Stunned by the interruption, Tesoro's smile froze. He looked troubled. "Redfield-sama, this... this seems to be against the rules."
Hearing Redfield's words, the representatives of the major powers in the room shifted slightly but held their ground, making no move. After all, this was a legendary pirate on the same level as a Yonko. No one present was his match, and whoever moved first would likely die first.
"Hmph. 'Rules'?"
Redfield propped himself up on his bat-handled umbrella, a look of contempt on his face as he glanced at Tesoro and then the entire room. He scoffed softly, "My word is the only rule here!"
Tesoro's smile solidified into a grimace. He realized now that this man was simply here to take what he wanted. The thought made him shoot a resentful glare at the purple-red-haired middle-aged man standing behind Redfield. This was all his fault for bringing such a monstrous figure here.
It was also strange. Redfield was known for his solitary nature, so when did he get a subordinate?
"Hehehehe! Tesoro, with Redfield-sama here, do you still dare to resist?" The middle-aged man, sensing Tesoro's gaze, grinned.
"Braveco Gilly, your Crimson Family has certainly found a powerful backer," Tesoro said, his gaze sweeping over him with a hint of disdain.
This man, Braveco Gilly, was a spokesperson for the Crimson Family in the outside world. He was somewhat famous in the Underworld, but his family was notorious. They were an ancient lineage with a wide range of businesses, their most successful being mercenaries, assassins, and intelligence. They were even said to be the mortal enemies of Germa 66.
But that was all in the past.
Twenty years ago, the Crimson Family somehow went to war with Golden Lion Shiki and was utterly defeated by his Golden Lion Grand Fleet, suffering a devastating blow.
The family's influence was a shadow of its former self, and with the heavy loss of family members, their mercenary business had collapsed completely. They had instead focused on expanding their intelligence and assassination networks, with their intelligence business thriving.
"This is my honor!" Gilly said, ignoring Tesoro's disdain and acting as though he was truly honored. "On this sea, only those who survive to the end get to laugh last!"
"I'll say this one last time. Hand over the Vigor-Vigor Fruit!" Redfield said, an impatient look on his face.
Tesoro looked at Doflamingo, who gave a slight shake of his head, and then reluctantly refused. "I apologize, Redfield-sama, but I'm afraid I cannot comply." As he spoke, he waved a hand, signaling for the waitress carrying the fruit to retreat.
Hearing Tesoro's refusal, many in the hall were surprised. They didn't expect the man to have such backbone.
"Is that so?" Redfield murmured.
Suddenly, a flash of red light appeared before everyone's eyes. It was as fast as lightning, and before Tesoro could even react, the blood-red light struck him.
Boom!
Tesoro flew backward, his body a blur of black shadow. He crossed dozens of meters in an instant, smashing through the wall on the opposite side and flying out of the hall.
Redfield slowly retracted his bat-handled umbrella, which he had raised at some point, and said with contempt, "I tried to be nice, but you insisted on getting a beating. An idiot who can't see the reality of his situation."
"When did he move? So fast!"
Everyone was in shock. The speed was simply incredible.
Tap, tap, tap...
Redfield walked toward the trembling waitress.
"The Vigor-Vigor Fruit, a fruit that lets a person maintain their peak condition until they die..." Redfield gazed at the emerald-green Devil Fruit in the waitress's hand, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.
"It's mine!"
Just as Redfield reached out to grab the fruit, he felt a wave of danger and immediately retracted his hand without hesitation.
Shing!
A sparkling thread cut through the air with a soft sound, leaving a faint but deep slash on the ground right in front of Redfield. The cut was so fine yet so deep that it was clear if Redfield hadn't pulled his hand back, it would have been severed.
At the same time, the waitress felt her tray lighten as the golden box containing the fruit lifted into the air and floated toward the second-floor VIP section.
"Fuffuffuffuffu! To be precise, Redfield-sama, this Vigor-Vigor Fruit is my property. It's only here for auction, and I haven't agreed to give it up yet!"
On the second floor, Doflamingo sat on the railing with his legs crossed. He pointed one hand at Redfield and the other at the golden box hovering in the air.
"Bullshit, Doflamingo! My men found the Vigor-Vigor Fruit first, and your people stole it!" Gilly yelled, his words startling the crowd and his voice filled with rage.
"Fuffuffuffuffu! So those were your subordinates," Doflamingo said, a few veins bulging in his forehead as his face darkened.
The truth was, the Crimson Family's treasure hunting team had found the fruit while searching for a great pirate's treasure on a dangerous, deserted island. After defeating a giant snake that inhabited the area, they found the Vigor-Vigor Fruit, though they didn't know its name.
Just as they picked it and were about to leave, a mysterious team attacked them. A small battle ensued, and the Vigor-Vigor Fruit was stolen. That mysterious team was Doflamingo's treasure hunting crew, who were guided to the island by a castaway's logbook that described a strange, emerald-green fruit, possibly a Devil Fruit, he'd found in the center of the island.
Doflamingo's crew stole the Vigor-Vigor Fruit at the cost of two-thirds of their members.
Considering that Doflamingo had given a large portion of the SS drugs he'd gotten from Aeridar to that team, and they had suffered such heavy losses, his current expression showed exactly how furious he was.
"I don't need your permission!"
Redfield's face turned grim, and he vanished from his spot. He reappeared in mid-air, a flash of scarlet light once again surrounding him as he lunged at Doflamingo.
THUNG!
In the air, a deep, bell-like clang rang out. A black fist met the tip of Redfield's umbrella, and a white shockwave exploded from the point of impact, sweeping across the entire hall.
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