Compared to the frustration of the Five Elders, Caelan was in high spirits.

Dressrosa.

Nami and the others led the G-5 Marines in seizing the Donquixote Family's assets and capturing its scattered subordinates.

Caelan followed Violet and personally rescued the imprisoned King Riku.

King Riku, or more precisely, Riku Doldo III.

He was originally a benevolent ruler—kind-hearted, though perhaps a bit too soft.

He had been framed by Doflamingo, causing the people to believe he was a tyrant and fueling their desire to depose him.

Later, when Doflamingo took over Dressrosa, he imprisoned King Riku and used him to threaten Violet into submission.

When he saw Violet approaching, King Riku immediately panicked. "Violet, why are you here? You mustn't come see me!"

He understood his daughter's situation. He knew that visiting him could place her in danger.

In his heart, he was both furious and helpless toward the man who had orchestrated everything—Doflamingo.

"Father, you don't need to worry anymore. Doflamingo has been defeated by Caelan-sama!"

Violet said joyfully, pointing to Caelan.

"Doflamingo was defeated?!"

King Riku was stunned.

Doflamingo was a Warlord of the Sea, backed by great power and influence.

Eight years ago, the Riku Royal Army under his command hadn't been able to resist Doflamingo at all.

For the past eight years, revenge had constantly lingered in his heart.

But he couldn't even beat one of Doflamingo's officers, let alone the man himself.

The weight of that long-standing fear made it hard for him to accept that Doflamingo had actually been defeated.

"Father, it's true. Caelan-sama is a mighty force who's recently emerged!"

Violet introduced him with solemnity.

"Is that so...?"

King Riku looked uncertain.

As a prisoner, he hadn't been treated the same way as the media mogul Morgans. He knew nothing of Caelan, who had only risen to fame in the past three months.

He remained skeptical, unable to truly believe that Doflamingo had been defeated.

However, since his daughter had come to rescue him along with unfamiliar allies, it was likely true.

"Thank you very much, Caelan-sama!"

King Riku bowed deeply to Caelan, expressing his heartfelt gratitude.

Even though he didn't know Caelan's background, anyone capable of defeating Doflamingo must possess incredible strength.

This was both an act of gratitude and a show of respect.

"You're welcome, Father-in-law."

Caelan replied with a smile.

Building a relationship early would make everything go more smoothly later on.

King Riku turned to Violet in shock.

But Violet had already nestled up to Caelan, her face flushed with happiness.

Caelan's words had truly surprised her.

"I see."

Seeing his daughter like this, King Riku understood instantly what their relationship was.

It seemed this powerful man had rescued him because of Violet.

At that moment, Gecko Moria dragged Doflamingo into the cell.

Doflamingo was still seriously wounded from his battle with Caelan, his face pale and twisted in pain.

His body was shackled tightly with seastone chains, making his suffering even worse.

Seeing Doflamingo like that, King Riku couldn't help but feel elated. "Haha, so you've ended up like this!"

Doflamingo had destroyed his family, usurped Dressrosa, and imprisoned him for eight years.

This hatred ran so deep that King Riku wished he could tear him apart.

"You're celebrating too early. I'll be just fine."

"Since Caelan didn't kill me, it must mean I still have value. If I pledge loyalty to him, maybe Dressrosa will still be mine."

Doflamingo sneered at King Riku.

"You...!"

King Riku's face turned red with rage, glaring fiercely at Doflamingo.

But both he and Violet realized that Doflamingo's words weren't entirely baseless. Subconsciously, they turned to Caelan.

After all, this was a former Warlord of the Sea. In terms of value, Doflamingo clearly had more to offer than they did.

"Don't overthink it."

Caelan gently patted Violet's head to reassure her.

Violet clung to his arm, finally feeling at ease.

Then Caelan turned to Doflamingo and asked curiously, "Where does your confidence come from?"

"From my title as a Warlord of the Sea, and from the power and wealth of the Donquixote Family!"

"Caelan, I know you're interested in Monet and Sugar. As long as you accept my surrender and hand that woman Violet over to me, they'll follow your every command."

"If you let me continue managing Dressrosa, I'll make sure everything goes according to your will!"

Doflamingo listed his conditions in a fervent tone.

He had come to terms with it. He couldn't accept that Violet would be taken by Caelan. Nor could he bear the loss of his officers, who were like family to him.

Doflamingo's eyes gleamed as he looked at Caelan. "Caelan, I offer my loyalty to you!"

He was confident that Caelan wouldn't refuse. Even someone like Kaido wouldn't have turned down such favorable terms.

"Caelan-sama!"

Violet tightened her grip on Caelan's arm, her expression full of unease.

Caelan gently reassured her, then rejected Doflamingo flatly. "Do you think I need you? You're overestimating yourself, Doflamingo."

Sugar and Monet could be trained directly. He could shape them into whatever he needed.

He would also take over all of the Donquixote Family's assets. He didn't need Doflamingo getting in the way.

As for Doflamingo's so-called strength and influence? They were meaningless before Caelan.

One serious strike was enough to obliterate ten thousand Doflamingos.

Besides, the sea was filled with talented individuals.

Why would he need to trade a woman for someone like Doflamingo?

It was laughable.

Fujitora, Yamato, Pudding, Carrot, Stussy, Tori... any one of them was better than Doflamingo.

Not to mention, the Marines still held plenty of talent, just waiting to be recruited.

"Then why did you keep me alive? You must want something from me."

Doflamingo didn't believe Caelan's words.

If he truly didn't want him, he would have finished him off on the battlefield.

"You're overthinking it. It's true that I kept you alive for a reason. But I don't want you as a subordinate."

Caelan spoke calmly.

"Then what do you want me to do?"

Doflamingo asked, confused.

"That's not something you need to worry about. You'll find out when the time comes."

Caelan sneered.

Doflamingo's value lay in the secrets he knew about the Celestial Dragons' national treasure.

Of course, what Doflamingo knew was limited.

At the very least, not as much as Caelan.

Caelan's real plan was to use Doflamingo as a bargaining chip to negotiate with the Five Elders.

The transaction wasn't about handing over a living Doflamingo…

It was about selling his death.

Caelan believed the Five Elders would pay a high price to silence Doflamingo permanently.

After all, in the original storyline, when Doflamingo was imprisoned in Impel Down, the Five Elders had sent assassins to eliminate him.

If Akainu hadn't instructed Magellan to protect him, Doflamingo would already be dead.

So, Doflamingo's greatest value to Caelan... was dying.

"Let's go."

Caelan took Violet and King Riku and turned to leave.

Only Gecko Moria remained behind. He planned to stay and watch over Doflamingo.

"Caelan! I'm waiting for you to come begging me!"

Doflamingo shouted at Caelan's retreating figure.

He still believed he held significant value.

He was certain Caelan would come crawling to him eventually.

(To be continued.)

***

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