Rosinante watched the man walking towards him with a storm of complex emotions churning within. Separated for so many years, this was the first time the two brothers had met face-to-face since they'd truly grown up.
They were roughly the same height, both strikingly handsome – a stark contrast to the usual grotesque features of their Celestial Dragon relatives.
Doflamingo approached step by step, a wide, welcoming smile plastered on his face. Reaching Rosinante, he greeted him with effusive warmth, "My dear little brother! It's been such a long time! Where did you run off to all these years? You had your big brother worried sick!"
The expected verbal response never came. Instead, Rosinante began gesturing with his hands, conveying through sign language, "Brother, it has been a long time!"
"What happened? Little brother!" Doflamingo feigned shock and deep concern. "What's wrong? Why have you become mute? Who hurt you? Tell your brother, and I will avenge you! Anyone who dares harm my little brother, no matter who they are, I'll make them pay dearly!" He played his part perfectly, enacting a scene of profound brotherly love and concern, inquiring solicitously about Rosinante's well-being.
"Aba... aba... aba..." Rosinante mouthed silently, coordinating with his hand signs, attempting to explain his situation to Doflamingo.
Watching Rosinante's performance, Doflamingo thought inwardly, Playing games with me, are we? Fine, then. I suppose I have no choice but to play along with your little show.
"Oh, my poor, suffering brother!" Doflamingo dramatically pulled Rosinante into a tight, forceful hug, repeatedly patting his back with considerable force. "What are you trying to tell me? Brother doesn't understand!" he lamented with feigned sorrow.
Rosinante tensed within the embrace, forced to endure the stinging pain radiating from his back under Doflamingo's heavy-handed 'comfort'. Me… he groaned internally, frustrated.
The subordinates witnessing the scene nearby were deeply moved. "Such a touching reunion!" one whispered. "Truly a model of brotherly love and respect!"
Releasing Rosinante, Doflamingo put on a sorrowful expression. "Why aren't you speaking, Rosinante? Ah, it's all my fault! Your big brother didn't take good care of you!" He then feigned a sudden realization. "Oh, forgive me! I completely forgot you can't speak now! Rosinante… you've become a mute… Well, no matter," he continued, smoothly ignoring Rosinante's attempts to gesture or present the written notes he had prepared. "Now that you've returned, your brother will absolutely ensure you receive the very best care." He unilaterally decided Rosinante's narrative for him.
For the love of…! My dear 'good' brother, could you possibly watch my signs finish or just LOOK at my note?! Rosinante thought, utterly exasperated. However, as a professional undercover agent, he couldn't break character. Since his 'caring' brother had already laid out the story, the only option was to silently accept everything for now.
"Come, Rosinante!" Doflamingo declared enthusiastically, draping an arm around his brother's shoulder. "Let brother show you everything we've built! This is my family – the Donquixote Family!" It was hard to tell if Doflamingo was merely deep into his act or if a flicker of genuine affection prompted the gesture.
Rosinante simply nodded silently, obediently following Doflamingo's lead.
"Rosinante, you must have suffered greatly during your journey!" Doflamingo chattered on, seemingly oblivious. "But don't worry anymore! Now that your big brother is here, no one will ever bully you again!" All the while, Doflamingo subtly employed his Observation Haki, carefully watching Rosinante's minute facial expressions.
Hearing Doflamingo's words, a flicker of genuine nostalgia crossed Rosinante's face. He briefly recalled the bittersweet memories of their childhood – scavenging through trash together for scraps of food. Those times were incredibly difficult, yet strangely… beautiful. But everything had changed irrevocably, starting from that day. The brothers had become estranged, their bond shattered, never to be restored.
Doflamingo noted the fleeting expression. So, little brother… you still harbor some sentiment for your older brother, eh? he thought. But ultimately, we are not destined to walk the same path. Your kindness and your 'justice' have no place here. You might be able to love the world, forgive those who inflict harm upon you, but I cannot. I am merely a selfish creature. I don't repay evil with kindness. I don't possess your 'great love' for humanity; I can only reserve mine for a select few. Those who harm me must face retribution. That is the fundamental nature of this world! Face reality! Forgive me… my foolish little brother.
Doflamingo kept these thoughts carefully hidden. His feelings for Rosinante were undeniably complex. He knew his brother was a spy, yet he hadn't exposed him. Seeing him appear now, Doflamingo felt a definite, albeit conflicted, sense of happiness. He was his only biological brother, after all. Even knowing Rosinante was here to oppose him, a part of Doflamingo still welcomed his presence. However, he resolved firmly, this time, I will not allow Rosinante to sabotage my plans.
(He also briefly acknowledged the lingering feelings regarding their father's death – a mixture of helplessness and sorrow. How could he feel nothing for his own father? But at that moment, Doflamingo felt he had no better choice. Pulling the trigger not only ended his father's torment but also killed his own lingering weakness. It was a necessary act to demonstrate the ruthless resolve required of a leader, to show his followers he wouldn't flinch, to earn their unwavering trust and inspire them to fight for his vision of rising to the top of the world.)
Doflamingo led Rosinante into the main hall, where the core Family executives were already waiting. The introductions began.
"Rosinante, these are the executives of my Family," Doflamingo announced, seemingly warm and proud. "Diamante, Trebol, Pica – you remember them, of course." He then gestured to the others. "And this is Enel, Robin, and Ibes."
