Chapitre 272: Chapter 272
"You weren't kidding, Doffy. This one's older than some of the sea kings I've fought!" He popped the cork with ease, pouring a generous amount into his glass before turning to Doflamingo. "To old friends and prosperous future…!"
Doflamingo raised his glass, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "To old friends," he echoed, taking a sip of the rare liquor.
Arnold took a long swig, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Ah, that hits the spot. Now," he said, leaning back in his chair, his expression growing more serious but still holding that playful glint in his eye, "about the matter Ross asked me to handle…"
Doflamingo nodded, swirling the liquor in his glass. "Yes, tell me. I trust it's going well?"
Arnold savored the whiskey, his demeanor shifting from lighthearted to serious as he leaned back in his chair.
"Better than well," he began, the weight of his words reflected in his tone. "It's moving at a pace that even I hadn't anticipated."
He took a slow sip, letting the liquor roll over his tongue, the atmosphere suddenly thick with tension.
Doflamingo raised an eyebrow, his signature smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Fufufufu, isn't that supposed to be good news? Why the stern face?" He couldn't help but probe, intrigued by Arnold's sudden change in tone. By Rossinante's earlier estimates, it should have taken months for any substantial progress from the Ryugu Kingdom regarding the proposal to develop Punk Hazard as a haven for the Fishmen.
Arnold, still swirling his glass, sighed. "The thing is... King Neptune seems very interested in the proposal. More than I expected, actually."
He set his glass down gently. "And to speed things up, Queen Otohime herself wants to make a personal visit to Dressrosa. She wants to assess Coral Port in person, take a measure of the place."
Doflamingo's smirk widened slightly, though a glint of calculation sparked in his eyes. "Queen Otohime, huh? The idealist. Fufufufu... it seems like she's dead set on turning her dreams into reality."
He leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs as he processed the information. "The queen's visit could definitely shake things up. A mermaid royalty, and a queen at that, coming to the surface…"
Doflamingo's eyes darkened with amusement. "Quite a few parties are going to take an unhealthy interest."
Arnold nodded, his expression still troubled. Even though the proposal had been favorably received, Queen Otohime's enthusiasm came with unexpected complications.
"I wasn't expecting such a positive response this soon. Queen Otohime seems determined to make this work. She truly believes that Dressrosa and the Donquixote family can help bridge the gap between humans and fishmen."
Doflamingo chuckled softly, but his mind was already racing ahead. He knew Queen Otohime's vision was noble—naïve, even. But her involvement, especially a public visit to Dressrosa, would put the entire world's eyes on his territory.
"A queen so idealistic that she thinks harmony between humans and fishmen is possible? Admirable... but troublesome," Doflamingo muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
"Her visit will attract attention from all the wrong places. The World Government, the Revolutionary Army, the Underworld… they'll all have a stake in this."
Senor Pink, who had remained silent until now, adjusted his sunglasses, his usual stoic demeanor not betraying any emotion, but Doflamingo knew he shared his concerns. King Riku, too, listened closely, though his face showed a mix of curiosity and unease. He was still getting accustomed to the complex web of political games Doflamingo played.
Arnold, sensing Doflamingo's shift in thought, continued, "It's not just the World Government, Doffy. The Underworld brokers have already caught wind of the talks. There's a lot of profit to be made if fishmen and humans can coexist on the surface. But with Queen Otohime involved, this isn't just business anymore. It's about power, influence... and something bigger."
Doflamingo's smile faded, replaced by a contemplative look as his thoughts drifted inward.
"Poseidon… of course." He remembered Ross's words, revealing the truth about the World Government's obsession with Fishman Island. It wasn't peace or harmony that drove their interest—it was power.
Specifically, the Ancient Weapon Poseidon. Doflamingo leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, fingers steepled as his mind churned.
"Poseidon—the power to control the Sea Kings. Creatures that can sink fleets, drown islands... reshape entire continents." The dangerous gleam in his eyes sharpened.
"The World Government has always wanted that power. Centuries of manipulation, trying to bend the Fishmen to their will, all for the chance to control the seas."
