"Zoan Type: Ox-Ox Fruit, Model: Den Den Mushi!!"
With the host's booming announcement, the final answer was revealed. Doflamingo, having already received intelligence about the item beforehand, wasn't swayed by the host's attempts at building suspense. He calmly watched the situation unfold.
"What the hell? Is that it?" "What's the use of this thing?! All that hype for such a garbage fruit!" "This is the grand finale?! This?!"
The dramatic reaction the host had envisioned failed to materialize. Instead, waves of doubt and ridicule rose from the audience, making the host feel acutely like he'd misjudged the room entirely.
"Everyone! Don't underestimate this fruit!" the host desperately tried to salvage the situation, beginning his hype spiel. "This is the strongest Zoan type! The Ox-Ox Fruit, Den Den Mushi model!" He was determined to sell this fruit; if it remained unsold on his watch, his reputation would be ruined.
"Cut the bullshit! You think we don't recognize a Den Den Mushi?!" "Strongest Zoan fruit? Do you take us for idiots?!" "A Den Den Mushi fruit? What the hell is it good for?! Making phone calls?!" "Why don't you just claim it lets you fly to the moon while you're at it?! I could claim I ate the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika!"
The host's words, far from calming the crowd, only incited further outrage. The guests below didn't mince words, showering him with sarcasm.
"This..." The host was suffering in silence. Seeing the collective anger directed at him, he felt deeply wronged. Isn't this just standard commercial hyperbole? he thought bitterly. What do you lot know? If I say it's the strongest, then it's the strongest! And Model Nika? Why don't YOU ascend to heaven?! I could just as well claim I ate the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Creator God!
Doflamingo watched the crowd's fervent reaction with amusement. He had to agree; likely no one here actually wanted this fruit. It offered no obvious boost to combat strength, and based on the name, it sounded offensively weak. Truly, chicken ribs – useless to eat, yet a pity to discard.
"I'll take this fruit," Doflamingo suddenly spoke up, his voice cutting through the noise, directly declaring ownership. The host, who had been wallowing in despair, was instantly overjoyed.
Hearing Doflamingo's bid, the host snapped back to reality, a smug thought flashing through his mind: See? There are still suckers out there! This guy's alright, an easy mark.
"Excellent choice, sir! Only 100 million Beli, and it's yours! A small price for the strongest Zoan fruit!" the host announced shamelessly, reverting to his professional duties, adding the superlative without a blush. Anyone unfamiliar might have thought it was some incredibly powerful item.
Hearing the host's blatant lie repeated, the guests erupted in renewed indignation. Some well-meaning individuals even started trying to dissuade Doflamingo. "Hey! Hey, brother! This auction house is a scam! It's all just fancy buzzwords! Don't fall for it! They're cheating honest folk like us!" "Yeah, yeah! He's hyping up a basic Ox-Ox fruit like this! Isn't that false advertising?!" "Brother! Use your head!"
Doflamingo ignored the well-intentioned advice from the surrounding 'brothers.' The host, however, listened anxiously, terrified Doflamingo might change his mind. But he couldn't alter the price – it had been set by his boss. He was just a struggling employee. His heart pounded in his chest as he looked pleadingly at Doflamingo, hoping he wouldn't listen to the others.
"100 million Beli, hmm?" Doflamingo paused deliberately, drawing everyone's attention, making them anticipate his next words.
He let the silence hang for a moment before declaring firmly, "...Truly worthy of the strongest Zoan fruit. I'll take it."
Hearing that someone actually wanted the fruit, the host practically shouted with relief, "Sold! The auction is successful! This strongest of Zoan fruits belongs to this esteemed guest! I must say, sir, you have a truly discerning eye!" He lavished Doflamingo with flamboyant praise, which, to Doflamingo's ears, sounded suspiciously like sarcasm. Still, Doflamingo possessed immense composure; he merely gave a slight, indifferent nod, not bothering to make things difficult for the relieved host.
