One Piece: I am the Fleet Admiral?

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The underground world is both vast and intimate at the same time.

In a broader sense, all illegal enterprises encompass both the Four Seas and the Grand Line.

Their influence reaches every turbulent kingdom and town.

In terms of intimacy, those who can establish themselves in this world are a small, select group of individuals.

Even if we haven't met in person, we've had some level of contact.

Take Doflamingo and Lu feld, for instance—one operates in the West Blue, while the other is active on the Grand Line, yet they frequently conduct business together.

"I'm not planning on loan sharking for now, so how much more money can I actually make?"

"The projects I have now are enough to make me one of the wealthiest people around."

Lu feld gestured to the villas in front of him, his face radiating satisfaction:

"A single villa can easily sell for at least a billion berries, and despite the high price, there's still overwhelming demand."

"After deducting miscellaneous expenses, the profits from it are nothing like those petty loan sharks."

"To be honest, I'm gradually stepping away from the underground world."

"It's not just me. Even the Deep Sea Currents is doing the same."

"The two of us are legitimate businessmen now."

Doflamingo's sunglasses flashed.

Watching Lu feld present himself like a law-abiding citizen, he couldn't help but lick his lips.

He knew Lu feld wasn't lying.

The underground world had already taken note of Lu feld's transformation from illegal operations to legitimate businesses.

To be honest, when Doflamingo got hold of the data, his eyes couldn't help but glow with envy.

After living for more than twenty years, he never expected that making money could be this easy.

To say they were raking in daily profits would be an understatement.

Many well-known figures in the underground world were envious, jealous, and even hateful.

But unfortunately, Lu feld's method of making money couldn't be replicated.

The villas may appear ordinary, but what truly drives the high prices is the security team within.

—These are clones of the most powerful individuals in the seas.

One or two people aren't much of a threat, but when you're dealing with hundreds or even thousands of them, it's a force no single group of power can easily handle.

Moreover, the locations Lu feld chose to build his villas are all in non-affiliated countries, unrecognized and unprotected by the Marines or the World Government.

His target customers? Kings and nobles, those with high status, too much wealth, and a constant fear for their safety.

All he had to do was demonstrate the power of his clone soldiers, and these terrified elites practically lined up to throw their money at him.

Honestly, if you're holding something like that, it's no wonder you're rolling in money.

'This damn fat guy is ridiculously lucky—it's infuriating.'

'How did he manage to get his hands on these limitless transformation clones from the Fleet Admiral? I'm really curious how he pulled that off,' Doflamingo thought to himself.

It wasn't just him—everyone in the underground world was curious.

After all, most of them had shady dealings with low-level officials or corrupt generals. But to have direct ties to the Fleet Admiral of the Marines? That was unthinkable.

"Doflamingo, you... it's a shame."

Lu feld glanced at Doflamingo, his eyes shifting as he sighed deliberately. "No, it's not that I don't want to make money with you, brother. I really don't have a choice."

"You're a pirate. If I got involved with you, I'd be worried about being misunderstood by the Marines."

"You understand, right?"

Lu feld raised his big, fat hand and slapped Doflamingo's shoulder hard. "But in any case, since we're old acquaintances, I'll cover all the expenses for your Donquixote Family today, so feel free to enjoy yourselves."

Doflamingo stiffened.

His body trembled ever so slightly as he struggled to control his anger.

It was clear what Lu feld's words meant.

He was treating Doflamingo like someone begging for scraps.

But Doflamingo had no such intention. 

With his pride and Conqueror's Haki, there was no way he would lower himself to grovel for favors from Lu feld.

He was simply passing through this kingdom while sailing, and decided to stop by.

"Fufufufufu... You've gotten bold with your words," Doflamingo said, brushing his shoulder as if wiping away dust, his face darkening.

Ever since childhood, no one had ever dared to act like this toward him.

He usually reserved that kind of gesture—pats on the shoulder—for expressing favor toward his own subordinates or trusted cadres.

In his mind, that was the behavior of a superior toward someone beneath them.

But Lu feld's move? It was clear he saw Doflamingo as an inferior.

How could he not be furious, not feel the rage bubbling up?

"So what if you're not welcome? Do you really plan to kill me?" Lu feld said, sensing Doflamingo's murderous intent. In the past, he would have been terrified and fled instantly.

