Doflamingo hastened to clarify, "The 10 billion berries I speak of are to be paid to you annually, Master Xilan."
Xilan's eyes lit up with a newfound vigor, and he promptly rose from his throne, gesturing towards it. "Ahem, ahem... Please, have a seat. I find this position a tad uncomfortable and restrictive."
Doflamingo, baffled by the sudden change in demeanor, questioned, "?????"
"Master Xilan..." he began cautiously, "If you spare my life, how shall we explain this matter to the Marines?"
"Explaining? What a load of rubbish!" Xilan sneered, dismissing the concern. "Sengoku himself is perfunctory with dozens of warships. I need not be bothered by such trifles."
"Fear not, I have already devised a countermeasure for this predicament. Sengoku may be ruthless, but he shouldn't fault me for reciprocating in kind."
With a beckoning gesture, Xilan leaned closer, and Doflamingo followed suit. "Listen closely. Await our..."
Half an hour later, an unprecedented battle of unmatched intensity erupted over the skies of Dressrosa. Marine Admiral Xilan squared off against Donquixote Doflamingo.
The fierce battle raged on for an entire hour, sweeping across Dressrosa in relentless waves. However, it was after that hour that Xilan found himself defeated.
Seizing an opportune moment, Doflamingo employed his "Flap Thread" technique, cutting through Xilan's defenses and sending him hurtling into the unforgiving depths of the sea.
"As expected of Master Doflamingo!"
"That power is so overwhelming. Who would have anticipated that the young master's strength had reached such heights?"
"I believe we can stand toe-to-toe with the Four Emperors in the future."
"Xilan defeated Kaido, and now the young master has defeated Xilan. The next time the Beasts Pirates appear, there will be no need to bow down. Let the young master tame Kaido!"
...
Cheers erupted from the onlookers, and a faint smirk adorned Doflamingo's lips as his lips twitched and he utilized his String-String Fruit to control the airspace.
Is it not magnificent? Is it not awe-inspiring? This victory is worth the annual investment of 10 billion.
News of Xilan's defeat quickly spread, reaching all corners of the world in less than half a day. The headquarters of the Navy received the news as well, leaving everyone in a state of profound shock.
After all, just a few days ago, Xilan had triumphed over Kaido of the Beasts, yet he now succumbed instantaneously to Doflamingo. The irony was not lost on anyone.
Doflamingo, the very individual who referred to Kaido as his father, how could Xilan lose to such a man?
On a warship hundreds of kilometers away from Dressrosa, Xilan made his way back to the G0 base. The ship was laden with thousands of boxes, containing the 10 billion berries that Doflamingo had given him.
Furthermore, the auction of Impel Down prisoners had yielded over 40 billion berries, slightly surpassing Xilan's expectations.
With the total sum of his earnings from before and after, Xilan's wealth had now reached approximately 250 billion berries.
"The Trillion Retirement Plan takes another step forward," Xilan mused, reclining on a couch and basking in the warm sunlight. As he grew older, he found solace in such moments of repose, recognizing their benefits for his well-being.
As for the whispers and commotion over his defeat, Xilan paid them no mind. In the Summit War of the original narrative, Kizaru played his part, Aokiji made his moves, Garp was struck by Luffy, and even Sengoku released his emotions.
Everyone had their moments, and so did Xilan.
...
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