"Aiya! Brother, you really bought it!" "My heavens! This world truly doesn't lack for strange people!" "Honestly... some people have more money than sense!"
Doflamingo paid no mind to the surrounding mockery and disbelief. As he knew well, joys and sorrows are not always shared, and he felt no obligation to explain himself to them.
"Esteemed guest, here is your item! The strongest Zoan fruit!" The host respectfully presented the box containing the Devil Fruit to Doflamingo, unable to resist repeating the tagline one last time.
Hearing it again, Doflamingo couldn't help but quirk an eyebrow, thinking, Strongest? You're really something else, you know that?
His subordinates promptly handed over the 100 million Beli to the host. With that, the auction reached its bizarre conclusion. The host scurried off happily to collect his commission, the other guests left grumbling and cursing, while Doflamingo, regarded by all as a fool, perhaps provided them with a small measure of psychological comfort.
Doflamingo then departed with Ibes and his subordinates, returning to their ship.
Truthfully, even his own men were perplexed by their Young Master's desire for this fruit. In their minds, it seemed utterly useless; they wouldn't have eaten it even if offered.
Later, inside Ibes's cabin on the ship, Doflamingo and Ibes stood facing each other in silence. Doflamingo took the Den Den Mushi fruit from its box and offered it to her.
"This is for you," he said, finally breaking the quiet atmosphere.
"For... me?" Ibes replied, genuinely surprised.
"Yes," Doflamingo affirmed, meeting her gaze directly. "This fruit won't grant you immense combat power, Ibes. But it is very important to me."
"Important?" she murmured, questioning.
"Are you willing to eat it?" Doflamingo stepped closer, gently backing her against the cabin wall until she could retreat no further. Her face flushed slightly as she looked up at him, trapped between him and the wall.
Ibes met his intense gaze directly, seemingly unfazed by the intimate and somewhat intimidating posture. Love, warm and devoted, shone from her eyes. "If it's important to you, God," she said softly but firmly, "then I am willing to eat it for you." Reaching out, she took the strange fruit from his hand and, without hesitation, took a bite.
"Ugh—" She quickly covered her mouth, fighting back the urge to gag at the infamous Devil Fruit taste.
"How is it, Ibes? Are you alright?" Doflamingo asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.
"Mm! I'm fine," Ibes replied, quickly recovering her composure. "But… I don't feel any different."
"That's normal," Doflamingo explained. "Unlike other Zoan fruits, this one won't grant you a more powerful physique. However, its abilities in other areas... are unparalleled."
"Is that so?" Ibes smiled sweetly up at him. "Well, as long as it can help God, that's all that matters." She didn't overly concern herself with Doflamingo's explanation; her only focus was whether she could be useful to him. For Ibes, that was enough.
Seeing her radiant, devoted smile, Doflamingo felt an unexpected flutter in his chest, his heart skipping a beat. Almost unconsciously, his hand reached out, gently stroking her smooth, fair cheek.
"God..." Ibes whispered his title, her voice soft and slightly breathless. As if anticipating what might happen next, she leaned softly into his embrace, her body relaxing against his.
Soft whispers, a beauty in his arms... Testing an executive like this? Doflamingo, despite everything, was still a young man. Ultimately, he did not withstand the test.
What transpired next remained unspoken. Suffice it to say, Doflamingo was very pleased with how the day ended. Enough said; best to make the most of such beautiful moments… perhaps make another effort.
The next morning, Doflamingo, looking refreshed and invigorated, issued orders for the Donquixote Family contingent to set sail, heading back home. His subordinates, displaying remarkable tact, had understood the situation the previous night when their Young Master had entered Ibes's room and had tactfully given them space.
Their pirate ship set course for the return journey. However, unknown to Doflamingo, an unexpected arrival was fast approaching!
_______
+40 chapters on: patreon.com/Shinobi_Scrolls