Chapter 141: The Trap is Sprung
I truly don't understand what kind of mentality drives a man to dress like that.
"Haha, I didn't realize I was so famous," Senor Pink replied calmly, crossing his arms.
Doll frowned, clenching her fists. "I really can't stand it... Do you have to strike a pose every single time someone says your name? Whatever, the timing is about right anyway. It doesn't matter if I make my move now!"
As she spoke, Doll adjusted her breathing, calming her chaotic thoughts. Once combat began, she couldn't afford to be affected by her opponent's antics.
…
In front of the Royal Palace of Dressrosa, Nami nimbly dodged the crowd and came to a temporary stop.
"So tall!" she murmured to herself. "This is the first time I've seen a royal city built like this. It looks like a giant cylinder! Is Lieutenant General Ian about to make his move? From my position here, it should be fine."
BOOM!
BOOM!
...!
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the direction of the royal city. Soldiers of the Self-Defense Force immediately rushed towards the scene. Strangely, they lined up on both sides, leaving the central space completely empty. Are they deliberately leaving space for me? Aren't they worried I might slip away?
Just as Nami was puzzling over this, the stone slabs on the ground began to shift.
Rumble...
The rocks on the ground gradually assimilated and rose, slowly coalescing into the form of a giant wearing armor. Nami was taken aback by its immense size. It seemed that to maintain his position as a Warlord, Doflamingo had gathered a group of monstrously powerful individuals around him. This giant who could manipulate stone was one of the highest-ranking executives of the Donquixote Family...
Pica!
User of the Isle-Isle Fruit, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, codename "Spade."
Original Bounty: 99,000,000 Berries.
"Female Marine," Pica's voice boomed, "this is no place for you. State your purpose for coming here."
The area fell silent the moment Pica spoke. Nami was startled at first, then couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Pfft... hahaha!" she giggled. "I thought you were some super fierce guy, but your voice... hahaha! Your voice and your appearance are just too mismatched!"
Pica's voice was high-pitched, almost like a little girl's. Even through the layer of rock, it was clear he was a massive man. The contrast was utterly ridiculous.
Pica hated nothing more than the sound of people laughing at him. "Damn you, female Marine! Who gave you permission to laugh?!" he roared.
BOOM...!
Enraged, Pica ignored his orders. He raised his massive stone arm, ready to bring it crashing down on Nami.
"He laughed too! Why aren't you saying anything to him?" Nami retorted, pointing at a soldier at the front of the Self-Defense Force line.
"Huh? Me?" the soldier stammered in panic. "Lord Pica, I... I held it in!"
He didn't want to laugh, but what could he do? He couldn't help it!
BOOM!
The next moment, Pica's stone palm descended, instantly crushing the unfortunate soldier.
If this were the old Nami, she would have been terrified, screaming at the sight. But now... it seemed his attack power was just average.
…
Inside the Corrida Colosseum, Ian and Doflamingo had walked in together. Ian remained silent, intently observing his surroundings like a curious tourist. As time dragged on, the only one at a disadvantage was Doflamingo.
"Hey, Ian, how long are you planning to stay here?" Doflamingo finally broke the silence, his voice sharp. "I've answered your questions as you demanded. Where is Caesar? What is your plan?"
He cut straight to the point, demanding to know Ian's true purpose.
"My plan?" Ian replied, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'm jealous of your money-making schemes, of course! Haven't you made enough from selling weapons on the black market and instigating wars in other countries? Secretly backing Caesar Clown, manufacturing artificial Devil Fruits, and selling them to the Emperor Kaido... That money isn't so easy to earn, is it? You've become a Warlord of the Sea. Aren't you satisfied yet?"
Ian didn't answer Doflamingo's question directly but instead posed one of his own.
"Fufufufu..." Doflamingo's laughter was low and menacing. "Satisfied? Is there anyone in this world who is ever truly satisfied with the status quo? Those who trade with me are driven by their own desires! Do you think becoming a Warlord would satisfy me? Limited power only breeds greater ambition. You came to Dressrosa without orders, didn't you? If you want to negotiate a deal with me, at least show me your sincerity... Where the hell is Caesar?!"
Doflamingo returned to the core issue. Caesar Clown's whereabouts were his primary concern.
"He's dead. He's really dead," Ian stated flatly. "Of course, I have desires too. For example... completely abolishing the so-called Warlords of the Sea system. If I can't do it for everyone, I can at least start with the one right in front of me."
Doflamingo's brow furrowed. Go to war with the Warlords using just a handful of Marines? Is he serious?
"You want to wage war on the Warlords? What gives you the right?" Doflamingo's voice dripped with condescension. "How much do you even know about me?"
Ian opened his palm. A ring-sized Den Den Mushi lay in his hand. From the moment he met Doflamingo, this Den Den Mushi had been connected. On the other end... were none other than the Five Elders in Mary Geoise and the top brass of Marine Headquarters!
Doflamingo: "!!!"
This brat has been setting me up from the very beginning?!
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