Cherreads

Chapter 88 - Doflamingo and Tesoro: A Tense Alliance

"You are too presumptuous, Tesoro!" As Doflamingo's voice fell, an undisguised murderous aura emanated from him, and the atmosphere in the private room suddenly became tense.

"Don't be so serious, Joker!" Tesoro seemed unaware of Doflamingo's murderous intent. He just smiled lightly and threw the newspaper in his hand onto the coffee table. "Although I also snatched the Gold-Gold Fruit from you, we are now close partners!"

As if he had thought of something, Doflamingo suppressed his unhappiness and put on his signature smile again. "Speaking of which, how far have you executed your plan?"

Gild Tesoro, this gangster stole a Devil Fruit from the Donquixote Family a few years ago and grew to where he is today with the power of the fruit. The reason why he could continue to work closely with Doflamingo after provoking the Donquixote Family was because of his strength and brains! In terms of strength, he had already developed the Gold-Gold Fruit to awakening, and was able to fight even against Doflamingo. In terms of intelligence, he was just a small gangster at the beginning, but he managed to snatch the Gold-Gold Fruit from the Donquixote Family. Later, relying on the power of the fruit and his brain, he made a great name for himself in just a few years. For Doflamingo, a precious Devil Fruit was far less important than a reliable partner. And many of his plans would still require the help of this partner. Of course, the premise was that Tesoro's plan could be implemented smoothly.

"The main construction of Grand Tesoro has been completed!" Picking up another glass of wine and shaking it gently, Tesoro looked very confident. "We have the manpower ready. I have already convinced most of the people on Lavis's side." He continued, "We have already established connections with the World Government. As long as we wait for Grand Tesoro to officially debut, we will soon become a member of the World Government and gain the support of the Navy."

"Fufufufufu, seeing that you are so well prepared, I feel relieved." Doflamingo also picked up a glass of red wine and clinked glasses with Tesoro. Doflamingo drank the red wine and stood up. "Then I will go to support Grand Tesoro when it is officially unveiled."

"Are you leaving now?" Looking at Doflamingo, who stood up and left, Tesoro was slightly surprised.

"I just happened to be passing by you and came to take a look." Doflamingo waved his hand and left with Baby 5 and Buffalo.

"If I run into the doctor of the Rhodes Pirates, I will treat him well for you." Doflamingo paused slightly after hearing Tesoro's words, then continued to leave. Whiskey Peak and Little Garden are not on the same route as Lavis. The possibility of meeting Law here is very small.

Crocodile's Strategic Contemplation

Alabasta, Rainbase. This was an oasis in the desert, and it was a very prosperous place. Since Sir Crocodile came, this place has become even more prosperous. With the Seven Warlords of the Sea in charge, ordinary pirates dared not act rashly. Even the desert bandits and other illegal businessmen had become much more restrained. The tallest and most luxurious building in the center of Rainbase was the casino opened by Crocodile, Rain Dinners!

Bang! Crocodile slammed a newspaper on the desk. "The little brats nowadays are really daring." Crocodile took a deep puff of the cigar in his mouth and let out a long sigh, but he was not too angry. The Baroque Works Company itself was just a tool for him to make money. Even the members within the company didn't know who their boss was. Therefore, whether it was the Rhodes Pirates who killed the members of Baroque Works in the North Blue, or cleared out the Baroque Works base again in Whiskey Peak, or snatched away Daz Bones who was about to be recruited by Baroque Works, these were not too important to Crocodile. He had only one purpose from beginning to end: to obtain information about the ancient weapon Pluton, and then use that power to become the new Pirate King!

Only… Crocodile's gaze fell on the photos of the Rhodes Pirates in the newspaper, and finally stopped on the face of a black-haired girl. "Ohara's orphan, Nico Robin!" The only person in this world who could possibly know ancient characters. Unexpectedly, even this woman joined Rhodes's Pirates. He had been looking for her before. Otherwise, just kill all these little devils and then grab Nico Robin!

Crocodile glanced at the photos of the members of the Rhodes Pirates one by one. Even though he had just learned from the newspaper that the Rhodes Pirates had escaped from the former Navy Admiral, Black Arm Zephyr, Crocodile did not think that he couldn't wipe out the Rhodes Pirates. Zephyr is just a remnant of the old times! But unfortunately, the Unlucky Messenger never came back. A hint of thought flashed across Crocodile's eyes. The Unlucky Messenger was the person in Baroque Works who was responsible for delivering messages and punishments, and generally also had the task of collecting intelligence for the company. When the Rhodes Pirates wreaked havoc at Whiskey Peak, the Unlucky Messenger should have been there as well. However, no news of the Unlucky Messenger had been received so far, and no relevant intelligence had been sent back.

"Were they also killed by the Rhodes Pirates?" Crocodile whispered to himself. It would be inconvenient without them! From this perspective, there was one more reason to defeat the Rhodes Pirates.

The Polaris's Culinary Delights

Uncharted waters, aboard the Polaris.

"Tasty!!" Rhodes raised the chopsticks in his hand and gave a heartfelt exclamation!

"It's so delicious!!"

"I can't stop!"

"Hey, Gray, you can dismantle that food processor of yours." Penguin, Shachi, Bepo, and the other two touched their round bellies, half lying on the ground, and spoke to Gray.

"You guys are too heartless. Who said that food cooked by a food processor is the most delicious food in the world?"

"Sorry, I lied, Minina's cooking is the best in the world!!"

"Great, you all like my cooking!" Minina brought another large portion of food and placed it on the dining table. A bright smile appeared on her face, and her eyes curved into a crescent shape.

"Aaaaaah!! Minina's smile is also the best in the world!"

"If you like, eat more. There's a big pot of food inside!"

"Sorry, I don't eat much…" The trio took one look at the newly served food, then looked at their stomachs and slowly shook their heads. The aroma of the food was still tempting them, but their strength didn't allow it! They were completely unable to eat.

|====|

On Lavis Island, Doflamingo and Tesoro discuss their plans, revealing Tesoro's ambition for "Grand Tesoro" to gain World Government recognition. Tesoro subtly taunts Doflamingo about Law's acquisition of the Op-Op Fruit, hinting at Doflamingo's past failure. Meanwhile, in Alabasta, Crocodile reviews a newspaper detailing the Rhodes Pirates' escape from Zephyr, with a particular focus on Nico Robin. He realizes that Robin, the key to Pluton, has joined Rhodes, and also suspects the Rhodes Pirates are responsible for the disappearance of his Unlucky Messenger, adding another motive to confront them. Back on the Polaris, the crew savors Minina's delicious cooking, celebrating their latest culinary success and full stomachs.

More Chapters