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The World Government's Courthouse, the "Nightless Island"—Enies Lobby!
At this moment, four large ships were docked at the port on the edge of the waterfall-like main gate.
One was a Navy warship, one was the familiar flamingo-themed vessel of the Donquixote Family, and the other two... flew flags bearing the "Hoof of the Celestial Dragon."
These were Heavenly Tribute transport ships!
"Fuffuffuffuffuffu! It seems the World Government has compromised under my threats after all!" Doflamingo grinned, walking with his characteristically arrogant, swaggering gait as he looked around.
"Handing over the Heavenly Tribute at Enies Lobby, the gateway to the World Government... You aren't planning to arrest me, are you? Let me think... will an Admiral suddenly jump out?"
Though he said this, Doflamingo showed no sign of fear. He wasn't here to fight, and even if he couldn't win, couldn't he just run?
His String-String Fruit had been developed to an unprecedented level—cutting, medical stitching, trapping, flight, and a successful Awakening. He dabbled in every aspect; his talent and aptitude were truly astounding.
If given a fruit with a slightly higher upper limit, with his talent, he would undoubtedly be terrifying.
"The World Government keeps its word. Return the Heavenly Tribute, and the final seat of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is yours!" Vice Admiral Momonga said with a stern and serious expression.
He wore a pinstriped lavender suit with a dark blue shirt and a tie. He wasn't particularly tall, sporting a dark purple mohawk and a mustache.
"Fuffuffuffuffuffu!" Doflamingo suddenly clutched his stomach and burst into laughter.
"The World Government keeps its word? That might be the funniest joke I've heard in my entire life!"
"Enough!"
His face darkening at Doflamingo's mockery, Vice Admiral Momonga gloomily tossed a "Legal Plunder Permit" over to him.
The title of Warlord wasn't just a verbal promise. The World Government wanted a balance of three powers, intending for pirates to wear each other down, so naturally, the process had to be formal.
"I'm warning you in advance, Doflamingo! Legal plunder is not a protective talisman. Once you leave Enies Lobby today, if you fall into Navy hands, you will still be arrested!"
"Don't trouble yourself over that!" Doflamingo waved his hand with a smile, taking the permit and walking out of the port. Goal achieved, it was time to leave.
He had plotted for this Warlord title for a very long time, just to bring his underground brokerage into the light, with Dressrosa as his base.
Once in the open, wars between nations, Devil Fruits, weapons, slaves, and even other sinful transactions could be conducted without scruples.
Coupled with the floating entertainment city, Gran Tesoro, run by his ally "Golden Emperor" Gild Tesoro, they would practically be pulling the strings behind most criminal events in the New World.
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"Doffy, are we just leaving the Heavenly Tribute transport ships here?" Trebol asked, mucus dripping from his nose, from aboard the flamingo ship.
"Fuffuffuffuffu, the handover is complete, so we can go!" Doflamingo shook the permit in his hand.
"We helped the Navy deliver them to Enies Lobby and got the Warlord title. That's enough... Hmm?"
"What is that?"
Following Doflamingo's confused tone, the entire Donquixote Family turned to look at the sea.
On the distant horizon, two colossal serpents suddenly appeared, pulling a magnificent red wooden pirate ship that looked like a floating pavilion.
Even with its sails furled, the ship moved at an incredible speed...
The flag depicted nine snakes surrounding a skull!
"That mark... it's the Kuja Pirates. Are those troublesome women from Amazon Lily starting another expedition?" Vice Admiral Momonga gazed into the distance from the port, his expression grave.
Since Amazon Lily got a new Empress, their style had become ten times more domineering, and their strength had increased significantly.
On her first expedition, the captain, "Pirate Empress" Boa Hancock, had received a bounty of 80 million Berries. The woman known as the most beautiful in the world was only 18 years old.
The most critical point was that the Vice Admiral who originally sent back intelligence had to stab himself repeatedly to distract himself with pain, just to avoid being petrified by her irresistible charm. Otherwise, he would have turned to stone and been shattered on the spot!
That charm was a terrifying ability said to ensnare anyone who appreciated beauty, leaving them unable to extricate themselves!
The Navy had even considered her for the final Warlord seat, but Doflamingo had cut in line.
"They just came out of the Calm Belt. Are they starting a second expedition?" Momonga frowned, then shouted to the nearby Marines.
"Hurry! Move the Heavenly Tribute into Enies Lobby!"
"It's too late. It would be fine if those unreasonable women hadn't seen it, but now that they have..." Doflamingo narrowed his eyes. He naturally knew the reputation of the Pirate Empress and how troublesome she was.
So far this year, the four biggest news stories were: The Revolutionary Army beginning world reform activities, the rise to fame of Empress Boa Hancock, the return of the Thunder Emperor Arthur from his disappearance, and the struggle for hegemony in the New World resulting in the "Four Emperors and One Sovereign"!
Neither the Revolutionaries nor the Thunder Emperor were particularly surprising news, as they had been anticipated by certain people.
Only the birth of the "Four Emperors and One Sovereign" was a truly earth-shattering event. And the appearance of the Empress was also garnering global attention!
She was too young, her strength was terrifying, and combined with her world-class beauty, it was hard not to remember her.
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On the sea, The Kuja Pirates!
The two giant serpents held their heads high, dragging the pirate ship forward at high speed. A group of women dressed in varied attire chattered on the deck, seeming curious about everything in the outside world.
"Elder Sister, ahead lies the World Government's Enies Lobby and a Navy warship. Should we change course?" asked Boa Sandersonia, flicking her tongue, her green hair cascading to her waist and her head twice the size of her body.
"Hmph! I see filthy men. Men are all the same, whether enemies or allies... except for him..." Hancock snorted coldly, then her face flushed with shyness. She twisted her waist, then waved her hand, radiating Haki.
"Seize everything we see!"
The pirate ship cleaved through the waves, arriving in front of Enies Lobby in an instant, about to collide with the warship!
"Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock... This is Enies Lobby! Back off immediately!"
On the dock, leading a group of Marines, Vice Admiral Momonga drew his sword and shouted. Though separated by a thousand meters, he dared not look directly at Hancock.
However, behind him, the Marines all had hearts in their eyes. They couldn't even hold their weapons steady and looked ready to surrender on the spot.
"Insolent ones, stand down!"
Hancock looked at them with disdain. With one hand on her hip and the other pointing at Momonga's group, she leaned her head back so far she was looking at the sky—the ultimate display of arrogance, refusing to even look them in the eye.
However, when she inadvertently caught sight of the "Hoof of the Celestial Dragon" on the two Heavenly Tribute transport ships, her face instantly turned pale, her eyes laced with traces of fear.
"Sink those two ships that have offended me!"
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