Trader In The World Of Pirates!!!

In the end, Doflamingo was right.

For reasons unknown—though likely due to his own interference—the third trial was abruptly canceled.

Despite the chaos, Doflamingo still managed to pass.

But at this point, none of that mattered anymore.

Because…

He had finally found the person he was looking for.

The President of the Hunter Association—Isaac Netero!

Doflamingo hadn't expected to meet the strongest hunter in the world here.

After all, in his eyes, the so-called Hunter Association's trials were nothing more than child's play—a glorified game of survival.

Sure, there were a handful of promising candidates, but the rest?

They were barely level 10 in strength.

Yet, despite its seemingly low standards, the Hunter Exam still boasted a mortality rate of over 50%—a testament to the world's brutal reality.

It was then that Doflamingo fully understood…

This world was far stronger than the one he came from.

Back in the pirate world, a level 10 fighter could easily rule over some remote territories, establishing themselves as a small-time emperor.

But here?

Even those at level 10 struggled to survive, trapped in the cycle of poverty and desperation.

This realization was precisely why Doflamingo had never rushed into trading here.

Even when Crocodile had proudly flaunted his latest acquisition—a creature called a Tailed Beast, obtained through dimensional trade—Doflamingo remained unmoved.

Sure, the beast's raw power wasn't remarkable, but it was an energy-based entity with impressive regeneration, making it highly valuable.

But to Doflamingo, it still wasn't enough.

His true focus lay elsewhere.

As Doflamingo watched President Netero board the spaceship after explaining the next phase of the trials, he silently pulled out a special version of the Dimensional Merchant's device—Rotom Phone.

He aimed it at Netero and scanned.

A number flashed across the screen.

[Level: 89]

Doflamingo frowned.

"So this is the strength of the world's strongest hunter?"

During his training as a Dimensional Merchant, Doflamingo had studied the relationship between power levels and world tiers.

And as far as he knew…

Back in the One Piece world, Garp—a naval hero and one of the strongest hidden forces—was also level 89.

Which meant…

Netero's strength was on par with Garp.

A testament to just how powerful he truly was.

But something didn't add up.

This world was classified as A+ tier.

It wasn't quite at S-rank, but it was supposed to be far superior to One Piece's B-tier world.

If that was the case…

Why was its strongest warrior only level 89?

Doflamingo narrowed his eyes.

"So… the real power of this world is hidden behind a barrier, huh?"

Pocketing his Rotom Phone, he began analyzing the situation based on the information he had gathered so far.

Thanks to his past intrusions into the Hunter Association's internal network, Doflamingo knew more about this world than even most of its native inhabitants.

To the average person, this world seemed ordinary—a collection of nations and continents, much like any other.

Many people never even left their home countries, making their understanding of the world extremely limited.

But Doflamingo had seen the truth buried beneath the surface.

The world that ordinary people knew?

It was nothing more than a carefully constructed illusion, a false reality woven by the world's leaders to keep their citizens in the dark.

Because in actuality…

This world was far bigger than anyone could imagine.

Just how much bigger?

Even the highest-ranking officials didn't know.

Even the Hunter Association—the most powerful public organization—had only fragments of information stored in its database.

But one thing was clear:

The governments and the Hunter Association weren't the ultimate authority.

They were just a barrier.

A wall, shielding humanity from something far more terrifying.

Doflamingo had encountered strange gaps in data before.

Certain files had been deleted, entire records scrubbed from existence.

But from the traces that remained, he could piece together one chilling truth:

There existed creatures so terrifying… that even the highest-ranking humans refused to document them.

This was precisely why Doflamingo had been biding his time.

Despite his growing influence, he knew better than to act recklessly.

Because even with the full might of his Toxtricity, their strongest attack could only reach level 110.

Sure, if he went all out, he could annihilate an entire island in a single strike.

A few years ago, that kind of power would have been unimaginable to him.

But now?

Now that he knew there were beings out there who could destroy planets with a mere flick of their wrist…

His so-called "strength" felt meaningless.

Doflamingo's entire approach had shifted.

Back in the One Piece world, he had been bold, reckless, even overconfident.

But here?

He had to be cautious.

Because even if he had the ability to break through this world's power ceiling, he had no idea what dangers lay beyond the barrier.

And if there were creatures out there who could bypass his perception, infiltrate his defenses, and strike without warning…

Then even Doflamingo the Joker would not escape unscathed.

