"Yes! Haven't we always been there?"
Doflamingo was thoroughly satisfied with Law's attitude. The boy's resolve was now sufficient. As long as no one meddlesome interfered, Law would undoubtedly grow into the person Doflamingo envisioned.
"Let's go, Law," Doflamingo said, not dwelling on the moment further. "I'll introduce you to the members of our Family. After all, we are family now." He turned and strode towards the door.
Law watched Doflamingo's retreating back for a heartbeat, then quickly scrambled to follow, terrified of being left behind.
In the Family's main meeting hall, the core executives were already assembled.
"Everyone," Doflamingo announced, leading Law into the room, "today, our Family welcomes a new member! This is Law." He gestured towards the boy beside him.
Hearing Doflamingo's words, all eyes turned curiously towards Law. They saw a small, thin frame, eyes that blazed with untamed defiance, a face unnaturally pale with sickness, and beneath his simple clothes, the distinct white patches symptomatic of Amber Lead Syndrome were visible.
"Law, welcome to the Family," Robin greeted him with genuine friendliness.
"Listen here, brat," Enel interjected, his tone fierce, delivering an immediate warning. "Don't you dare disappoint Doffy's expectations. If you ever betray this Family, I won't let you off easy."
"Enel, since when is that your line to deliver?" Diamante cut in, a hint of annoyance in his voice at Enel stealing his thunder. He was the Donquixote Family's chief steward, Doflamingo's most attentive right-hand man, after all.
"Yahahaha! Diamante, it's all the same, all the same!" Enel replied boisterously, completely missing the subtle undercurrent of Diamante's displeasure.
Law listened to Enel's and Diamante's warnings but paid them little heed. The thought of betrayal hadn't even crossed his mind. He had already come to accept Doflamingo. Observing the current dynamics among the Family members, Law felt a surprising sense of reassurance; his feeling of belonging to the Donquixote Family deepened.
Apart from Baby 5 and Buffalo, who seemed less than welcoming, the others offered Law small smiles, signaling their acceptance of his presence.
"Hey, Law!" Baby 5 piped up, having regained some of her natural boldness now that she was somewhat spoiled under Doflamingo's (indirect) care – though she wouldn't dare act so brazenly towards Doflamingo himself. If she did, he wouldn't hesitate to give her a harsh lesson. "From now on, you're the bottom rung in our Family!"
Law didn't reply, merely fixing her with a ferocious glare.
"Young Master! Law is glaring at me!" Baby 5 yelped, startled by the intensity in his eyes, and quickly darted behind Doflamingo for protection.
Serves you right, Doflamingo thought, too lazy to intervene in their squabble. It seems Law is indeed Baby 5's nemesis.
"Young Master! Is Law... sick?" Buffalo asked, staring with trepidation at the white patches on Law's skin.
"Law is indeed ill," Doflamingo confirmed. "He has Amber Lead Syndrome. However, I will ensure he is cured."
"What? Amber Lead Syndrome? Isn't that... contagious?" Buffalo stammered, breaking out in a cold sweat, his voice laced with panic.
"Amber Lead Syndrome? Isn't that from Flevance, in the White Town...?" Senor Pink murmured thoughtfully, though he said no more.
Doflamingo's expression darkened considerably. Buffalo's over-the-top reaction was grating. Even I didn't react so dramatically. What is this display?
"Buffalo," Doflamingo warned, his voice dangerously low, "this is your last warning. If you make such a fuss again, don't blame me if you receive a little... chastisement."
"Young Master, I..." Buffalo trailed off, unable to defend himself. He really only had himself to blame for his current predicament. He'd nearly gotten himself killed by Pica previously for mocking his voice. If Pica hadn't feared breaking the Family's 'Code of Blood,' he never would have let Buffalo off. Of course, if Buffalo could actually hold his own against Pica, it would be a different story. The constant bickering and taunts between Enel and Pica were, after all, a common occurrence. The lesson was clear: if you lacked strength, it was best not to stick your neck out.
"It's just Amber Lead Syndrome," Doflamingo stated coolly, his voice laced with confidence. "It's not contagious, so relax. The world is vast; there are plenty of ways to cure Law."
Rosinante observed all of this quietly, making no move. A deep weariness had settled in his heart. Over the years, not a single child who had entered the Donquixote Family had ever left. Every attempt he had made to 'save' them had ended in failure. He felt disheartened. Looking at Law now, he saw an unnerving resemblance to his own older brother – that same look in the eyes, a look Rosinante would never forget.
Dammit, is this another Doflamingo in the making? Rosinante despaired internally. This demonic family! He no longer had the heart to try and 'save' these newcomers. After so much time, so many failures, he had become somewhat resigned. If they had already been corrupted, then let them follow Doflamingo to their shared damnation! It was no longer Rosinante's fault or responsibility.
"Alright," Doflamingo said, his gaze sweeping across the assembled executives. "Today was just about introducing Law to everyone. From now on, I will personally oversee his training."
