"What happened here? What's going on?" Doflamingo demanded upon returning to the Family base, taking in the major changes. Sections of the normally plain white and grey walls were now covered in gaudy, clashing colors. He directed his question to a nearby subordinate.
"It's... Lady Robin and Ms. Jora, Young Master. They were... experimenting with their art," the subordinate reported with a mournful expression, relaying the unfortunate truth.
"When did those two team up?" Doflamingo muttered, genuinely puzzled. Then, recalling Robin's peculiar aesthetic taste, he supposed it wasn't entirely surprising they'd find common ground. He surveyed the 'redecorated' sections of the building. At least they showed some restraint, he thought wryly. They didn't repaint the entire base into some bizarre monstrosity. The townsfolk would laugh us out of the North Blue.
"Young... Young Master," the subordinate began hesitantly, seeing Doflamingo didn't seem immediately furious.
"If you have something to say, spit it out!" Doflamingo snapped, having little patience for dawdling.
"Yes, sir!" The subordinate mustered his courage. "Young Master... could you perhaps speak with Lady Robin and Ms. Jora? Ask them to please stop... practicing their art on us?" He finally voiced his grievance.
Hearing this, Doflamingo was rendered utterly speechless for a moment, then felt a wave of exasperation. It seems those two have entirely too much free time on their hands if they're resorting to 'art projects' like this.
"Relax," Doflamingo finally promised the subordinate, deciding he needed to 'educate' the pair before their antics became completely lawless. "They won't have the time for such things anymore."
"Ibes, you and the others go get some rest," Doflamingo dismissed the group that had returned with him. He then focused his Observation Haki, pinpointing Robin and Jora's location within the base. In an instant, he vanished and reappeared where the two 'artists' were currently admiring their latest creation.
"Ohohohoho! Little Sister Robin, your art is truly wonderful!" Jora was praising Robin effusively.
"Oh no, Sister Jora! It can't compare to your masterful and effortless skill!" Robin replied with practiced humility.
Doflamingo watched the scene, shaking his head helplessly.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat pointedly, announcing his presence.
"Onii-chan! You're back! I missed you so much!" Robin squealed upon hearing the cough and turning to see Doflamingo. She immediately abandoned her 'art' and rushed happily into his arms.
"Young Master, welcome back," Jora greeted him respectfully.
Doflamingo returned Robin's hug with customary affection, patting her head before gently setting her down. His expression then turned serious. "I hear the two of you have been getting rather involved in 'art' lately," he said sternly. "The Family base has suffered quite a bit from your... collaboration."
"Um... well... it's just our hobby!" Robin stammered, looking slightly fearful under Doflamingo's stern gaze, her guilt evident.
"Young Master, we know we were wrong," Jora, however, immediately admitted fault.
"Hmph! It seems to me you both simply have too much idle time," Doflamingo scoffed. "Perfect timing, then. Allow me to test the progress you've supposedly made in your training over this past month." He decided a practical lesson was in order.
Hearing the implied threat, Robin and Jora instantly fell silent, scared stiff, patiently awaiting whatever 'test' or punishment Doflamingo had devised.
"Come on," Doflamingo gestured dismissively. "Attack me. Show me what advancements you've made."
Robin and Jora exchanged nervous glances, realizing he was completely serious. With no other choice, they prepared to attack their leader.
"Seis Fleur: Clutch!" Robin crossed her arms in her signature pose, activating her Flower-Flower Fruit power. Six arms sprouted abruptly on Doflamingo's body, attempting to grab his neck and jaw, aiming to bend him backward and snap his bones. She held nothing back, putting her all into the technique.
"A decent move," Doflamingo commented easily, effortlessly flexing and shattering the sprouted arms. "But it lacks sufficient power."
Robin pouted at his critique, muttering under her breath, "Just you wait..."
"Young Master! Allow this mistress to show you the true meaning of art! Art Blotch!" Jora, seeing Robin's attack nullified, launched her own. Holding strange, paint-like blobs in her hands, she flung them at Doflamingo, intending to transform him into one of her 'artworks.'
"Flashy, but without substance," Doflamingo scoffed, easily dodging Jora's attack without even needing his Logia powers.
"Treinta Fleur: Strangle!" Robin seized the momentary opening, unleashing a stronger attack, utilizing the maximum number of arms she could currently manage to restrain Doflamingo.
"Not bad, definite progress," Doflamingo acknowledged, feeling the increased force of the thirty arms attempting to bind him. "However," he continued, his tone shifting, "I wonder how well you two can take a hit? To truly learn how to fight, you must first learn how to endure pain."
He extended one finger from each hand, aiming them towards Robin and Jora. Tiny sparks of golden lightning crackled at his fingertips, radiating a palpable sense of danger that prickled at the girls' senses. They knew instinctively that getting zapped by those Thunder Fingers would be excruciatingly painful.
Their power level was obviously incomparable to Doflamingo's, but they didn't just give up. Both immediately employed their own methods to desperately evade his lightning-charged digits. Doflamingo deliberately kept up the pressure, intending to force them to push past their limits, to unlock a little more of their potential.
"Art Storm!" Jora, seeing simple evasion wasn't working, generated a swirling vortex of abstract 'art energy', attempting to overwhelm Doflamingo with sheer chaotic force.
