Doflamingo's sunglasses could barely hide his eyes, which were practically screaming 'ridiculous.'
These guys... are they all born actors?! How can they act so calmly, without even a change in expression or a skip in their heart? Don't they feel even a tiny bit of guilt?!
He watched Ace's 'serious work report' demeanor, then glanced at Whitebeard and the other commanders beside him, who were leisurely and even had faint smiles on their faces. He felt his intelligence and perception being repeatedly trampled.
What do you mean 'chasing down the Whitebeard Pirates' on the high seas, huh?! he screamed internally. You're clearly on a blissful voyage with the Whitebeard Pirates!
And 'sunny and in a good mood'?! Bah!
A strong urge to expose everything on the spot surged in his throat, but ultimately, it was suppressed by a cold will to survive.
He knew very well that if he dared to jump out at this moment, oblivious to danger, and expose Ace, only one fate awaited him—being instantly pulverized into dust by the enraged Whitebeard Pirates, utterly finished!
What's more... Doflamingo's sunglasses reflected a cold light as he mused, Sengoku, that old fox... he's as shrewd as a ghost. How could he not see that Ace is just paying lip service?
He keenly sensed that a deeper game was hidden behind this phone call.
Sengoku not directly exposing it, but instead offering seemingly sincere promises and warnings, was in itself an extremely complex signal.
Since even the highest commander of the Marines has chosen not to break through this facade for now, and is still engaged in some degree of subtle tug-of-war and probing... Doflamingo felt a chill. Then I have even less right, and less courage, to bring this matter into the open.
At this moment, he could only continue to hold it in, trying to maintain a stiff expression on his face that said, 'I didn't hear anything, I don't know anything,' silently standing aside, serving as an incredibly aggrieved backdrop.
This muddy water was simply too deep!
Just when Sengoku thought Ace would use his cunning to find an excuse to delay or even refuse to return to Marineford, let alone go to Future Island, which was clearly a trap,
Ace's next words were like an ultra-heavy cannon, accurately hitting Sengoku's nerves through the Den Den Mushi, completely stunning him!
Ace's voice not only showed no hesitation or prevarication but was instead filled with unprecedented enthusiasm and... longing?
"Really?! That's great! I can go to Egghead, Future Island, and even meet the legendary Vegapunk?! Such an opportunity is truly rare!"
Ace's tone even carried a hint of impatience. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku! I am very willing! I must go! Please, you must let me go!"
"..." The Den Den Mushi perfectly mimicked Sengoku's instantly blank face, as if his brain had crashed.
In the Fleet Admiral's office far away in Mary Geoise, Sengoku held the receiver, completely petrified. He even subconsciously dug in his ears, wondering if he was hallucinating.
What kind of grand joke is this?! A monstrous wave surged in Sengoku's heart. Was my hint just now not clear enough?! Or were the three words 'guinea pig' not direct enough?!
Those old men in suits clearly want to use you for live experiments!
Did you chase Whitebeard so much that you broke your brain?!
However, Ace seemed to have completely missed Sengoku's breakdown signal. His voice remained firm and full of a... strange sense of responsibility:
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, please rest assured! And thank you for your protection!"
Ace's tone became extremely serious. "But I cannot always let you bear the pressure from the Five Elders for me.
A man must take responsibility for his own actions!
Since the World Government believes my abilities have research value, then I must face it myself and clearly demonstrate my worth!"
He even turned around to comfort Sengoku: "Once I've handled the urgent matters here, I will report back to Marineford immediately! Then I'll set off for Future Island at once! I absolutely won't cause any trouble for you or the Marines!"
A long, deathly silence fell on the other end of the Den Den Mushi.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku held the receiver, his mouth slightly agape, unable to close it for a long time.
All his carefully prepared warnings and escape routes seemed to have been fed to the Sea Kings. For the first time, he felt that his strategist's mind couldn't quite keep up with this young subordinate's thinking.
Ace's words were forceful and resonant, every single one filled with an undeniable steadfastness and sincerity.
His posture of 'unwavering loyalty, serving the country and the people' was practically a model example for Marine exemplary soldiers!
His acting was so superb, his infectiousness so strong, that even Doflamingo, who knew the inside story, was almost taken in.
Doflamingo's mouth hung open, his forehead screaming, "This is possible?!"
His jaw seemed dislocated at this moment, unable to close for a long time, unable to utter a single word, only able to scream frantically in his heart:
No way?! Is this guy serious?! This acting... I wasn't this good when I debuted!
Fleet Admiral Sengoku on the other end of the Den Den Mushi was clearly struck in his softest spot by Ace's 'loyal' declaration.
He could even hear the Den Den Mushi mimicking Sengoku seemingly sniffing, and then Sengoku's voice, full of emotion and immense relief, came through, his tone even trembling slightly with excitement:
"Good! Good! Good! Ace! Well said! A man should have such responsibility and spirit!"
Sengoku said 'good' three times in a row, his admiration almost overflowing.
"An excellent, loyal, capable, and responsible Marine prospect like you is truly one in a million, impossible to find another even if one searched the entire sea with a lantern! To meet one in a lifetime is a blessing for our Marines!"
He was so moved by Ace's 'heartfelt words' that he was almost brought to tears. All his previous worries and probes transformed into immense trust and firm protective instincts.
His voice became more solemn than ever, like making the most sacred vow:
"Ace! You can rest assured! As long as you are truly willing to join the Marines and wear the cloak of justice, then no matter where you are in the future, no matter what situation you're in,
as long as you say 'Fleet Admiral, I'm in trouble' through the Den Den Mushi, I, Sengoku—will personally rush to your side at the fastest speed!
Even if the Five Elders, the highest authority in the world, stand in your way, I will never back down!"
This promise was as heavy as a mountain…
....
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