Chapter 223 An Unpleasant Departure

Bounty pirates required immense capital to operate, which was a necessity.

The World Government, supported by numerous nations, tribute from Celestial Dragons, and some illicit dealings, possessed an inexhaustible source of funds to fuel its growth and expansion.

This vast flow of capital allowed them to place high bounties on pirates, attracting bounty hunters to eliminate them for profit.

So, how could a pirate organization, barely a few years old, raise such substantial funds to operate?

Immediately, Da Tian Gou thought of several wealthy figures in the underworld.

Doflamingo, within the underworld, had his own methods and was constantly double-crossing others. Who knew how much power he had secretly amassed?

Furthermore, regarding dealing with the World Government.

Hahahaha.

Doflamingo's background and identity, while not fully understood by his intelligence department, were generally known.

Doflamingo himself was a Celestial Dragon, but he lost that status due to his father's withdrawal.

Doflamingo had repeatedly attempted to reclaim his status, even personally killing his own father.

Was it hatred? Or a pure desire to restore his former position?

In the eyes of Da Tian Gou Qing Feng, the latter was more likely.

It was just that his methods were somewhat unconventional.

For instance, after striking fear into the hearts of the Celestial Dragons, rendering them terrified and panicked, he himself would become a higher-tier Celestial Dragon, while other Celestial Dragons would either die or be demoted to a lower rank, or even stripped of their Celestial Dragon status.

Doflamingo was highly displeased with Da Tian Gou Qing Feng's attitude and scoffed, "It seems you haven't realized your current predicament."

"If you don't join us, you and Food Island will face the wrath of the Genbu Navy, and even the World Government," Crocodile stated gravely.

Doflamingo produced a stack of documents and waved them in front of Da Tian Gou Qing Feng, sneering, "Your Food Island, and the food restaurants that appeared almost overnight across the globe, we don't know how you managed it."

"However, your identity and abilities are highly suspect."

Doflamingo had spared no effort in investigating Da Tian Gou Qing Feng's identity and the appearance of food restaurants worldwide, even receiving some of the information from a certain individual.

While the outcome of their investigation indicated that Da Tian Gou Qing Feng was still a valuable individual to recruit, if Da Tian Gou Qing Feng refused to cooperate, they would have no choice but to eliminate the potential threat.

Alternatively, they could expose Food Island, making it bear the brunt of the Genbu Navy's assault.

If, by then, Da Tian Gou Qing Feng was willing to humble himself and seek their aid, it wouldn't be impossible for them to offer assistance.

Da Tian Gou Qing Feng spread his wings, and a cool breeze began to swirl in the windless room.

"I don't know where you get your confidence."

"To believe that by setting up a net in such a confined space, you can threaten me."

"However, if you wish to fight, I am more than happy to oblige."

"It's just that, if a fight breaks out here, will Sengoku, Garp, and others be pleased?"

Da Tian Gou Qing Feng chuckled lightly.

This was Marine Headquarters.

With their strength, if a fight were to erupt without intervention, they could easily destroy this place.

But that was obviously impossible.

"Bang!"

"Crocodile, Doflamingo, Da Tian Gou Qing Feng, the three of you, that's enough."

"This is Marine Headquarters, not your territory. Don't cause trouble here," Sengoku declared angrily, kicking the door open and looking at the three confronting each other.

From the outside, the surrounding walls had transformed into quicksand due to Crocodile's Devil Fruit ability, a miraculous effect of his Sand-Sand Fruit awakening.

The room was filled with dense, strong, and sharp threads.

Da Tian Gou Qing Feng had also spread his wings, ready for battle, with the aura of wind surging around him, poised to erupt at any moment.

Sengoku's appearance brought a subtle shift to the tense atmosphere.

However, Doflamingo and the other two had not yet deactivated their abilities.

This infuriated Sengoku.

In an instant, Sengoku activated his Devil Fruit ability, transforming into gold. He reached out and grabbed the threads, stating sternly, "Doflamingo, Crocodile, do you truly believe I wouldn't keep you here?"

Crocodile's expression changed slightly at Sengoku's words.

However, his arrogance made him somewhat unwilling to back down at this moment.

At the very least, he wouldn't retreat just because of Sengoku's reprimand.

Therefore, Crocodile turned his gaze to Doflamingo.

Doflamingo let out a chilling laugh, his fingers twitching. The dense threads quickly vanished.

"Crocodile," Sengoku said sternly, reaching out for empty air and then looking at Crocodile.

Crocodile snorted, but still deactivated his ability. The walls returned to their original appearance.

However, the furnishings within the room were in disarray.

Seeing this, Da Tian Gou Qing Feng also dispelled his stance, resuming his refined demeanor. He smiled at Sengoku and said, "I apologize, but due to certain individuals, this place is no longer suitable for rest. Could you arrange another location for me?"

Sengoku glanced at Da Tian Gou Qing Feng and said, "Onigumo, make the arrangements."

Onigumo, who was outside the door, responded, "Yes, Admiral."

As Da Tian Gou Qing Feng left with Onigumo, Sengoku looked at Doflamingo and Crocodile with a grim expression and said, "I don't care what you are plotting, but you'd better not give me any leverage, or I will personally send you all to Impel Down."

Doflamingo chuckled and swaggered over to Sengoku, sneering, "If you have the ability, you can try."

"Without us, how long can you hold out against the Genbu Navy?"

Hearing Doflamingo's words, Sengoku's face darkened, and he clenched his fist.

The successive defeats at the hands of the Genbu Navy, coupled with the continuous exposure of certain matters, had severely impacted the morale of the Marines, recruitment, and other aspects, causing them to lose face.

Furthermore, there was a significant shortage of strength in their efforts to counter the Genbu Navy.

However, that was in the past.

Now, with the approval of the Five Elders, the Marines had been granted a new lease on life.

Crocodile glanced at Sengoku and let out a "he he" chuckle before leaving with Doflamingo.

At the end of the street.

Blackbeard stood in a corner, watching Doflamingo and Crocodile depart, a playful expression on his face.

What had just transpired was not only felt by him but also by Hawk Eyes.

However, neither of them had intervened.

Blackbeard, in particular, was intrigued.

Bounty pirates, what an interesting prospect.