These were thoughts he would never voice aloud, not even to his closest allies. Ross had entrusted him with that knowledge, and Doflamingo wasn't foolish enough to expose such sensitive information, especially when it gave him leverage. He smirked inwardly, the dark machinations of his mind spinning ever faster.
Across from him, Arnold noticed Doflamingo's distant expression and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His large, muscular hands rested on the table as he broke the silence.
"Doffy, do you really think that such a grand dream is achievable?" His voice held a note of uncertainty.
"Do you think the others—the World Government, the Underworld, even the other pirates—will let the Fishmen find a place of their own above water?"
Arnold wasn't naive. Coral Port's peaceful co-existence was more a result of the Donquixote Family's power and influence than any real harmony between Fishmen and humans. Without the iron grip of the Donquixote rule, the centuries-old grudge between the species might have easily turned into open conflict.
Doflamingo's smile returned, this time colder, more calculating. "Fufufu… they'll come, Arnold. Oh, they'll come." He stood up, adjusting his blood-red suit with an air of absolute confidence.
"But let them. We'll be ready." His voice dripped with assurance, as if the challenges ahead were just another entertaining game for him.
"Queen Otohime's dream may be noble, but this world doesn't operate on dreams alone. Her visit will draw attention from all corners—whether she succeeds or not, it's going to shake things up."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before adding with a dark chuckle.
"And if it fails? The chaos will be even more entertaining."
Arnold shifted, his earlier easy-going demeanor replaced by growing unease. "Doffy, this isn't just about business anymore, even I wish that someday the fishmen truly become a part of this world."
His voice was grave, knowing the risks. "If the World Government really gets involved, they won't hesitate to crush us to get what they want. And it's not just them—the Underworld, rival pirates, other kingdoms—they'll all be circling like vultures."
Doflamingo waved his concerns away with a dismissive hand. "Let them circle. The Donquixote Family has faced bigger threats."
His gaze flicked to Senor Pink, who gave a silent nod, then to King Riku, whose expression remained carefully neutral, always the diplomat in tense moments. "This is just another game on the grand chessboard of power. And you know, Arnold, I never play to lose."
Arnold sat back, still cautious but visibly reassured by Doflamingo's unshakable confidence. A grin spread across his shark-like face. "In that case, I will let everything be in your capable hands; just let me know what I have to do next…."
Doflamingo chuckled darkly, his grin widening. "Fufufufu… Of course, Arnold. The world may be chaotic, but Dressrosa will stand strong. As long as we keep playing the game." His eyes gleamed, hinting at the countless unseen moves already being made in his mind.
Senor Pink gave a nod, assuring that all preparations would be done for the Queen's arrival. "Everything will be ready, Master Doffy. I will have Diamate and Kyros personally escort the Queen during the duration of her stay." he said, his deep voice steady as ever. He had been with Doflamingo long enough to know that when his boss smiled like that, something interesting—and likely dangerous—was on the horizon.
Doflamingo gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. He turned back to Arnold, clapping a hand on his broad shoulder. "Now, let's not waste any more time." His voice returned to its playful tone, the dark clouds of strategy momentarily pushed aside.
"Why don't we finish that bottle?" He gestured towards the table filled with exotic liquors. "We'll toast to the future of Dressrosa... and the chaos that comes with it."
*********
Marine HQ, Grand Line
Vice Admiral Tensei slid a folder across the table to Fleet Admiral Sengoku, who silently picked it up. The tension in the room was palpable, the air heavy with the weight of recent developments. Sengoku's sharp eyes scanned the documents as the assembled admirals watched in silence.
Among them was Admiral Raylene, freshly returned from the New World. She had been deep into her mission hunting down the notorious Twelve Zodiacs, but the situation had escalated to the point where she was urgently recalled to Marine Headquarters.
The mood in the room was somber. Raylene's sharp gaze swept across the faces of her colleagues. She hadn't been present when the new Shichibukai appointments were made, but she could feel the unease among the marine ranks.
The three new Shichibukai, monsters from the era of Rocks D. Xebec, were far more ruthless and unpredictable than most had anticipated. They had been let loose into the Grand Line, and their brutality was reverberating across the seas.