Rosinante politely acknowledged each of them, likely with nods and perhaps a small bow, maintaining his mute facade.
"Onii-chan," Robin suddenly piped up, tugging at Doflamingo's trouser leg, her question delivering a sharp, soul-crushing blow to Rosinante's performance, "why doesn't Brother Rosinante talk?"
"Sigh..." Doflamingo put on an exaggerated display of guilt and sorrow, completely out of character. "It's my fault, Robin, all my fault! I… I failed to protect Rosinante properly… and because of that… he became mute!"
His uncharacteristic behavior baffled the executives. Is this really our Young Master? they wondered silently.
"All of you," Doflamingo instructed his executives, his tone laden with hidden meaning, "must take excellent care of Rosinante! He is… greatly inconvenienced now." Enel and Pica, the more oblivious members, likely missed the subtext entirely. The others, however, filed the warning away, sensing something deeper was at play.
Rosinante, too, felt a prickle of suspicion. Doflamingo was acting too enthusiastic, too caring. Was it genuinely just excitement at seeing his long-lost brother? Or… had Doflamingo somehow seen through his act already? Was he suspicious? Rosinante resolved to be even more cautious, to ensure he didn't reveal the slightest flaw in his performance.
His gaze then fell upon Robin, the only child among the executives. A new concern sparked within him. Such a young girl, already part of this Family, even an executive... She'll surely be corrupted by my brother's influence! I cannot allow this budding flower to be harmed by Doflamingo! A protective instinct began to form.
Doflamingo, however, remained unconcerned by whatever Rosinante might be thinking. Even if he knew Rosinante's intentions towards Robin, it hardly mattered. Robin was already being shaped according to Doflamingo's ideals. Rosinante could do little to interfere now. And knowing Rosinante was a spy, Doflamingo certainly wouldn't make the same mistakes as his canon counterpart; he wouldn't allow his brother to ruin his carefully laid plans this time.
"Men!" Doflamingo suddenly shouted loudly to the gathered subordinates. "Prepare a banquet! We celebrate the return of my brother, Rosinante!"
"A banquet! A banquet!" "Welcome back to the Young Master's brother!" The subordinates erupted in excited cheers.
The banquet began quickly. Rosinante, as the guest of honor, inevitably became the target of enthusiastic toasts and relentless encouragement to drink. He couldn't refuse without raising suspicion, knowing this was likely orchestrated by Doflamingo himself.
Before long, Rosinante, unable to hold his liquor, succumbed, slumping over drunk and seemingly unconscious.
"Quickly, help my brother to his room to rest," Doflamingo ordered, having closely monitored Rosinante's state.
"Yes, Young Master!"
Subordinates swiftly carried Rosinante away to a designated room, ensuring he was settled comfortably. Having completed their task, they quickly excused themselves, eager to rejoin the lively party.
However, moments after the door closed and the footsteps faded, Rosinante's eyes snapped open. He hadn't passed out entirely. Carefully, he crept to the door, peeking out to ensure no one was watching. This was a golden opportunity. With Doflamingo and the others presumably preoccupied with the banquet, they wouldn't notice his actions. Still, for safety's sake, Rosinante waited patiently for a considerable time before making his next move.
"Soundproof Wall."
Activating his Silent-Silent Fruit ability to ensure privacy, Rosinante took out a hidden Den Den Mushi and initiated contact with his adoptive father – Sengoku.
Back at the main banquet hall, only the core executives remained with Doflamingo, the lower ranks still celebrating elsewhere. Doflamingo turned to Ibes, his expression calm. "Well, Ibes?"
"Eavesdropping successful," Ibes replied, offering Doflamingo a sweet, knowing smile. She had been monitoring Rosinante using her own Devil Fruit powers.
"Excellent," Doflamingo nodded, satisfied.
The other executives exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions grim. They now understood everything. Though Doflamingo hadn't explicitly explained the situation, Rosinante's secretive call confirmed their suspicions – his identity, and his purpose here, were not simple.
Ibes then placed her hand near Doflamingo's ear, relaying the entire conversation she had intercepted between Rosinante and Sengoku. Doflamingo listened intently, his face an unreadable mask, showing neither joy nor sorrow. He had known Rosinante's true identity all along; there was no sense of loss or disappointment, only confirmation.
In his room, Rosinante concluded his call with Sengoku, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. Mission underway. He lay back down on the bed, finally allowing genuine exhaustion to claim him, sinking into a deep sleep.
"Alright," Doflamingo addressed his executives after Ibes finished relaying the information. "You all understand the situation clearly now. For the time being, continue acting as you normally would around him. I will handle Rosinante myself."
"Doffy..." Diamante began, his voice laced with concern. He wanted to know more, to understand Doflamingo's plan, but hesitated to press further, aware this involved Doflamingo's own brother.
"Relax," Doflamingo simply said, offering a curt reassurance.
Understanding the unspoken command to trust him, the executives nodded, though a trace of anxiety lingered as they took their leave.
Alone in his private quarters once more, Doflamingo took out a different Den Den Mushi. He carefully dialed a specific number.
Purupurupuru... Purupurupuru... Click.
The call connected almost instantly. A familiar voice answered on the other end.
"Young Master?"
"It's me," Doflamingo confirmed, a cold smile playing on his lips. "My brother... The plan can begin."
"Is that so?" the voice replied calmly. "Understood."
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