Dellinger (One Piece)

The first thing you remember is saltwater. Cold. Violent. Your body drifting in and out of consciousness as waves slammed you against splintered wood from what used to be your ship. The second thing you remember is sunlight. Bright Mediterranean sunlight pouring over white stone buildings and colorful rooftops. Dressrosa.

You wash ashore near one of the quieter docks outside the main harbor district, soaked head to toe and half-dead from exhaustion. Your coat is torn, your weapon barely hanging from your side, and the folded bounty poster shoved inside your belt is smudged beyond recognition. Not that it mattered much anyway. Your bounty is tiny. Barely enough for anyone important to care. At least...that’s what you think. Hours later, after wandering through the crowded streets trying to get your bearings, you begin noticing something strange about Dressrosa. Everyone smiles too much. The people. The soldiers. The shopkeepers. It all feels...rehearsed. You’re halfway through stealing a piece of bread from a distracted fruit vendor when a wet, sticky voice suddenly slithers through the crowd behind you. “Behehehehe...what’s this?” You freeze immediately. A massive figure looms over you from behind. Tall. Disgusting. Covered in dripping mucus. Trevor. Beside him stands another man—tall, lean, draped in a cape patterned like a matador’s outfit. Diamante. Both officers of the Donquixote Pirates. Which means your day just got significantly worse.

Diamante glances lazily down at the tiny bounty poster one of his men is holding. “Huh.” He doesn’t sound impressed. “This brat’s technically a pirate.” “A very tiny pirate.” Trebol snorts wetly. Diamante grins slightly. “Still.” His sharp eyes flick over your posture, your weapon, the bruises from surviving the sea. “Doesn’t look scared enough.” Trebol leans down disturbingly close. “Young pirates are stupid these days, behehehehe...” Then suddenly— “Follow us.” Not a suggestion. People nearby immediately avoid eye contact. Nobody in Dressrosa questions the Donquixote Family. Especially not when officers are involved. The walk through the city feels surreal. Citizens bow respectfully as Diamante and Trebol pass. Toys wander the streets carrying luggage and serving drinks while music echoes from distant cafés. Everything feels cheerful. Artificially cheerful. Eventually, the towering royal palace comes into view above the city. And suddenly you realize this isn’t just some pirate hideout. The Donquixote Family practically owns Dressrosa. You’re escorted through enormous halls lined with guards before finally arriving at a massive dining chamber overflowing with noise.

The Donquixote Pirates are eating dinner. Laughter echoes off the walls. Wine pours freely. Several officers argue loudly across the table while others barely acknowledge your arrival. And sitting at the head of it all—legs crossed casually beneath a pink feather coat—is Donquixote Doflamingo. Even seated, his presence dominates the room instantly. Dark sunglasses hide his eyes, but the grin stretched across his face feels sharp enough to cut skin. “Fufufufufu...” Doflamingo leans back slightly as Diamante tosses the small bounty poster onto the table. “What’s this?” “Washed up on the island.” Diamante shrugs. “Tiny bounty. Rookie pirate.” Trebol snickers loudly. “Thought you might wanna see ‘em before we threw ‘em out, Doffy.” Doflamingo doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he studies you silently. Long enough for the room itself to feel tense. Then— “Interesting.” Several officers glance over. Doflamingo rests his chin against one hand. “Most weak pirates either beg...” A grin. “or piss themselves when they get dragged in here.” Another pause. “But you’re staring.” The smile widens. “That means you’ve either got guts...” “or potential.” The officers nearby laugh quietly. “Maybe both.” Doflamingo suddenly spreads his arms dramatically. “So.” “Want a job?” The room goes briefly quiet. Even Diamante raises an eyebrow slightly. Then—BANG. The dining room doors swing open loudly. “UGH, today was SO boring!” Dellinger strides into the room dramatically, his curvy hips swaying and his huge ass jiggling while his heels are clicking sharply against marble floors. His white fighting-fish cap sits crooked over blond hair, horns curving through the openings naturally while earrings sway with each exaggerated step. “The Marines today were lameee~” He tosses himself lazily into a nearby chair—then notices you. And immediately freezes. A long silence. Dellinger blinks once. Then twice. “Oh.” The reaction is subtle. For about half a second. Then his entire expression lights up. “WHO’S THIS?!” Several officers groan immediately. “Here we go...” Baby 5 mutters quietly. Dellinger is suddenly standing again, leaning forward across the table with visible excitement. “Why are they cute?!” Diamante bursts out laughing. “Knew it.” “SHUT UP.” Dellinger snaps instantly. Too late. Everyone noticed. Doflamingo grins wider beneath his sunglasses. “Fufufufu...” “Dellinger.” The young fighting fish hybrid immediately straightens slightly. “Yeah?”

“Why don’t you show our guest around Dressrosa tomorrow?” A beat. “And explain how the family operates.” Dellinger’s eyes practically sparkle. “REALLY?!” He immediately points toward you. “Mine.” “That’s not what he said.” Gladius mutters. “I KNOW.” Dellinger grins shamelessly. “But I’m choosing to interpret it that way.” He suddenly appears beside you so fast several chairs tip slightly from the wind pressure alone. His wide curvy hips gently touch yours “Hi~!” Sharp teeth flash in a bright grin. “I’m Dellinger.” He leans closer immediately. “You’re definitely more interesting than the usual losers they drag in here.” His slit pupils narrow slightly with curiosity as he circles around you once like an excited shark inspecting something shiny. “Aw, and you survived getting dragged in front of Doffy without crying.” A dramatic gasp. “That’s adorable.” Across the room, Doflamingo laughs loudly. “Fufufufufu...careful.” “Looks like Dellinger’s already decided he likes you.” Dellinger immediately points accusingly toward Doflamingo. “DON’T MAKE IT WEIRD.” “Yet.” The entire table erupts into laughter while Dellinger grins beside you with unmistakable excitement already written across his face. And somewhere deep down...you get the feeling surviving Dressrosa just became much more complicated.