"Cuarenta Fleur: Dos Arbol!" Robin bit her lip, pushing her own abilities further than before. Forty arms sprouted behind her, coalescing into two gigantic tree-like arms that slammed towards Doflamingo, trying to physically block his advance.
Seeing their desperate, combined efforts, Doflamingo nodded inwardly. My training hasn't been entirely wasted. However, the necessary punishment still needed to be delivered.
Though their combined assault was indeed fierce, it had little real effect on him. His Thunder Fingers continued their inexorable path towards the girls' foreheads. The intense feeling of danger made their skin tingle unpleasantly. They twisted and dodged, but escape seemed impossible. Panic flickered in their eyes as they braced for the inevitable strike.
At the last moment, Doflamingo stopped his fingers just short of contact, delivering only a light, disciplinary zap of electricity. "A small punishment," he stated calmly. "I don't oppose your hobbies, but you are both still too weak right now. You haven't yet earned the right to act so recklessly. Once you possess true strength, then such things become irrelevant. However, I will not tolerate members of my Family acting like parasites, causing trouble without contributing meaningfully. Robin," he added, his gaze sharpening on her, "have you forgotten your own words about survival and strength?" He finished his 'psychological counseling' session.
"Onii-chan... I was wrong," Robin admitted immediately, her hair literally standing on end from the electric shock. She ignored her comical appearance, genuinely ashamed of her recent behavior.
"Young Master, I will follow your steps forward diligently," Jora added, bowing respectfully in apology.
"As long as you understand," Doflamingo replied, his earlier irritation finally dissipating.
Meanwhile, far away at Marine Headquarters, Marineford, Admiral Sengoku was meeting with a special individual.
"Are you absolutely certain you want to do this, Rosinante?" Sengoku asked the young man standing before him, his voice heavy with concern and reluctance. "You know Doflamingo is not someone to be trifled with." His eyes held a deep, fatherly affection.
"I know Doflamingo's nature better than anyone, sir," the young man replied, his voice resonating with conviction. "He is a demon. He will definitely not remain quietly in the North Blue forever. Doesn't the recent hijacking of the World Government tribute ship prove his inherent restlessness?"
"But..." Sengoku still hesitated. He had only recently learned the full truth about the man before him: Donquixote Rosinante, his adopted son, was a former Celestial Dragon, Doflamingo's own brother. Though not related by blood, years of mentorship had forged a bond as strong as any father and son. Sengoku didn't blame Rosinante for hiding his identity; rather, he felt profound sympathy for him, cursed with such a brother. In Sengoku's eyes, Rosinante was blameless; all the sin and suffering stemmed from Doflamingo.
"There's no need for hesitation, Admiral," Rosinante insisted firmly. "I know you worry about me, but I joined the Marines, and this is my duty. Even though Doflamingo is my biological brother, I will stop him without hesitation. He represents the greatest danger to this world." He spoke with righteous conviction.
"But you haven't seen each other in so many years!" Sengoku argued, still trying to dissuade him, his heart aching like an old father's. "How could Doflamingo possibly accept you so easily now, appearing so suddenly?" Although Sengoku desperately wanted Doflamingo eliminated, he couldn't bear the thought of sacrificing his godson. He would rather face Doflamingo himself than allow Rosinante to come to harm.
"I have made my decision, Admiral Sengoku," Rosinante stated resolutely, cutting off any further objections. "Please give the order! Commander Rosinante awaits your command!"
"This... Rosinante..." Sengoku felt immense reluctance hearing Rosinante's formal address, but seeing the unshakeable determination in the young man's eyes, he finally steeled himself. He couldn't crush this child's spirit, especially not a spirit burning with such pure Justice. "Very well! Commander Rosinante," Sengoku formally approved the mission, his gaze filled with concern. "On this assignment, your primary objective is to return safely! Failure is acceptable."
"Everything for Justice!" Rosinante saluted sharply, his eyes gleaming. "I will not betray the Justice I carry on my back!"
"Go, then," Sengoku finally dismissed him, though reluctance still lingered in his voice. He couldn't stop him. Truthfully, a small part of him thought, perhaps Rosinante returning to Doflamingo's side truly is for the best...
(The narrator notes: In the original timeline, Rosinante wouldn't infiltrate the Donquixote Family for more than two years from this point. However, events have diverged. Doflamingo believed his robbery of the tribute ship was seamless, undetectable. But he underestimated the World Government; Heaven's net is vast, and nothing truly slips through. CP agents managed to find evidence linking the incident back to him.)
(Upon receiving the CP report, the Five Elders were furious to learn Doflamingo was involved yet again. However, with Doflamingo currently holed up in the North Blue rather than causing trouble on the Grand Line, they decided against a massive, direct response. The World Government, ruler of the world for 800 years, had far greater concerns than dealing with one troublesome pirate in a peripheral sea, no matter how notorious. Their Cipher Pol agencies weren't established solely to handle Doflamingo. Thus, they delegated the matter to the Marines.)
(This delegation provided Rosinante, through his Marine connections, the opportunity to learn about his brother's suspected involvement, leading directly to the conversation with Sengoku.)
Of course, Doflamingo remained blissfully unaware of these developments. Having just finished 'educating' Robin and Jora, he was currently planning to gather Enel and the others to discuss insights into Armament Haki training.
If he knew his dear younger brother was about to return, one could only wonder what expression Doflamingo would wear.