Inside Lovers Avenue, Kingdom of Dressrosa.
The group moved along at a tourist's pace, leisurely taking in the lively, bustling street before them.
"If you hadn't told me, I'd never imagine a place like this could be so terrifying," Nami said, blinking her curious eyes at the sight. She then planted her hands on her hips and looked at Dante. "And you, seriously, something this big happens and you don't tell me sooner? Vivi and I both thought you were actually off playing around with female pirates!"
Beside her, Vivi, who had come along as well, gave an embarrassed little laugh. "Um... actually, I've always had a lot of faith in Dante!"
After all, he hadn't really played with her that time.
As for being someone's plaything... that had all just been a misunderstanding.
It was just, 'Speaking of which, how did a perfectly proper Marine Captain like Dante end up with rumors like that about him?' she wondered.
"I-I mean, I believe in you too!" Nami, hearing Vivi's words, let out an awkward laugh. She then glanced with curious suspicion at Viola's smiling face, and back at Vivi. Her eyes glinted slyly. "But Vivi, aren't you the least bit disappointed? You paid a billion to get help saving Alabasta, and this guy... shows up to help her without a single Berry changing hands. Honestly, I really have my doubts."
As she spoke.
Viola, who had changed clothes and put on a simple disguise, just smiled in response to Vivi and Nami's flustered comments.
Especially that princess of Alabasta... She hadn't expected that the country saved by the famed East Blue Overlord would also be the work of that so-called Corrupt Captain.
For a princess who had almost shared her own fate, Viola's feelings were complicated.
Truth be told, she had misunderstood, too, back then.
Of course, she could see the hostility in the eyes of these two young women, but as a mature woman, she didn't mind.
After all, she really had already prepared herself! The only one who felt like a threat to her was that equally mature and alluring secretary.
However, Just as Viola was about to say something to ease the mood,
"Maybe it's because of the female pirate thing?"
A lazy voice drifted from behind them.
At once.
Dante's group fell silent, turning to look back at Kuzan in surprise.
"Oh, you're here already? That was fast!"
The moment those words were heard, Kuzan, who'd just spotted the group and had been in a good enough mood to poke fun at them, suddenly felt his eyelid twitch. His mood soured immediately.
"You brat, you did that on purpose, didn't you!" he snapped.
He had flown over. Dante had made him come by ship.
It was just, "Huh? What are you talking about?" Dante, of course, was never going to admit it.
'Serves you right for always fanning the flames,' he thought.
"Isn't it true?" Kuzan's eyelid twitched again when the kid didn't admit it. He went on lazily, "Without spending a single Berry, you put in that much effort to save someone's country? I don't recall you being the warm-hearted Marine Captain type."
"Huh? Wasn't it your effort that did the most?"
"..."
'Why does he need to be so frustrating?'
Kuzan's mouth twitched, but he pretended not to hear and kept going in that same lazy tone. "If that's not you drooling over a female pirate, then what is it? Tch, tch, I heard it myself: the Corrupt Captain can't go a day without a female pirate or he feels itchy all over."
A day without? When did the rumor get that bad?
'Was it this guy spreading it?' Dante's eyelid twitched, but he still nodded. "You're not wrong. I am interested in her."
The moment he said that,
"Oh my, my! Tch tch tch~"
"Hmph!"
"Senpai!"
"Boss!"
"Dante-san, I, I..."
"Corrupt Captain, I'm more than happy to, you know."
Just as Kuzan's brow arched and he settled in to enjoy the show, Dante, utterly unfazed by all the eyes locked onto him, continued, "Her ability is actually very useful. So, I plan to recruit her."
Silence fell over them again.
Viola's smiling face went stiff. She couldn't help remembering when Doflamingo had "recruited" her.
'So it's like this again?' But after a moment, she still ran her tongue lightly over her full red lips and said in a sultry tone, "Well... I'd be more than happy to."
At that moment, "Forget it, let's drop this," Kuzan sighed helplessly, seeing how off track things were getting. He didn't really mind. It was just a little side skit, a bit of entertainment.
Once this brat fell into his hands... then Kuzan would see how cocky he could be.
He turned away, leisurely taking in the bustling street: couples making out in public, dancers in skimpy outfits swaying through blazing routines, and truly sentient Toys moving through the crowd. He let out a low sigh. "As expected of Dressrosa, the Kingdom of Love, Passion, and Toys. Honestly, even I have trouble believing it."
As he spoke, he glanced at Dante.
"You really that confident?"
"Relax."
"Looks like you really are, "
Before Kuzan could finish, Dante waved a hand. "If I'm wrong, you can just arrest Mock."
'Does this guy have no conscience at all?' Kuzan's eyelid jumped, but he still nodded, acting as if he hadn't heard that last line. "Looks like you really are confident."
Then he looked at Dante again. "So what's your next move?"
"Don't worry, I've already sent people ahead," Dante said, rubbing his chin. "As for me... I've got other business to handle."
This time he'd come for two reasons.
First: Doflamingo's wealth, piled up over years through the black market, no way he was letting the World Government take that.
Second...
He turned his head to Viola. "Right, where is the Tontatta Tribe in Dressrosa?"
Viola's eyes flashed with surprise. She clearly hadn't expected him to know about that, but she still answered, her voice complicated, "They're not here. They're under Green Bit."
She hesitated, then added, "They're a pure, kind-hearted tribe, Boss. Could you... not hurt them?"
"Who said anything about hurting them? I'm going to work with them. Cooperate. Cooperate, you understand?"
'I understand,' Viola thought grimly. 'Like you 'cooperated' with Doflamingo?'
Meanwhile.
At the harbor, Doflamingo finally laid eyes on that strange pirate ship, and on the so-called East Blue Overlord standing upon it.
His eyes narrowed.
He had to admit...
The East Blue Overlord, arms folded, bare-chested, draped in a golden, mane-like cape, that bold, arrogant figure really did catch him off guard.
And Doflamingo had heard... this East Blue Overlord even had his own personal couplet.
To be that overbearing and arrogant, yet not get beaten to death and even make it smoothly into the New World, this man clearly had some real strength. With that in mind, Doflamingo let out his signature laugh. "Fufufufufu!" Then, wrapped in his pink feather coat, he spread his arms wide with exuberant warmth. "Welcome to my kingdom, East Blue Overlord!"
Mock, "Wahahaha!" He answered with his own booming laugh, mirroring the open-armed gesture. "Thanks for the billion, Donk... Doffy Bro!"
'What the hell did he just call me?' Doflamingo's smile froze for a second, but quickly returned to its enthusiastic brilliance.
The two men stepped in and embraced, all warmth and show.
Neither knowing that, at the same moment, in each other's hearts...
'Forget it, this guy's doomed.'
'What a shame, this guy's doomed.'
Each holding their own thoughts, they kept their bright smiles, hugging like they were delighted to see an old friend.
===============
Dear Readers and Fans,
For those eager to dive into next chapters earlier before others, I invite you to join us on Patreon. By becoming our Patron, you not only gain access to exclusive advanced chapters but also help us continue this endeavour and expand it further.
https://www.pat reon.com/8Ashes8
(no space)
You can read upto 7 Chapters in advance.