Receiving Aus's call, the Five Elders developed a splitting headache.
"If memory serves, Doflamingo's older than you, Aus."
"What's that matter? He'd just be my adopted son."
Moments ago, the Five Elders had finally returned to the Room of Authority, ready to handle affairs, when the Den Den Mushi rang.
Aus. Right off the bat, proposing a hypothetical.
If he took Doflamingo as his adopted son, combined with Doffy's pure Celestial Dragon bloodline, could they make an exception and restore him to the registry?
Problem was—Doflamingo's status had been decided through unanimous discussion between the Five Elders and Holy Knights.
Whole point was warning those pampered, idle Celestial Dragons: don't go looking for trouble. The Holy Land isn't some revolving door.
Accepting Doflamingo now would contradict their own decree. Slap their own faces.
They sighed.
"If you insist..."
"Nah, not that insistent. But since you're willing to bend, guess it's not that big a deal."
Unexpectedly, Aus broke pattern. Didn't force the World Government to give face.
"Just asking. Doffy's face isn't worth me doing that much yet. Consider it a carrot."
He'd already given Pure Gold.
Aus had rewarded Doflamingo's loyalty generously. As a trusted subordinate, Aus felt he'd given far more than Doffy's performance warranted.
Can't overfeed a wolf.
Otherwise it turns into a dog.
After pleasantries, Aus hung up. Not long after, Doffy approached, tension radiating.
"Lord Aus..."
"Asked about your situation. Five Elders say it's very difficult."
Aus's face showed regret. Shrugged.
This genuinely crushed Doflamingo's hopes. He'd thought with Aus stepping in, it was guaranteed.
"But..."
Sudden turn. Aus sipped orange juice. Swallowed slowly. Under Doflamingo's eager stare, continued:
"Five Elders didn't completely shut the door. Work hard, Doffy. More weight you carry on the world stage, more the Celestial Dragons will regret not accepting you. Opportunities will come."
"...I understand, Lord Aus."
Clearly, Celestial Dragon identity had become Doflamingo's inner demon.
Competition? Fine.
He'd grind to the limit. Refused to believe Lord Aus and the Five Elders wouldn't cave!
If Aus could see loyalty values, he'd notice Doffy's number rocketing upward right now.
The World Government Reverie was honestly boring.
Sure, they called kings to a meeting. But the World Government had owners. Would never let a bunch of kings actually decide this sea's historical course.
So while Old Kik sat at the conference table with enthusiasm, experiencing big-shot life, Aus wandered Pangaea Castle.
Beside him—a figure in black suit and mask.
CP member assigned by the Five Elders.
Ordinary Celestial Dragons usually had CP1-8 following them. Elite CP9, even CP0, were generally only assigned to specific Dragons.
The latter, while obeying ordinary Dragons' orders, were usually dispatched across the seas on missions rather than babysitting these pigs.
"Hey, Lip, any interesting places in Mary Geoise?"
"Well..."
The CP0 member named Lip paused, thinking after hearing Saint Aus's question.
"Reporting to Saint Aus—if you mean places other lords frequently visit, that'd be the slave holding facility and colosseum."
"Boring."
Those places? Just picking slaves and watching them fight to death. Aus found them completely uninteresting.
If he really wanted slaves, Aus could mobilize the entire underworld to find whoever he wanted.
Could even specify exact appearances.
Like today—if Aus wanted a bearded loli with super thin arms, thick long legs, and a horse face—
Even with such absurd requirements, he believed his subordinates would find her.
So many freaks of all shapes on the seas. Maybe someone like that existed.
If not? They'd create one.
That was underworld power.
"Oh right. Next year, keep an eye out. If three sisters get captured as slaves and brought here, watch them for me."
"Forgive my intrusion, but do you intend to..." Lip bowed respectfully.
"Don't worry about anything else. Let things proceed normally. Just don't let other Celestial Dragons take them. If anyone pressures you, go to the Five Elders. Say it's my order."
Now Lip understood.
He'd thought maybe friends or acquaintances of Saint Aus had been mistakenly captured.
But with these instructions? Obvious special preferences.
Sister sets. Three sisters specifically.
Lip thought, though his face showed nothing. He'd seen Dragons with far more depraved tastes.
When the time came, he'd instruct slave handlers to mold those three sisters into Saint Aus's preferred shape. Should satisfy him.
Lip thought quietly.
Aus didn't have mind-reading Observation, so naturally didn't know the CP0 had already labeled him someone with peculiar tastes.
Little did Lip know—Aus was just mentioning it casually. Since he'd thought of it, figured he'd say something. Couldn't possibly stay in the Holy Land until next year.
And it was precisely this small instruction—
That made "Saint Aus" become an absolute nightmare for the three Hancock sisters in the future. Carrying absolute terror.
The kind where no matter what he said, they wouldn't dare disobey. Psychological shadow.
"Wow! That person's so handsome! Daddy, I want him as my slave!"
Sudden childish voice interrupted Aus's thoughts. He turned. A little girl?
"Unfamiliar face... Shalria, he's also a Celestial Dragon. Can't be your slave."
A fat Celestial Dragon approached with his daughter, large group of guards and CP members. Clearly recognized Aus's Dragon identity through the CP at his side.
Rosward shook his head.
But had to admit—Aus's looks among Celestial Dragons were truly top-tier. Average male was a pig, after all.
Aus had no interest wasting energy on ordinary Celestial Dragons. Even ones from the original story.
Just smiled at Shalria. Turned and left.
And it was precisely that handsome smile that made young Shalria cup her face, hearts in her eyes, unable to forget for the next twenty years...
So handsome!
(PS: Humble author humbly begging...)
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