The Shichibukai were meant to be a balancing force, but now it felt as though they were tilting the balance in favor of the pirates. The pride of the Marines was wounded, and that sting was evident in the hardened expressions of the gathered officers.
Sengoku, with a tired sigh, finally set the folder down and turned his attention to Tensei, the Director of the Marine Bureau of Investigation, a man whose rank as Vice Admiral belied his considerable influence.
Tensei was no ordinary officer—he was an Admiral candidate, held in the same regard as Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan. His words carried weight.
Sengoku's voice broke the silence. "Has the intel been confirmed?"
Tensei nodded, his expression grim. "Yes, Sengoku-san. The Donquixote Pirates are indeed planning to establish a formal alliance with the Ryugu Kingdom. Queen Otohime is expected to personally visit Dressrosa to finalize the arrangements."
The reaction was immediate. "Honorless scoundrels!" Sakazuki growled, his clenched fists resting heavily on the table. His deep voice carried a dangerous edge, made more menacing by the scar that ran across his rugged face, a permanent reminder of the time he faced Garp in battle and was proved how powerless he was against the Marine Hero.
"How dare they…? The Ryugu Kingdom is a World Government affiliate! Do they think the Marines will stand by and watch while they conspire with pirates?" He took a long drag from his cigar, the smoke curling ominously around his head, his fiery temperament barely contained.
Raylene, who had been listening quietly, scoffed at his outburst.
"Part of the World Government? Is that supposed to be a joke?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the room like a blade. The normally composed officers turned their attention toward her.
"Have you any idea about how many merfolk are captured and sold every day?" Her eyes flared with a righteous fury. Raylene was infamous for her brutal crackdown on slavers, especially around Sabaody.
She had single-handedly slaughtered so many pirates and slavers that most now feared to even approach the island. Despite the World Government's supposed ban on the slave trade, it persisted—because as long as the World Nobles condoned it, it would never truly end.
Sakazuki's scowl deepened, but before he could respond, Raylene continued, her words like venom.
"You sit here fuming about their alliance with pirates, but what have any of you done to protect the Fishmen? You haven't lifted a finger to ensure their well-being. So don't stand there and act like you have any moral high ground on this."
Her gaze burned into Sakazuki's, daring him to challenge her. She was known for her bluntness, and she didn't care if it offended the higher-ups. If something was wrong, she would call it out—even if it meant standing against someone as petty as Akainu.
The room fell into a tense silence. Sengoku's eyes flickered between his admirals, reading the shifting atmosphere. Sakazuki looked as though he might explode, but he held back, choosing instead to take another long drag of his cigar. Smoke poured from his mouth like steam from a volcano about to erupt.
"Enough…!" Sengoku finally said, his voice commanding yet calm. "We're not here to debate past failures. The situation with Dressrosa is delicate, and we need to act swiftly."
He leaned forward, locking eyes with Raylene. "You're right about one thing, though. We haven't done enough for the Fishmen. That's precisely why we need to prevent this alliance from happening. If the Donquixote Pirates gain the Ryugu Kingdom's trust, the consequences could be disastrous—not just for the Marines, but for the entire balance of power in the world."
Raylene crossed her arms but said nothing, though her anger still simmered beneath the surface. She knew Sengoku was right, but it didn't sit well with her. The world was full of hypocrisies, and the Marine's relationship with the Fishmen was one of the greatest.
Sakazuki finally spoke, his voice colder, but with measured restraint. "If the Ryugu Kingdom has sided with pirates, they've made themselves a target." He paused, eyes narrowing. "We should prepare to intervene. If it comes to it, we'll crush Dressrosa before they can solidify this alliance."
"Typical Akainu," Admiral Hazard muttered under his breath. "Always looking to solve problems with fire and fists."
Before the tension could escalate again, Vice Admiral Kizaru, who had been silent until now, interjected in his usual slow, lazy tone. "Oh my, oh my… It's getting lively in here."
His aloof smile was a stark contrast to the intensity of the room. "But don't you think we should be a little more cautious? After all, Doflamingo isn't your average pirate. And Sakazuki have you forgotten who backs the Donquixote pirates…?"
