The Curtain Rises 4

Chapter 70: The Curtain Rises (Part 4)

That is……

Flamingo Doflamingo, and Crocodile Crocodile!

Doflamingo wore an exaggerated top with pink fur, patterned capri pants, pointed leather shoes, and red sunglasses.

At this moment, he spread his arms, tilted his head back slightly, and blocked Crocodile's path with an arrogant expression, revealing his domineering nature.

Crocodile, on the other hand, had his hair slicked back in a slicked-back style, wore a black coat, and had a lit cigar in his mouth.

The crocodile, his face cold and his eyes filled with murderous intent, stared at Doflamingo, who was blocking his way, and said coldly:

"Get out of the way!"

Upon hearing Crocodile's words, Doflamingo covered his forehead with his right hand and laughed exaggeratedly.

"Fufufufufufufu..."

"Don't be so angry~ I just came to say hello."

"Hey, do you want to come work with me?"

"My name is Doflamingo, what's yours?"

"..."

Suzuki watched from a distance as Doflamingo, who still looked arrogant even when he greeted him, was speechless at the way this flamingo recruited him.

Given his irritating demeanor, Crocodile's reluctance to attack him on the spot was already a testament to his good temper.

Sure enough, the next moment.

Upon hearing Doflamingo's arrogant words, Crocodile's forehead veins bulged, and his face instantly turned extremely ugly.

"Huh? What nonsense are you talking about?"

"You little brat in that ugly pink shirt, do you think you're worthy to talk to me?"

"Still with you? Heh he ...

"How ridiculous!"

"I'll say it one last time, get out of the way!"

"."

Upon hearing Crocodile's mocking words, Doflamingo could no longer maintain his arrogant smile.

He slowly straightened up from his slight backward lean, staring at Crocodile with his slicked-back hair, and said in a somewhat icy tone:

"Fufufufufufufu..."

"I was just trying to be nice to you."

"You said my clothes are ugly?"

"It seems you have really bad taste and poor judgment."

"And what are you going to do if I don't move aside?"

As soon as Doflamingo finished speaking, he immediately activated his Devil Fruit power, and countless tiny threads formed a cage that surrounded Crocodile's body.

Then, looking at Crocodile, whom he had already subdued, a smug smile appeared on his face:

"Do you still want to leave now?"

"It's a pity you can't leave!"

"Look, with just a slight movement of my finger, I can cut you into countless small pieces."

As he spoke, Doflamingo gently moved his fingers, and the cage of threads immediately shrank in size, the sharp threads almost touching Crocodile's body.

However, Crocodile remained indifferent.

He glanced disdainfully at the silken cages around him, then walked straight ahead.

The moment his body touched the silk thread, no blood flowed from the cut area; instead, strange specks of quicksand oozed out!

Crocodile took a step forward and appeared outside the cage. The cuts on his body from the threads were gradually filled with quicksand and he was restored to his original state.

He looked at Doflamingo, whose smile was gradually fading, and said with disdain:

"How are things now?"

"Kid, I have no interest in playing childish games with you. Get out of my way!"

When Doflamingo saw Crocodile emerge from his silken cage, his pupils constricted.

"Fufufufufufufu..."

"Nature system, huh? Okay, you can go this way first."

"But I'll follow up after that."

"I hope that by then, you won't refuse my collaboration invitations anymore, fufufufufu..."

After learning that Crocodile was a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, Doflamingo felt a mixture of jealousy and envy, but also some apprehension.

His Devil Fruit is only the Paramecia-type String-String Fruit, and he is very dissatisfied with the power of this Devil Fruit.

He felt that with his talent, if he had a better Devil Fruit, his strength would definitely be even greater!

But since we've already eaten it, there's no going back.

Facing Crocodile, the Logia-type Devil Fruit user of the Sand-Sand Fruit, Doflamingo took a step back to the side, clearing a path for him.

Crocodile didn't hesitate when he saw the extravagantly dressed kid in front of him make way for him.

His expression was indifferent, and he paid no attention to Doflamingo's final words about cooperation and keeping up.

With a flick of his black coat and a casual flick of the ash from his cigar, he left without even glancing at Doflamingo.

Suzuki watched the entire confrontation between the two future Shichibukai from a short distance away.

Looking at Doflamingo, who remained standing in the same spot, his arrogant smile gone, replaced by a grim expression and murderous glare, I saw...

He knew that Doflamingo was still too young.

Judging by his age, this flamingo is only fifteen or sixteen years old, just a little bit older than Shanks.

Compared to Crocodile, who is already an adult, he still seems too immature.

However, Suzuki had no intention of getting to know Doflamingo; his impression of the flamingo was rather lukewarm.

He's somewhat interesting, but not much; he's someone you can observe, but you don't need to expend any effort to get to know.

This is Suzuki's idea about Doflamingo.

Since that's the case, there's no need to disturb this flamingo who's currently indulging in fantasies of a comeback.

However, there is only one way.

He was too lazy to take a detour.

Suzuki hoped that the flamingo would be more sensible after seeing him, just like it had been when it faced the sand crocodile.

So, with a calm expression, he walked towards the inn in Loguetown, and even as he approached Doflamingo, he made no attempt to stop...

"!!!"

Sensing someone suddenly passing by, Doflamingo broke out in a cold sweat and abruptly took a step back.

Doflamingo's pupils contracted slightly as he saw Suzuki suddenly appear in front of him, his face filled with apprehension.

Although he was a little stunned just now, he was still capable of hearing footsteps and at the very least, he could sense the presence of strangers.

But suddenly, a person wearing a black trench coat walked past him silently...

He only snapped out of his daze when the person reached him and caught sight of the figure.

However, despite being extremely wary, Doflamingo still habitually offered a tentative greeting:

"Fufufufufufufu..."

"Feed? Hey, do you want to come with me?"

Suzuki glanced calmly at the flamingo, offering no reply, but simply smiled gently at him.

Then, they headed towards the inn in Rogge.

Behind him, Doflamingo didn't say anything more, but just watched Crocodile and Suzuki leave one after another, and then stood there and burst into inexplicable laughter:

"Fufufufufufufu..."

"This town is so interesting!"

"A Logia-type Devil Fruit user, a mysterious and powerful individual with elusive actions—who will be next?"

"How many more people will come to witness the death of this Pirate King?"

"Fufufufufufufu..."

"I feel like I'm hearing the call of the times!"

"Fufufufufufufu..."

(End of this chapter)