Kapitel 279: Chapter 279
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*****
The interior of the Marine ship was tense, the air thick with anticipation as it rapidly ascended through the depths, its coat shimmering with air bubbles as they neared the surface. The ship creaked under the pressure, the crew standing ready for whatever awaited them when they emerged.
This was no ordinary mission; they were about to surface directly inside Donquixote territory, one of the most dangerous regions in the New World, known as "the graveyard of ships" to all who dared trespass.
Rear Admiral Vergo stood firm, his eyes glinting with focus as he glanced at Vice Admiral Aokiji, his superior. Vergo's reputation as "Demon Fist" had spread like wildfire, feared even by the most notorious pirates of the New World. Still, as calm as he appeared on the outside, even Vergo couldn't help but question the sanity of their mission.
"Are you sure they won't sink our ship the moment it surfaces, Aokiji-san?" Vergo asked, his voice low but tense. The dread of being blown to smithereens the instant they breached the surface wasn't unfounded. Everyone knew that the Donquixote Pirates didn't just defend their territory—they obliterated intruders with ruthless precision.
Aokiji, hands tucked into his pockets, gave a small, nonchalant shrug. "I hope not. After all, we have Queen Otohime on board, and King Riku must've already sent word ahead. The Marines are escorting her, along with several other fishmen who've accompanied her. I doubt even Doflamingo would risk an incident involving her."
Vergo wasn't convinced. The Donquixote Pirates were unpredictable at best. "King Riku was given no choice but to accept our escort, wasn't he? We forced this hand. Though, I can't shake the feeling that this is less about ensuring her safety and more about giving us a chance to spy on Doflamingo's territory." His voice was laced with skepticism.
Aokiji's expression darkened, showing a rare glimpse of the moral struggle within. "You're not wrong, Vergo. This isn't entirely on the level. The New World's other two great pirate strongholds—Whitebeard's and Kaido's—have always had World Government agents embedded, feeding back intelligence."
"But Dressrosa… it's been an enigma. No matter how many agents we've tried to infiltrate, they all get caught, almost like Doflamingo knows they're coming."
Vergo's brow furrowed. "Do you think he has informants? Moles within the government?"
Aokiji shook his head. "No, it's something more. It's almost as if he can foresee things before they happen. Not just predict, but actually see. That's how tight Doflamingo's grip on Dressrosa is."
What Aokiji didn't know was how right his thought was about the matter. Shyarly, the mermaid fortune teller—her powers have been guarded so closely, only Doflamingo and a select few knew her true potential.
With Shyarly overlooking Dressrosa, there was no way any agents from the Marines or the World Government could infiltrate the Donquixote base and gather information on the mysterious activities happening within.
Vergo took a deep breath, his steely composure unshaken but thoughtful. "It's strange… I would have expected him to refuse our entrance. Any idea why Doflamingo agreed to let the Marines into his territory, Aokiji-san?"
Aokiji smirked, but with little humor. "If I knew how that man's mind worked, I'd sleep a lot better at night. Doflamingo… He's not a pirate who acts on whims. There's always a game at play with him. But I would've much preferred he stayed a Celestial Dragon. At least then, his influence would've been confined to the Holy Land."
Vergo nodded, then hesitated before speaking. "Is it true what they say, Aokiji-san? About the Donquixote brothers? Especially Rosinante… He's barely in his twenties, but his bounty is already over 3 billion beli. The government speaks of him like a living nightmare. Not even Xebec had a bounty that high at his age."
Aokiji's eyebrow lifted in surprise at the mention of Rocks D. Xebec, a name that carried weight few dared to utter. "You've heard about Xebec, huh?" He gave Vergo an appreciative nod. "That's not common knowledge."
Vergo's eyes softened, his mind flashing back to conversations with Garp-sensei and Zephyr—two legendary figures who had both crossed paths with the dreaded Xebec. His voice faltered slightly, "Yes… Garp-sensei told me, as did Zephyr-sensei…" His voice trailed off, the mention of Zephyr bringing a brief flicker of pain. Everyone knew how deeply Zephyr's death at the hands of World Government's assault using the Ancient weapon had scarred the Marines.
Aokiji's face softened. He understood that the wound Zephyr left behind still ached for many within the Marines, especially Vergo, who had looked up to him like a father.