After finally becoming the Dimensional Merchant he had dreamed of, Doflamingo refused to let himself fail in this new world—especially not over something trivial.

Right now, he had two primary objectives:

Gather intelligence about this world as quickly as possible to prepare for future moves.Find a way to earn points to further increase his strength.

Before taking the Hunter Exam, he had already conducted a few dimensional trades with people from this world.

Unfortunately, the monster corpses, relics, and antiques they provided were worth only a few measly points.

Worse still, he had to constantly relocate after each transaction, making it an unnecessary hassle.

After analyzing just a few deals, Doflamingo came to a clear conclusion—

Most of this world's resources were concentrated in the hands of an elite few.

While this phenomenon existed in many worlds, it was particularly extreme here.

That was precisely why Doflamingo sought to establish connections with powerful individuals through the Hunter Association.

Because only by doing so…

Could he secure large-scale transactions.

Half an hour later, all the examinees boarded the Hunter Association's spaceship, preparing to travel to the next trial location.

To apologize for the flawed design of the previous trial, two Gourmet Hunters prepared an extravagant feast—one so delicious it felt as if it could make people swallow their own tongues.

As the scent of expertly crafted dishes filled the air, the examinees quickly forgot their previous frustrations, indulging in the meal with joyful abandon.

That Night…

Beneath a sky full of twinkling stars, the spaceship sailed smoothly through the clouds, leaving a luminous trail in its wake.

After dinner, President Netero took an interest in Killua and Gon, personally inviting them to his training room for a game.

The stakes?

An automatic pass to become licensed Hunters.

The result?

After an intense and thrilling chase…

The two boys got their first real taste of overwhelming power.

At the same time, their determination and raw talent left an impression on the legendary chairman, making him realize that the next generation was already catching up.

An hour later, Killua and Gon—exhausted and drenched in sweat—dragged themselves back to their rooms.

As for Netero?

After finishing his session with the young prodigies, he remained in the training room, still in high spirits.

Alone in the quiet chamber, the rhythmic thud of his fists striking the air echoed once again.

With each strike, his fist winds intensified, eventually stirring a terrifying tornado within the confined space.

Eventually, Netero came to a halt, observing how the walls around him trembled from the force of his blows.

With a sigh, he muttered to himself:

"Sigh… The Association's spaceship isn't as sturdy as the ones used by the V5."

"Better stop before they make me pay for repairs."

Letting out a soft chuckle, Netero bent down to retrieve his vest from the floor.

But at that very moment—

A strange voice echoed through the sealed training room.

"Done with your training, Mr. President?"

"!?"

Netero's eyes narrowed as he snapped his head up, immediately locking onto the source of the sound.

From the empty void, a figure slowly emerged—

A gorgeous yet flamboyantly dressed man, his presence exaggerated yet unsettlingly calm.

Doflamingo.

Netero's gaze sharpened as he swiftly assessed the newcomer.

"You… are contestant No. 77 from the Hunter Exam, correct?"

"How did you get here? Is this your Nen ability?"

"And more importantly… why are you seeking me out at this hour?"

Despite Doflamingo's sudden appearance, Netero's expression remained composed.

However, to those familiar with the Chairman, one thing was clear—

Netero was on high alert.

A rare stance he only adopted when facing a genuinely formidable opponent.

Although Doflamingo had concealed his presence, suppressing his aura to that of an average level 10 fighter, Netero's instincts screamed otherwise.

Even without proof—

He could feel something ominous about this man.

After all…

Doflamingo's true strength was already approaching level 100.

If he wished, he could end Netero's life in an instant.

Doflamingo let out a small chuckle, adjusting the crimson lenses over his eyes.

"Hmmm… 'Nen ability,' you say?"

His lips curled into a grin.

"So that's what you call it in this world?"

Then, his sunglasses flashed with a faint light as he added:

"Fufufufu… I'm afraid I must disappoint you, President Netero."

"What I use isn't from your world."

Netero's frown deepened, his expression hardening.

"Not from this world…?"

For a brief moment, a flicker of unease crossed the aged hunter's face.

Then, in an instant—

His aura exploded.

BOOM!

A terrifying pressure erupted from his body, shaking the entire spaceship as if an earthquake had struck.

Even the steel-plated walls groaned under the force of his presence.