Admiral Hazard chuckled as he leaned back in his chair, his comment cutting through the room like a sharp edge. "Borsalino's right... We can't afford to act rashly. The Donquixote Pirates aren't just riffraff anymore. They've solidified themselves as one of the Emperor crews in the New World. Taking them on in their own territory with our current strength would be near suicidal." He paused, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
"And if that kid Rosinante gets involved, who knows which government facility he'd blow up next as retaliation?"
The room fell into an uneasy silence, with many faces souring at Hazard's words. The weight of recent failures hung heavy over the room. Marine strongholds, once thought impregnable, had been attacked and humiliated in rapid succession.
Marineford had been breached, Impel Down—the inescapable prison—had been raided, and even Enies Lobby had fallen to an unexpected giant invasion. The most recent insult, the raid on Punk Hazard, still stung. Every incident felt like a brutal slap to the Marine's pride, a painful reminder that their iron grip was slipping.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, his hands resting on the table, remained composed, though the frustration in the room was palpable.
"The Donquixote Pirates have grown beyond what we expected, and Rosinante…" His thoughts trailed off, considering how dangerous Doflamingo's brother had become.
Vice Admiral Kuzan, leaning forward, broke the silence. "Fleet Admiral, maybe it's time to reach out to Garp-san again. If he were here, none of these issues would be as pressing. Even those new Shichibukai wouldn't dare run rampant if Garp was still around." His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of longing in his words, reflecting how much the Marines missed Garp's stabilizing presence.
Several veterans around the table unconsciously nodded, remembering the days when Garp's mere presence was enough to keep the most dangerous pirates in check. Garp was more than just a powerful fighter—he was an emotional pillar, someone who could hold up the Marines' morale by simply being there.
Whenever he was around, there was no need for hesitation. No need for fear. Garp had a way of making even the worst situations feel manageable.
But now, the man known as the "Hero of the Marines" was absent, his return uncertain. There was no replacing Garp, and without him, the Marines felt like they were walking on thinner ice every day.
"So what, Kuzan?" Akainu growled, his deep voice brimming with frustration. "You're suggesting we take off our coats and hang them up until Garp decides to come back?" His pride, already bruised by Garp's legend, burned hotter than ever whenever the man's name was mentioned.
Akainu had no interest in waiting around for a savior. He believed in force and action. "We can't let the Marines stagnate because one man isn't here."
"Enough," Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice cut through the room, calm yet commanding. "Garp's absence isn't the issue here, and Akainu, that one man is enough to avert our current crisis. The point you're all missing is that Dressrosa and the surrounding seas are now under Donquixote control. Do any of you realize how many Marine ships have been sunk trying to scout their waters?"
Her words were a sobering reminder. The seas around Dressrosa had become a death trap for anyone not aligned with the Donquixote Pirates. Marine patrols and scouts had been vanishing at an alarming rate, their ships reduced to wreckage at the bottom of the sea.
It wasn't just pirate attacks—something much more sinister was at play. Rumors had begun to spread about the weapon the Donquixote family had in their arsenal, a secret tool that allowed them to maintain absolute dominance over the surrounding waters.
The room fell silent again, each Admiral processing Tsuru's words. Everyone knew what she was talking about, even if they weren't willing to say it aloud. The Donquixote Family had something that made their territory a graveyard for ships—a terrifying power that rivaled the World Government's greatest assets.
"The problem," Tsuru continued, "isn't just their alliances or Rosinante's sabotage. It's the fact that, right now, we don't even know the full extent of their reach. Every attempt to gather intel has been met with disaster."
Kizaru, who had been listening with his usual disinterest, finally chimed in, his lazy tone a sharp contrast to the tension in the room.
"Oh my, oh my… That does sound quite troublesome. But what can we do? If even our best scouting ships can't make it through, what's the plan?" He leaned back, his yellow-tinted glasses reflecting the dim light.
"It's not like we can just waltz into Dressrosa unannounced, can we?"
Raylene, who had remained silent after her earlier outburst, finally spoke up with a sly smile. "Maybe that's exactly what we need to do... be present for whatever happens between the Ryugu Kingdom and the Donquixote family."