"Zephyr sensei was one of the best, Vergo. His loss changed many things. Not just for us, but for the whole Marines. The rift between the Marines and the World Government has only grown since then. It simmers beneath the surface, but one day, it will explode."
Wanting to steer Vergo away from the pain, Aokiji answered the earlier question about the Donquixote brothers. "I don't know everything about Doflamingo, but the fact that he clawed his way from nothing—from being abandoned by the World Nobles—to becoming an Emperor in less than a decade? That's no small feat. It's almost… impossible."
Vergo frowned. "And what of Rosinante?"
Aokiji exhaled slowly, a deep sigh that seemed to carry the weight of a hundred battles.
Aokiji's voice trailed off, his eyes focusing on some distant memory. "Rosinante was different from the start. I remember the first time I saw him back at Marineford. He was still just a boy, but there was something in his eyes—something cold, unflinching. Even back then, he was a monster in the making. And now, with a bounty like that... there's no doubt he's become one of the deadliest men in the world."
"Rosinante… I still wonder sometimes if things would have been different if we hadn't ambushed him back during Marineford. He was a kid back then, but now? He's a monster. A 3-billion beli bounty, a territory of his own, and the kind of loyalty that makes even his enemies fear him. He's unpredictable, Vergo. And what makes him truly dangerous is that both he and Doflamingo have stared death in the face—and survived. Men like that, who don't fear death…"
Aokiji paused, his gaze turning cold. "They become something else entirely. A man who does not fear death is capable of anything. And when two brothers like Doflamingo and Rosinante rise to power together, well…"
He glanced toward the filtering sunlight, knowing they were just minutes from surfacing. "That's how you get an empire that even the World Government can't touch."
Vergo nodded, understanding the gravity of their mission more than ever. This wasn't just about escorting Queen Otohime. This was a delicate dance with some of the most dangerous men alive.
Vergo clenched his fist, understanding the gravity of the situation even more clearly now. They weren't just walking into enemy territory—they were entering the domain of two men who had clawed their way to the top by sheer force of will, who had defied death and the world itself.
And the thought chilled him to the bone. But what Aokiji couldn't see was the small smirk playing on Vergo's lips, for he was finally home.
"So what are we really walking into, Aokiji-san?" Vergo finally asked, his voice low.
Aokiji's eyes remained fixed on the surface above them, the ship just moments away from breaking through. "We're walking into the lair of two monsters, Vergo. The question is, Are we the hunters… or the prey?"
As the Marine ship breached the surface, water cascaded down its hull in heavy sheets, but the stillness that met them above was chilling. No wind, no waves—just the vast, calm sea stretching toward the horizon. But there was no freedom in that open water.
Surrounding the ship, an imposing blockade of Donquixote ships formed an unbroken circle, hemming them in. Towering vessels armed with what looked like massive cannons gleamed menacingly in the sunlight.
One of the Marine soldiers gulped audibly as he stared wide-eyed at the fearsome armament. "Is that... is that what I think it is? Are they really going to sink our ship?"
A sharp intake of breath swept through the crew. Each of the ships bristled with miniature prototypes of the railgun, their dark barrels aimed directly at the Marines. These were no ordinary cannons—they were the infamous Devil's Roar, weapons rumored to tear ships apart in a single shot.
The saying in Dressrosa, whispered across the New World, hung heavy in the air: "Every time the Devil roars, a ship perishes."
One of the ensigns, his voice shaking, echoed the fear spreading among the ranks. "Are we really going to make it out of this?"
Even Aokiji's usual calm wavered as he surveyed the blockade. His brow furrowed slightly, acknowledging the very real threat they faced. Even if he and Vergo went all out, the odds of protecting the ship from a simultaneous barrage were slim. One wrong move, and the Marines would be obliterated before they had a chance to react.
"We've surfaced directly into the heart of Donquixote territory," Aokiji muttered, his voice low but edged with tension. "They're serious."
Vergo, standing a few steps away, kept his composure despite the encroaching danger. His gaze swept the blockade, then he turned toward one of the Marine commodores, who remained steadfast amidst the chaos.
"Go and inform Queen Otohime and her entrouge that we've surfaced in Dressrosa waters," Vergo ordered. The captain gave a sharp nod, quickly disappearing into the cabin where the Queen and her entourage of merfolk waited.
Vergo then turned to the crew, his voice a calm but firm command amidst the rising panic. "Everyone, stand your ground. If they wanted to sink us, they would've done it already. We're not here to fight, and as long as Aokiji-san and I are here, we will keep you safe."
