The arrogance in his demeanor vanished instantly.
If it were just a conversation with Sammi, Doflamingo might still joke around a bit. After all, they were both from the same camp and also rivals in the underworld business.
But if she was carrying Orin's instructions...
Then no matter how wild he acted, even Doflamingo would have to rein it in.
"So? Did Orin-sama give some kind of order?"
Doflamingo's expression remained calm, though the red sunglasses hid his eyes, which were fixed seriously on the Den Den Mushi.
Sammi didn't bother trying to bluff and said directly:
"It's the Seven Warlords of the Sea plan. And you, Doflamingo, are one of those on the list."
Sammi was about to explain the meaning of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, but Doflamingo cut her off first.
Through the Den Den Mushi, the image of the pink-feathered coat and red shades broke into wild, manic laughter.
"Hahaha! Of course I know about this, Sammi... This position—Orin-sama reserved it for me a long time ago!!!"
Yes, the Seven Warlords of the Sea had always included a spot for the great Doflamingo!
Sammi was momentarily speechless.
She hadn't known there was such a backstory.
"In that case, your attitude is already clear enough. I don't have anything else to say. Congratulations."
Doflamingo was ecstatic. With this new status, he could finally begin his plan to usurp a kingdom. But outwardly, he still kept the most basic restraint.
"Fuffuffuffu... nothing worth mentioning. No matter how grand the title, it can't compare to the weight of being your representative—Orin-sama's spokesperson!"
Even in his joy, Doflamingo wasn't so blinded as to lose his mind.
He was very clear about who it was that had given him this position.
Not to mention, aside from a very few individuals, the so-called Seven Warlords of the Sea were, for the most part, just like him—silver-tier players on this vast sea.
The government might say they stood shoulder to shoulder with the Marines and the Emperors of the Sea, but you didn't actually believe that, did you?
He knew exactly what he was worth.
To clash with a monster on Orin's level? Doflamingo knew better than to even dream of it.
Not everyone was like Crocodile—so stubborn and so deluded about their own standing.
Doflamingo would bide his time, develop in silence, and laugh only at the very end.
...
On the other side,
Orin, on his way back from the New World to the first half of the Grand Line, had already arrived beneath the Red Line. He wasn't paying much mind to the so-called Seven Warlords of the Sea.
After all, it was something he had done casually, with no real significance.
It was just...done for fun, on a whim.
"Bl–Black Emperor-sama, h-here's the orange juice you requested."
At the bow of the ship, Orin stood with casual grace, cigar between his lips, the sea breeze blowing against him.
The head chef of the passenger ship approached nervously, holding out a glass of orange juice with trembling hands.
"No need to be so formal. Oh, and about my fare—just go to Sabaody Archipelago and claim it."
Orin accepted the juice, his tone mild.
After all, tormenting ordinary weaklings brought him no pleasure.
Not to mention, the crew had been nothing but polite, showing no dissatisfaction even when he boarded first and paid later.
But when the chef heard this, he waved his hands frantically in fear.
"No, no... Your presence on this ship is the greatest honor for us. Besides, we serve under Sea Transport King Umit-sama."
"...I see."
Orin raised an eyebrow.
This world... sometimes you couldn't even find a place to spend your money. Even hitching a random ride ended up being on his own subordinate's ship.
So he dropped the issue of payment entirely, turned toward the horizon, where the Red Line loomed before them.
"Adjust the course. We'll cross above the Red Line and return to the first half of the Grand Line."
Orin ordered.
"Eh???"
The command reached the captain and crew, who all froze.
They hesitated.
"Over the Red Line? We've never been there... Isn't that where the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, is supposed to be?"
"Yeah... and how do we even get there? Even the lift only allows people, not ships."
"You mean... crash through it with the ship?"
Everyone wavered.
But in the end, the captain clenched his jaw, took a drag on his cigarette, and made the decision.
"Do it!!! Since it's Orin-sama's order, then we'll just sail straight up!!!"
They all knew—
The last subordinate of Umit who had died following Orin's order—his family had received a payout worth a fortune. Enough to live in comfort for generations.
Men die for the one who knows their worth.
And under Orin, if there was one thing in abundance, it was money, manpower, and loyal deadmen willing to give their lives!
...
Beneath the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, the passenger ship sailed forward. Orin looked up at the towering continent rising into the clouds.
"Finally, I'm back..."
As the crew cried out in astonishment, Orin lifted a hand. The entire passenger ship slowly began to rise.
The sight shocked those nearby on the lift!
They turned their heads—what?! A whole ship was floating upward, flying toward the top of the Red Line?
Among them were also World Government agents. Those with sharp eyes immediately spotted the tall figure at the bow.
Combining that with this rare ability, they instantly recognized Orin.
By the time Orin guided the ship to the top of the Red Line, near the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, an urgent mobilization had already been carried out. A squad of CP agents assembled in a rush.
Leading them was Orin's personal CP0 agent, the masked Lip.
"Welcome back to the Holy Land, Orin-sama!!!"
Kneeling on one knee!
Led by Lip, Mary Geoise formally welcomed Orin's return. What had been intended as a simple passage now made it seem awkward not to show his face.
The passenger ship descended slowly, landing before Lip and the others.
Orin stepped off, appearing before them.
"Lip, no need to be so formal. I'm not here to hang around the Holy Land this time."
Hands in his pockets, Orin shrugged at the kneeling CP agents before him.
But then, Lip brought him an unexpected "surprise."
...
Pangaea Castle, the residence of the Celestial Dragons.
Following Lip's lead, Orin walked toward his residence a villa, one of those uniformly allocated after gaining Celestial Dragon status.
As they walked, Lip explained respectfully:
"Here's the situation, Orin-sama. According to your instructions, we've already brought back many girls from all over the seas."
"All of them are in sets of three sisters. Some are triplets, but only a small number—please don't mind that."
Lip spoke with some trepidation, worried that Orin might be displeased.
But Orin, at that moment, was utterly baffled.
Mind?
Mind what?
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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