Stussy finally steadied her breathing. Her trembling hands loosened as she slowly lowered them from her mouth. Even so, the fear still clung to her bones cold, suffocating, impossible to shake off.
Morgans watched her quietly, letting out a long sigh. He understood all too well what she was feeling. After all, when he had first learned the truth about Ezra D. Vale, he hadn't been much better.
"Stussy," Morgans began, his tone calm but deliberate. "You don't have to be so afraid."
He adjusted his glasses, eyes glinting faintly behind the lenses. "Compared to the World Government… being by the Young Master's side might bring you far more than you ever imagined."
Those words made Stussy freeze. Then, slowly, the fear in her eyes gave way to thought then to ambition.
He was right.
She had been working as a deep-cover agent for CP0 for years, hidden in the underbelly of the New World, maintaining her cover in the pleasure district. She had done everything the Five Elders ordered missions, espionage, intelligence gathering yet they had long since forgotten her.
No rewards. No recognition. Not even acknowledgment that she existed.
She had become nothing but a shadow mechanical, replaceable, invisible.
But now…
Now she had found a different kind of master.
Serving him Ezra D. Vale meant stepping into a new world altogether. His power transcended nations and systems. Even the Five Elders feared him.
If she stayed by his side… rising to become the leader of CP0 would no longer be a dream. It would be inevitable.
Her heart began to race.
As that realization settled in, the calculating, confident queen of the Pleasure District returned.
Stussy brushed a lock of blonde hair behind her ear, her lips curling into a faint, charming smile.
"Well, well, Morgans," she said teasingly, her tone playful yet laced with purpose. "It seems we'll be working together from now on."
Morgans blinked, momentarily speechless.
"…How do you change moods so fast?"
He sighed inwardly. Then again, he wasn't one to talk his own change of loyalties back then hadn't exactly been slow either.
After a small cough, Morgans leaned back in his chair. "Since we both now serve the Young Master," he said with a hint of gravity, "I might as well tell you something important."
He took out a cigar, lighting it with a soft crackle. Smoke curled between them.
"You've been targeted by Big Mom."
Stussy's eyes narrowed.
"What?"
Morgans nodded grimly. "The seabirds I sent out brought word this morning. Big Mom's suspicions about you haven't faded at all. In fact, they've grown worse over the years."
She frowned, lips tightening. It wasn't exactly unexpected, but she hadn't realized the Empress of the Seas still held such deep suspicion.
So much time had passed, yet that monstrous woman still hadn't let go.
Morgans exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes sharp behind his glasses. "So, what will you do about it, Stussy?"
Silence fell.
Stussy tapped her chin thoughtfully, then said softly, "Perhaps… I should ask the Young Master directly."
Morgans almost choked on his cigar. "Cough what did you just say?!"
"I said," Stussy repeated patiently, "that maybe I should discuss it with the Young Master."
The birdman stared at her. "And why exactly would you do that?"
Stussy smiled slyly. "Because the Young Master and Big Mom are already at odds. Every plan concerning her should be decided by him. Don't you think?"
Morgans paused, then reluctantly nodded. "Fair enough. Makes sense."
Still, he had no intention of joining that conversation himself. The last thing he wanted was to draw Ezra's attention unnecessarily.
He stubbed out his cigar. "If that's your plan, then go ahead. My office isn't a safe house you should move before dawn."
Stussy chuckled lightly, seeing through his nervousness but saying nothing.
She rose, smoothed her dress, and headed for the door. "Understood. I'll handle it."
As she stepped into the night air, the faint glow of streetlights shimmered across her golden hair. The Marine branch loomed just across the street silent and imposing.
Despite her confident facade, a sliver of nervousness lingered in her chest.
She clenched her fists and whispered to herself, "Come on, Stussy. If you want to become the head of CP0, you have to earn it."
Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door to the Marine branch.
Knock, knock, knock!
The rhythmic tapping echoed through Ezra's office.
He glanced at the clock just past eleven. His spiritual perception told him exactly who was outside.
"At this hour…" he murmured, leaning back in his chair. "What could she possibly want now?"
Still, he gestured for her to enter.
The door opened, and Stussy stepped in.
Then without hesitation she dropped to one knee, head bowed low.
The sound of her knee hitting the floor echoed like thunder in the quiet room.
Ezra's eyebrow twitched.
Really? he thought. It's only been a day since Morgans talked to her… and she's already kneeling? That bird really works fast.
Suppressing a sigh, he said, "Stussy, it's late. What brings you here?"
"Forgive the intrusion, Young Master," she said respectfully. "It's about Big Mom."
Her tone was steady, her posture impeccable.
She quickly relayed Morgans' intelligence report and her own deductions. Ezra listened in silence, his expression unreadable.
He knew this was a problem but he had no time to deal with it now.
Roger's execution was imminent. Sengoku and Garp were already making preparations to transfer the Pirate King to Loguetown. Ezra himself would need to oversee security, the execution setup, and the suppression of any potential uprisings.
Big Mom would have to wait.
He pressed his fingers against his temple, eyes closed in thought.
Stussy hesitated for a moment, then offered softly, "If I may, Young Master… perhaps I can buy you some time?"
Ezra opened one eye, intrigued. "Oh? Go on."
Stussy chose her words carefully. "Big Mom sent me to invite you to a private tea party. She's made it clear, in front of all her subordinates, that the invitation stands. If we accept but schedule it after Roger's execution we can delay her without suspicion."
Ezra tapped his fingers rhythmically on the desk.
"And you're certain she'll honor that arrangement?"
Stussy nodded confidently. "Yes. I haven't openly defied her yet. And since she made the offer publicly, she won't retract it easily."
Ezra studied her for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "Very well. Do as you've said."
A spark of satisfaction flickered in Stussy's eyes.
"Yes, Young Master," she said softly, bowing her head once more.
As she turned to leave, the faintest smile crossed Ezra's lips.
For all her cunning and ambition, Stussy had made one thing clear
she now served him completely.
And in the world that was coming, loyalty like that was a weapon more powerful than any Devil Fruit.
_______________________
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