But even as Vergo spoke, his Observation Haki flared to life. He sensed a presence—sharp, potent—moving rapidly through the sky above. His eyes shot upward, and so did Aokiji's.
From the clouds descended a figure, gliding with an eerie grace through the sky. The Marines gasped in shock. The man in the air wore a pristine white suit, its spotless surface gleaming in the sun, a stark contrast to the violence implied by his arrival.
But what truly astonished those watching was how he moved. Strings—almost invisible to the naked eye—connected him to the clouds above, allowing him to soar effortlessly through the air as if he were flying.
"Simply ingenious…" Aokiji murmured, admiration flickering briefly in his usually indifferent gaze. He knew exactly who this man was.
Senor, who many called the Head Butler of the Donquixote Family and one of the most trusted inner circle members of Doflamingo himself. Known for his precision, efficiency, and ruthless dedication, Senor was often underestimated by those who only saw the elegance of his appearance.
But Aokiji knew better—this was no ordinary subordinate. Senor was a force unto himself, and his arrival here signaled something far more dangerous than a simple show of strength.
Vergo's eyes narrowed as he watched Senor maneuver, his strings guiding him flawlessly through the sky. "Has he... awakened his Devil Fruit powers?"
Vergo asked, keeping his voice low but unable to mask the astonishment. He remembered Senor from an earlier encounter in Punk Hazard, but the man's aura was far more intense now—cold, calculated, and brimming with latent power.
Aokiji's lips pressed into a thin line. "Possibly. He's always been a tactical genius with the Ito Ito no Mi, but this..." He trailed off as Senor landed with a soft, almost delicate touch on the deck of the lead ship directly across from theirs. The air around him seemed to crackle with an almost palpable chill.
"The Donquixote family is truly a breeding ground for monsters…"
The Marines held their breath as Senor straightened his suit, the pristine white fabric unwrinkled despite his aerial display. His eyes, hidden behind dark, reflective shades, locked onto Aokiji, then flicked briefly toward Vergo.
There was no malice in his gaze, but something more unnerving—confidence. He knew the Donquixote Family held all the cards here, and the Marines were walking on a razor's edge.
"Vice Admiral Aokiji," Senor greeted, his voice smooth and calm, cutting through the tension like a blade. "Welcome to Dressrosa."
The marines onboard clenched their fists. There was something unsettling about how casually Senor spoke, as if this entire blockade, the sheer dominance of their position, was nothing more than an afterthought. It wasn't arrogance—it was certainty.
This was a man who knew exactly what he was capable of, and he knew that both Aokiji and Vergo understood it too.
Aokiji, unfazed, stepped forward, his eyes meeting Senor's. "You're not here to attack us. So, what's your move?"
Senor smiled, a small, controlled expression that didn't reach his eyes. "No need for hostility, Vice Admiral. We're just here to ensure that your visit remains... peaceful. My Master has no interest in conflict today, I am simply here to greet the guests."
Despite his calm words, the presence of the blockade and the Devil's Roar cannons made the threat clear: one wrong move, and the "peace" Senor promised would be shattered in an instant.
Aokiji nodded slowly, reading the situation for what it was. "We're here to escort Queen Otohime and her entourage. No more, no less."
Senor's smile widened slightly, but his eyes remained cold. "Then, as long as that's all you intend, we have no quarrel. But understand, Vice Admiral..." His voice dropped just a fraction, enough to make the Marines behind Aokiji stiffen. "In Donquixote territory, peace is fragile."
The air between the two men hung heavy with unspoken tension. Aokiji, the chill of his aura barely contained, and Senor, the puppet master whose strings controlled more than just his movements.
Just as the tension between Senor and Aokiji seemed to reach its peak, Senor's eyes drifted beyond the admiral, locking onto the cabin doors. The soft creak of wood preceded the appearance of Queen Otohime, her delicate form flanked by her royal guards and a tall minister.
Her regal presence seemed to calm the air, though her expression was soft with concern, her heart always more focused on peace than the hostilities surrounding her.
However, it wasn't the queen alone that caught Senor's attention—his sharp gaze fixed on the figure beside her: Arnold, the bull shark fishman, a close friend of the Donquixote.
