Novel Chapter
Judge's face twisted into a storm of fury. Did they really think Germa was some insignificant force to crush on a whim?
He commanded countless troops, cutting-edge war technology, and an indomitable fleet of sea snails.
No matter how arrogant someone was, they'd drown in Germa's black tide of soldiers!
"Fuffuffu..."
Doflamingo didn't bother arguing. Instead, his tongue flicked across the corner of his mouth, his fingers twitching as if puppeteering invisible marionettes.
"You won't be the first, and you won't be the last, Judge..."
"Oh, and you too, Mr. Nicholas. Shame, considering all our past business together."
"Doffy..."
Nicholas stared at the Den Den Mushi's signature red sunglasses and that wickedly curved grin. Of course, he recognized him.
Everyone in the North Blue knew each other. Old acquaintances.
Honestly?
The temptation to skim payments had crossed Doflamingo's mind too. But reason always won.
Aus's shadow loomed too large. And after receiving Pure Gold, even the faintest hint of rebellion vanished completely.
One shot obliterated all scheming thoughts.
"Your Majesty, I am the Emperor's loyal subject!"
"Arrogant bastard!"
Judge was about to launch himself skyward with his combat suit when, suddenly, several clone soldiers turned against him.
"Stop! That's an order!"
CLANG!
Metal clashed violently. The soldiers' faces turned red from strain, but their weapons held firm against Judge's electrified spear.
Only when Judge ordered them to bite their tongues did they collapse lifelessly to the ground.
They could control their bodies, but not perfectly manipulate every muscle. Their loyalty drove them to choose death without hesitation.
"Terrifying obedience. No wonder Germa 66 conquers the North Blue undefeated. The War Kingdom truly lives up to its name~"
Doflamingo crossed his legs. While Judge was occupied, he'd already seated himself comfortably on the luxurious sofa, Den Den Mushi in hand, grinning wickedly.
"Friendly tip—pay up before Lord Aus comes knocking, and you might just survive~"
"Really?!"
The Den Den Mushi's expression lit up with hope. Tears and snot streamed down uncontrollably.
If that was true, there was still a chance.
"Please tell Lord Aus I lost my mind for a moment! I'll pay double from now on!"
"Fuffuffu... I'll try."
Meanwhile, across the rest of the North Blue—
The slaughter had begun.
"Spare us! We know we were wrong! We'll pay the rest of the Belly!"
"I don't wanna die!"
"Bastards! You got me killed! Who told you to skim payments?! Ahhh!"
Desperate calls flooded Sabaody, pleading to make up the stolen payments before Aus arrived.
Those who paid in time were spared.
But some weren't fast enough.
First come, first served.
Life was like discounted eggs at a midnight supermarket.
Crocodile watched the fools trying to resist and sneered, raising his hand to unleash a massive sandstorm.
For the first time, the North Blue hicks experienced what true power felt like.
When had they ever seen a single slash cleave an entire mountain in half?
Watching from afar—
A Marine warship stationed itself at the island's perimeter. An officer peered through binoculars.
A soldier approached and saluted.
"Sir, should we land and intervene?"
The officer, draped in his Marine coat, turned to the vest-wearing soldier with disbelief.
"Sure. I'll send you."
"Go on. Arrest both sides fighting in there."
"Uh..."
...
While Little Flamingo clashed with Germa's forces, and Little Sand and Little Hawk rampaged across the North Blue punishing targets—
Aus silently followed a blonde little bean sprout to what looked like a hospital room.
He'd come to witness a scene from memory.
"Bring out the lunch Sanji made."
The blonde young woman glanced at the pretty bento box, then at Sanji's injured hands, and said flatly:
The maid had no choice. She brought over a blackened, charred mess of a lunch box to the bedside.
The little bean sprout's face looked terrible. Obviously, he knew the food wouldn't taste good.
But the pale-faced blonde woman smiled gently and took a bite.
"It's delicious."
She tenderly touched her face, then hugged the overjoyed little Sanji. Her eyes shifted to something behind the maid and bean sprout.
"So... may I ask who you are?"
"Such a gentle tone, Lady Sora. Even toward a stranger who suddenly broke in."
A man in a dark red suit and black coat sat in a chair inside the room, pointing a camera at mother and son.
"When did you get in?! Guards!"
Spotting the strange man, the maid immediately screamed toward the door and windows for help.
"Don't bother. Every soldier on this sea snail's already asleep."
"Do I look that scary?"
Aus put away his camera phone with a helpless smile. One glance knocked the oddly-shaped maid unconscious.
"Hey! Stay away from Mom!" Sanji charged forward to protect her.
"Please don't hurt Sanji!"
Both spoke first for the other's sake. Aus smiled warmly, grabbed the little pervy cook by his collar, and lifted him up.
"Relax. I'm here to cause trouble, but I've got no beef with you two."
He set Sanji back in Sora's arms and stood by the window, gazing at the main snail ship in the distance.
"My name's Doctor Aus. Judge stole money from me, so I'm here to collect."
Sora clutched Sanji tightly, her gentle eyes watching the towering Aus.
"May I ask how much? Please forgive—"
"No, no, no. It's not about the amount. It's about principle." Aus turned to face the weak but beautiful Lady Sora directly.
"Technically, anyone who steals from me gets their entire organization wiped off the map. But technically, I decide what that means.
So I just thought of a way to spare Germa, Lady Sora.
Let's make a deal. If you're willing."
"Give me Sanji, and I'll let Germa go. How about it?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (40+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!