Admiral Hazard looked at her skeptically, his brow furrowed. "Admiral Raylene, have you forgotten that the Marines are hostile toward the Donquixote Pirates? How do you suggest we 'be present' without sparking a war?"
Raylene's grin widened, her eyes gleaming with a certain cunning. "We don't need to enter Dressrosa directly. What if we offer a Marine escort to the royalty of the Ryugu Kingdom on their way to Dressrosa?" She let her words sink in, waiting for the room to catch up.
"We have an obligation to provide security for the royalty of World Government-affiliated nations. The Ryugu Kingdom, for all intents and purposes, is still a member."
The room fell into stunned silence. Sengoku blinked, taken aback by the sudden strategic maneuver from the usually direct and combative Raylene.
Everyone knew her for her fiery temper and straightforward tactics, but this suggestion was remarkably subtle, using bureaucratic obligations as a loophole. Even Tsuru seemed surprised by Raylene's unexpected shrewdness.
Sengoku rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That's... not a bad idea." He looked around the room, gauging the reactions of the other Admirals.
"If we escort King Neptune or Queen Otohime, Doflamingo's pride wouldn't allow him to attack the Marines outright. We'd gain access to Dressrosa without provoking a direct conflict."
Admiral Akainu leaned forward, his fists clenching in frustration. "Then let me lead the escort. I'll make sure that pirate scum doesn't get away with anything." His aggressive tone was quickly silenced by Sengoku, who shot him a stern look.
"This is not a joke, Akainu," Sengoku said firmly. "Your presence would only escalate things. We're trying to avoid war, not start one."
Akainu grumbled under his breath but didn't push further, knowing Sengoku was right. His presence would be seen as too hostile and could push Doflamingo to retaliate. This was not the kind of mission where brute force would prevail.
Tsuru, who thought about the matter in depth, scanned the room thoughtfully. "We need someone who can handle delicate situations, someone with a connection to the Donquixote brothers... Kuzan might be our best option."
Kuzan, who had been leaning back with his usual nonchalant attitude, straightened up slightly but didn't seem surprised by the suggestion. His calm demeanor made him the perfect candidate for a situation that required subtlety and patience, and also because of his connection with Rosinante.
Admiral Hazard, who had been deep in thought, interjected. "Kuzan is a good choice, especially given his connection to Garp-san and Rosinante. Doflamingo still respects that old friendship, even if it's begrudgingly. But... to be safe, we should send someone else as well. Someone who knew Rosinante during his time with the Marines."
Sengoku raised an eyebrow. "You're suggesting Vergo?"
Hazard nodded. "Exactly. Vergo was acquainted with Rosinante during their time together under Zephyr. As Zephyr's son, Vergo had a connection to Rosinante that might still hold weight especially because they were training under Zephyr at around the same time, even if Doflamingo doesn't know the full extent of that relationship he will not retaliate for his brothers sake." He paused, letting the implications sink in.
"If things go south, having Vergo along might provide us with an extra layer of safety. At the very least, Doflamingo wouldn't be so quick to take action against someone with ties to Rosinante."
The room murmured in agreement. Rosinante's connection to both Kuzan and Vergo was known only to most within the Marines, and Doflamingo had always held a degree of respect for Rosinante's old friends. If Vergo was involved, it might give the Marines enough leeway to escape unscathed, even if tensions rose.
Sengoku leaned back in his chair, considering the plan. "Kuzan and Vergo, then. It makes sense. Kuzan's and Vergo's past with Rosinante gives us a safety net."
Raylene, still leaning back with her arms crossed, smirked in satisfaction. "I told you. Sometimes, you need to fight without drawing your sword."
The Fleet Admiral nodded approvingly. "Then it's settled. We'll send word to King Neptune, offering a Marine escort for their journey to Dressrosa. Kuzan will lead the operation. It's a risky move, but it's our best chance to gain a foothold in this situation without causing a full-scale conflict."
"I will send an order to have Vergo mobilize from New World, you should meet up with him at Sabaody before making your way to Fishmen Island," Sengoku ordered, turning to Kuzan.
Kuzan gave a simple nod, his usual laid-back expression unchanging. "I'll handle it," he said coolly, standing up from his seat.
*****
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