The instant recognition brought a shift in Senor's demeanor. His cold, calculating expression softened, and a bright smile stretched across his face, warming his previously stoic features.
Without hesitation, Senor stepped past Aokiji, his movements smooth and graceful. His white suit, still immaculate, seemed to catch the light as he approached Queen Otohime.
With the elegance befitting the court of Donquixote Family, Senor performed a flawless bow, deep and respectful. His right arm folded across his chest while his left extended to the side, his head bowing low, eyes closed in deference. It was the kind of bow reserved for royalty, a gesture of utmost respect that silenced even the restless Marines behind him.
"Your Majesty, Queen Otohime," Senor greeted, his voice gentle and composed. "It is a great honor to welcome you to Dressrosa." His tone was light, respectful, but carried an unmistakable weight. The bow, the greeting—all of it was perfect, a reminder of the aristocratic grace that permeated the highest ranks of Donquixote's most trusted.
Queen Otohime, her eyes widening slightly at the unexpected display, responded with a graceful nod. Though she had been used to such gestures in her own kingdom, seeing such formality from a pirate's territory was rare, especially from a human who only saw them as commodities, if not unheard of. Her natural kindness shone through as she smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Sir …," she replied, her voice soothing. "It is a relief to be welcomed so kindly in these difficult times. I hope we can foster a future where peace rules the seas and all peoples are united."
Senor straightened from his bow, still smiling, his posture impeccable. "Indeed, Your Majesty. Donquixote Family extends its warmest regards and protection during your visit. Please, rest assured that no harm shall come to you or your companions while you are in our care."
His words were pointed, not just for Otohime but for the Marine presence on the ship. Despite the politeness, there was an unspoken message: they were guests in Donquixote territory, and the family's rules applied.
Behind Queen Otohime, Arnold, gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment to Senor. It was clear the two men knew each other well—this wasn't their first encounter. The connection between Ryugu Kingdom's royal court and Donquixote Family ran deep, a fact not lost on Aokiji, who observed silently.
The standoff was now delicately balanced. Despite the guns pointed at them, despite the overwhelming power Donquixote could unleash at any moment, there was a strange and tenuous peace at play. For now, Queen Otohime's presence seemed to be a calming force, diffusing the immediate tension.
As the small Donquixote galleon approached the Marine ship, Senor gestured with a graceful hand, his tone formal yet carrying an unmistakable authority.
"Follow me... Your Majesty," Senor said with a courteous smile. A small galleon manned by Donquixote pirates was now alongside the Marine vessel, its sleek form cutting through the calm waters like a silent predator. Aokiji's brow furrowed at the sight, sensing the tension that lingered between the two parties.
Aokiji crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure the Donquixote Family isn't afraid of allowing a single Marine ship to anchor in Dressrosa," he said, his voice calm but with an edge.
"We are the Queen's escort, after all. It would be... impolite to force her to switch ships now."
Senor's expression remained polite, but a subtle smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "Vice Admiral Aokiji, while we have guaranteed the safety of Queen Otohime and her entourage, Dressrosa is Donquixote territory, and here, you follow our rules. I do not think I need to remind you of the consequences if our laws are disregarded."
His gaze shifted to the Marines behind Aokiji, lingering for a moment longer on a few in particular—those whose allegiance wasn't as simple as it seemed. The smirk widened as if Senor knew more than anyone present realized.
"The Fishmen are welcome aboard," Senor continued, then pointed directly at Aokiji and Vergo.
"And you two, of course. You're invited to accompany the Queen to Dressrosa. But the rest of your Marines?" His tone turned cold. "They remain here. Should they choose to break the rules... I can't guarantee their safety."
The hidden threat in Senor's voice was impossible to miss. Aokiji's eyes darkened in understanding. The Donquixote Family was well-informed—perhaps too well. It dawned on Aokiji that some of the Marines aboard his ship might be World Government agents embedded in the unit.
That would explain the particular disdain in Senor's gaze. It made sense now why Dressrosa was such a fortress of secrets. Even Aokiji hadn't been fully aware of some of these covert operations.
He sighed heavily, knowing he had no choice. "Very well." Aokiji turned to Vergo, keeping his voice steady. "We'll escort Queen Otohime and ensure her safe return to the Ryugu Kingdom. You," Aokiji turned to the Rear Admiral onboard, "you're in charge until we return."
