With just a few words, a slot in the [Seven Warlords of the Sea] was finalized.
For Doflamingo, it was a life-changing event.
But for Orin, it was merely a casual move.
No one knew exactly when...
Perhaps as his aura grew stronger, or as his power continued to swell,
But now, being able to casually shift the tides of the seas was nothing more than a small matter in Orin's eyes.
And the favor Doflamingo owed him—
Heh heh heh...
Let's have him pay it back over a lifetime~
...
Darkness slowly descended.
The Red-Light District was entering its most vibrant hour. Inside a luxurious private room, Orin stripped off his upper clothes and walked bare-chested into the VIP area of the district's bathhouse.
Of course—
It was the proper kind. Don't get the wrong idea.
Steam swirled in the air. This most central luxury suite had always been closed to the public.
Soaking in the warm hot spring, a tall figure lay with arms spread, fully relaxed by the edge of the pool.
Soon, three more figures rustled in.
Sammi, dressed in a light, sheer robe, knelt gracefully by the water's edge and reached out her delicate hands to massage Orin's shoulders.
Lina and Mei, in cool swimwear, slipped into the hot spring to playfully entertain Orin,
While also holding up plates of gourmet food and cold drinks, respectfully feeding him.
"I'm quite satisfied. This hot spring is soft and milky white."
Looking at Sammi, Lina, and Mei so devoted to serving him, Orin felt genuinely warmed and pleased, smiling as he praised them.
Wandering outside all day really was exhausting.
Back when he sailed with Captain Roger, he had seen what this sea truly was. It was never just about travel and adventure—
Great pirates clashed recklessly for territory and islands; the World Government was corrupt and exploitative; piggish nobles ran rampant, and the people lived squeezed in the cracks...
Orin never experienced the sea's malice personally—only because he had strength and the Roger Pirates to shelter him.
But ever since he left the ship,
He could only rely on himself.
Though his power was "just a bit insanely strong," life had been manageable. Still, the scheming and plotting ahead would be unavoidable, whether from the Elders or those self-proclaimed emperors of the sea...
The only places that ever truly felt like home to Orin—besides the old village chief's house and the Roger Pirates—
Were probably the domains of the girls he protected on the Sabaody Archipelago.
Though their loyalty stemmed from his power—and a tiny bit of his looks—it was still the result of Orin's own hard work.
He truly enjoyed this "gentle land."
Seeing Orin's relaxed expression, Sammi continued massaging his temples, but a hint of hesitation flickered across her face.
"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't be so hesitant. We're old friends now, aren't we, Sammi?"
Such small emotional cues naturally couldn't escape Orin's senses.
Sammi's expression darkened slightly at Orin's direct question. She dared not conceal the truth.
"It's nothing, Orin-sama. I was just thinking..."
"That Doflamingo guy—after so many years of business and dealing with countless people—I can say for sure he's not someone who would ever submit to another. Especially since he has that same King's Ambition as you."
"Of course, I believe your power is enough to fear nothing. But I worry... this guy may turn out to be a traitor who won't ever stay loyal."
She had felt something was off ever since Orin decided to release Doflamingo.
And her concern only grew—
Because of a little incident.
...
After a private conversation no one else heard, to the Red-Light District's utter disbelief and the weeping wails of the Donquixote Family underlings,
Orin personally escorted the long-imprisoned Doflamingo from his cell and publicly announced his release.
This act, unsurprisingly, displeased many of the women and girls who had once suffered at the hands of the Donquixote Family. Still, for Orin's sake, they forced themselves to swallow their emotions.
Of course, Orin had anticipated this. To prevent his beloved girls from feeling hurt or abandoned,
He leaned down and whispered in the ear of the silent, head-lowered Doflamingo:
"You know what you need to do... don't you, Doffy?"
Only then did Doflamingo seem to come back to his senses. Behind his sunglasses, his eyes were unreadable.
He had been locked up for days. Now, stepping out to feel the sunlight, he only felt cold to his bones.
Under Orin's wicked grin, the once-arrogant blonde had no trace of his former smirk.
After a brief pause, Doflamingo silently walked toward the Donquixote Family's prisoners.
Trebol and the others, also newly released, thought their young master had already negotiated with [Black Gun] Orin.
They didn't know what price was paid, but at least they were free.
"Doffy... we can finally—"
Trebol stepped forward to speak.
But Doflamingo didn't respond. He walked past him, straight toward the group of thugs and grunts who had started riots in the Red-Light District.
Those men had been locked up too, awaiting Orin's judgment. Unlike Doflamingo, they'd been treated harshly—torture was considered light.
When they saw their young master approaching, hope filled their eyes.
He really was their king!
Freedom at last!
"Chk—"
Their smiles had barely bloomed when something felt off.
Confusion flashed in their eyes. Their perspective shifted—
"This... is my body?"
In the instant their heads were severed, a flicker of consciousness remained. But before they could think why, darkness took them forever.
It was a massacre.
Even some long-serving underlings were mercilessly shredded by Doflamingo's threads.
Everyone, including Sammi, watched in stunned silence. Even women who had suffered at the hands of those brutes felt this was too cruel.
The faint-hearted among them covered their mouths and vomited.
Only Sammi, though clearly shaken, kept her gaze locked on Doflamingo—
And saw something that left her deeply disturbed.
After killing everyone except the officers—
Doflamingo actually smiled.
It was the first time she'd seen him grin like that.
And it was far scarier than his usual gloom and fury.
He bent at the waist and bowed his head to Orin with a smile. His eyes, hidden behind his glasses, unreadable.
"I hope you won't be angry... Orin-sama."
(Chapter for the review)