"Doffy, I can handle something like this!" Diamante volunteered immediately. He was already training Baby 5; one more child wouldn't be much different. Besides, Doflamingo was the supreme leader of the Family; how could he personally undertake such mundane tasks? "I can take care of it as well, G!" Lao G also offered eagerly.
Pica and Enel, however, looked rather disdainful. They'd much rather spend the time on their own training.
"Young Master! You didn't even train me personally! Why does he get special treatment?" Baby 5 complained, tugging at Doflamingo's trouser leg.
"What's this? Do I need to repeat myself?" Doflamingo's voice turned cold, a dangerous edge creeping in. Though their intentions were good, this atmosphere was not what he desired. The captain's word was absolute.
"Doffy, I..." Diamante trailed off, seeing the displeasure on Doflamingo's face. He realized he had overstepped. His intentions were good, but he had inadvertently challenged the Young Master's authority.
Doflamingo waved a hand dismissively, silencing him.
"Young Master, I was wrong," Baby 5 immediately and obediently apologized. Lao G also looked at Doflamingo with an apologetic expression.
"Let's go, Law," Doflamingo said, ignoring the others and turning to the boy. "Your suffering is only just beginning." He then led Law out of the hall.
The executives left behind exchanged uneasy glances, the lingering tension palpable. They knew some of them had gone too far.
"Yahahaha! Diamante, an angry Doffy is actually pretty terrifying, isn't he?" Enel remarked, attempting to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
Diamante remained silent for a moment, then bowed deeply to the others. "Everyone, I apologize. This was my mistake. I failed to consider Doffy's authority. When Doffy makes a decision, we should not presume to interfere, even with good intentions. We overlooked his feelings. From now on, we will simply obey Doffy's decisions. The captain's authority must not be infringed!"
"I was wrong as well, G," Lao G admitted, making a similar gesture towards Diamante.
"I wonder when the Young Master will stop being angry," Baby 5 said, still sounding a little shaken.
"Heehee," Robin chuckled softly. "Don't worry, everyone. Onii-chan isn't that petty. He's our leader; he'll surely forgive us." Though she too had been slightly annoyed by Diamante and the others' presumptuousness, their sincere apologies mollified her.
"That's good, that's good! A furious Young Master is just too scary!" Buffalo exclaimed, patting his chest in relief.
The Donquixote Family's numbers were indeed growing. Aside from the top executives – Trebol, Diamante, Pica, Enel, Vergo, Ibes, and Robin – the rest were sub-executives under their command. Senor Pink, Machvise, and Lao G reported to Diamante. Jora, the artist, was with Trebol. Buffalo and Gladius were under Pica's command. Baby 5 remained directly under Doflamingo. Doflamingo planned to eventually assign Law to work with Enel. Robin and Ibes constituted a special agency, answerable only to Doflamingo himself. (Rosinante, naturally, wasn't factored into this structure. What use was a spy in the official hierarchy?)
In the training grounds, Doflamingo had already brought Law.
"Begin, Law!" Doflamingo commanded, his voice echoing across the vast, empty field. "Run with every ounce of strength you possess! Show me the extent of your spirit!"
Law glanced at the enormous, open training area, said nothing, lowered his head, and began to run.
One lap, two laps... ten laps. Law's speed gradually decreased. Eventually, he was practically walking. As time wore on and the sun began to dip towards the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues, Law was the only one still moving on the training field, stubbornly persisting. Doflamingo watched him with cold, detached eyes.
"Law! Is this the best you can do?" Doflamingo's voice cut through Law's exhaustion. "What are you living for? What burdens do you carry on your shoulders? If you're not dead yet, get up and keep moving! You call this running? An old grandmother could run faster than you!" He observed Law collapse to the ground, gasping for breath, his clothes soaked through with sweat.
"I... I... I can't fall here!" Law gasped, images of his parents, Lami, the kind nun, and all the others flashing before his eyes. "Father, Mother, Lami, Sister, everyone... I'll show you... I'll make it! Aaargh!" With a tremendous effort of will, Law pushed himself back to his feet. His movements were agonizingly slow, but he kept going.
Doflamingo watched this display with grim satisfaction. In this world, as long as one wasn't dead, almost any injury could be healed. This meager bit of training was nothing. Though Law currently suffered from Amber Lead Syndrome, if he could endure this without breaking, his future would be bright. Nothing else would seem daunting. This crucible was forging his will, tempering it into steel. He would never yield to the hardships that lay ahead.
THUD. Law finally collapsed, unconscious.
This kid... not bad, Doflamingo thought, a flicker of something akin to approval in his eyes. This is also laying the groundwork for you to consume the Op-Op Fruit later. You'll thank me for this one day. Otherwise, being exhausted and useless after using 'Room' just once would be a pathetic display!
"Rest now. You've earned it," Doflamingo murmured, walking over to the fallen boy. He carefully lifted Law into his arms. Law stirred weakly, attempting to get up again, but Doflamingo gently shushed him.
"I..." The words Law wanted to say remained unspoken as darkness finally claimed him.
The setting sun cast long, dramatic shadows, stretching the figures of the man and the boy he carried across the training ground. A surprisingly harmonious scene, against the backdrop of a blood-red sky.