Because in that very moment—

Netero had made a chilling realization.

With his sharp instincts honed over decades, there was only one possibility.

His voice dropped to a whisper, yet it carried the weight of genuine fear.

"You're… from the Dark Continent, aren't you?"

The reaction was instant.

The moment the words "Dark Continent" left Netero's lips, the air inside the training room grew thick with tension.

Doflamingo, however, simply smiled.

From the very beginning, he had expected this kind of reaction.

Because to the people of this world, the Dark Continent was not just an unknown land—

It was a place of nightmares.

A place where humanity's strongest warriors had ventured… and never returned.

The fact that Doflamingo's presence alone had triggered such a response only confirmed one thing—

He still has so much more to uncover about this world.

Despite Netero's sudden outburst, Doflamingo remained unfazed, merely waving his hand with a calm smile.

"No need to be so tense, President Netero."

Inexplicably, an overwhelming yet peaceful aura pressed down on Netero's body, instantly neutralizing his killing intent and stabilizing the spacecraft's turbulent flight.

Doflamingo, adhering to the principle of friendly business transactions, chose not to let Netero dwell on unnecessary speculation. Instead, he spoke plainly:

"I believe there's been a misunderstanding, President Netero."

From Netero's words, Doflamingo had also gleaned the name of the world beyond the barrier.

With a composed smile, he continued:

"First and foremost—I am not a creature from the Dark Continent."

"Secondly—I harbor no ill intentions toward you, nor toward any intelligent life in this world."

He raised a hand slightly, his tone steady yet carrying a weight of certainty.

"Allow me to introduce myself properly… albeit belatedly."

"My name is Donquixote Doflamingo, and I am a Dimensional Merchant—a traveler who conducts business across countless worlds."

"I have come to this world for one reason alone—to engage in trade."

With a sharp snap of his fingers—

A surge of information flooded into Netero's mind, detailing the true nature of Doflamingo's words.

"..."

A long silence followed.

Then, at last—

Netero slowly opened his eyes.

But unlike before, a golden light now shimmered in his aged pupils.

"Dimensional… trade…"

He murmured, his voice carrying a depth of emotion rarely heard.

But what stood out most was his expression.

It was no longer one of wariness but of excitement—

Like a student stepping out of the ivory tower for the first time, eager to face the vast world beyond!

Like an explorer standing at the edge of an uncharted frontier!

For the first time since he had faced his last true challenge at the age of 46, Netero felt a surge of pure, unfiltered curiosity!

And in the very next moment—

He set his sharp gaze upon Doflamingo.

With the knowledge implanted in his mind, Netero now understood the truth.

Everything Doflamingo had just said… was real.

And yet, rather than being overwhelmed by Doflamingo's strength, a different emotion took root within him.

Excitement!

For years, he had searched for a worthy opponent—someone who could reignite his love for battle.

Even in the Dark Continent, all he had encountered were bizarre, incomprehensible threats, not warriors who could truly test his limits.

But…

Despite his growing desire to fight, Netero was no battle-crazed fool.

He knew that now was not the time to issue a challenge.

Instead, Doflamingo's voice broke the silence once more:

"Well then, Mr. President… now that you know the truth, are you interested in engaging in a dimensional trade with me?"

A deep chuckle escaped Netero's lips.

"Hahaha… I've been honored many times in my life, but to be approached by a Dimensional Merchant… now that is something new."

With a composed yet eager expression, he performed a respectful martial artist's bow.

"I can hardly wait to witness the power of another world!"

"Fufufufu… Then, as you wish."

With another snap of Doflamingo's fingers—

A trade interface materialized in Netero's mind, displaying an array of transaction options.

With the knowledge granted to him moments ago, Netero instinctively understood how to operate the system and began selecting items he could offer in exchange.

However…

Despite being the President of the Hunter Association, Netero did not hold absolute power in this world.

The true rulers were the governments and powerful conglomerates behind the scenes.

Even within the Association itself, resources were jointly managed by him and the Zodiac Twelve, making large-scale trade difficult.

In the end—

The only thing Netero could truly offer was his lifelong mastery and deep understanding of Nen and martial arts.

Just as he was about to confirm the trade, however—

A sudden notification window appeared.

A new message.

Netero's finger hovered over the submit button, his curiosity piqued.

And with a subtle shift in his expression—

He opened the message.