The Rear Admiral's eyes widened. "Aokiji-san, you can't! They're pirates! This could be a trap—" But a sharp glare from Aokiji silenced him. The tension from Senor's earlier glance at the Rear Admiral wasn't lost on him. It was clear that any further insistence would only make the situation more dangerous. Reluctantly, the Rear Admiral gulped and nodded.
"If anything happens to the Marines on board because of your reckless actions," Aokiji leaned in closer, his voice low and threatening, "I'll personally hunt you down. Understand?"
The Rear Admiral's face paled, but he nodded quickly, visibly intimidated. He might have been loyal to the World Government, but not enough to stake his life against Aokiji's wrath.
Aokiji turned to Senor, his usual calm restored. With a single gesture, he created an icy bridge that connected the two ships. Senor's face remained neutral as Queen Otohime, her entourage, Aokiji, and Vergo crossed over to the Donquixote galleon. Once everyone had boarded, the smaller ship set course for Dressrosa.
Suddenly, the eerie sound of a transponder snail echoed through the air.
"Peri... Peri... Peri..."
Senor answered the call with a calmness that was at odds with the sudden tension brewing. His smile never wavered, but there was an unmistakable glint in his eye as he listened to the voice on the other end.
"Is that so...?" he murmured, his voice dripping with amusement. A sudden coldness entered his expression, the smile twisting into something far darker. "Very well. I'll take care of it."
He closed the transponder with a snap.
"Is something wrong, Senor?" Arnold, who had been traveling with Queen Otohime, asked, sensing the sudden shift in Senor's mood. The diplomat's worry was palpable, knowing how delicate these talks were.
Senor's gaze narrowed, his voice dropping low but still carrying authority. "It seems we have an unwanted guest on board. A troublesome lizard..."
Aokiji and Vergo's eyes sharpened at those words, immediately on alert. Neither had sensed anything unusual, but the implications of Senor's statement were clear: there was a stowaway, someone dangerous.
Without warning, Senor's entire body morphed into a mass of thin strings. Millions of strings exploded outward, spreading across the small galleon, probing every nook and cranny with unnatural speed.
The marines and fishmen aboard the galleon looked on in awe and horror, realizing that Senor Pink was more than just a smooth-talking aristocrat. He was a monster in his own right.
Moments later, Senor's smile widened. "Found you..."
In an instant, the strings retracted, dragging a man into the open—his form materializing out of thin air. At first glance, he looked like just another Marine, but Senor's sharp eyes were fixed on him, and it was clear he wasn't ordinary. His neck was wrapped tightly in thin strings, choking the man as he struggled futilely against them.
"Interesting…" Senor said, stepping closer. "Your presence was nearly undetectable. Not even my Observation Haki picked up on it. Must be some kind of special Devil Fruit at play, hmm?"
His voice was dripping with casual curiosity, though his eyes gleamed with dangerous intent.
Vergo moved to intervene, but Aokiji stopped him, shaking his head. It wasn't the time to provoke Senor further. The situation was already precarious.
"Arnold," Senor said without looking back, "why don't you escort Her Majesty to the cabin we've prepared for her? We still have some time before we reach Dressrosa." His tone was polite, but the underlying message was clear. He didn't want Queen Otohime to witness what was about to happen next.
Though Otohime hesitated, her face showing concern for the captured man, Arnold gently urged her to follow. He understood that there was more at play here, and even he feared what might have been planned for the Queen.
Once the Queen was safely out of sight, Senor's demeanor darkened further. "So," he said, his voice quiet yet deadly, "you don't want to talk? Cipher Pol, I assume?"
The agent struggled, refusing to speak. Senor clicked his tongue in mock disappointment. "That's a shame. I would have loved to take my time... But today's your lucky day."
Before anyone could react, the strings constricted violently, ripping the agent's body apart—limbs, torso, and head torn asunder in one brutal motion. The dismembered corpse was flung into the sea without a second thought.
As the blood splattered across the deck, a single drop landed on Senor's pristine white suit. He glanced down at the stain, his mouth twitching in displeasure.
"Tch...," he muttered, brushing off the bloodstain. "That was one of my favorite suits."
The casual indifference with which he dispatched the agent and his frustration over the smallest imperfection on his attire sent a clear message to everyone aboard: Senor was not a man to be trifled with. He would stop at nothing to protect his master and his reputation.
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
Silent_stiele
Silent_stiele Dear Readers,
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