But now... 

Uh-huh.

Almost in an instant, a figure appeared behind Doflamingo.

"This little brother, could you kindly tell me what you plan to do to my boss?"

A deep voice echoed from behind, sending a sudden chill through Doflamingo's body. His hairs stood on end.

So fast! 

So powerful. This bastard Lu feld actually has a clone of this caliber?

Doflamingo could feel the overwhelming pressure, and he grinned through gritted teeth.

"Brother Lu feld, this is all just a misunderstanding. You know how my temper can be."

"A misunderstanding? I was so scared I almost had to pull out my one and only Whitebeard clone." 

Lu feld patted his chest dramatically, and in the process, casually revealed the deformed leaf marked with "Edward Newgate."

Doflamingo froze for a moment, shock surging through him.

'This damn fat guy actually has a Whitebeard clone?!'

'My God, how is that even possible?'

Dealing with a clone that could pressure him was one thing.

But Whitebeard? The very name sent chills through Doflamingo's spine.

Whitebeard—one of the most powerful figures, the "Strongest Man in the World."

If Lu feld truly unleashed that clone, it wouldn't be about winning or losing. It would be about whether Doflamingo could even escape with his life.

In that moment, Doflamingo realized this place was like a dragon's lair, a tiger's den.

He didn't want to stay here a second longer.

This place was a death trap where he no longer had control over his own fate.

"I just remembered—I have some urgent business to attend to, so I'll take my leave, Lu feld!"

"Oh, in such a hurry? Headed for the second half of the Grand Line?"

"Yeah, something like that!"

"Well then, I won't hold you back."

Doflamingo quickly exited the construction site.

With his family's top cadres waiting for him outside, they all walked briskly toward the port without stopping.

"Hey, Doffy, are we really leaving now?" Trebol, with his signature snot, leaned in and asked.

Doflamingo nodded, his face dark, "Yeah, let's go check out the second half of the Grand Line. We'll think about what business to take on next."

"Oh? Didn't you just leave Lu feld's office?"

"That bastard has completely changed ever since he found a powerful backer. Now he's too afraid others will get close to the Marines," Doflamingo growled through clenched teeth. "There's no way we'll get any useful information from him."

The cadres exchanged glances, but they knew Doflamingo well enough to sense that he was in a foul mood.

Wisely, they chose to stay silent, avoiding adding any fuel to the fire.

Just then, a familiar sound interrupted the tense moment.

Pere~Pere~Pere~Pere~.

The Den Den Mushi was ringing.

At that moment, the Den Den Mushi in Doflamingo's coat suddenly rang.

"Moshi moshi, this is Doflamingo. Speak!"

"Doffy, it's me."

Virgo's low voice came through on the other end, not giving Doflamingo a chance to respond before he continued quickly:

"Fleet Admiral has just issued a new order. They're sending all Marines into the second half of the Grand Line."

"All their resources for the next few years will be focused there. Doffy, you haven't entered that part of the sea yet, have you?"

"My advice—find somewhere to lay low for a while. Scope things out first. Don't get caught up in that sea right now."

Doflamingo's steps came to an abrupt halt, his entire body freezing.

The Marines are moving into the second half of the Grand Line?

The world is about to shift dramatically...

That part of the sea is the eye of the storm.

Doflamingo's heart pounded violently.

His expression shifted wildly—pale one moment, ecstatic the next, then worried, then conflicted...

In that moment, everything around him faded away.

Vergo's voice vanished, and the figures of his cadres and family members disappeared as well.

The world around him turned pitch black, leaving him as the only one standing in a spotlight.

Flashes of images and chaotic thoughts filled his mind, plunging him into mental turmoil.

"Doffy... Doffy..."

"Doffy…"

He finally snapped out of it when he heard the concerned voices calling his name.

Without hesitation, and still too distracted to deal with the inquiries from his crew, he grabbed the Den Den Mushi again.

"Vergo, I need you to do something for me."

"Name it."

"Find out how that fat bastard Lu feld managed to get in touch with the Marines, and how he gained the trust of the Fleet Admiral."

At the end of his request, Doflamingo emphasized his tone, stressing the importance of the task: "This is crucial."

"I understand, but why are you so interested in this?"

Doflamingo paused, then gave a chilling reply: 

"I... want to embrace justice too."